Spirit's Snowdrop Ultra 55

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Spirit Unleashed
Lynn Williams
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Spirit's Snowdrop Ultra 55

Postby Spirit Unleashed » Mon Jan 01, 2018 4:38 pm

I won't lie to you. I've wanted one of these buckles since 2014. I entered the race that year, but did not finish the 100 miles. I only got 45 miles; and my knee wouldn't work after that. So I dropped.

Here is the 2018 version with the shirt; which I now own.

Image

So the race lurked in my mind quietly for several years. In April this year, I did a 50k in a great time and I felt great after; I wondered if I could do 50 miles or even try a timed 100 agan.

I started to watch for entry to open. Opening was midnight on June 28. That night, I was laying awake in bed at 1:30 am thinking how I would enter in the morning. I decided to enter right then and maybe I could go to sleep. It was already 65% full. I filled by 8 am.

But, I'm IN!!

I signed up for a rails-to-trails 50 mile race October 28. It went really really well. I was surprised. I did a 50k on December 16. It went really well. I decided I'm ready for Snowdrop.

On December 24 I went to the Snowdrop course and ran for about an hour. While I was there, two of the race directors showed up. They explained everything to me and gave me a tour. On Monday December 25, I thought it would be ok if I just didn't go. I even drafted an e-mail to the RD saying to give my ticket to someone on the wait list; but I never sent it. I decided to go running first. For one hour, I was sure I would skip the race. But then I just sort of lost that energy. I didn't send the e-mail.

By Wednesday, I realized: you can't finish if you never start. I decided I would get my butt to the starting line.period. Then, the day before the race, I decided I would get 61 laps done (42 miles) but no other commitment.

I went to packet pick but a box containing about 10 lbs of old race medals. Snowdrop Foundation puts new ribbons on these and hand them out to kids with cancer; "Bling for Bravery."

Day 1: I'm at the race site very early. I was awake most of the night worried about getting a parking spot in the A lot. The weather might rain but it is pretty warm. I claim a good spot along the course for my wagon and chair. Eventually, the race starts. I planned to run 3 minutes and walk 2 minutes until I got to 61 laps (42 miles). I did well with this until about 34 miles when I decided to walk the last 15 laps. The course was half concrete and this was taking a toll on my lower back and knees. So I shut down the running. I was on course moving forward about 11 hours and a little. Lots of pit stops to grab food, shift garmins, porta-potty, etc. It did rain for about 30 minutes so I got to use my new umbrella. I was very tired after the 30 min drive home.

Snowdrop Foundation helps kids with cancer. All around the course they have pictures of little kids with cancer. Some say, "In honor of ____" Some say, "In memory of _____" (Oh, these are the ones who passed). Some say, "Survivor ____" In any case, looking at these pictures made me choke up repeatedly all during the race.

I resolved to show up for day 2, but no expectations on performance. I ate a big bowl of vegetarian cuisine for dinner. I didn't sleep real great.

Day 2: I got to the course and started running at 5:17 am. I was surprised that my legs felt good. So I again did 3 minutes jog and 2 min walk. I slowed down my running speed to lessen the impact. I did real well, with too many pit stops. The weather was pretty warm, but a heavy mist. So I was getting wet and had to use a rain shell.

They had some new signs on the course. Here is my favorite:

Image

They also had a sign that said, "They didn't say it would be easy but they did say it would be worth it." These two signs helped me alot mentally.

I must have been a cranky pants a good part of day 2. Some people started finishing. I got to see the things they do for each and every person who gets to 100 miles. All I thought was I don't want all that fuss. Just give me my buckle and let me go. Cranky Pants!!! Better I finish on day 3 when I won't be so cranky.

I got the second batch of 61 laps done. The shoes I used for day 2 weren't exactly right. These shoes had caused some problems with one of my toe nails. After I got home, I figured out what to do about that (and used a different pair of shoes for day 3).

I was now up to 84 miles. I knew that come hell or high water, I would finish those last 16 miles, even if I had to crawl.

Day 3: Again, I didn't sleep very much. After 84 miles, by body felt a little beat up. Nothing was broken, but I kept feeling little twinges of pain here or there. My hips weren't happy, so I couldn't lie comfortably. But I had the alarm set for 3 am; and when it went off, I was up and at 'em.

I started forward motion at 4:45. It was very cold. Many people were still on course. Many of these people were walking very slowly and maybe limping.

I on the other hand, was amazed at the recuperative power of laying in bed for a few hours. I was well enough to again do the 3 minutes jog and 2 minutes walk. I was doing really good. It was very cold and windy, but this didn't seem to bother me. I finished the final 16 miles (23 laps) in about 3:45.

