The Big Run

I haven't blogged about this because I was a bit mad about being left behind. I'm trying to get over that and maybe writing about it will help. So I will tell you about Terri's run.

After her last marathon (the Victoria Marathon) in October 2010, Terri decided it was time to try something different. So, she signed up for a 50km run - the Elk/Beaver Ultra - on 7th May 2011. It is a 10km loop around Elk and Beaver Lakes in Victoria. She ran it five times. Yeah, I know, a bit crazy. But, she has some friends who do this sort of thing all the time, so she doesn't seem to think it's as crazy as it really is.

Any way, just before the race, Terri came down with a bad cold. She wasn't happy about this. She worried about it so much that she didn't sleep much the last two nights before the race. And, since she had never run this distance before, Terri was nervous leading up to the event. Between the cold, lack of sleep, and her nerves, Terri left for her run without me!

I know I have been a bit absorbed in my own things lately. I've been spending a lot of time with my friends Quatchi, Wizard, and Rabbit, and not spending much time with Terri. Maybe she feels left out. What ever it is, I don't think it was very nice of her to leave me behind.

Me and my friends - Quatchi, Wizard, and Rabbit.

I know she needed me out there. She's never run that far before and I could have helped her through the hard parts. She said that even the first 10km was hard. And Terri has run 10km many, many times. It should have been easy for her. She said that she was really tired and the cold medication was making her tummy feel a bit yucky.

The race director overheard her telling someone at the check-in that she was having a hard time already. He said ultras are always hard at the beginning, but get easier later on in the race. She kept going. One thing Terri did which might have made it harder for herself was doing the first lap without music. Terri wanted to pay attention to what was around her while the lake and trails were still pretty quiet. (The race started at 6am, so there weren't many people out there except for the 60 or so other runners.) I think that by doing this, Terri ended up being more aware of how she was feeling (which wasn't too good).

When she went out on her second lap, Terri put on her music. A couple of months ago, she bought herself a new mp3 player as a reward/incentive/treat for doing the 50k. She had lots of music loaded on it. Way more than her old player which only held about 30 songs - most of which she was pretty tired of. I think this helped her get through the other four laps. Not as much as having me there would have helped...

She got through her second lap. And her third. Each time, she kinda wondered where Joe (not me, Big Joe) was. Rainy was also running so Joe was there to support her. Terri thought he would be watching out for her too, but he wasn't there for the first two laps. As she started out for her forth lap, she saw Joe. She says she wanted to stop. She was really tired and just wanted to sleep. And she wanted to cry on someone's shoulder. Joe said she was looking great and that she'd do it. Then he got out his camera and started to take pictures.

Terri heading out for lap 4.

Terri kept going. This is where I know she really missed me. She doesn't admit it, but I know she really wishes I was there on those last two laps. She says she turned off her mind and just kept moving her feet forward. She barely ate during the run - just some watermelon, a few grapes, and a couple pieces of cold potato. She quit thinking about anything. Except that her sister Karen was going to show up. And that she could stop once she'd gone around the lake five times. She says it was funny how the laps didn't seem to take that long even though each one was almost an hour and a half long. Shutting off your mind sure does work!

Terri finished! It took her seven hours, five minutes, but she did it! And is she ever proud of herself! I really wish I was there to celebrate with her. Look how happy she is!

Terri and her sister Karen.

Rainy, Carla, and Terri

Post-race beverages

Terri & I love Rainy & Joe - it wouldn't be an adventure without them.

Thanks to Terri's friends for taking care of her. Even though I wasn't there, she had fun and made it through one of the most difficult things she has ever done. I am super proud of her. She promises she will take me on her next 50k, if there is a next one. I know she'll do something big and fun, and that I'll be with her.

Run hard, be strong, have fun.
Joe