potowatami trail run 2011 - mud, mud and more mud

Went with good friend B to 50 mile race in Pekin, Illinois.  Potowatami Trail run, formerly known as McNaughton Park run.  Still the same spot, but now under new management.  In his second year as race director, Rich Skocaj put together an excellent event.  Well supported, well stocked aid stations, plenty of  good food at the end.  Peanut butter filled pretzels, salted potato wedges the best!

I was all set to run 2 or 3 loops to support.  Have a half marathon in 3 weeks at Illinois. Did not taper.  I got to the packet pickup and pasta dinner.  And then...the race director said 50 mile finishers got a "nice belt buckle."  I am a sucker for a buckle.  Asked B if she minded if I went the whole 50 miles.  She shook her head, said she would not complain.

Got up the next morning after a stay at my sister's place nearby.  Weatherbug app on said rain to the south, but friend on FB said she woke up to thunderstorms.  Hmmm.  Stepped outside into rain.  I love rain.  Drove to the race in pouring down storm, thunder and lightning.  Yippee.  B is optimistic, as she always does ultras in the rain.

Started the race in the mud with jacket and Moebens.  Rapidly shed jacket and then sleeves in the heat and humidity.  Mud, mud and more mud.  Inches and inches of sucking, oozing mud.  Up the hills bad, down the hills worse.  No run, except on the rare flat.

Friend Scott joined us at lap 3 start, and the sun began to peek through the clouds, drying up the mud slowly.  Felt good, decided to "drive on." B looked and sounded great. Change shirt and shoes and socks.  Loop three start was perfect...until it started to get hot.  High humidity, high temps in the 80's.  Slight breeze from time to time.

Met two women from Iowa City, new to ultras with great hopes and dream.  Talked of yoga practice, of embracing the discomfort, of no comparison, no competition.  In the middle of a race all about competition.  For the most part....competition with the self.

Positive talk, good company. Despite seeming a solo activity, have found the social part the most motivating.  B is a great friend, and her positive energy and the constant banter helps me embrace the discomfort, become one with it.  From the race web site.


"... comparing the high altitude, long climbs of the Western mountains to McNaughton hills is like comparing being eaten by a shark vs. being eaten by a 1000 piranhas ... both are unpleasant ... just in different ways."


-Larry


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