A LOOK BACK - UTMB Experience and the A TEAM As Fabienne and Simone drove me back at 6:30 am from the last station I was at, I was in an immediate deep sleep. Arriving back home to Fabienne’s, who takes incredible care of us, ..we both hit the sack..but after a few short hours I awoke..and felt the utter disappointment of not finishing the race..with 28km to go...went over everything in my head what I could have done different -maybe if I slept another 30min..blah blah blah..but now in hindsight as I look back I can honestly say..it was a good decision..there was no more in me - with nausea and not being able to eat or drink for a good while plus only walk right and left ..not a straight line (was a stagger). I kept saying ..just get to the next station..then again..just get to the next station..But I had reached my end station..I felt in a state I have never ever felt in 24 years of running..I didnt trust my feet…just kept falling. Why did the race mean so much? Now one week later…I feel at peace with it Here is a note that my 10 year old niece sent to me..the day I finished Things have been going great!!!! Im really proud of you for trying your best in that race. Even though you didnt finish, it still means a lot that you tried your best like that. Im proud that you are my Aunt Bessie! Here is a note from another good friend, who is also a top notch ultra runner, that I shared my disappointment with - Best decision he says…race is not important..what is important is You and your health..no reason to feel disappointment..140km is many kms..I am happy for you… My night did come ALIVE though at the 100km station as I met up with my POWER SUPPORT TEAM - Simone, Fabienne and Sebald..hearing a huge Cow bell ring and Simones Whoot Whoot! as I was running down the hill...After seeing them and having a 10min shut eye (no sleep whatsoever) I felt renewed again...then it was yappy happy time with Mark my new British friend ...as I started describing the figures and shapes I saw in the woods running with him..he said...Ahhhh yes I think you are going loopy....and that was just the start of many things coming out of the woods..let;s just say... BEST MOMENT of all was Simone, Fabienne and Sebald all running with me to the tent..like on an A TEAM MISSION! Less than 2 hours later..things turned I remember imagining running through the finish in Chamonix as I had my music blaring and felt this huge emotional rush… I remember how fast 6 hours can fly by…like nothing… I remember seeing sooo many curled up on a mountain pasture for a 15min snooze and the iPhone nearby to wake them up… (I couldn’t get myself to do it..I wanted to go straight through) I remember how important it is to dress with wild colour and flowers in my hair.. I remember that when the downhill comes…the engine can really turn on.. I will now remember what it feels like not to sleep two nights..and that sleeping for some time…will NOT slow you down…in fact quite the opposite… I will tell you..that i learned so much during that race…how much the body can push through…even on empty But why do we all go out there and do these things…Run 100 miles…yet 100 Miles in the mountains? Because the challenge is there and I want to experience pushing that far..I want to experience ALL parts of it…the good the bad the ugly and the beautiful…The wonderful pre race energy pulsing around town..the excitement of new territory…the unwavering FOCUS ..the unknown is the attraction…and that it is there for us to do…. New friends, stories, scars,( yes fell on my knee same spot 2 x) experience… I don’t think I am running away from anything or running to something..I am running for the love of running and the greatest OUTLET to experience LIFE… A close runner up is cruising in a T2 Orange VW Bus! Love it baby! A HUGE THANK YOU GOES OUT TO SIMONE - my sweet sister..who cared so much and took care of me in a big way…to FABIENNE..who supported us the whole week and through the whole night of the race (no sleep) and who has been an angel in taking us into her home..to Sebald for supporting and cheering and inspiring me with your own stories.and for being the amazing person you are.plus for taking a hobbling Karrie to Chamonix to pick up my bag These girls went to meet me at all the last 6 stations all through the night…now that is awesome support…LOVE YOU ALL… A HUGE ENERGY WAFT I WOULD LIKE TO SEND TO ALL RUNNERS OF THE TOR DE GEANTS…THAT HAS STARTED TODAY! 336km and 24000 of climbing to be done over the course of the week..NON STOP… I bow down to you and wish you JOY, GRAND FOCUS and the EXPERIENCE OF YOUR LIFE!
Posted on: Sun, 07 Sep 2014 10:55:13 +0000