Back in the Spring Sue and I started talking about maybe training for the Noble Canyon 50k in September. We had both been struggling with some injuries, but felt that if we trained right, and didn't put too much pressure on ourselves we could sign up for the race and just see if by race day we would be healthy enough to run the damn thing.
July 1st came, the opening day to register for the "Sell Out" Noble Canyon and we took a leap of faith and a few shots of tequila and hit the "Pay Now" button on the registration form. A few more shots of tequila and I had somehow convinced Maggie it was a good idea. By morning a received an email from Ralph, saying " what the hell" and it turned out he had snuck in a registration as well. A few hours later i got a call from one of my best runners, Brian, asking how I was doing and wondering what we had on schedule for the week. I mentioned the race sign-up and Ralph's surprise sign up and Maggie getting preyed upon to take the challenge and minutes later...Brian was an official competitor!
Once my hang-over cleared I held a meeting. We discussed the race, and its many perils. Noble Canyon is full of " Peligroso" and shouldn't be entered into lightly. This conversation was taken to heart as all 5 of us pulled together to train and support one another over the summer.
Saturday was race day. We all agreed that above all we needed to have FUN. and man did we have fun. We cheered for everyone ( thanks to maggie's lead) we discussed plans for a Vegas trip. We laughed at inside jokes, we had math problems, and scavenger hunts, and Lord knows what else to keep our minds off of the magnitude of what we were doing. At the end of the day we all finished. And we didn't just finish. We finished strong. Ralph, after scoffing at a mention of half marathon on the trail last Spring was now an Ultra runner with his first race done in just over 7 hours. Maggie, Sue and I were all in the top 20 women. And Brian, well he glided along into a top 3rd finish overall.
It was such a pleasure and an honor to be at the helm of this race prep. These four runners have become very close friends whom I would trust with anything. They have taught me so much, all with their own unique differences in how they approached the same challenge. They are exceptional athletes and proof that the best runners are mentally tough. Running is not for the weak of mind, especially not Ultramarathoning. And there isn't a wimp among this group.
We had fantastic support and loved all the messages of encouragement and congrats from all of the other CFE members and CFCV members. Thank you. Rick, Sal, Melissa, Dave, Amaris, Britt...thank you for the support within the box for our strength and conditiong days. We were so happy to have Tara and Maryann waiting for us at the finish.They drove all the way up to the race course just to see us finish with a cooler full of congratulatory snacks! And we had great support from our two "Crew Dudes." My Dad, a Western States sub 24 hour finisher and Maggie's husband, an Olympic Strength and Conditioning Coach.
I know I have said it before, but it stands repeating. Those of you who feel like your training or life is missing a little extra spice...sign up for something EPIC. Challenge yourself. Set a goal and work to achieve it. The feeling once you do it is irreplaceable and worth every ounce of sweat!
