State #5 Ouray, Colorado

Mt Snuffels Marathon

August 11, 2012

The natural hot springs is the reward I am looking forward to the most after completing one of the most challenging marathons. It isn't the 8000 ft. elevation or even the uneven gravel roads that has me dreading the run, my lack of fitness has me feeling very low almost to a breaking point. It doesn't feel like fun and games anymore in my current state of mind.  Running~or shuffling through~a marathon is a dauntingly difficult task especially when the body is clearly unfit to tolerate the demands of the distance. It is demoralizing how I allow myself~nobody to blame, but myself~for my current physical state and boy is it affecting me mentally. When I treat my body poorly, it functions at a less than optimal level. The challenge of doing twelve marathons in a year has completely backfired...

Instead of getting stronger and fitter, I become less and less fit. The tapering, recovering and over indulging while traveling  is detrimental to my well being. Definitely feel like a "fat cat" in need of a nap rather than a marathon runner eager to hear the gun go off. 

In fact, as the race begins I am still in line for the porta-potty with no sense of urgency to commence with the struggle.

Ready or not here we go. It is a small race in a beautiful setting as we make our way toward the mountain trail. Unique races in quaint corners of the country are preferable. Of course I enjoy a big city race, but the nice thing about a small race is the ease of parking and getting to the start line. It eliminates the need to spend hours getting to the venue. Runners gather in the park shortly before race time and off we go.  The struggle is real right from the initial first few steps...Wow...this is going to be a long day! 

It is a perfect day to appreciate the beauty and the serenity particularly since I am mostly alone. Just going to have to grin and bear it no matter how tough it gets. Once we leave the concrete path, the dirt road quickly turns into a clay gravel with lots of rocks and pebbles kicking up and into my shoes. I didn't know what gaiters were until today.  Now I know...it is something smart people put on their shoes to prevent pebbles from bouncing into their shoes.

The course runs from the park in Ridgway to the Hot Springs in Ouray. Runners circle the springs at the halfway point before returning back to the park in Ridgway.  The half marathoners start at the Hot Springs and finish at the park. 

We encounter the half marathoner runners on the gravel road between mile 6 to 8. They seem so fresh and strong. I have never been so envious of a half marathoner in my life. Many cheer and give the marathoners positive encouragement. I swear I can feel the compassion from some of the runners as they see the extreme effort and anguish on my face. By this point I am far behind many of the runners. There are less than a handful of runners behind me. 

In my running history, I am usually in the first third of the runners, but today I am a "back of the packer."  I gain new found respect for back of the packers. I just want to get to the midway point to begin the countdown to the finish. There are numerous walk breaks and bargains with myself to keep running for sections at a time.  The aid stations are staffed with very encouraging volunteers. After four hours, I still have miles and miles to go...before I sleep. It is somewhat demoralizing to think on a good day, I would already be done. However; with all my walking, I have time to munch on the treats provided.  Normally I can't eat and run, but eating and walking is quite doable.  Pretzels and M&M's are the delicacy of the day.  The course goes right by the motel where we are staying.  It is a great place to explore....looking forward to soaking my ankles and sore knees in the cold river

water after I get done with the never ending marathon. As the miles click down a sweeper in the all-terrain vehicle keeps checking on me.  Oh man...are you kidding me. As one of the last runners on the course they keep asking if I need a ride. "Do you need to stop are you okay?" Are they serious...no I am not stopping I will finish the race. I guess I should be thankful that someone is concerned about all the runners.  Bill Rodgers~four time winner of the Boston and New York City Marathon~ famous quote comes to mind, "The marathon can humble you!"  I am for sure humbled in a small town, 8000 ft. in the mountains of Colorado. 

My husband bought the shirt(he wears it a lot) in Bill's store in Boston...those words stay in my mind especially on days like today

My husband passed me long ago and I wonder how he is doing with the heat and the gravel, but I will soon find out.  Spotting the finish line is beyond exciting and I am not dead last. There are  at least two runners behind me.  

Grateful to complete one tough marathon, we check out of the motel and move to a lodge near the hot springs. Now time for rest and relaxation.  The quint little town of less than 800 people has much to explore. After checking into the lodge we soak in the ice cold river before spending the rest of the day at the hot springs. It is just what we need. The pools with varying temperatures are heavenly...it takes our mind off the aches, pains and worries of the day. The next two days are spent exploring Box Canyon, hiking to waterfalls, and mining for gold. It is a beautiful area. I can only image the winter beauty when the place is covered in snow.

Once the run is complete, it is two days of fun including trying some of the local pubs. I have tons of pictures but who really wants to see someone else's vacation pictures...

