Well, I did it! It was a tough course, and I am already planning next year!
The travel to Washington DC is always the part that gets me nervous, not what I am going to eat, not getting to the start line, not how much sleep I get the night before… the travel to the city I am about to run in. We got into DC with a decent amount of time for our amazing friends to pick us up and get to the packet pick up and expo at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. Picking up my bib is always exciting, and holding that funny little piece of paper in my hands, knowing that tomorrow morning, it will be affixed to my shirt and going on a journey with me just electrifies my heart.
Next stop… DINNER! Really letting me get “hangry” is never a good choice, but during the 48 hours prior to a race, it is down right dangerous! We found a little Italian spot there on the National Harbor to sit down and have dinner. Of course I went for pasta! We had a wonderful early dinner and then headed back to our hotel. I was already beat from traveling (we left our home in CO around 4am to get to the airport) and decided that a hot bath and bed were the best choice for the night since those nights before a big race are usually filled with nerves and less than ideal sleep. After looking at the weather for the morning, I made the final decision on my race attire, laid it out and checked all of my gear off of my list.
October 27, 2019: Wide awake before my alarm, I get up and take a hot bath, basking in the quiet silence of this early morning. Nerves are being nerv-y and I am feeling like I am as ready as I will ever be. I recite in my head the verse that I will recite in my head about every mile for the 31 miles that I will be conquering, “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 I am warm and stretched out, awake and aware, I am present in this moment. I get dressed, careful to not wake my sleeping daughter, as she has a busy day ahead as well, walking with her daddy and our friends’ daughter while waiting for me to finish. I can hear the wet sounds of cars passing under our hotel room, so I go out to the balcony, where I record a brief emotional video to my friends and family on Facebook. I am ready. My husband is now stirring and I wake my girl. We make our way down to the lobby, where I can smell the sweet aroma of coffee brewing (none for me this morning, adrenaline is my morning kick start today) The barista fills my hydration pouch for me, I slowly eat a dry bagel and sip some NUUN – slowly, remember nerves? We make our way down to the shuttle, it’s drizzling. (Yep, going to start this out soggy) Once we board the bus, you can feel the energy coming off of the rest of the people already seated. The bus begins moving, and we are on our way to the start line… only a short walk and security check then we will be at the starting area.
We made really good time on the bus to the start line, it is now raining, My wonderful husband gets a trash bag for our daughter to wear, since we didn’t have her rain coat out. We walk to the “party area” where there is a DJ in a booth and a tent set up in the middle of the Pentagon parking lot. In the tent, we huddled with many other racers, most of us doing the ultra. We stood there, warming up, stretching, and best of all getting our blessing from a Marine chaplain with his Sunday morning services. I kept looking at my watch after services, the time was moving ever so slowly, I knew that I would be taking off soon. The rain was really coming down now, and I knew that I was sure to be soaked. It was coming close to start time, so we started making our way down the parking lot, under the bridge and onto the road that the race was soon to be starting on. My husband and daughter walked me all the way to the starting area, where I got my tearful hugs and kisses, and reassured my daughter that I would be seeing her in a few hours. I turned and made my way to the crowd of excited people and waited for the Howitzer to sound.
This is the closest the the Howitzer I have ever been for the beginning of MCM! It was so loud! And it set my heart racing, just like my feet would soon be! We all started moving towards the starting mat with a swishing sound of plastic rain ponchos. We were off! The good thing is that while we were all getting soaked, we all were so excited to be running in this, the very first MCM 50K! I for one, was thankful that while it was raining, it was a warm rain – and I knew that if I kept moving, I would maintain my body temperature. I have almost no photos prior to the Blue Mile, because my wet fingers would not register on my phone! As we were running down a hill, we heard police sirens beeping us out of the way, and then from behind us shouting, “Make a hole!” Runners all split like the Red Sea and soon we heard and felt the whooshing of the hand bikes coming through. While it was exhilarating, it was a bit frightening they were going so fast, and people were not aware that they were coming in at such a high speed. I was amazed that no one got hit!
