Sadler's Creek Stumble 30hr-100 #28

Was registered to run this race, but after bombing my last 2 trail races on my junk knee, I thought I should probably bow out. I've done 3 100s on the knee waiting for my replacement surgery, but they were all on roads and all took longer than 30 hrs. I really wanted to do this race though, I ran Knock on Woodstock with Upstate Ultras in spring and they were such a class act that even though I hate looped races, its so worth doing their races! They really care about their runners. I remembered they'd let a lady run well past closing up shop @ KoW to get her 100 mile buckle, so I decided to ask if I could do the same thing to get in a full 100, because it was very unlikely I'd be making the 30 hour cutoff even with a 1 hour grace period with daylight savings. Of course they were just fantastic about it and said I could even start the night before if I needed to. I really appreciated the support not for myself but because these hundreds are for veteran suicide awareness.

I expected 33-34 hours on trail with the bum knee and almost 9000 elev gain, so we arrived about 9pm and got in a burger, fries and frosty at Wendys, with a few hrs to sleep to be up at 3:45am for a 5am start, 3 hrs before the race actually started at 8am Saturday. The drive down through the Tennessee mountains was stunning, pics don't do the autumn leaves justice. Was REALLY happy to see the leaves still on the trees in November, meaning no hidden tree roots on the course, though I still managed to turf it several times. :-P

It was kindof crazy getting to an early start. It was super pitch dark, no moon out and no lights between the both the lake and state park. We'd been given a gate code but when we got there it had a padlock. We didn't think the padlock would have a code so we were trying to figure out how to get into the park. The slope of the grass around the gate looked too steep to drive so we decided to try and carry my drop bag/box the quarter mile gps gave us to the finish. We walked a ways with the heavy box but the road split with a parking sign going one direction but gps telling us another. No lights or campground to be seen. Jason decided to jog back to the car and try and drive on the slope around the gate, then he realized the padlock did use a code haha, so happily he met me with the car and we were able to drive around and find the main aid station, start/finish. Set up my campy chair and box at a tree near the finish line, Jason grabbed some pics and I started out in the dark. I decided since this was my last race before surgery I was gonna throw a little caution to the wind and push my knee, to make sure I came in in time for the buckle, but having a few hrs grace period took some edge off my anxiety. Worse case I knew I'd still get in 100 miles for Dexter, Nate, Taylor and Jacob and also for all the other veterans who've lost their lives to suicide, that my back will never be big enough to carry. Only Jesus has a back that big.

Kinda nervous heading out and my heart rate was still pretty high with anxiety, I was like, telling myself, don't be dumb, you have plenty of time and there are no other racers or conga lines here to stress you out. The trail was immediately a bit technical. Not the worst and definitely runnable, but there was enough bumpiness, roots and rocks that you really had to watch your step especially for the first mile of the first loop. There was a winding sidewalk through the woods, some short road stretches, and some nice smooth trails and easy climbs so it was really well balanced, lots of variety. Really only one hill that I had to stop running and hike. I managed to fall twice out on my own. Stupidly didn't put new batteries in my headlamp so the first loop was a bit slow not seeing well. Also the path winds all over so I was feeling super thankful for great race support, without such good trail markings and arrows I would have been hopelessly lost within the first mile. There was a bathroom after the first mile, heated, with lights & flushing toilets. This was like, the luxury liner of races. Ran through sortof a golf course I think , and there were eyes shining everywhere!! There were SO many deer! Luckily my son Adam only told me about the "Not deer" in Appalachia myth after my race or I might have freaked myself out, hah.

"The Not Deer is a folk cryptid. You’re in a car at night, in a rural, heavily wooded area, and probably a bit lost. In your headlights you see a deer. Then you see it more clearly. There’s just something wrong about it. There’s something about its eyes. You feel your stomach get heavy like a rock, the hair on your neck raise. You sense intelligence that you shouldn’t. It doesn’t move like a deer, it moves like a… oh god, what is that thing? A neck that is too long, glowing eyes, sharp or pointed teeth, legs that bend the wrong way, whatever that thing is, it’s not a deer and "we need to leave" Ummm thanks alot anyway Adam. By the way, to any ultra runners reading this, you are welcome, you too can now get freaked out in the dark by the "Not Deer" I also saw a raccoon and an armadillo. I almost stepped on the armadillo, he was adorable!