We are both really happy to cross off another state.  Mt. Sneffel's is my worst marathon time with the exception of Alabama, due to an extreme case of food poisoning at the pasta dinner. (see State #11) Colorado is one of the states on my redemption list.  All of my marathons have been under five hours with the exception of Colorado~5:35~ and Nevada ~5:27~ The bad times correspond with a bad period in my life. Hopefully, I will be able to redo these states in the future.  My goal is to finish all of my 50 states in under 5 hours.  Many people strive to complete each of the states in under 4 hours ~overachievers~but heck who wants to be that good. That requires too much training, hard work and sacrifice...in case you can't tell from my recaps I love eating...and overindulging!!! 

State #4 Rachel, Nevada

August 5th 2012

Thanks Dave Mari...for all the great photos and your enthusiastic spirit!

It is hard to believe how fast...time slips through our fingers. Can it be true that I ran state #4 five years ago...really? Thinking back to that time in my life, the ET marathon reminders me of a painful period. Looking back I wish I could have enjoyed it more. "This too shall pass"...and something else will take its place.  It is the beauty of life...you never know what each day and phase of life will bestow. I try now that I am even older, to have more gratitude for every day that I am given. The simple joys are enough and there is always something to be thankful for.

To say that the Extraterrestrial Marathon is a unique experience is an understatement. It is one crazy desert run in the middle of the night with lots of other crazy runners from all over the country. 

It is a wild ride to nowhere, a desolate stretch of the Nevada Desert near Area 51. Our first running event as official Marathon Maniacs! I became a member at the end of 2011 and my husband joined in May of 2012. Boy, what insanity, two hours on a bus with other "maniacal maniacs" in the darkest hours of the night. 

We didn't get the memo...that it is supposed to be fun

We are dumped on a lonely highway just before midnight, but only after the bus driver gets lost and has to turn around before figuring out where to take us.  We also pull over to check on the bus in front of us. A strange object barreled through the front window shattering the glass. It is definitely the spookiest and the craziest marathon I have done to date. 

Who wants to start running a marathon at twelve a.m...especially after drinking a yard full of liquor at the pool in the hot Las Vegas sun? Just because they offer a "Free Long Island Iced Tea" as part of your stay in a huge container~doesn't mean you have to accept it or drink the whole thing!  It seemed like a fine idea at two p.m. while basking by the pool in the hot summer heat. 

Now as I wait to start running in a gigantic orange and yellow safety vest that my husband makes me wear, the dread sets in. I am screwed, if there was a way back to the hotel I would have taken it. With little fanfare, the race begins and so does my whining. "I can't wear this vest it's too hot and heavy!"  I last about a mile before my husband takes the vest from me.  He normally overheats like an "old Ford truck out of coolant" but he wore both of those vests for the entire marathon. 

There I am glimmering to the right with that darn vest...

Even vestless, it is the hardest marathon of my life.  Being hung-over, overweight and exhausted are not the best variables, definitely not conducive to a successful marathon finish. Unfortunately, my husband is feeling really good and normally I would tell him to go ahead, 

Check Please...I am done!

 but I don't want to be left out in the pitch darkness with the rattlesnakes and other critters. He is stuck with me! I wish I could say I am a good sport about it, but I am an utter pathetic complaining wimp! It is not one of my better moments. 

I can see how this can be a fun race.  People dress up in alien theme attire. I would definitely do the race again just for redemption sake, if it wasn't for the brutal four hour bus ride to and from the event.  I also wish we stayed around for the free breakfast. Why are we in a hurry to get on the bus and get going? What a big mistake, not stuffing our faces for once. The entire bus falls asleep including the driver. He keeps nodding off and hitting the rumble strips. He has me freaked out and I feel it is my duty to stay awake to make noise to keep him awake. It is a miserable ride back to the hotel. It feels like the longest two hours of my life. My neurotic personality forces me to be alert to help out the bus driver. I can't wait to get back to the hotel to finally get some rest.

Even with all the pitfalls during marathon State #4, I have to admit, the sunrise is super spectacular as I cross the finish line.  The desert landscape as the sun peaks out over the mountain is peaceful, priceless and beautiful. To really enjoy the race...I recommend taking an afternoon nap before the race, refrain from drinking until after the run and definitely come to the race physically fit and mentally strong! Of course that's easier said than done. When not in the best running shape...I pay the price with physical and mental anguish! It is a battle I am determined to one day win. Maybe, I will start my diet on Monday or the following Monday or maybe Monday some time in 2020...Life occasionally gets in the way and we can't always be at our running best. We fight our way through it anyway because not running is just not an option! At least not yet...

In fact, in six days we are off to run another marathon in Colorado at the Mt. Sneffels Marathon with 8000 feet elevation! Oh joy that should be fun! Get ready for more whining...