I had to be patient. It was still going to take a few hours to finish 16 miles. Don't screw up now. But I was excited to see my lap count get closer and closer. And I was feeling better and better. I couldn't believe I was actually going to finish this thing. It had taken alot to get to this point.

At 143 laps, I could hear them mention my name. The RD asked me how many laps as I went by. I said 2 more. She said, "Next lap is your bell lap?" I said, "Yes." She wrote something on her clip board. I kept going but started to cry real tears. Even as I type this now, I'm crying. I was going to finish that race.

I am not a quitter!

They actually have a big hokey bell that you ring for your last lap. As I came through the race crew was again saying my name. I rang the bell. Then, I ran most of the last lap. The crew was watching for me as I came around. They hold a finishers tape for everyone. They announce on the loud speaker. The RD even said it was my first 100 miler (true), and that I almost quit earlier in the week.

Image

Here I am getting my buckle.

Image

A word about me and timed ultras. Why did I go home? Well, for many races, when something goes wrong, my brain is too worn out to fix any problems. All I do is quit, usually with 50 miles. But, when I get home, I realize what I could have done. If I had a crew, that person's job is to fix my problems; but I don't. So this time, I just planned to go home, even though it was a 35 minute drive. Indeed, after day 2, I had some repairs to do on toes and at home, I had the resources.

Also, I know what part of my problem with 100 mile races is. After about 35 - 40 miles, I am not interested in more running. If it is a 50 mile race, I'll tough it out. But I fail to see the point of walking slowly for 65 miles; and quit instead.
Athlete....Maniac 973....Marathon Maniac 6645
Live the most amazing life you can live - La
marathon runners are awesomeness personified - Ian
Bucket list: http://www.tassietrailfest.com.au/
http://ultramonk.blogspot.com/

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RA.
Kevin Sullivan
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Re: Spirit's Snowdrop Ultra 55

Postby RA. » Mon Jan 01, 2018 4:57 pm

Fantastic, Laura! I’d just gone to your journal to check as I knew you had a big week d, but didn’t realize just how big. Congratulations!
Life is short. Stop whining!!- Jwolf

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Habs4ever
Kevin Sullivan
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Re: Spirit's Snowdrop Ultra 55

Postby Habs4ever » Mon Jan 01, 2018 5:02 pm

YOU’RE NOT A QUITTER!!!
Yay you. You did it. I’m so happy for you.
I wanna live like there's no tomorrow
Love, like I'm on borrowed time
It's good to be alive, yeah....Jason Gray

Running is a conversation with your body. Sometimes you listen and sometimes you tell it to stop whining and do something. - Ian

IronColl
Lynn Williams
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Re: Spirit's Snowdrop Ultra 55

Postby IronColl » Mon Jan 01, 2018 7:26 pm

Congratulations!!
If all that you read is everything you believe then let go, then let go, then let go.

Nothing will change if you never choose.

2018 goals: May half marathon, September half marathon

deerdree
Kevin Sullivan
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Re: Spirit's Snowdrop Ultra 55

Postby deerdree » Mon Jan 01, 2018 10:36 pm

I really enjoyed reading this report! Loved the pictures, loved the commentary and reflections. Love the buckle!

And I think it's great that you donated your old medals to such a worthy cause.

Congratulations! Definitely not a quitter!

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5km
Bill Crothers
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Re: Spirit's Snowdrop Ultra 55

Postby 5km » Tue Jan 02, 2018 11:20 am

Congratulations!

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Jwolf
Kevin Sullivan
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Re: Spirit's Snowdrop Ultra 55

Postby Jwolf » Tue Jan 02, 2018 12:48 pm

This is so awesome, Laura! So happy for you. You did it.

It is definitely a lot more challenging for you to do this without a crew. The looped course makes the logistics easier than other ultras, but the psychological factor is so important. So many ultra reports I have read describe how the runner relies so much on their crew for psychological as well as physical support. To do it all yourself is quite the accomplishment.

Recover well!

(but I wanted to see a picture of the chair and wagon ;) )
Support me in my fundraising for the Boston Marathon, Boston Public Library team:
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Spirit Unleashed
Lynn Williams
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Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:38 am
Location: The Texas Tropics

Re: Spirit's Snowdrop Ultra 55

Postby Spirit Unleashed » Tue Jan 02, 2018 8:37 pm

Thanks for the congrats.

I've been thinking about this all day. This might be a highlight accomplishment of my life.
Athlete....Maniac 973....Marathon Maniac 6645
Live the most amazing life you can live - La
marathon runners are awesomeness personified - Ian
Bucket list: http://www.tassietrailfest.com.au/
http://ultramonk.blogspot.com/


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