LIMINALITY derived from the Latin word limen, meaning threshold.
How long can you hold your pain threshold for?
This race was being held in Clarenville which only meant one thing. An excuse to go home. I had registered for this race early, excited to start my trail running "career". For 6 years I have been strictly road running, this left me with 2+ years of IT band Injury. It was time for a change. I had done all the research and all the work and still I was left unable to run. Trail Running. It has been a HUGE game changer for me. Besides, who doesn't love playing in the woods and enjoying beautiful scenery?
The week leading up to this race I was not confidant in my ability to trail run let alone finish. I had been so busy with work that I felt my training was lacking. What I didn't know is that my body is stronger than I give it credit for and my mind even more so, it helps to have a great support system too, which I am so fortunate to have. There was one moment when I wanted to quit but then I thought of a friend of mine who had just started his 50 mile journey. I thought to myself, if Mike can run 50 miles today, I can certainly do 8.3. And I did! My day started with an early rise, 6 am. I had to finish gathering supplies, take care of the pup and more importantly make sure that I ate and got some coffee into me before driving to Clarenville. Living on the East Coast means that it is Foggy 80% of the time and that morning was it ever Foggy. Thankfully I was meeting Jonathan on the highway so we could make the drive together. When we arrived in Clarenville there was 45 minutes until showtime. I was riddled with anxiety. This is the one aspect of racing that I do not enjoy. Chatting with friends before the start always helps to get my mind off the task at hand. Reassuring me that I will "kill it". Again, I can't stress how important a good support system is.
It was 10:30, time for the 8.3 milers to take the start line- Go Time. I took my usual spot in the back of the pack as this helps keep my pace slow for the first km or so. Jonathan helped pace me and ran with me for the whole race, this was beneficial for us both about 7 minutes in when the group of runners in front of us took a wrong turn and lead us completely off course. Everyone with their head down, watching their footing. No one noticed that we were supposed to take a left.
How long can you hold your pain threshold for?
This race was being held in Clarenville which only meant one thing. An excuse to go home. I had registered for this race early, excited to start my trail running "career". For 6 years I have been strictly road running, this left me with 2+ years of IT band Injury. It was time for a change. I had done all the research and all the work and still I was left unable to run. Trail Running. It has been a HUGE game changer for me. Besides, who doesn't love playing in the woods and enjoying beautiful scenery?
The week leading up to this race I was not confidant in my ability to trail run let alone finish. I had been so busy with work that I felt my training was lacking. What I didn't know is that my body is stronger than I give it credit for and my mind even more so, it helps to have a great support system too, which I am so fortunate to have. There was one moment when I wanted to quit but then I thought of a friend of mine who had just started his 50 mile journey. I thought to myself, if Mike can run 50 miles today, I can certainly do 8.3. And I did! My day started with an early rise, 6 am. I had to finish gathering supplies, take care of the pup and more importantly make sure that I ate and got some coffee into me before driving to Clarenville. Living on the East Coast means that it is Foggy 80% of the time and that morning was it ever Foggy. Thankfully I was meeting Jonathan on the highway so we could make the drive together. When we arrived in Clarenville there was 45 minutes until showtime. I was riddled with anxiety. This is the one aspect of racing that I do not enjoy. Chatting with friends before the start always helps to get my mind off the task at hand. Reassuring me that I will "kill it". Again, I can't stress how important a good support system is.
It was 10:30, time for the 8.3 milers to take the start line- Go Time. I took my usual spot in the back of the pack as this helps keep my pace slow for the first km or so. Jonathan helped pace me and ran with me for the whole race, this was beneficial for us both about 7 minutes in when the group of runners in front of us took a wrong turn and lead us completely off course. Everyone with their head down, watching their footing. No one noticed that we were supposed to take a left.
I had taken my trail running pack for this race, at this point there were about 10 of us who were fortunate that I did. I had my cell phone. I called Mike to find out where we had gone wrong, he put Rob on the phone and directed me back on course with the others following close behind. In total this added an additional 1.3 kms to our total run time. My goal was to finish my race under the 2 hour mark, at this point I was not sure that I would.
Once back on track we crossed Manitoba Drive and headed up the trail to Bare Mountain. This was a steady climb that took us to a water tower that surprisingly had a spectacular view. From here is where the real fun began. This upper section of the trail was not super technical and it allowed you to catch some speed before heading back to base camp and hitting the lower loop. The amount of cheering and support from the volunteer's, families, organizers and the like when you arrived back on the track before hitting the lower loop was incredible. Rob joined Jonathan and I for a quick Jaunt to get the details of our mishap and to find out how many runners were behind us. Getting lost so early in the race cost us, we got separated from the front of the pack and now we had to make up time in order to not finish last, not to mention we had added additional kms.
