Indiana Trail 100: smiling in the rain

bundled up pre-race

Welcome back to part 2 of the Indiana Trail 100. I'd like to call this section "smiling in the rain." The forecast was calling for rain pretty much all day on Saturday, but what can you do but pack a couple rain jackets, hand warmers, and a smile.

We got to the start/finish line with plenty of time before the race. My mom, husband, and in-laws were with me at the start. We took the time to pray for a safe, and enjoyable day.  My awesome running friend, and fellow rugged runner, Kyle woke up at 12:00 am to make the trip out. He found me in the runners tent before the race and we got to chat a bit before the start. He was already figuring out the course map and places to spectate outside of aid stations*. To be completely honest, it didn't feel real that I was about to start a 100 mile journey in a matter of minutes. Pretty soon all runners were ushered to the starting line (there were 100 mile runners and 50 milers all starting at the same time) I kept moving towards the back of the group as my nerves were building. I was able to see my family again and that helped. Then, in a blink of an eye, we were off. Headlamps/flashlights were lit and jackets were on as we started loop one (in the dark, cold morning).

Awesome picture Lucy's mom, Barb made. I starting
getting emotional when my sister showed me this on course.

*** The course was a 16.67 mile loop that was repeated 6 times to total 100 miles. There were 4 aid stations on the course. I wanted to compete the first 3 loops in about 4 hours to 4 hours 15 min each. This way I would have enough energy to keep going after 50 miles, but also give myself some cushion to finish within the 30 hour time limit. ***

I quickly found a nice steady pace in a cluster of runners. Lots of conversations were happening around me, yet I stayed quiet and thought about my goal for the day. You see, I have a wonderful running buddy (my inspiration). I run in honor of her and I knew I was bringing her home a belt buckle. If she could she'd be running around like crazy and when things get tough, I just think of Lucy!**


 I had planned to not use music at all on loop 1 to take in the course. The conditions were great and the time seemed to fly by. I saw my crew a couple of times and was able to start my nutrition plan well (water, gu, salt tabs, and protein bars). I came into the end of the first loop ahead of schedule. I was smiling and feeling great. I knew I didn't want to waste any extra time at the aid stations so I quickly talked to my mom and crew and headed out for loop two.

26 miles in... all smiles

End of loop 1
Swapping out supplies

I was told the rain would be coming sometime during loop 2... and it did. With the rain, also came mud. When it first started raining, it wasn't too bad. My time was slowing down a little, but that actually made me feel better since I came in pretty early the first loop. I threw my jacket  on over my pack and kept moving. I saw my family a few more times on the loop and was still feeling really great and positive despite the rain and building mud.





End of loop 2 and a break in the rain



50 miles done...change of tops

Loop 3 was my last loop to run alone. My pacers were able to join me after 50 miles. The mud was starting to thicken and spread due to the rain. In ultras, it's awesome because you meet people along the run and they often seem to be just who you need at the time. I met a husband and wife duo that were just a breath of fresh air. We ran together pretty much the entire 3rd loop (only to part after the last aid station around mile 14). They were from my home state of Ohio.... and even knew my hometown! They completed ultras together and gave lots of words of encouragement and advise. They said we could split up if needed but they wanted to see me finish this thing. I said that was my plan :) I finished 50 miles right around 12 hours. This was pretty decent due to the mud and rain. I knew I would be slowing down the next 50 miles, but I was thrilled to be half way through. 

Loop 4 I was joined by my first pacer. My oldest sister Jamie was ready to go. It was still dreary and a change of shirts and jacket were a needed change. I threw on a little heavier jacket because I knew this loop would take me into dusk and dropping temps. I also put hand warmers in my gloves. That helped.  We didn't quite need our headlamps yet and crew would be waiting with them at mile 9 on the course. It was nice to have company and we just chatted away. The mud was really taxing and I hate to say it but it was great to have someone experience it with me to know just how bad it was! When I say the mud was rough.... I mean really rough. Suck your shoe off rough. One minute on your feet and the next minute on the ground rough!

 Jamie helped me stay positive but also allowed me to be real and complain for a bit when I needed to. "This mud sucks!" "We are never going to get to the aid station!!"   The aid stations were starting to feel farther apart with each loop. (However I was laughing as I was complaining and never really broke down and wanted to quit) My mom had coordinated letters of encouragement for the run by family, friends, etc. Jamie was stocked with letters and seemed to pull the exact one I needed throughout the loop. It was incredible. We continued to push on and chat/laugh about life and the fact that we were out in the woods on a muddy, rainy day doing tough work and loving it!


Happy runners in the rain

It's really hard to describe how dusk kind of plays with your head. We were thankful for headlamps as we head into the second half of the loop. Jamie was a champ of a pacer and I'd love to have her pace again if she'd have me. It was perfect to have someone with fresh legs motivate me to keep moving forward. I was sad when our loop ended but knew it meant I only had 2 more loops to go (Just over 33 miles)!

 Just one more post left..... will you come back to read about my night on the course and the big finish??? I hope so!



The mud really never quit!!!

 

* Kyle is a trail king! He figured the course out. Helped my family find me along the course to cheer, and even got his truck stuck in the mud! Thanks Kyle, the Dodds' family thinks you ROCK!!!!

** Lucy and I are paired with the I Run 4 organization. We were matched April 25th 2014 and it's amazing that the race was exactly 1 year from our match date!