Towards the end of the first loop there were only 2 spots where I wasn't completely confident of the signage but I managed to stay on course. Got in almost 2 loops alone before the actual race start, so I stopped and grabbed my bib & was actually in the race now. Jay and Matt the RD's were so welcoming. They just make you feel like part of a family. <3 There were a lot of runners starting together, but happily people spread out enough that I still had plenty of solitude over the course of the day. Felt sluggish until the first marathon was down, then settled into a good pace. The course had so much variety and beautiful scenery that I really never got tired of doing the loops. The day was absolutely stunning, with reflections of bright autumn leaves in the water.

Was listening to imagine dragons singing "wrecked" as I came upon this view in the morning light, thinking of Sgt Taylor's mom Brenda and how it would be the prefect place to sit down with your angel son and have a picnick. "Ill see you again my loved one" I also felt him close listening to some fun songs about tanks and just had to smile. He was a brave leader in war and I always have a unique sense of presence when I feel he's around.

For reasons I wont go into I was unable to be with my granddaughter for her first birthday. I thought of her often and sang Sunshine on my Shoulders to the sky to her. "If I had a day to give you, I'd give to you a day just like today." and, happy birthday. Felt like Dexter was singing with me. I didn't take too many daytime photos because I just couldn't do the beauty justice. There was a beautiful cove where the water was almost orange from the reflection of the leaves, and I could see what looked like a father and son sitting out in a boat. I just got this tender feeling of SSgt Taylor Wilson loving his son and that one day, somewhere in the universe they'd be together fishing again. Choked me up.

At one other point there was a bench looking over a similar view, green as Dexters old truck, and I thought to myself like on of those facebook posts, you see, if I could sit with anyone from heaven on this bench, it would be Dexter. Just as the thought went through my head a huge gust of wind came down the side of the hill and swirled all the leaves to fly and circle all around the bench. It was so beautiful and it seemed as if Dexter was saying, I'm here mom"

One point along a paved part of the route took us right beside the lake which was beautiful but there was a strong cold wind that was a little bit biting, luckily only really got cold on that short stretch. It wasnt too bad when the sun was out but the day clouded up and stayed chilly enough that I had my gloves on all day.

I think 50k or so in, Jason met me with a hot hamburger for lunch. Man, tasted delicious!! Jason was such a champ. Every time he came out he filled 3-4 bottles with electrolytes so that I could just grab them and go without having to fill up at the Aid Station to save time. Left an extra coat, & replaced all my headlamp batteries. My shin had a sharp pain shooting through it for an hour or two. When I stopped I noticed my knee sleeve was bruising a spot on my leg so I readjusted it and didn't have any problems after that. Before I left that loop Jay cooked me some fresh cheese quesadillas. I ate one hot right off the grill and saved one in my pocket for later, ha.

Along the course there was a short little stretch of beach that was so pretty. The views were amazing. There was a log wigwam set up that was pretty cool, but the most remarkable part of it was the sand. There seemed to be alot of quartz in the rocks around the area, so the sand sparkled, and when it was dark the lamplight lit up the sparkles like a shimmery ballgown! It was so gorgeous I wanted to just sit and look at it. I thought of my friend Sally and her brother Nate who I like to carry with me, and how much they'd both like the beach there. there were a few times thoughts of him hit me really strongly and so I talked a little bit to him and felt like he heard me. <3 I scoured that beach every time trying to find a single rock for Sally but there just weren't any. I did find a shimmery black rock at a different point in the course that had the same kind of shimmer.

My friend Tammy that I met as a result of running KoW here in the spring came out and did 50k. It was so fun seeing her at points along the course. We were in different modes so didn't really get a chance to run together but it boosted my spirit every time I saw her! Her daughter is in the Army. :)

They wouldn't have known when assigning bibs that I was getting a special number. It felt like more than a coincidence to me. Often when talking about Dexter I'll type a #forever23 <3 Knowing I wouldn't be running for a few months because of surgery, I felt Dexter alot, like he came out to help me in a last huzzah before I take some time off. It was an incredibly special day. Running Gettysburg was so meaningful that I thought doing this looped course with more of a party atmosphere would be a little bit of a let down, but I just felt so much sense of presence that every mile meant so much.

I snagged this pic around my 50 I think. Oddly appropriate having the bathroom with a flushing toilet in the background. hah. There were 2 others on the course at the campgrounds that actually had space heaters running in them. Talk about a treat! Also served as a place to drop food trash so I didn't have to have empty containers stashed in my pockets all the time.

Towards sunset the trees turned to most beautiful golden pink It was getting chilly out so I grabbed my jacket, hat and lamp for the night. I just loved the golden trees!

