The North Face Endurance Challenge (San Francisco) held on Saturday December 3rd was my first 50-mile run. Not on that, but it was a run with tremendous elevation change and difficult terrain. I'm glad I did it - and I look forward to doing it much better next year. I will tell you about my experience as succinctly as is possible to do while still hopefully making it interesting. This is the first installment.
The night before, I drove 2 hours to my parents' house so that the three kids (mine) I brought with me could have a sleep-over at the grandparents' before coming up to the race location with Dad the next day to watch me finish. The kids had a nice, restful, long slumber...and pancakes and crafts in the morning. I on the other hand slept perhaps two out of four hours I occupied the bed of my old bedroom. The two hours were occupied with bad dreams - or perhaps one drawn-out bad dream. My dream was an ongoing bad comedy of problems encountered on the way to the race, including not being able to fine my car after having stopped at a huge and full-of-people store to purchase some necessary supply. My only relief from the dream was waking up to my IPhone alarm at 0245 hours.
I left on time, just shortly after 0300 hours. The race was scheduled to start at 0500 hours at Fort Barry in the Marin Headlands. I had my breakfast (two egg white and cheese sandwiches on whole wheat bread, 1 orange, 15 raw almonds, and three graham crackers) with me to eat while in transit, and I had of course also taken my Venti-sized coffee thermos filled with my favorite coffee in my customary precisely-measured strength to enjoy after the breakfast. I had directions, race clothes, running shoes, and warmer clothing if needed. Everything was ready and with me. My Dad had picked up my race packet - including bib number and chip - the night before, so I didn't need to worry about picking those things up race-day. So far, all systems GO...except for the sleep I had wanted. There was no way to go back in time and get back those lost hours of sleep, so I tried not to worry about it.
[Part 2 coming soon]
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