Subject: Across the Years 48 Hour From: "maureen moran michael" Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2002 16:21:42 -0800 To: ultra@LISTSERV.DARTMOUTH.EDU What an incredible experience! I'll try to just report the event details but it will be difficult not to make this a big thank you note to all of the people who helped me. I am so happy that I met my goal of 150 miles and that through the generous support of my running friends we raised $568.00 for Pet Assistance, our small, local pet charity. I also appreciate the kind words that were emailed to me on and off the Ultra List. I had run the San Diego One Day in November and completed 102 miles in 24 hours. A good training run for a 48 hour event eh? I made sure that my recovery was complete and sent in my entry fee. I had an offer for a crew person but that fell through so my Mom offered to come with me. She crewed fro me a little bit here in San Diego but this would be quite an experience for her. I got the house and business in order, packed up the truck and we headed for Phoenix on Sat. the 29th. We checked into the motel then drove over to the track. I introduced myself to Paul Bonnett (the Race Director) and immediately received a big hug from him, the usual welcome into the Across the Years Family. We set up out canopy and table, I walked a few laps with Bill Dickey then we left to go eat dinner. Back to our room and in bed by 9p.m. Too bad I couldn't sleep, only managing 3 hours. Oh well, at least I rested. Just too excited about the race. Up the next morning at 5:30 and arriving at the track at 7:30. Here I met up with Eric Paulsen, a competitor in the San Diego 1Day. It was nice to see a familiar face. I also met another 48 hour runner, Ken Eielson from Colo. All three of us had our camps set up next to each other. At this time I got a chance to meet Reinhold Baues, who had emailed excellent information to me regarding how to run a 48 hour event. Paul gave the race briefing at 8am, welcoming all of us into the family and advising us of the fact that the inside lane is not for the exclusive use of the faster runners. Pass on the left was the rule of the day. All runners were out there achieving their own personal record and it is our responsibility to respect that. I heed that advice and we set off at 9a.m. I used my run 10, walk 1 strategy until 1p.m. (heat of the day) where I walked until 3p.m. I used this time to eat a cup of noodles. I then ran again hitting the 50-mile mark in 11:20. At the 12-hour mark I took a stretching break, changed my shoes and drained two blisters. I also ate Sloppy Joes for dinner. Some of the runners ate beans with their dinner! Not me, gee whiz, that's all I needed, this continuous running has a tendency to run the you-know-what otta ya! I then kept on walking, with a purpose and visiting with the other runners. I was amazed and impressed by the veterans of these events. I met Marc Witkes (he had emailed me so it was nice to connect the face with the name) The nighttime passed with no problems, I stayed on course and reached my 85-mile goal at 23:20, just a few short of 24 hours. 9a.m-Start of the second day. I took a change of clothing and change of shoe break. I also had a massage and ate breakfast. I experienced extreme difficulty getting back into a running pace at this time. I think I only managed 5 miles during the first two hours of the second day. I finally got back on the track and into the groove. Then I stopped to let Dr. Jordon Ross work on a couple of aches I was developing. Back on the track and plugging away watching the 24 hour runners, many were very fast and must have missed the pre-race instructions regarding the inside lanes. Around this time I had the honor of meeting Barbara McLeod. She's an amazing woman, so strong and steady and so willing to take a newcomer like me under her wing. I didn't know at the time just how much I would come to appreciate her wisdom and experience. We kept moving until 6p.m., I reached my 100-mile mark at 29 hours, and the 125-mile mark at 35 hours. We were approaching the midnight hour and we all shared in the celebration of the New Year by walking a lap together and watching the fireworks display. Heck of a way to ring in the New Year. I now realized that I had eleven hours to complete a marathon! No problem! What's the course record? Outta my way, I'm queen of the track! Oh how the mighty fall, not one hour later I was reduced to a stagger, unwilling to move and with no desire what-so-ever to achieve my goal. At this time Dennis Kranz got me motivated and this kept me moving for a while. Then I hit another low point. I didn't want to me, stopping for numerous potty breaks, sitting on my cooler, standing around the lap board, anything but running. I finally started walking again and expressed my feelings to Barbara. She took one look at me and simpley stated, "You have to dig deep and run as much as you can while you still have something left" I knew that in my head and her words made the journey to my heart. I started crying and I put on my Walkman and started running. I continued running 4, walking 1 for a long time. I ran as much as I could in hour 47 so I would know exactly how much I needed in the last hour. After a look at the board I discovered that I completed my 150 miles in 47 hours. Yeah! Now I could rest. Actually I walked a bit, then took a little time to stretch and get a neck and shoulder massage from Christopher (Ultra-nurse) O'Loughlin. I then got back on the track, started walking and started weeping for a little bit. Tears of gratitude, pain and joy. What an amazing experience, I will never forget. I did manage to get two more miles finishing with 152 total miles. Good for first female and second overall. The awards cermony was fun, everyone is a winner here. Eric's family dis-assembled my entire camp and loaded it into my truck, Mom and I went back to the motel, cleaned and rested up then headed to the post-race dinner. We had a nice visit with the other runners and we agreed that we are proud to be Across the Years family members and look forward to returning next year for the 72 hour event. God willing. Maureen Moran