The Jacket

Supermodel and I each became proud owners of the Triple Trail Challenge "trophy" jacket on Saturday. The jacket was awarded to participants who successfully completed the three required events.  We ran our third race, Mid Mountain Marathon, Saturday morning.  It was much more difficult than we expected.

I won't give a blow-by-blow, but 25 miles of the 26.2 were on singletrack.  Rocky, root-ey, hilly, singletrack.  When I crossed the finish line I searched for and found the few friends who had run the race prior... the friends who had said, "Your legs will feel GREAT after running a marathon on trails!  Yes it's at 8,000' elevation, but the trail's relatively level, just a few climbs, and it's all downhill after mile 20!  The scenery's beautiful!"

When I found those friends, I said, "You lied.  About everything."  And they did.

But, Supermodel and I each conquered the course.  I suppose the views were pretty if you wanted to prolong the time on the mountain to stop running and... look.  My eyes had to remain on the trail or I tripped, plus the views gave me vertigo.  I was running with a guy for several miles; he stopped around mile 12 and said, "Let's just take a moment to enjoy this beautiful view!"  I said, "Pretty.  Now let's GO."

I fell.  Three times.  It hurt.

I've never fallen while running on the road.  I fell three times during the Jupiter Peak Steeplechase in August, and was determined not to fall during Mid Mountain Marathon.  I can't tell you how painful it is, physically and emotionally, to hit the ground in one of these races.  The physical pain is obvious.  But it's the emotional pain and mojo loss that drains me.  It's a huge withdrawal from an energy account that has limited funds.

I finished though.  I finished with sore knees and a dirty body, but I finished strong.

[Looking for Chris and the boys.]

[I see the boys.]

 

Supermodel fell once and also finished strong.

 

We hugged and cried and were happy that the event, the whole Triple Trail Challenge, was over.

I called Supermodel today...

ME:  How ya feelin'?

SUPERMODEL:  Better than I thought I would.  My shoulder and hip hurt.  I think it's from my fall.  How about you?

ME:  My quads and calves are sore, and my knees are hammered, but I'm functioning.

We talked about what we'd eaten, how we craved salty foods, how our plumbing had taken 24 hours to return to normal.  Then I asked her if she'd pop over so Chris could take some pictures of us in our jackets.  The jackets I convinced her would be SO cool to have.  We'd be like the Navy SEALS [sort-of] of trail running!

Here we are in the jackets we ran for, fell for, argued about, and spent $140 in entry fees for!

[Click on all photos to enlarge.]

 

 

I wanted to do some fun poses, maybe build a pyramid or do the splits, but Supermodel wanted no part of it.  Chris photographed one of our famous disagreements.

I begged and pleaded, but I couldn't get Supermodel to do a Cirque du Soleil trick with me in our jackets.  She finally just walked away.

 

Maybe after we complete the Triple Trail Challenge next year she'll do it.  C'mon, Supermodel.  It'll be fun!

Comments

[Beth]

Great job. Man, that could not have been easy!!

[Tara McLain]

Yay! Congrats on your race and your new smooth looking jacket! Trail runs are always so much more brutal then road runs; that couldn't have been easy.

PS Your comment about losing your keys on my blog had me cracking up!
Take care.

[meg]

Cool jackets, definitely worth it!

[Candice]

She may be Supermodel, but you are Super Woman! Congrats on getting your jacket!!

[Amy]

Awesome job!!!!! I ran my first trail half back in May and fell 4 times. You're exactly right... the first time isn't so bad, but the next few times... it's just mojo wrecking. I can't imagine how many times I'll fall in a trail marathon... one of these days I'll find out.

Congrats again! And awesome jackets!

[Jamie]

You two are super hardcore. Awesome job on the tough marathon! Congrats on your 3rd race finish and the jacket. Love the pics!

[www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawmekECR6EoKPPrxEdp2oQKl0YTwjx0xB6w]

I really enjoyed this post. Like the pics and the lid on your profile! Thanks for your comment on my blog. I am inspired by the length of time that running has been a part of your life. I am a 'late bloomer' - started looking at distance at 39, two years ago. I did one trail run and finished with bruises but not jacket. What!?

[Nicole]

Well done!
And I wanted to compliment you on your header: you look really good and toned. You give me something to aspire to.

[Tara McLain]

Hi Chris, I just wanted to thank you for your kind comment on my blog. I appreciate it! I realize how lucky I am and I am taking all precations!

Take care,
Tara

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Congratulations!

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that was great! congratulations to you, and good luck on your future runs! :)

[ClubPenguin]

Trail runs are always so much more brutal then road runs; that couldn't have been easy.

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I can't tell you how painful it is, physically and emotionally, to hit the ground in one of these races.

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Supermodel and I are falling apart. She's battling IT band syndrome on both legs now, and a lateral ankle-lower-calf-thing. We don't know what to call it. The way she describes her pain, it sounds like a tendon to me. Neither one of us are doctors... but we could be if we wanted to.

I continue to deal with chronic knee pain, but that isn't the problem right now. It's my foot. I'm worried I have the beginnings of a stress fracture. I hate to even type it. Maybe I don't. I don't know.

Supermodel has already left town for the 4th of July weekend. We're leaving tomorrow and will be in Arizona for a week. We've agreed to take care of ourselves and pow-wow when we return, hopefully having benefited from a little cross-training and a break if necessary.

I've been able to run through the foot pain so far, but today I've chosen to forego my speed workout. I'm supposed to run 15 miles on Saturday and I'd rather save myself for the endurance run. The endurance run in the hot desert. I'm a little worried. I haven't had an opportunity to acclimate to the heat this summer because we've had so much rain. The morning temps have been pleasant.

Please keep a good thought for our various pains. If anyone knows what Supermodel's lateral ankle-lower-calf-thing could be, let us know. My foot pain seems to be on the top of a metatarsal, but I'm not noticing swelling, which typically accompanies a stress fracture. Again, if anyone has any ideas, I would appreciate it.