Ten years ago, I was living in Tennessee. My youngest child at the time was not in school yet, and I'd strap her on my back in a pack to explore trails and caves and beaches. But I wasn't a runner. I didn't even know anyone who was a runner. I had no idea what my future would hold at that time.
A year later, I said goodbye to Tennessee with tears in my eyes and our family moved to Ohio. That fall I gave birth to my fifth child. A couple months later, on a bit of a dare, and influenced by New Year's Eve champagne, I agreed to run a race. ONE race. A five mile race over the Mackinaw Bridge in Northern Michigan on Memorial Weekend. I needed to lose that baby weight and running couldn't be that hard, could it?
And then I tried running. I say that I tried because it didn't go well. Who knew a single mile could feel like an eternity? But then I tried the next day. It was equally horrible, but I did it. And then I did it again the next day. And the next. And as I slowly built up mileage and speed, it was still horrible. But I didn't quit. The race was paid for and I was going to run it. After that? No more running for me, thankyouverymuch.
But then I ran that race. When I finished, there was a medal around my neck and a huge buffet of food waiting. There was also a huge sense of accomplishment and maybe, just maybe, I wanted to run another race.
Over the next year, I ran 5k's and 10k's, my first half marathon, then another. I ran a 20 mile race and decided that since I was so close to that marathon distance I should probably run one of those. I ran the Charlevoix Marathon in 2014 and it was amazing and horrible and when I crossed that finish line, I couldn't wait to do it all again.
That winter, I joined a friend on a trail run. I had never run trails. 17 miles of single track and 3 waterfalls later, it's safe to say that I was in love. I was also intrigued by a conversation I had overheard while running. A group of older men were behind me talking about some kind of crazy 100 mile race. 100 miles? Of running? WHAT?
Slowly, over the next year, I slipped into that ultrarunning wormhole, and here I am in 2021 with a bunch of great races planned and so many more I'm dreaming of.
Strolling Jim crept into my thoughts about four years ago. I loved ultrarunning, but 40+ miles of pavement? I wasn't so sure about that. But there was just something about this old school race that had survived for more than 40 years. So many runners come back year after year to battle the pavement and the hills that this is race is known for.
Aside from being a 40 mile road adventure, a unique feature of this race is that in addition to a finisher's medal, there is some additional swag to be earned. While all runners receive a race shirt, those finishing under seven hours earn a red shirt, under six hours earn a blue shirt, under five hours earn a gold shirt. Oh, and if you finish under four hours? That's a silver shirt. In the last 42 years, only one has finished under four hours: Andy Jones with a time of 3:59:26. I am a firm mid-pack runner, so earning one of these coveted shirts wasn't really on my radar this year, but bravo to those who have earned them!
After spending a night in Nashville, Jason and I headed to Wartrace. Well, actually, we took the long way, stopping first in Lynchburg for a little wine and whiskey tasting. But eventually, we made it to Wartrace!
Jason and I had registered for this race as our 20th wedding anniversary celebration, and while I'd be running the 40 mile, he'd be running the half marathon. Packet pickup was quick and easy and much to my delight, I not only met race director, Steve Durbin, but also the legendary Lazarus Lake.
Race day greeted us with blue skies and sunshine, and just the slightest chill in the air at the start. We had been warned to be on the right side of the tracks prior to 7am, and that was no joke! The train could be heard for quite some time before it appeared, but when it arrived in Wartrace, it came to a standstill. I was pretty happy to be on the right side of the tracks!
While waiting for the start, Ryan Ploeckelman appeared! Ryan is the host of the podcast, The Adventure Jogger, and while I have been interviewed by him, I hadn't met him in person. Of course we had to get a picture!
And then it was ready, set, go!
The 10k, half marathon, full marathon, and 40 miler all started together, but with so many paces and a wide road, we thinned out quite quickly and fell into a rhythm.
I wasn't quite sure where the half marathoners would branch off, but before I knew it, Jason, Ryan and the rest of them were turning left and going their own way. Jason was planning to crew for me after his race was finished, and Ryan and his wife were planning to crew for Jeff Stafford, who was also running the 40. So long to them!
As the sun rose, the chill began to leave the air. It was a beautiful morning, filled with green, rolling hills and gorgeous estates. And then, there was a dog! We were warned about dogs! Ahhh, but this one was friendly! "Look! Running people! I WANT TO RUN WITH THEM!" The whole time the owner was calling her dog back, the dog was continuing on with us, greeting everyone and just having the best time!
But then we started to worry a bit because we had run more than half mile with this dog, so one of the runners stopped and took him back to a safe place to be picked up. It was exciting while it lasted!
As we carried on further from the start, the hills began to appear. Early hills that one would think were hills were really not hills...
