I know it's a little crazy, but I always check out races when I'm on vacation. It's a way to see things that are not on the tourist websites. I decided to sign up for the Camp Smith Grueler 5K. It was put on by the Marine Base and the marines always do a great job with races. Great support. Lots of fun. Why not? I didn't really think about what the name meant. I thought maybe it was someone's name, or something like that. I told a friend who works at Camp Smith I was doing the race, she chuckled and said "Are you running the hill?" What hill I asked. She said I would figure it out. Just so you know . . .when the Marines call a race a "grueler," they mean "grueling."
Friday, I went to sign up for the race. Saturday morning, I dressed in blue camo, picked up my bib and T-shirt. I think I was number 107 signed up. Four more people signed up after me. It was a beautiful morning. Took some pictures and heard the "safety briefing." That's when I realized I should be worried. They reversed the route this year to make it more challenging.WHAT?!?!?!
After a mile running uphill, the trail started. What? I am too clumsy for trail runs. Mile 2 was all trail. I heard . . .and saw . . .the first finishers coming back down. They were pounding hard. I'll tell you what that means later. The trail was straight up. I would like to say the blurry picture is because I was moving so fast. Nope, my hands were trembling with fear about how I was going to finish this. I was already barely breathing. Yes, those are roots in the trail. Nope, I didn't trip and hurt myself.
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| I know you can't tell, but the run was on the edge of a ridge-line. |
After 2 miles uphill, it was 1 mile down. Before the downhill, the base commander's wife was cheering us on with her golden retriever. Nice doggie. Like a 5-year-old, I had to stop to pet her. I was too bedraggled for a picture. Straight down. All those fast folks pounding, I don't know what was harder. Uphill gasping for air, or downhill trying to spare my aching knees . . .and praying I didn't fall flat on my face. That was a steep hill. The views from the top were spectacular.
I was so relieved to find myself back at the track for the final 100 meters. Yes, it was a grueler. Lesson learned. It was really awesome to see how everyone stuck around and cheered on the final finisher. She was so happy to finish that she laid down after crossing. Big achievement for her.
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| I was not joking about the elevation . . .UP UP UP, and then DOWN! |
