Thank Goodness....
… that Diane Sherrer had to cover a local race. Her job assignment pre-empted our trip to the National Distance Running Hall of Fame. She went to Elmira to work. I went to Niagara on the Lake to "move forward' for fifty miles.
… for the 6:00 A.M. start, which was pleasant with cloudy skies, a reprieve from what was coming.
… for well-cushioned NIKE shoes, with Spenco inserts, that kept my feet comfortable
… for the double-layer coolmax socks that kept my feet dry the whole way.
.... for Hind running shorts with two side pockets and one back pocket.
.... for Race Ready's top with a small back pocket.
.... for Succeed tablets that did.
.... for well-stocked aid stations which had ample food and a good variety, eliminating the need to carry anything.
.... there's not any more concrete on the course than what there is.
.... for Advil to help survive the concrete section.
.... the course undulates enough to give your muscles a break from the merciless flat.
.... for Jeff Galloway's run/walk program; today's intervals were 2 minutes run/1 minute walk.
.... for the volunteers who checked your bib number and called you by name. (It's always nice to be more than a number.)
.... for the mist going through the Falls section.
.... there was as much cloud cover as there was for as long as there was.
.... that I didn't see the temperature reading of 93 degrees as I went through Niagara Falls.
.... for the Napa marathon neckerchief that Joe Henderson had sent last week. At the aid stations, I filled it with ice, rolled it, and wore it around my neck.
.... the Mobil Mart in Seneca Falls sells caffeinated water.
... the Dana-Farber Boston Marathon gift was an over the shoulder water bottle carrier, easier for me to use than hand carrying a water bottle.
.... there is caffeinated Power Gel.
.... for small boobs, allowing ample room for ice in the sports bra.
.... for the aid station that had black licorice gummy bears.
.... for the distraction of 1 horse, 1 bluejay, 2 robins, enough chickadees for a Hitchcock re-make of The Birds, and 14 white butterflies (or was it the same one keeping me company along the way?)
.... for my HWHW (Hellacious Wednesday Hill Workout) which made the up hills on the return 25 miles seem relatively easy.
.... for the historic markers and plaques along the way that served as a nice diversion.
.... for the Floral Clock.
... .for the medics and bikers who kept a constant vigil.
... .for the June 10th Sunburst Marathon, which made the day's heat and humidity seem pleasant.
… for the volunteer at the Butterfly Conservatory (65k) who wouldn't let me take the ride offered by the police.
... that the heat, humidity, and harmful rays (read: relentless, open sun) made only the last four miles the miles from hell.
... for sunscreen that kept me from looking like a beet.
... that although the course is only marked every 5k, there is a sign that says, "1 mile to go"
... that the course finishes with a downhill.
... for the Niagara River, right at the finish, just waiting to make your feet happy.
... that there are REAL bathrooms at the finish.
… for pineapple pizza at the post-race dinner.
... that I had nary a hint of a blister.
... that Jim Miner, who was there to do his first (successful) 100k, drove me home (Otherwise, I'd still be inching my way back.)
.... that DOMS never did set in
... for Diane's lady bug sticker, which brought good luck in the form of 9:42:04.
... that race director Henri, who has never run an ultra, puts on a really good ultra race.
-- Cathy Troisi