Running to about mile 4, the 50K crowd all turned left and got our own little 10k out and back along the Lower Potomac River. What a beautiful view, trees and water (both next to and coming down on us). I met a really sweet lady who was running about the same intervals as I was, we chatted about almost everything and even joked about “not taking the pudding on the stick” being handed out at an aid station (it’s Vaseline). On our way back down Canal Road, just at the junction to meet back up with the Marathoners in Georgetown, I did manage one photo, the stairs from the Exorcist!
The rain just kept on coming down, it would stop for a while, and then pretty soon, it was knocking acorns and leaves down all around us. What a trip it was. I was doing pretty well, however, my ankles were starting to get sore around mile 14. I was slowing my new friend down. I told her to go on ahead of me, knowing that I would finish, and it was ok to slow down, listening to my body. I stayed with her in sight for another few miles. I knew that this was going to be a test of my will to finish. “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” I saw a one of my Colorado running pals, and ran over to give her a hug! I was so happy to see her! It gave me a little more fuel. I decided then, those darn negative feelings were going to stay away… I WAS FINISHING.
Because my ankles were angry (probably from the weight of wet shoes) I changed my game plan a it. I would run from one street lamp to the next, and then walk to the following one, over and over, I did this for about 5 miles. It was not fast, but it was efficient. I made it to the Blue Mile! I knew then, especially after an emotional chat with my daughter on the phone, I was going to make it.
Really, the next 9ish miles is a blur of the rain stopping, walking with people and encouraging others as we all worked to make it to through the gauntlets. Every one of the check points I passed was an internal celebration and a prayer of gratitude. While I was on this painful stretch, I prayed, I talked to my Daddy, and I just remembered to keep pushing on with a smile. I was nearing one of the check points, a sweeping spot when I saw a lady doing intervals and slowing like I was. There was a man who was also on this journey, who was keeping a positive attitude and had I had the energy, I would have hugged him. The three of us “ran” to the bridge, JUST in time to beat it. We knew there, that we had this, we could walk the rest and make it in. We chose to keep up the intervals, and kept each other company, talking about the things we had in common, how were were all pretty crazy, and how good a Coke was going to taste! My new trotting friend and I shared the same name, both are Skirt Sisters and ironically, were staying at the same hotel! We became fast friends, and decided that we would get to that finish line, TOGETHER.
My new friend and I barely made the final sweep spot in Crystal City. Thank GOODNESS! We happily walked that last few miles through Crystal City together. Still wanting a cold Coke! (I don’t even drink soda very often) We saw a running icon, Katherine Switzer, and completely “fan girl’ed” her, stopping for a quick photo. She was so kind and encouraged us on.
It was right about this part in my journey, that I decided that I really didn’t mind being DFL (dead f-ing last) because it meant that I DFQ (Didn’t F-ing Quit) – yup – made that up all by myself. You know what? The day was tough, I ran through a monsoon, I ran when it dried up and got hot, I ran when it hurt like hell, and I kept that smile on my face, even when it was a grimace. My sweet husband and daughter met up with us on the course, with about 1 mile to go, seeing them coming towards us, hit me in the feels so hard. What a final mile boost to get moving again. I ran up behind a man that I had shared my BASE salt with around the Blue mile, he was so happy to have made it to the end, and told my daughter that he was grateful for me. Again, I felt the sting of tears welling up.
I had that last wind winding up inside me. “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” We walked up the hill towards the finish line, a little faster than we had been going previously. A man had fallen, and medics were attending to him. He was so close to that finish. We rounded the corner, and I told my new friends, “Come on, let’s run over that line!” I mustered up a run (that’s what I am calling it, since it was more like a painful canter) and I crossed that finishline, hearing my name called out by the MC saying that I had finished a 50K! It was then that the tears flowed, My husband and daughter made it across the barricades, to hug me at that finish line, I turned around and hugged my new friends, and just cried. I did it! I finished my first 50K.
As I go over these photos and I look back on my experience, I can now answer the next question that I have been asked. “Will you ever do it again?” I think of the training, the nerves, the CHAFE, the pain in my joints… Hell yeah, I will do it again. I have a time to beat! #notmylast50K #DNQ
It's Just me, V 
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