Heading out on our second loop what we didn't know was that the lower half of the trail (4.3 Mile Loop) was super rooty, craggy, and wet. This loop challenged my mind and body in ways that I have never been challenged in a race before. The placement of each foot became increasingly more important. One wrong step and you were on your face. It was here that I became confidant in my ability and the training I had put in the last month. While my legs were tired, I felt strong and I was having SO MUCH FUN. The lower loop had some great segments that made the course even more entertaining. Segment names were on par, "Watch your Step, Any Slower and Your Falling, Broken Rake, etc.". A clear indication as to what we had gotten ourselves into. The scenery on this loop was Beautiful which distracted me from the technical aspect of my run. I will run this loop again but this time so I can stop and take in some of the beautiful landscape and sights.
It was on this loop near the dog park we had caught up to our first runner. From here we were able to catch three more runners closing the gap just a little more.
Once we had reached the Baby Bear & Scouts Segments we knew the end was near. This climb took SO.LONG. I just wanted it to be over. My quads were on fire and my belly was telling me that it was time to eat, Watermelon. All I had wanted was watermelon. At that moment I had never been so happy to see a track. One last loop and it was over. Running those last few hundred meters I was filled with excitement, angst, hunger and relief. Yes, all of those emotions all at the same time! I had worked hard, and I had succeeded.
My finishing time was 2:05:02. If you take off the extra 1.3 kms, I had finished under my goal of 2 Hours. Placing 34/47 Overall and 20th Female.
Once back on track we crossed Manitoba Drive and headed up the trail to Bare Mountain. This was a steady climb that took us to a water tower that surprisingly had a spectacular view. From here is where the real fun began. This upper section of the trail was not super technical and it allowed you to catch some speed before heading back to base camp and hitting the lower loop. The amount of cheering and support from the volunteer's, families, organizers and the like when you arrived back on the track before hitting the lower loop was incredible. Rob joined Jonathan and I for a quick Jaunt to get the details of our mishap and to find out how many runners were behind us. Getting lost so early in the race cost us, we got separated from the front of the pack and now we had to make up time in order to not finish last, not to mention we had added additional kms.
Heading out on our second loop what we didn't know was that the lower half of the trail (4.3 Mile Loop) was super rooty, craggy, and wet. This loop challenged my mind and body in ways that I have never been challenged in a race before. The placement of each foot became increasingly more important. One wrong step and you were on your face. It was here that I became confidant in my ability and the training I had put in the last month. While my legs were tired, I felt strong and I was having SO MUCH FUN. The lower loop had some great segments that made the course even more entertaining. Segment names were on par, "Watch your Step, Any Slower and Your Falling, Broken Rake, etc.". A clear indication as to what we had gotten ourselves into. The scenery on this loop was Beautiful which distracted me from the technical aspect of my run. I will run this loop again but this time so I can stop and take in some of the beautiful landscape and sights.
It was on this loop near the dog park we had caught up to our first runner. From here we were able to catch three more runners closing the gap just a little more.
Once we had reached the Baby Bear & Scouts Segments we knew the end was near. This climb took SO.LONG. I just wanted it to be over. My quads were on fire and my belly was telling me that it was time to eat, Watermelon. All I had wanted was watermelon. At that moment I had never been so happy to see a track. One last loop and it was over. Running those last few hundred meters I was filled with excitement, angst, hunger and relief. Yes, all of those emotions all at the same time! I had worked hard, and I had succeeded.
My finishing time was 2:05:02. If you take off the extra 1.3 kms, I had finished under my goal of 2 Hours. Placing 34/47 Overall and 20th Female.
Would I participate in this event again? Yes.
Would I recommend this event? Hell Yes.
I am a month in to training for my first Ultra Marathon and I feel GREAT. My body is strong, I have been able to run unsupported for about two months and I know it is only going to get better from here.
Next up: Be Fearless Half Marathon
Before Closing I just want to say a Huge Thank You to all the organizers and volunteers who spent countless hours helping organize this race, ensuring that our safety was top priority and that we all had a great experience.
If you haven't seen the race buff yet, check it out. Yours truly had a little hand in designing it :)
Oh, and I did get my Watermelon.
Until next time!
E
Race Photos Taken By: Greg Greening
Check out his page here
Would I recommend this event? Hell Yes.
I am a month in to training for my first Ultra Marathon and I feel GREAT. My body is strong, I have been able to run unsupported for about two months and I know it is only going to get better from here.
Next up: Be Fearless Half Marathon
Before Closing I just want to say a Huge Thank You to all the organizers and volunteers who spent countless hours helping organize this race, ensuring that our safety was top priority and that we all had a great experience.
If you haven't seen the race buff yet, check it out. Yours truly had a little hand in designing it :)
Oh, and I did get my Watermelon.
Until next time!
E
Race Photos Taken By: Greg Greening
Check out his page here