But then, about an hour and a half into the race, I came to the first real hill. And it was a DOOZY. I had a slight reprieve when halfway up that hill there was road and it shared my last name. Quick pic!
And then it was time to get up the hill! By 9am it was really starting to warm up, and I really wanted to take my top layer off. But I also didn't want to take the time to stop for that. I was feeling good and wanted to keep moving. Then, in front of me, an angel. "Would you like a piece of salted watermelon?" I'm quite sure I told him that I loved him. That watermelon came along right when I needed it and gave me quite a boost in mood!
The landscape was just so beautiful and I was really enjoying the day. I was carrying everything I'd need in my pack for about the first three hours, and figured Jason would find me around Mile 20 for my first crew stop. Also, unique to this race are the aid opportunities. Crew is allowed to stop anywhere that is safe to do so along the course to offer you aid, as long as they're not driving alongside you. Many runners depend on the crews of other runners, and I found everyone who was crewing to be very generous and helpful. The race offered a few aid stations, which I didn't stop at, and a few more water drops, which were gallon jugs of water on the side of the road.
Finally, just after climbing an enormous hill before Mile 20, around 10:30 in the morning, there was Jason. I was ready for some aid! I quickly stripped off my outer layer, refilled my pack, grabbed some gels, chugged a coke and snagged some Fritos for the road. Before leaving, my friend, Scott, arrived, and we headed back out together.
Scott and I had gone back and forth at different paces to this point in the race, but we ran and walked and ate for a bit leaving that aid station. I will never tire of listening to others' race experiences, and his stories of Leadville made the time fly by.
The next two hours held the tallest climb of the race, followed by a steep downhill and a lot of wide open spaces. By this time, I was starting to dread the downhills and my quads were yelling at me.
Finally, there was Jason, and Ryan and his wife were there, too. It was pretty great to have a small cheering section coming into my little aid station! By this time, it was really starting to get hot, and I was so thirsty. I ate a bunch of orange slices and chugged tons of Gatorade and grabbed some cookies for the road. Ryan told me I was heading into the infamous "Walls" section of the course. More hills! Great!
The first climb was by far the toughest, but coming back down was even more difficult. My body wanted to let loose but my quads weren't having it. I told them to shut up and kept running. I was at Mile 30 and had just over 10 miles to go.
The time was passing quite quickly and I was loving the flowers and greenery and the turning heads of animals as I passed them by.
At Mile 35, the Jason and Ryan crews were there once again. I hadn't eaten much but all I wanted was something cold to drink. The beer they were offering was tempting, but I opted to chug another coke and get out of there. I had less than a 10k to go. No time to waste!
I was moving slightly slower by this time, and my legs were screaming at me, but I only had an hour of running left and I was going to make it count. There was one last hill that I didn't like one bit, and I guess I'm a wimp because I totally walked up that beast.
Jason stayed back to wait for Scott for a bit and came past me with about 5k to go. Action shot!
And then it was over a bridge and towards the big road.
I'd like to say a big thank you to the police officers who were out there all day, stopping traffic for all of the runners across that busy road! I do enjoy not having to dodge traffic during races and their help was very appreciated.
Just like that, I was approaching the end. I was on the last road, and it stretched out endlessly. It was hot, the traffic was loud, and my legs were done. But Ryan told me to save a little for the end, and I had done that. I passed several people in those last two miles and it was a huge boost of confidence.
There was the sign! I was back in Wartrace! The final countdown!
I could see the state flags hanging and I new the finish line was right around the corner. I could hear the cheers from Jason and Ryan and crossed with a finish time of 7:36:19 and a smile on my face.
Congratulations to Jeff and Jennifer on their finishes, as well!
This race is not filled with bells and whistles and big publicity, it is filled with amazing people, both runners and spectators alike, all there for the rich history of this race and for the challenge of the course. The hills of Tennessee did not disappoint.
Oh, and you know that course record from 1991? History was made again this year when Zack Beavin blew that old record out of the water with a 3:55:44 finish, earning an elusive silver shirt. There to greet him at the finish line was Andy Jones, the previous record holder. That's class, right there!
I would like to send thank yous out to Lisa, Tim, Ed, and Steve for your encouraging messages and Ryan for the constant motivation to keep moving forward. You are all truly great friends who inspire me daily.
Thank you to Ryan Ploeckelman for cheering me on all day, and telling me the lies I needed to hear about looking strong, even when I didn't feel it. You were a bright spot in my day!
Thank you to Jason for getting me through the race with food, drink, and encouragement, and for putting up with my endless shenanigans. I am sure there are more to come!
Thank you to my parents for dog-sitting and Jason's parents for kid-sitting. It truly takes a village!
And thank you to Steve Durbin and Laz for a class-act, old school race. I know now why people come back year after year and why they love this beautiful, challenging course.
