The Dirty Plan
My goal was keep moving for 6 hours, be it running, walking or crawling! This was to be a training run for the 25 km at The Toad in October and be a determining factor in my decision to bump up to the 50 km.
The Road to Dirty Girl
My adventure to become a Dirty Girl was a whirlwind trip. It started by dropping Riley off at Cynthia’s place. Having been there 2 weeks earlier, I was relieved to see him settle down quickly without setting off Edgar’s protective big brother role.
After a week of sleepless nights, I spent my nervous energy reviewing elevation charts, race reports and everything DG I could get my hands on. I have never been this discombobulated about a race before. I chocked it up to my whisper goal of running a new trail distance even though I was determined to have this be a training run to test my endurance.
My uneventful drive to the GTA ended in Alliston when I joined a 3 - block lineup of idling cars. Apparently, a practice run of the Potato Festival parade - one float and a police car – was holding up traffic! Finally, I was enroute again but became increasingly unnerved by the rolling landscape around me. Diane, the RD had told me that with the Ottawa area hills I had been training on, their little hills would offer no competition. With all due respect Diane, I beg to differ!:shock:
Oh, What A Night!
Once I arrived at Mansfield, I picked up my race kit and chose a spot in the field to pitch my tent. My neighbors quickly introduced themselves and “hit on” guy assisted me with setting up my tent, inflating my air mattress and offering some history/facts about the event. Although I had arrived later than planned, I set out to walk the course. My curiosity and desire to get away from “hit on “ guy got the better of me. The course was well marked but with no one else out there, the switchbacks were a tad confusing in that I ended up missing 1 km from my walkabout.
A couple of the cute signs that marked the course...
and the first big hill.
I was starving by the time I returned and realized I would have a difficult time preparing my meal. I had no table. OK Sherry, time to improvise. The cooler top looked like a good option. So, the pot of water was set up on the burner stove and just as I turned around to get something from my car, the stove and pot slid off and onto the grass. Yikes! I tried to smother the flames with the lid while my neighbor rushed over to help. We were able to flip the burner over and turn off the gas. Phew, the Dirty Girl Wannabe did not burn down the campsite!
My neighbors were quick to help me out with one giving me her leftover cooked pasta and the other lent me their table so I could safely use my stove. I was grateful but feeling like an imbecile for not realizing what the logistics would be.
Oh well, all was good and the camp was settling down for an early night sleep……… all but my one neighbor. Their family arrived at 10:30 and went about setting up their site in the dark and then having a long visit until past midnight. After their earlier kindness, I felt that I couldn’t request quiet from them so instead I passively fumed in frustration inside my tent. Finally, when they shut it down, I realized there was a constant dull roar coming from my other neighbor’s tent. I have since decided that I am done with camping.
: 
I woke up around 4 am shivering from the dampness. I was sure it had rained but it was only dew. I was able to sleep a bit more but I barely managed 4.5 hours of sleep. When I woke at 6 am, I debated on driving to Alliston for a Tim’s hot coffee and bagel. I was still shivering so the thought of leaving my sleeping bag made me even colder.
So, fast forward to a quickly made breakfast of a cold toasted bagel and carefully prepared coffee, I finally warmed up and was able to smile, laugh and joke with my neighbors and Christy. Ten minutes later, I made my way through the crowd to wish Kevin and “hit on” guy good luck with their races. Just as I turned to move to the back of the pack, Diane yelled out GO! There is no going against hardcore trail runners, so I off I went.
Dude, This Is A Race!!
“Hit on” guy was on me like glue!. He followed me on the single tracks, would slow when I slowed and kept asking me questions. As those who know me, know I typically run by myself. If I start chatting, I don’t stop and then can’t regulate my breathing. I was trying to not let him distract me but I was having a difficult time concentrating on the trail.
When he asked if I would show him the Gatineau Park trails the next time he was in Ottawa, I just about lost it! What? Uh, yeah, …. whatever, just please stop talking to me! I realized that I need to ditch him and since I was running way faster than I planned, I made several comments about needing to hang back to catch my breath. He clearly missed my hints and told me no problem, that he wasn’t going anywhere.
