Rinse and Repeat

This week, I'm resting. I’ve trained this past year and my whole life. My race begins this Saturday morning and will end at some point on Sunday, 100 miles later. My training has involved running sprints, fast walking, climbing stairs, lifting weights, saunas with cold plunges, yoga and breathing techniques. I’ve trained my gut, legs and heart, not to mention my head, shoulders, knees and toes. In the dim light of Saturday morning, I’ll be on the starting line and come what may, my cup is at capacity, it’s time to let it runneth over. 

What I’ve learned in my training is inextricably connected to some basic human truths. First, breathe. Second, hydrate and eat. And third, we are all deeply loved. It only takes a lifetime of practicing the first two and another lifetime to accept the third. Of course, life isn’t all that simple, roses and rainbows and such, though I have heard that unicorns can be part of a runner’s hallucinations at around mile 80. It’s also understood that at that point all you can do is breathe, eat and move forward. And then allow the spirit to take over.

I draw strength from so many friends and teachers. Sommer and Paul Sobin, yoga teachers extraordinaire, challenge us to stay present even in the midst of fiery, difficult poses. “Show up on the mat, dig deep, then rest. Rinse and repeat.” During the race, I picture becoming a fire-breathing dragon facing off with St. George, and vice versa. I’ll fluctuate between George and Dragon - courage and fear, strength and weakness, frontal cortex reasoning and reptilian fight / flight. There’s no need to run crazy miles to seek adventure or face our fears. Showing up consistently on the yoga mat in our living rooms could invoke a similar quest, or even sitting here in my chair practicing box breathing techniques. We can accept or reject the invitation for transformation at every turn. Into this particular wash cycle of running a 100 miler, I'm sure I will vacillate between facing of my inner dragon, becoming a chivalrous knightess then back to dragon and then hopefully land in the world of knightess again. Everyone loves a fairytale ending.  

FUN FACTS ABOUT UMSTEAD 100:

51 percent of the 270 runners will complete the 100 miles. 

18 runners are 60+ years old, 5 of the 18 are female.

I’ll consume 9,000+ calories and take 200,000 +/- steps.

Both the NC State (Raleigh) women’s and men’s basketball teams are in the Final Four. The men will be playing at 6:09 pm Saturday, just about the time I will be halfway through the race. I’ll be carrying my red rabbit’s foot for them.

Last year, Arlen Glick set the course record coming in at a blazing 12:57:06. I plan to finish 16 hours later at around 29 hours.

One of the best things about this race is that I’m only 30 minutes away from my bed. One of the hardest things about this race is that I’m only 30 minutes away from my bed.

Track me!  Bib #164

With a very grateful heart, I’ll see you on the other side of 100.

Xx Anne

Painting by author

"Rinse and Repeat"

Acrylic and Collage 22" x 28"

I'm running the Umstead100 Endurance Run, April 6-7 in Raleigh, NC while fundraising for Go Conscious Earth, whose mission is to empower the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo Basin Rainforest to protect their ancestral land upon which we all depend for survival. Please visit (and share!) my fundraising page GCE100 and make a donation for this critical cause. Also, please forward my collection of blogs to anyone who might be interested in learning more about my experience preparing for a very long race!

Thank you so much!

xo Anne