WELCOME BACK MY FRIENDS Race Director Herb Hedgecock changes the KUTS course every year. He candidly acknowledges that the advertised distances reflect best estimates. This one will cover 31 miles, more or less. Given a recent pelvis/muscle/tendon malfunction, I haven't done any significant training at all for the last few weeks. Plus, I've very recently been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, at age 47. The tumor creates no physical pain, and my current hormone treatment doesn't cause any discernible weakness or fatigue, but emotionally this takes me into terra incognita. That psychological element may affect my performance today in ways I haven't seen before. So I have some apprehension as I set out alone at 6:20, with hints of daylight emerging on this first day of spring. After about a mile of pavement and gravel I turn onto the single track Sheltowee Trail, which comprises most of the course. ("Sheltowee" is the Shawnee name given to Daniel Boone. It means "big turtle." Note the logo on the race shirt and in a couple of the trail photos.) This first segment brings plenty of muddy patches, short and irregular ups and downs, and some not-so-short ups and downs as well. I adore the landscape, but (1) I haven't properly trained for it and (2) I'm carrying emotional baggage that I haven't fully inventoried. Even in this first hour I begin wondering if I can go the distance today.
I learn that I've missed the turnoff to the first aid station. Luckily, I learn this only about a quarter-mile out, so backtracking doesn't create too much stress. Returning to the course I find more long climbs. A few switchbacks eventually lead to the crest. The beautiful views up here help refresh me. And the relatively level stretches give me some physical relief. I start feeling more optimistic about my prospects for completing this. But some doubts linger, especially regarding the forecast: a 60% chance of afternoon thunderstorms. After descending to the second aid station the middle loop section offers a few miles on a gravel road until I turn onto Sheltowee again. I enjoy all the scenery, but especially so in this segment.
My stump starts hurting. Taking a break at the m16 aid station I find a couple of blisters. I've had blisters before but I've never DNF'd because of them. As I continue on the course, I think about this challenging terrain and the distance; I do begin to wonder if I should drop out at the m21 aid station. Cooler air and nice breezes refresh my attitude a bit. On the descent I find this section taking longer than I expected. That nagging concern will grow.
After the m26 aid station, the final miles drag on and on and ON. Yeah, I'm tired. Yeah, I'm sore. Yeah, already I've trudged out here longer than I've taken to complete any other event. But for this to qualify for my 50&DC, I have to finish. Anyhow, now that I've gone on into the middle of the segment, I have no real option. No pulling over to the roadside and waiting for a sweeper van. Simply to get out, I have to keep moving. Honestly, I've never felt this frustrated, agitated, and physically pained in any of 56 other marathons and ultras. Good thing every #$@%&**! step on this trail gives me gorgeous views over and over. Otherwise I'd feel reeeally pissed.
Lousy attitude notwithstanding, I finally reach the end of the trail. I follow the gravel road out to the highway. Thankful for gravity's assistance, I plod down the hill to the finish. Difficult as they come for me, and difficult as I find this to explain, trails remain my favorite events. True again today.
My individually hand-crafted KUTS 8 mug.
Chuck's 50 & DC Marathons Starting Line UCSC/ACSC | YIA | AHS Class of 1974 Camp Wiregrass | Coral Gables Congregational Church Concerts | Is There Anybody Out There? | Presidential Election 2004 all images and text © chuck bryant
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