Scarry Perry...

It happened again... with nearly 2 miles to go I felt a calm pass over me. It was time to savor the last mile plus of terrain. Rocky, rooty, hilly terrain.

It had been another long, hot day.

After the race I went up to my friend and former fiancée, Ben, the race director.

"What is the vertical out there? 7,000? Is it really 7,000?"

"It's 7100 gain and 7100 loss, Sophia-- and that's by Garmin."

Kansas. Isn't. Flat.

I've been having a mini love affair with Kansas since January. While it may not boast the majesty of Colorado or ocean waters of California, it is a very livable state, even for a trail runner. Especially for a trail runner.

All winter, sunny and 20. The spring? Full of friends and mudtastic splashes and dashes through the woods. That lasted about 3 weeks. Now it's just hot. And humid, but the friends are still there in force.

I'll take altitude any day. The higher the better, but layer on the humidity and I am pretty miserable. Combine that with my other enemy heat, and it's a brace of misery... yet.... 2014 Sophia seems to be embracing this 1-2 punch. Like a Weeble that Wobbles but won't fall down.

Ok-- if you didn't grow up in the '70's, you won't get the reference. But should watch this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFzhjnjXc2o

At some point in 2013, I started calling the trails at Lake Perry, Scary Perry. Probably after being taken on a wild bike ride on the "easy" trails with Cathy Riedy, the trail stewards wife. I'd bounced, bumped, steered, veered and careened with brake full -on, on  the right and half-on ,  on the left  for 10 miles.

"Sophia, they rate the trails in comparison to the other trails in the park.."

 You get it right? There really is no "easy" stuff at Perry.

I boast a 4 inch scar on my left leg from one of these races.. but still, I can honestly say, I have never had a bad race on this course. Sure, there was the night race soaked in humidity where it was not raining, yet brushing against a leaf left my face gross with wetness. I looked ahead and saw a man's hairy, exposed shoulder at face level and knew I been gooed by his sweat. Ew.

I digress.

My super, duper, awesome, beautiful, strong trail running friend Mindy who deserves to be a STAR in a blog post of mine (yeah-- unfortunately one of those I never wrote-- Leadville 2012, when she paced me 50 miles to a personal victory of finishing) came and stayed with me the night before.

So fun.

Chipotle. Hair dos. Wardrobe crisis. Dog love. (Her dogs Boogie-- booger? and Chessa visited.)

Mindy is a winner, and a great regional treasure of a runner-- but has been coming back since the Ozark Trail 100. I've just been coming back.

" Ok Mins, so who do we have for competition in this race?"
"Well, there's a gal who's consistently put down some great marathon times"

Truth is , this is just chat. I knew who my competition was. 2008 Sophia. 5:43 for the 50k.

"What are you going to run Mindy?"
"My PR is 5:15 (SOLID) but I'll be happy with 5:30.
"That bitch 2008 Sophia did 5:43, but it's going to be HOT, I'll be happy under 6."


So, we each entered with challenges, although different. Hers, recovery from her 100, and some good, but not her best performances recently. Mine, overtraining, and recovering from the voice within, a year of getting away with minimal training, and another year of not getting away with it.

I'd agreed to run with my friend Bryan West. We'd had an awesome training run together a month prior-- but I felt I should have warned him that I was RACING.

He's been kind about it, but although my start was gracious (12:30 for 2 miles-- then 12's until mile 5), I was ready to keep that pace, and drop it lower. Only way to do it? Run the hills. However, before I began that relentless struggle, I did impart good will on Bryan, Carol and my very dear and amazing friend Terri. Seeing them gave me strength for what I did next.

Hill Loop 1
Sophia: "I got this thing. Wow , my legs are strong." Over and over.
Finish loop 1: 2:50 
Sophia: "hmm.. a little fast. I feel pretty good, wonder if I can do another loop the same.
Hill Loop 2
Sophia: "I got this thing. Hmm.. legs don't feel as great."
Sophia: " Oh shit. You ran this the first loop. Gotta grind up it."
Sophia: "C'mon Sophia, this isn't a 100 miler, you can't walk all the hills. Hell, Sophia, it's not even a 50 miler."
Sophia: "You know Mindy ran this. She's probably 45 minutes ahead of you."

