Friday started out with Iva Lightsey,
better known as Poison Iva, having
driven up from MS to join me in the journey to KY for the all
girl's ultra
directed by the infamous Herb Hedgecock. (See
HH for more on this scandalous, politically correct run)
At the last minute, P.I. and I decided that we would "camp". She
nor I have
ever camped before. Randy Saxon loaned and delivered the tent
and the
sleeping bags to P.I. He e-mailed me that he had instructed P.I.
on setting
up the tent and added a "good luck". I knew then that we were in
trouble.
Fortunately, Juli Hutson and Todd Mitchell (husband of runner
participant,
Elisa.) were veteran campers and proved that they were very
capable of
setting up the tent for us. (Todd gave superb instructions on
how to
bypass Lexington on my way back to TN. Thanks a million!!!)
Later, as a
storm was brewing, Juli came running
up the hill to see if we had put the tarp on the tent. We did
manage on our own to get that figured
out. Thanks, Juli, for looking out for us.
And thanks Todd for all your help.
Moments later, all hell broke loose. The tent swayed in so many
directions
that we thought for a while we were goners. Thoughts about the
mountaineers
whose tents endure hurricane winds somehow brought some peace of
mind. The
winds that we were experiencing were just gentle breezes in
comparison.
Herb mentioned in his report that he slept. I don't know how he
did it. The
thunder was deafening. Once, a bolt of lightning lit up the tent
like two
100 watt bulbs and seconds later a clap of thunder so loud that
it could
have raised the dead. The thundering continued on what seemed to
be all
night.
P.I. and I got broken in right on our first night of camping.
She claimed
during the first part of the storm that she was never camping
again. She got
over it the next day and discussed camping at future races.
Got up the next morning feeling numb from no sleep to prepare
for the race.
A lot of happy faces gathered about an hour later to start this
adventure.
Front kneeling: Robin Meagher, Becky Kasten, Anita Finkle, Iva
Lightsey,
Debbie Rouse
Back: Booper(not human), Raz Estridge(semi)
, Herb Hedgecock, Julie O'Brien, Allison Kallo,
Stacy Seay, Lorilee Lundell, Teresa Colpaert, Elisa
Mitchell, Linda
Barhorst, Sylvia Gleason, Juli Hutson
Got some pre-race pictures
taken and then Herb yelled, "GO!" and we were
off.
The trail followed along a beautiful lake. The forest was so
dense that we could only get glimpses
of it as we ran. A cooling drizzling rain started
not long after we were on our way. We were all grateful
for that.
About four miles into the race, I was going down a steep hill
which bottomed
out in a dry creek bed and it was in the middle of a hairpin
turn. It all
happened so fast, that I'm not sure exactly what caused the
accident. I
think it may have been I was going too fast. Never thought I
would ever be
able to say that. As I was going down the steepness and trying
to negotiate
this sharp right turn, I suddenly saw the ground coming at me.
Momentarily,
I visualized doing a face plant. Instead, I slammed into the
opposite wall
of the creek with my right knee and right palm. Excruciating
pain surged
through my knee. Gathered myself up and hobbled out of the creek
bed.
Fast forward: Tried to suck it up hoping that the pain would go
away and be
able to finish the course. I ran like a three-legged dog. Got to
the second
aid station at twelve miles and had to call it a day. The pain
was getting
worse and I'm not that tough.
The course was beautiful with many creek crossings which most
were dry. Had
some steep hills along the way. Those hills could be described
as hells.
Herb claims the course was thirty-two miles. Others claim that
it was more
than that. I think the term Herbical Miles applies here.
All the aid stations were well stocked and manned by wonderfully
nice
volunteers.
Herb had a great pre-race dinner for us on the campgrounds with
his most
delicious chocolate cake and a white cake. I regret not trying
the white
cake. Being I'm a chocoholic, I didn't try it.
Herb's famous chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal and raisin
cookies were at
all the aid stations. I indulged in the chocolate, of course.
Herb so
generously let P.I. and me take home a container of both
cookies. I ate most
of the chocolate before getting out of the state of KY.
As a registrant, you received a glazed stone mug, a CD that you
picked out
from a stack and a very nice nylon jacket of light blue and
white with a
mesh liner.
Herb outdid himself in catering to the ladies.
We didn't get to stay and enjoy the post-race festivities. P.I.
had to get
home to hubby and it was a twelve hour trip for her.
We had a great time and...
Thanks Herb for all you did!
Last, but not least, thanks to all the volunteers who sat in the
rain for
hours catering to our needs.
Raz
Murfreesboro, TN
Anita Finkle's
Top Ten:
1. Sitting in the car with Herb while enjoying the "fireworks"
show after
the delicious spaghetti dinner on Friday--a spectacular
lightning storm
accented by numerous lightning bugs.
2. As we lined up to start the run, Allison arrived and said
she was not
running since she brought one of her shoes and one of her
husband's shoes.
Becky had an extra pair of running shoes that happened to be
the right size
and she gave them to Allison, so Allison was able to run after
all!
3. Seeing two terrapins in the early miles on the trail. One
was in the
middle of the trail and I moved it to the side so the runners
behind me
would not step on it.
4. Running with Iva and Elisa. "Poison Iva" is a
self-proclaimed redneck
from Mississippi who has a delightful southern accent and some
interesting
stories. And Elisa kept a great attitude throughout her first
ultra even
when she went through some rough patches. Her pink shirt with
orange trim
matched the course marking ribbons perfectly too!
5. The view from Tater Knob Tower. And waving at Herb at the
aid station
below.
6. Finishing with Elisa while her family and dogs (in their
cute bandanas)
cheered us on.
7. Watching Juli and sisters Allison and Stacy finish together
in high
spirits.
8. Talking with Julie and Debbie from Lexington after the
run. It was
their first ultra attempt and they got lost and were unable to
finish. But
rather than being discouraged, they were smiling and talking
about how much
they learned for "next time!"
9. We each got a real nice embroidered jacket, plus a unique
stoneware mug
and a music CD.
10. Visiting Annie (my grandmother) in Charleston, WV on the
way to and
from the run.
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