‘Twas the week before
Bighorn,
all through the
national forest,
no people were
stirring,
save for Rudy alone.
At the turnaround he
slept,
some ten hours a day,
while the snow melted,
praying, yes, please go
away.
The moose active,
indeed he saw one on
the course.
A majestic, powerful
creature--
inkling of the magic
alive on the route.
They say,
“you live your whole
life in one day!”
Eagerness, ease,
Despair, angst.
Happiness, love,
Depression and hate.
All of the feels.
Pain and pain,
and pain and pain.
Hunger and blisters,
cramps and soreness.
The heat and cold,
sun and wind.
He kids no one—
it will not be perfect.
The highs are higher,
the lows are lower.
Solutions?
Mental fortitude,
smiling through it all.
So seven days to go,
taper in full effect.
The miles are logged,
the cup is full,
the hay in the barn.
The muscles twitch,
repair and rebuild.
The high mileage life
has taken its toll.
Stronger than ever,
I’m ready to roll.
(There’s my attempt at poetry. Whatever to pass the time, sitting alone
in the middle of nowhere. I took a creative writing class once. The first thing
the teacher said in the poetry unit was, “poems that rhyme aren’t real poems.”
I walk the line, perhaps.
The Bighorn National Forest is beautiful. Meadows show the vast
expanses, while the pines still make it feel woodsy. I’m pretty sure the
wildlife outnumber the humans here. I managed to run ten miles of the course
yesterday and saw innumerable tracks. Mostly moose I believe. The course is
super, save for the snow still present in small but deep patches. Other spots
are quite wet and bog-like. I am at the turn around though, about 9,000ft,
which is the highest point on the course, so everything should be more dry and
warmer below. We’re quite north, basically in Montana. I did hit some super
singletrack yesterday before I came to a large creek that I didn’t feel like
fording so I turned around.
The next seven days are easy and simple. I basically just wait around.
I move camp sites Sunday to mile 12 where I’ll be able to see one of the climbs
on the course. Tuesday I move to the start line where Wyatt and Glove will meet
me. Chrissy, Lauren, and my dad come Thursday, rounding out an all-star crew.
I’m not only excited to run 100 miles, I’m excited to feel like a team. We’re
all going to make this happen together. Wyatt, Glove, and Chrissy are set to
pace. The last five miles are on a dirt road going into town for logistical
ease. Everyone is allowed to pace and mule there. I’m visioning us running five
wide on that road, breaking 20 hours, and breaking tape. I’ve never run past
mile 66 before, so perhaps I’m a fool to set lofty goals. Yet I am fit
physically and mentally. Whatever happens, I’m going to wisely destroy myself
and tap into magic. And have the best time.)
ps. You can download the app “It’s Your Race” on your phone to receive
live updates from the major aid stations, miles ~12, 30, 48, 66, 84, 100. The
race starts at 11am MST.
pps. It's now Tuesday--the race is on Friday. I haven't had internet access until now.
Cheers!
Some lakes, CO. |
Horn Peak, Sangre de Cristos. Favorite pic I've ever taken. |
Music pass |
Bighorn course! Mile 50ish |
Creative showers |
Dry Fork AS, mi 12.5 & 85. |
Just a taste |
Watch out, world! Rudy, your debut hundo is gonna f***ing shake the core of the Earth. I can already feel the tremors ... xoxox
ReplyDelete