Badge of Honor and new running duds

Well, well, well. You will be happy to know I am not writing this to you from the grave because I survived the 'Percy Warner 11.2'!!! And quite well I might add ;) I finished my 12 miles in under 2 hours, (yes, I know the course is 11.2 but if you know me, you know I am likely to 'misplace' myself sometimes.) You may also be thinking that 12 miles in 2 hours is not that speedy, to which I would reply, "bite me". The run went a little something like this...

It was around 40ish degrees when we started with a light drizzle and I was ready to rock and roll - ipod loaded and GU gels stuffed in my pants. I headed out with the 10-minute pace group and we began our journey. The first 4-5 miles were pretty solid; gorgeous scenery, great pace, strong legs - feelin' good. I kept looking ahead for the 'Mile 9 hill' (*we ran the course backwards so this hill came first) so I could size it up and mentally prepare, and then out of nowhere- BAM. We started climbing. I literally stayed about 2 feet behind our pacer, who had gigantic calves, and stared at his legs the entire time - osmosis? Maybe. Imaginary tiny ropes tied from his legs pulling mine behind him? Possibly. Whatever it was, it worked! We made it to the top and took a much needed water break. And...breaks over. Back to it. We continued on and made it to the Belle Meade entrance which was about half-way. At this point the full marathoners broke off for their extra 8 miles, which meant my inspiring man calves were gone :( I started again with a smaller group and started to hit my stride. I knew we had one more monster hill so I was trying to be mindful and save some energy in my bag of tricks. Finally, we got to it and I was ready to power through and then get ready to finish up the last few miles and BE DONE. This hill was much steeper, but also shorter, that should have been my first clue... I remember thinking, man, that wasn't too bad, psshh... I cranked up some Salt-n-Peppa "now push it real good.." and started to pick up the pace. Well...by the time I got to the actual 'Mile 3 Hill', I.was.spent. I was seriously scared that if I stopped running, I wouldn't be able to start again. It was that bad. And it never ended. Turn after turn, I snail-paced it up to the top. Victory. With just a few miles to go I was desperate to be done, my legs were in pain, I was tired, irritated and cranky. And then I got lost. .8 miles felt like 10, especially when its uphill. When I finally noticed I was running in the opposite direction of the cars I about broke my neck trying to turn around and get back on the right trail. Finally the run came to an end, and as I made my way to my car (why the hell did I park so far?!) I couldn't help but be proud. I conquered the Percy Warner 11.2 and lived to tell about it.

After such a grueling run, I figured I had earned at least 2 treats :) Here is my new running gear!

How cute are these?! Pink, sparkly earbud covers for my headphones! Everytime I come around your city bling, bling...thank goodness I moved to the 'burbs - can't be sporting these in the hood.

I know what you are thinking, they are kind of borderline lezzer, and I wasn't really sure how I felt about 'sports' glasses in general, but they are really functional and don't slip around on your face when you are running, so...hopefully the sparkly earbuds will balance them out.

The Percy Warner Experience...pre-run thoughts

This Saturday I will be embarking on what is known to Nashville area runners as a 'rite of passage'. It is called the 'Percy Warner 11.2 Loop' and after reading about people's first experiences with this course, I am quite intimidated - to say the least. This is kind of what i'm picturing in my head right now, for 11 freaking miles...(pictured above). The course is throughout Percy Warner park, which is right by Steeplechase for all you horse race fans. I have heard it is beautiful and has several breathtaking views at its highest points. I hope I will be able to see this gorgeous scenery through my tears...

This is a blurb from the e-mail we received from Fleet Feet earlier this week regarding the run.

"Part of this experience is going to be leaving your Garmins and watches at home. The goal is to complete this route. Pace does not matter. Time is no issue. You are experiencing a route like no other route and what I want each of you to focus on is the experience. Slow yourself down to run with others. Stay in a pack to encourage each other up the hills. Share why you are out there training while most of the city is still asleep in warm beds. You will leave the group a changed person, a stronger person, a blessed person."

Now, I realize this was probably meant to be inspiring and encouraging, but to me it sounded more like, "Don't even bother bringing your watch, it will probably run out of battery because it's going to take you so long to finish. Also, remember to bring a rope to pull each other up the hills, otherwise you will prob get lost and die in a cold, wet pile of leaves." Ok, ok, maybe i'm exaggerating just a tad ;)

In a twisted way, I am looking forward to this run and to pushing myself waaaay past my comfort zone, and also learning how to run while blacking out. Unfortunately my two running buddies will be MIA this weekend, Jenn is recovering from a foot injury and Mauri is away visiting her familia in Arkansas. I may or may not be cursing you both at some point during the run :) Love.you.mean.it.

I found this little diddy when I googled "Percy Warner 11.2 Loop" the other day...

"The first of the fabled hills falls just as you begin to climb towards the third mile, and stretches beyond it. This hill winds in and out, from side to side. Its wickedness comes from the combined effects of its grade and from the fact that you cannot see the efforts ahead of you; they are hidden, each, behind the next curve. Every time you approach what you perceive to be the end of the madness, you round a turn and see more beyond. By time you have reached the top, just past three miles into your trek, your will and energies have been sapped."

and this one...

"And at that moment, you face the great hill. As you mount its asphalt, the entirety of the effort ahead visible to you (but somehow unknown) there is no pace that is correct. Run too fast and you will not have the necessary fuel in your depleted legs to make it. Run to slowly and the mount will outlast your will. Best just to put your head down and go on blindly. When you reach the connector road, you are only halfway up. By time you reach the top, weakened and poor, you do not have the focus to look around you at the grand vistas on display."

If you need me, I will be busy overnighting these to myself.