Hardcore Volunteering

6 miles!!! Treadmill!!!

Yesterday I volunteered at the Uwharrie National Forest Run. The same location that claimed the life of my left ankle three weeks ago. The purpose of volunteering, besides having something concrete and fun to do on my birthday, was so that next year my entry into the prestigious race would be affirmed. Those who volunteered automatically got first dibs, and since the race literally sells out seconds after registration opens on the web, it's a safe bet that unless you volunteer or ran before, you're not going to get in.

My rest stop was Mile 38. Yes, that's correct. For those of you who need the Red Bull version of masochism, there is a 40 mile race; it's the 20 mile version, only as an out-and-back. You run 20 miles out. And 20 miles back.

Our stock consisted of the following:
Orange slices and banana quarters
Peanut M&Ms
PB&J cut into quarters
Oatmeal Raisin cookies
Chocolate Chip cookies
Fig Newtons
Corn Chips
Potato Chips
Canned new potatoes and a dixie cup of salt (the potatoes are really just a vessel for the salt. A salt vessel)
Hot Chicken Noodle Soup
Hot Chocolate
Mountain Dew
Heed (like Gatorade, but not)
Pepsi
Water
Vaseline on popsicle sticks (for chaffing)
Coffee
Electrolyte tablets

We were tricked out. I had never seen anything like it. But when you're running 40 miles, I guess you need a lot of nutritional support. Or sugar incentive.

I had never volunteered before, and I have to say, I had a blast. I loved cheering on all the runners, who only had 2 miles to go. They were fantastic. All smiles (except for the guy who came through first, he looked pissed, but very hardcore) and jokes.

As the day progressed, these people, all of whom had been running for more than 6 hours, made me think about what I want to do once the ankle gets better. The marathon is within reach. To be honest, I'm really not worried about running the marathon. I'm probably being glib, but it's going to be a flat course. After all my training and running on the trails, a flat course is just a question of making my mind stay focused. It's a mental thing.

So where do I go from marathon? What's next? Ultra.

Next year, I'm thinking of setting a goal of the 40 miler. Of course it's going to depend on a lot of outside factors, but none of those people who came through the 38 mile station looked like they were going to collapse or spontaneously combust. They were smiling and joking, even the pair of middle aged ladies with authentic middle aged lady bodies. And I know that once they finished, they had a sense of unmatched accomplishment. Except for those who were running their 4th, 6th, and one was his 12th 40 mile Uwharrie.

If they can do it, why can't I?

To that end, I'm back and running. Tonight was 6 miles on a cushy treadmill. The ankle feels 100% fine, and if my legs feel strong enough tomorrow, I'm heading out to the Greenway for a slow 7.2.

There are things I'm still learning though. And part of the aid station helped me with that.

First thing, NUTRITION. Not something to mess around with. When I'm doing my long runs, I NEED to start getting used to gels and powerbars. After the first hour, if the run is longer than that, I need to EAT. No more hershey kisses and candy. We didn't have all that stuff laid out for decoration.

Second thing, CROSS TRAIN. This time around, I am going to have a mix of running, biking/spinning, and elliptical so that my joints don't get pounded. It's a resolution. Not letting myself get so wrapped up in what I did last week that I become rigid about what THIS week needs to be.

Third thing, STAY UP WITH MY PT. I need to make sure that I keep doing my ankle exercises TWICE a day EVERY day, maybe even with BOTH ankles so that I can get them strong again.

All that being said, my run today, yes, my RUN today, was fantastic. And I'm so looking forward to tomorrow.