I shamelessly stole this picture off facebook because I just could not capture the sunset. This pic barely does. It was absolutely spectacular, the reddest sunset I've ever seen, reflecting off the water. It was as if the world turned red with dark blue shadows. One of those moments when you're so grateful to be out paying the price in physical toll, to be rewarded with overwhelming beauty.

Once it was dark, most of the runners disappeared off the course. With a 30 hour race some people will take a nap or shower, or go home for the night and come back to run in the morning. It seemed just a few diehards were left out on the course. Counting down loops overnight felt tedious. I remembered my friend / pacer Hals advice. To be patient, stay present, and be deliberate. I tried to apply that through each hour. I loved coming through the main AS and seeing my name on the board and how many laps I'd finished. That was a great boost and all the volunteers there were so fantastic. Cheering me on by name every time I came through and asking if I needed anything. Since my stomach gets picky I didn't eat too much from there, but pretzels, dill pickles, hot salty broth when it was really cold and late, and a slice of green pepper pizza all hit the spot. Oh, and a hot dog! Races that cook hot dogs are the bomb. They only had mustard though but Jason was around with a ketchup packet he keeps on hand for me, haha

Put on my Sabaton playlist for the night to keep me awake and moving and inspired. It instantly took me back to running at night with Adam and Hannah across the Gettysburg battlefields and I just choked up over that special memory and thanked God for what a gift it is to run, and for his leading me to run for heroes. The pain and fatigue I feel out in a 100 miler help me think of and honor the sacrifices of so many men (and women) who have suffered so much through war, in defense of their country.

My heel started feeling sharply painfully bruised for some reason. Its never happened before and I was wearing shoes I've run in multiple times, so I tried taking out the inserts but ended up changing out shoes and rubbing in some pain cream when I met Jason around 62 ish + miles. I was so excited he was going to come out and do a lap with me. I was feeling as decent as you can expect hitting100k, exhausted but not hurting too bad once I took care of the heel. Nothing like how my my feet were hurting at Gettysburg. We had fun talking for awhile then just moved along together to the music. I'd seen a couple running together earlier holding hands and I thought it was so sweet. I was happy to be out with my honey. I went down hard at one point and landed hard hard on my bad knee. For a minute I thought maybe I was done with the race, but got back up and hobbled down the trail for a few minutes and luckily recovered with no extra damage. I was sad to say goodbye but Jason wasn't up to much more than 6 miles on a trail, so he made sure he left me stocked with a warm coat, a second headlamp with spare batteries, and dry hat & mittens. After Jason left I really hit a low. That was my death march loop. Started having trouble with nausea and sleepiness and really slowed down. I was trying all my tricks in the books and managed to keep from throwing up but finished that round feeling pretty discouraged that I wasn't going to finish in time for a buckle. I still had 4 or 5 loops to go and I guess I was dehydrated, though I didn't think I was because it had stayed pretty chilly. Tammy happened to go by so we talked a bit which cheered me up. I was about to go back out alone and it'd gotten colder. Everything hurt. I sat in my chair for like 5 minutes alone. Shut off my headlamp and looked up at the stars and just prayed really hard for the will to finish well, for the other runners out, and for some angels to attend me. Sometimes when I pray I feel like I'm just talking to the ceiling, or more times than I care to admit, my pillow in bed. Haha. But out under the stars like that in physical and emotional dire straits, the channels are open and I felt Gods strong comforting love and a push of determination. Got up in gratitude and headed out.

Somewhere in the first mile out, I felt my Dad with me, like really strongly. I had forgotten to ask Jason for a blessing so I asked Dad if he could bless me just jogging along with me in spirit hah. It was amazing to feel his love. A little later I came across another runner who was finishing his 100k walking. We started talking and I paced him a bit faster for some of the loop because all my nausea disappeared and the miles went by more quickly. That little high didn't last too long and I started lagging behind trying to keep up to his walking pace, we were both too tired to talk much the last couple miles but just stayed together each pacing the other through mini highs and lows. I completely forgot his name but I was so thankful for his help and was happy to have company through those pain cave miles. Once I was alone again, dehydration really caught up to me. Thankfully I was alone because my dehydration symptom is peeing every mile and thats when I took being dehydrated seriously. At this point stopping in to the bathrooms took too long and since it was dark I'd just stop n drop alongside the trail. I think its always funny in the middle of the night to see pee zig zags along the middle trail from the dudes. Unfortunately women don't have it that easy, we cant pee on the run. :-P I think that's the real difference in male/female pacing. ha. I didn't have much liquid with me, drank some bathroom water with a salt pill and started forcing myself to guzzle 12 oz liquid IV every loop plus another on the run. After 2 loops of that managed enough fluid and electrolytes to alieve that annoying situation.

