running
Just bring on the deadly struggle for my soul already and I’ll do just fine, I think. It’s this pacing around the house and washing socks that's killing me!
Stuck in Grimmauld Place
I may or may not have made it clear that I’m entered in a 17-mile race through the mountains tomorrow. I trained really hard until two weeks ago, when it came time to taper down. That’s been the hard part for me: doing nothing. Every time I’ve gone out on little test runs in the past week, I’ve felt strong and capable, but I’ve had to resist the urge to take it up to speed. I did take Boy Wonder out once, and he could hardly walk the next day. (oops!) He’s a cyclist, not a runner.
It would have been better if I hadn’t had the day off today; my mind could have anchored itself to my work. Instead, I have been doing my race laundry, packing my supplies, and cleaning house. By 3:30 I lost it and drove to the grocery store for a snack and became exasperated by the long lines. Aaarrrrrghhhhhhhh! For my next task, I will be vacuuming out my shoes so that no grain of sand can make me a pearly blister by race end. That would be disastrous.
I’m a DOer. Not a planner. Can you tell? Just let me loose. I need to DO! I’m nutty like Sirius Black that way.
I’m also a bit nervous today, but nerves disappear the minute I get to sink my teeth into something. Why am I nervous? First, I’m worried that factors out of my control could put me out: blistering, a knee flare, or a sprain. But to have something to lose, you must have something to gain. I do. The Goat has been singing my praises all over town since the last race, thinking I could do really well in this one. That’s pressure for sure, but my motivations are more internal than external.
I count about two remaining years to conquer athletic dreams before I start a family. My dreams are personal-these are hardly the type of activities that make the newspaper. I’d like one big running accomplishment and one climbing accomplishment to hang my hat on. This race could fulfill the running one.
There are four hundred of us entered in tomorrow’s race. Yes, there are that many people with loose screws out there. ; ) With any luck, I’ll have a good story to tell. If nothing else, my best friend is coming over for dinner on Monday night.
Here’s a little race humor from Butch, the director:
***
Hi Race Participant,
Well, we are just a couple of days away from the Steeplechase and I wanted
to update everyone and answer a few questions I have received.
First, Saturday looks like great weather. Morning low around 55, with
daytime highs in the mid 80's.
The resident rattlesnakes on the Black Mountain summit ridge and in City
Creek Canyon want you to know that they made it through the winter and are
alive and well. Do your best to avoid them.
Smuggler's single-track descent is overgrown from a good winter and is as
treacherous as always. There are places where the brush is 6 feet high,
and you can't see your feet. Be careful, you don't want the dubious honor
of the Bloodiest Award.
Aid Stations: The Steeplechase should always be considered a SELF SUPPORT
race for several reasons.
First: It's always possible that some of the volunteers may oversleep or
just plain forget to show up....
Second: We haul water and supplies to Smugglers Gap a full week before the
race, and there's no telling what happens between then and race day.
Third: The distance between Pipeline and Smugglers is about 6 miles. It's
HOT, has NO SHADE and contains most of the elevation gain in this race.
I recommend that you CARRY WATER on this section. My advice is: if you're
fast, one bottle will probably do. I'm a mid-packer and I take two bottles
or a Camelback on this section. It is also handy to have a fanny pack so
you have at least one hand free for the crags.
With that said, here is the lowdown on the Aid Stations.
Pipeline: Water Only.
Smugglers: Water, Gatorade and Snacks. (hopefully)
Rotary Park: Water, Gatorade, Snacks.
Jays Pleasant Valley: Jay, Water, Gatorade, Snacks.
Rest up and we'll see y'all on Saturday.
Good luck,
Butch
Wahsatch Steeplechase
www.wahsatchsteeplechase.com