In preparation for this Kevin got maps for all of the areas the race covers with the premise we will try to cover all of it in training as many times as we can. The course is basically two out and backs with the start/finish area in the middle of the two. Today we did part of one of the out and backs with an out and back in itself. The area we covered was from mile 4.7-10.7 and 23.0-28.9 which wasn't too terrible. It was mostly downhill going until our turn around point which is at one of the Aid Stations for the race, the Gabe Zimmerman trail head. The elevation today at its highest was 3,731 ft, so after we did the turn around it was uphill coming back to Sahurita Rd, with adding a little peak to get to the 3,731 ft. Oh by the way, Kevin decided to tell me at the end that he knew it would be all uphill coming back. He didn't happen to mention it while I was struggling thinking that I was just sucking. For most that sounds like not very much, but we are used to running at 1900-2100 feet. It made a little difference, okay a lot. I kept saying to Kevin is the elevation higher here, why are we going uphill so much. I thought we were just running well on the way to the turn around, well of course, it was downhill.
First though, I thought we were hiking it today and not running it. I don't know why I thought that, but, well I did. So, because I thought this all week and yesterday I really didn't do any hydrating and I ate pretty terrible yesterday too. I ate at two fast food places, which is not normal for me at all and my tummy wasn't pleased with my choices when I woke up this morning. When Kevin came home from work this morning at 715 from working all night, I asked him, so are we running this or hiking it? We are running it of course. If you need to reduce it to 6 miles we can do that. Nah, let's do the whole 12.
I always worry about water. I ran out once on a 11 mile loop and since then I worry. We set up a half way point for rehydration and refueling so we wouldn't run out, but I still worry about it. As such, in my pack I had 100 oz of water and a gatorade for 6 miles. Pretty stupid right? Kevin had lifted my pack and felt how heavy it was, I said it is okay I am used to it from previous efforts.
Here are some pictures of where we set up our stuff for our half way point. At the Gabe Zimmerman trail head, notice the sign makes no mention of runners.
We put a note on our cooler so nobody would take it or think it was a bomb or something.
Saw this sculpture of a snake when we pulled up and I thought it was a mangled up bike stand thing until I got closer. I took a pic and thought, let's hope this is the only snake we see today!!
The scenery was gorgeous!
The clouds were a little ominous looking. Kevin said it looked like the skies when the "Ghostbusters" released the demons. Hope it wasn't how the run would go...
We drove back to our starting point which seemed like a really long drive for 6 miles? Made the mind kind of wonder. Anyways, we get all buckled up with the packs on and set out. But, where does the trail start? We looked a little silly looking for it but then we saw an opening in the brush. It is important to note why we looked so silly as there was a parking area full of motorcyclists heading out for a day of riding and here we are all geared up looking for a place to start. I said to Kevin, what if a motorcyclist hits us? They never joined the course where we were. Kevin said let's go up here, where it starts on the other side of the road, where we were starting was a little unceremonious for our first run. Here is the pic.
Finally, we are off. We knew this run would encompass a lot of pictures, so prepare yourselves. Photo opportunities present themselves often. Especially with us. We feel you should capture the moments you are in for many reasons. To never forget the memories and help us in telling the story for our friends, our children and family.
The first of many gates we will go through on this journey. This first gate is the gate to achieving a goal that never seemed possible. A 50 mile race!! On the Arizona Trail!! Together we get to do this and I couldn't be more excited and scared!!
I apologize in advance for my standard 'pose'. I should watch modeling shows or something.
Are you coming Kevin?
So remember my insane worry about water? Well we started out running along, feeling invigorated and full of life. I was breathing so heavy and was getting my ass kicked. I thought this is dumb. I told Kevin, I am going to have to lighten the load. I poured out half of my water, so I only had 50 oz instead. One of the best decisions of the day. Sheesh. We were only .22 in. Can only get better from here. I had to go pee shortly thereafter....
I am notoriously navigation challenged and I knew we had to cross under the interstate at some point and I thought this was it, hey not too bad. Then Kevin said, oh but this isn't the interstate yet, it is still at least 3 miles away. Oh.
We have to cross a road or two on this journey and this was the first road crossing, which later I forget about entirely and felt a little deceived.
Insert standard pose in the gorgeous scenery.
We found this book as we came through another fence and gate. Looks a little worn out. I have seen a lot of odd things on the trail and this was a first for me. A beloved book.
Kevin decided to name this hill Saguaro Hill. The only Saguaros we saw all day.
We named this area Ocotillo ridge, so many of them. In a couple weeks they will be in bloom and will be gorgeous.
It is important to note that while we were out here we could hear gun shots. Not sure if they were hunting bunnies, doves or runners. Maybe that is why we never saw any other runners--they liked fast moving targets and that is why we survived....Slow is good sometimes.
Then we came to this sign, still no runners. We thought the horses get a raw deal with having to go a different way.
This is the way the horses have to go, Kevin initially told me we had to go this way. The picture doesn't really do justice to how steep the road is. Albeit, he is a smart ass.
