My Favorite Part of Thanksgiving:
Mmm, the leftovers. I’m having a big plate right now. It is really tasty. And my gravy, is the best gravy I have ever had. Sorry Grandma, I think, I may have just, for the first time in my life, made my gravy better than yours. I can’t believe, it I know, but it’s true.
Ken’s a funny guy, he was talking to one of our friends, getting a ride together and all of a sudden I was mountain biking on Thanksgiving, the coldest day that we’re here. Of course, I was open to it, kinda surprised, but looking forward to it. Did they know I only brought my single speed and that it will be my first time on it since I broke my jaw. And that this was my first ride since running 31 miles? A little worried about performance, yes. But hey, it’s Thanksgiving, I gave them fair warning and we had a great time. Toward the end I had to walk some stuff, my legs were tired. But then again I was in the foothills of Albuquerque on the area that has the steeper climbs. I felt good.
So yes, my first ride post ultra run was single speed, in the foothills, in the snow. How cool is that.
Wild Hare meets Crazy Tortoise Part II.
I decided to go down by myself, it wasn’t an I decided, it was a we decided. It made it easier, a lot easier. I hated carrying my table and all my crap over there by myself, it felt like it was taking too much out of me. I had all my little bottles ready to go, I felt like I was ready to go.
Here’s me looking really fast, actually for me I was probably really fast. I was averaging about 10 minute miles here.
My first 2 laps felt great. I felt great, I was going back and forth with this girl, who got 2nd. She wasn’t very friendly, wouldn’t talk with me or to me, I think, she may be a little competitive. But she was talking a lot to her friend who was over 6 feet tall that was pacing her. So I think, she may have felt a little competitive. And I know I did, this, after all was my ‘A’ race and I was trying to fun as fast as I could. But it was no threat to me that I was running against another girl. After all I had a feeling I would eventually fall apart.
My first 2 laps I was fast through the trees, light on my feet, but slow and dragging on the flats.
After than, I had 2 shots of espresso, and 3 Tylonol. I had to take my Smart Wool socks off because it felt like I was running on steel wool. My last 2 laps I ran sockless in my Mizouno Wave Universe 3’s. No Problem.
My 3rd lap, I felt was OK, it was still 10 something minute miles. And my 4th lap I put my support hose on, and fell into survival. My mental game was good. My thoughts tried to drag me down into dispare, but I kept an empty mind full of love and light thoughts for me and the Universe.
It was hot, so I was down to my sports bra. I have to say, I love that extra pocket.
It was a walk jog. I ran as fast as I could, and then walked, and then, ran as fast as I could and then walked. This continued for 7 miles. Mmm, Pepsi, 3.5 miles into the last lap. I was walking backwards, sideways, sideways to the other direction.
Lap 3 and 4 my strategy changed. I was slow through the trees, because of my knee was hurting. And kicking it up on the flats.
I had a sprint to the finish and many, many,moments of walking around, getting it together.
The guy said, “Congratulations, 2nd place.”
And then, my little friend came over and said, “No, I actually got 2nd Place.”
And then, the race director said, let me talk to you over here.
They were gone and then, came back and took my trophy away.
And that’s how I ended up in 3rd Place.