Mile 70-90 I had to do a system to keep energy up and nausea away. Drink 8 oz of electrolytes at my chair and take a full 16 oz bottle to drink on the loop. Drink a carnation drink + orange juice, and take a capri sun and a couple applesauce tubes with me. I had to do each remaining loop of 6.15 ish miles in no more than 2 hours if I wanted to finish in the 31 hour buckle time. Plus keep downing ginger pills and candy and choked down a couple big swigs of ginger ale but was able to keep a consistent pace. Once the sun was up I was able to move along better not tripping as much on rocks n roots. I had to drink 6 oz of fluid every mile and get in at least 50-60 calories per mile or I'd feel woozy and nauseous so I did the math and measured out mentally each snack I was carrying to have enough to get through. Luckily by the last 2 laps I could eat a bit of food again and ate some swedish fish & fruit leather in addition to my barfy liquidish night diet. Jason met me just after sunrise and I can't even remember what he helped me with, I was so out of it. ha. But at that point I only had 18 miles to go, 6 loops. Hoping to clear 31 hours. It was going to be a push. Since I was managing my stomach okay I pushed the pace as much as my exhaused sore legs would allow and brought it in at 30:08, somehow knocked not only the longer hours I thought I would take but almost all of the bonus hour of daylight savings! That just felt miraculous to me!

I'm not trying to be vain with all these pics, haha, Jay is just a great photographer and I love the honest emotion in every one of these pictures. Man, that is something that I love about a 100 miler. Nothing strips you down to the real you, your heart and soul and fiber, like the ordeal of running 100 miles. Also, the pain followed by the euphoria of accomplishment is a drug that can't be duplicated. <3

Matt gave me a big hug, (love the finger gun, ha) and then looked at my watch, which is notoriously off, saying I'd only gone 99 miles. He gave me my buckle, but said I couldn't let my watch not give me a full 100 so he sent me out for a 1 mile loop. Aaa! I was glad he did. I was thinking of doing the same but was too exhausted to care about it. I had to pee like crazy but I had Jason grab me a capri sun and went out for the last mile thru the campground, along a nice smooth trail, across the sparkle beach and back through the finish. At 99.25 Christmas Truce hit my playlist. My son Adam had added it to my spotify race playlist just before this race. I'm linking the video because man, what. a. song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPdHkHslFIU "Madness. Oh I remember the sadness" Lots of feelings in my heart with that one. When the first cords on the piano started playing I swear a dam of emotions broke in my heart and I just bawled for most of the rest of that mile. I recovered a bit when Jason met me to take me back through the finish line. I dropped & with nothing left, just thanked God for helping me get through these miles and do them well all things considered. It wasn't a big field of runners but somehow I managed to come in third and take 2nd place female. .

Jason snagged this pic with my #23, my heroes, my son, and my bumper sticker. They all made this race. Praying so much for a successful knee replacement and quick return to racing in the spring. I already have big plans for epic races that are way over my head but I want to live up to finishing them! These boys and all our heroes who have fallen deserve nothing less.

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I don't do like product pushing or anything but at the end here I thought for anyone looking for tips to finish a 100 miler, I'd throw in my top critical necessities. Its kindof crazy when I start thinking of everything I rely on to get through 100 miles! I'm always in Hoka shoes, speedgoats for trail or bondis for road. Electrolyte & salt tablets, liquid IV, alieve, hand warmers, voltarin pain cream, dollar store hot athritis cream which is amazing, capri suns, applesauce tubes & liquid breakfast meal drinks. Also since my knee injury these go sleeves which have built in KTape have been absolutely essential to keep the inflammation down in my bone-on-bone knee & chapstick.

Cup o noodles, microwaved macaroni & cheese, xo skin toe socks, leukotape & benziod compound for blister prevention, A&D ointment for anti chafing, prescription zofran, Jurek ultimate direction vest with loads of pockets, aluminum trekking poles, and garmin tracker are some other things I rely heavily on. I use aluminum because carbon poles are lighter, but I've had them snap on technical trails. ginger tablets and anti nausea candy, naus-ease, caffeine pills, pepto bismal pills and tylenol are also in my bag of tricks. .I keep an emergency blanket and poncho, feminine supplies, pepper spray and a knife always on me as well, and phone chargers with extra cords in my drop bags. And of course, my pictures <3