Grind. Grind. Grind.

There was THE LONG HILL. Ben and Dave Wakefield had put signs with some sayings on them intermittently. I have little idea what they said, as I ran it both loops.

Pick, pick , pick. Pick them off. One by one. Always on the uphills.

" Just let me know if you want to pass." me
" Oh no. YOu are running the uphills."

I was all business. My plan-- drop the pack with 2 miles to go and just get some ice and water in my Mizuno bottle and try, try to get in under 6.

It was going to be close. And part of me was disappointed. Why couldn't I beat the 5:43 time? Did I run too fast on the first loop? Am I just lame and stiff? (I felt stiff. I felt dead. And warm.)

I kept running.

19 minutes. That's what it took in loop one to do the stupid "extra bit."

I got to the aid station and had 24 minutes to  finish the race. My 19 minute equation didn't include the UPHILL to the finish.

All I could do was just keep doing what I had been doing, and that is when the calm set in. It had been another long, hot , well executed day.

I finished in 5:54 and change.

As I rounded the corner, I saw the Mizuno pop up I had packed in my car up and my friends tailgaiting, cheering me in. My friends were all set up-- and we were going to have fun together reliving our races, and cheering in the rest of our group.

I cried a little as I crossed the finish line, and found out I was 2nd female. I figured Mindy was long gone, but she came over and said she'd only just finished about 15 minutes prior. Funny, we both executed our races similarly, running smart but a bit faster in the early morning before the heat, and had a reasonable positive split for a strong finish. I may  never get back the speed of 2008 Sophia, but 2014 Sophia, has a sophistication and strength that is honest and sustainable, and I am not sure I would trade it. But I will build on it, and see where it goes.

Jasmyn skirt is so cute.

Strong finish.

 

2nd place female.

 An extra finish with my Mudbabe friends.

 

 

 

chickie who we thought would be fast. She was not.

running with Bryan early on.

Ashley running strong and smart.

Erica. always a beast.

Jerri. Using the salt plan.

Mel. Trying Ucan from me.

Mindy!! Headed for a Win!! running all hills.

Hot and Happy. I love Kansas.

 

Carol. Coming back from bonk.

 Aid station greatness.

 Headed in for Sub 6. All business.

 Can you see up my skirt?

 Lip gloss. Nice on chapped lips.

Star treatment. Rub. Rub.

Chicken dance form? Airing the pits? Favorite photo ever.

post race. so happy.

 VWP braids flying!

More Terri. More.

Post race hang:

Cheeseburger with extra pickles! Yum

Thanks to Brian Forbes for grilling the burgers. This hang was so great, because everyone was comfortable, happy and well fed. Terri had brought the best of Constantinos and got everything out and rubbed down my legs. TERRI!!!!!!!! You are such an amazing friend that is like my family-- really, better often. Thank you for taking the time to get everything set up and make everyone feel so good. And congrats on your awesome race.

Salt Ramble:
On Monday of this week, I had had the Mudbabes do a salt test, so we would know how much or little to take. Erin had figured this out based on an article she read on Endurance buzz and it was working. So, many of those who ran at Perry did the salt test... and trusted my math and spreadsheet I provided. On this hot, sweaty day, the salt test proved very helpful. Not just in science, but confidence which then releases some energy that would be wasted on the --"am I taking enough, too little," chatter that can clutter minds. Instead it was " yeah baby. I got this."

That was smart.

Final Bit: I AM SO PROUD OF Ashley Shaw-- except.. I don't even know if I deserve to be. I didn't even know she was doing her first 50k (6:36!!!!!!!) Smart, and great splits!!!!! She came and did the salt test. She tells me she's been listening as we all chat about our strategies etc. But, I am just amazed at her mental and physical strength and what a great job she did. Much admiration/.

GEAR breakdown:
Mizuno Inspire 10: Still my favorite Inspire.
Jasmyn skirt: Ok-- it's a bit big in medium-- but so light even when you sweat like a pig.
No chaffing.

Nutrition:
Alternated chocolate Ucan, Tailwind, a couple Humas.
Maybe could have done a bit more-- but it was a short race.