I managed to ignore him and put some space in between us. But as I was maneuvering through a pretty technical section, he slowed and turned around to say something to me. I noticed this in my upper peripheral vision (?) wondering what he was doing. I quickly glanced up; the next thing I knew, I was flying sideways headed for the dirt. With a thud, I landed on my upper arm and then right hip. F-bombs were dropped. Just as “Hit on” guy began to say something, I yelled at him to go and run his own “f*^*^*^*” race!!! My reaction was clearly intensified by my lack of sleep.
!
I slowly got up and began walking but I hurt, was angry and felt stunned by the fall. Self-doubt crept in quickly and the tears welled up. I felt like turning around…..but I had not even hit the 2 km mark. I decided to let the tears flow until I could rally up my rationale self. By 3 km, I used the adrenaline to power up some hills and rip through the switchbacks but even after a couple of walk breaks, I was not able to get my breathing under control. I was getting whipped by the relentless rolling hills and the multiple twists and turns. I was glad I had walked the course the night before, as I was able to recognize some of the landmarks. My garmin recorded a bit short so I am estimating that I finished the first lap in 1:17:57 at a pace of 7:37. This was much slower than I planned but my hamstring had been aching from the start and other hip and shoulder felt tender after my fall.
Sure, What’s A Few More Pounds?
After calling out my number to my timer, I raced back to my car to switch to my camelback and to grab some fuel before heading out again. Within the first km, I realize what a bad mistake this was. I’ve worn the camelback several times lately but it never felt as heavy nor bounce around as much as it was then. It was at the smallest adjustment so there was nothing I could do. I considered ditching it but I had no place to carry my potatoes and to go without water for 5 km was not an option for me. So, I ran with this stupid thing bouncing around like crazy which definitely slowed my pace.
There were moments when fatigue was close to beating out my desire to continue. The hills seemed longer and higher and the twists felt sharper and more frequent. My hamstring ached constantly and occasionally, when a sharp pain in my anterior knee would strike, I would walk.
About mid way, I realized the valve was leaking and my top and Capris were soaked…… no wonder I felt cold. I was relieved to finally ditch the camelback when I reached the 20 km mark at race central. After a quick personal pit stop and a switch back to the water belt, I was off on again. Lap 2 is estimated at 1:25:31 with a pace of 9:04.
Indecision, Frustration and Exhaustion
This is what I felt for the entire third lap. It felt like I walked the entire lap but from my stats, my pace only slowed to 9:23. It certainly felt much slower and harder. The entire time, I debated my goals and course of action. Around the 5 km mark, when the hamstring ache turned to a burn with each run segment, I knew I would not be able to run much further. The knee pain became more frequent and by the time I reached the 7.5 marker, I was done running
I am not a quitter but I was completely exhausted. I felt my legs could handle another lap if I walked it. I questioned why bother? Was achieving the distance worth it? Did I want to risk a third Fall of not being able to run?
I ran the last 200 m of the course to the race central, calling out my bib number. I told my timer that I was going to rest for a bit but would let her know if I headed out again.
I walked to my car, grabbed a diet coke, tore off my race bib, removed my wet shirt, and kicked off my shoes………. I could have cried had I the energy… but I didn’t. I was done.
So, I’m a Dirty Girl.
The end was rather anti-climatic; I ran 30 km in 4:05 (?) and stopped. I ate my burger, received my dirty runner key chain, butter tart, packed up my site and headed home.
The t shirt will be mailed to us due to printing error.
I thought a lot about my day on my drive and though, I can’t say it was a blast, I did enjoy my road trip and appreciate the experience. I learned a few things too.
I had the discipline to stop. This is huge!
I achieved a new distance in trail running.
People can be kind and helpful to strangers.
I met some great people including some maniacs – Kinga, Viking, Christy and Kevin. I missed seeing Ron.
I need sleep and more than one coffee in the morning.
I am less nervous driving though TO.
I’ve had enough of camping for this summer.
I'll be booking a hotel for The Toad.
Next………
My feet and legs are stiff but OK though I feel like I am walking like a gorilla. My upper arm is sore, swollen and bruised. I actually thought I would be hurting more today but I think 10 hours of sleep worked miracles on my old body.
So, The Toad is about 8 weeks out and I am not sure if I will be able to run the 50 km. I have 2 more weeks to decide. My immediate plan is to try to resolve this hamstring issue. I have another ART treatment with the Chiro next week and will decide then on the race distance.
My new 305 Garmin measured a bit short.
28.29 km; 4:05; 8:41 pace
32% walking; 68% running
Actual race stats:
Coming on Monday
to show him the Gatineaus?