Then came this gate. It was a confusing number.
Kevin, you got to figure this one out. It was pretty complicated!!
See, it is easy. Are you coming or just going to take pictures....
Hmm, where are we headed now?
Holy heck.
This tunnel is long. It goes under the interstate. It scared the crap out of me. I don't even like to sit in my car under the interstate let alone walk under it.
At any moment I expected bats. I really hate bats. Or a ghost or ax murderer. Hate them too.
Just head to the light. Along the way the concrete ground changed to sand and that is not a nice feeling in the dark.
Then about half way through there is an opening which I expected a car to fall through.
Go to the light, it is okay.
You can't see them but my hands are in tight clammy little fists of fear from getting through that.
Made it to the other side, I half expected a new world. It was really something crazy.
Kevin named this creosote forest. So many of them all bunched together. When you rub the leaves together in your hands it smells like rain. I bet it smells amazing out here after a rain storm.
I promise I will work on new poses.
Pretty lucky to live here and be in nature!!
Notice the blue thing on me. That is a long sleeve shirt that Kevin packed in case I got cold. My pack was rubbing me on my neck pretty bad, again something I know is going to happen from experience and I didn't protect it with band aids like I have done before. No band aids in the pack like I usually have so I used the shirt to wrap around it and protect me from chaffing and bleeding.
When we crossed over to the other side of the tunnel we ran into countless mountain bikers. We took a pic of one and down the trail one took a pic of us. We were the only runners or hikers out there we saw, so maybe we stood out as survivors of the hunting of runners. However, with pulling off to the side so much, it kind of messed with our pace, but it is great seeing people out enjoying nature. At one point Kevin yelled out "car" that a biker was coming from behind us. It confused me on why a car was out there and I was sure to jump off the course to make room. Okay, I moved like a foot for a very small car and there was no jumping involved.
Getting closer to the turn around point.
That little area of green is really nice, I am sure in our time we will be able to experience it.
I was a little ahead of Kevin and I saw this cute plant for Kevin to take a photo of. Then finally up ahead we made it to the half way point. It took us an hour and half to get there.
Coming through the gate to the start of the trail head. For the race this is the first and fifth Aid Station point at mile marker, 4.7 and 28.9 so it was cool to get to it so we will be familiar with it in November.
We spent 10 minutes there, which in the race we wouldn't spend that long there, but we had to fish out our cooler and hide it again. Now the work really began with the uphill battle home. Reminder to Kevin, thanks for not telling me it was uphill....
Along the way we saw this dead critter, a millipede or centipede, Kevin is bound to correct me, so I will put it is either one. Kevin told me it is a millipede after all, a dead one, but they are not poisonous, they just creep me out. Like bats.
Then we came upon this contraption to hold the fence line down? What is silly is people adding rocks to it to help. Help do what?
Yep, back at the tunnel. It is still scary, but not as bad the second time.
The midway point in the tunnel, no cars falling through after all. Hmm who knew.
When we came to this road, you literally were smack dab in the middle of nowhere!!
After this road, a few things happened. In no particular order, I tripped and managed to save myself. My trip happened to help my back which was tight as a spring. I used Kevin to help stretch it out. I was feeling really depleted and took two Excedrin and two Hammer endurolyte tablets which helped to brink me back to life. I got pretty grouchy through here too. I just couldn't remember where I was on the trail and thought that around every corner should be the finish. It all started to look the same to me. Kevin was incredible at encouraging me to keep going all day and he had to step it up out in this area. We would run and walk and run and walk and run and walk. Little efforts to keep moving forward. Kevin tripped too. He said because he was having to take tiny little elfish steps because I was going so slow. I said to him in a loving and endearing way, f-u. I probably should have eaten, but I knew that just around the corner we would be done. Ah the lies we tell ourselves. He told me that he could see the truck ahead and I accused him of lying. I couldn't catch a glimpse and was looking in all the wrong directions. Finally, up ahead was the truck. We entwined our fingers and held hands and crossed another invisible finish line together. I can't begin to say how excited I am that I have Kevin beside me to do this. I love doing this stuff with him. He sang parts of songs he was listening to the whole way. He is always so positive and amazing. I love him beyond words can describe. As I was struggling out there, I said to myself that pushing yourself to your limits tests you, tests your strength and mental fortitude and makes you push harder. Training is where you get it done, you learn and grow from it to reach your goals. I learned about some strengthening we need to do for our quads, my ankles and my back. We both have a bad shoulder and knee and we will just keep doing what we can to make them stronger too. We will be doing squats and planks a lot!! I know we can do this race. I feel confident with our first training run with our pace, 15:03, 566 ft elevation gain, 2:32, 12.7 miles and a smooth 2300 calories burned!! I know with further training and longer runs we will grow even more stronger!! Next weekend is a 21 mile hike we have planned, think we will be doing a bunch of running with it too. So this is how we looked afterwards. We went and got some lunch and a beer. I used the handicapped toilet for the hand rails and taller toilet though!! Kevin said, he will never run on a road again!!! That makes me really happy.
