orcas island 2013

Mt Constitution from the ferry.

A few months back, I listened to a podcast interview with James Varner on ultrarunnerpodcast. During the course of the interview, I remember him saying that he wanted the runners in his races to feel all of their emotions during the course of their run. Well, James, mission accomplished.

Let me tell you how it went down.

Joy.
Standing on the deck of the ferry with the sun sparkling on the water was purely joyful. Even as we chatted about the looming Mt Constitution, and the visible powerline track on its northwest side, I was filled with the pure contentment that exploring the wild brings me.

Hope.

The first few miles were effortless. I wondered if this would finally be a strong race for me. The last few months of training have been tough as I've felt myself losing endurance. I took two weeks off to rest, hopeful that this would be what my body needed to grow stronger. I thought that I would maybe be able to run a strong race while still taking the photos that I loved.

A lovely little spot by the dam on Mountain Lake.

Awe.
Orcas Island is a beautiful place. Mountain Lake is no exception, and I felt myself gasping at the sheer beauty of the place. This lovely bridge was one of my favorite spots. This entire section of course was one of the prettiest trails I have run yet.

+

Anxiety.
As we headed back towards the start line and aid station 1, I could feel my anxiety about the pending climb growing. The powerline trail hops up nearly 2,000 feet in two miles. My training as of late has not included these kinds of tough climbs - the trails that have that kind of challenge have been icy and snowy. Would my base from this past year be enough?

Envy.

Powerline kicked my ass.

Let's just say that relying on your months old base is not a good training plan.

And I was extremely envious of the great climbers around me. I just had no power on the hill, and I felt myself having to stop every so often to get my heart rate back under control.

Thankfully I met some great people on the hill - including the legendary Wild Bill - and that helped me when I needed it most.

Despair.
Would the hill ever end? I caught myself looking uphill several times and being overcome with the feeling that I would never reach the top. My legs refused to respond, and I was working very hard just to keep moving. The dark little doubts were creeping in, playing with my head.

Boredom.
There's only so much climbing you can do until you get bored.

And that stupid hill had too much of it.

At least at the top we started to see snow, and then it began to fall on us, and that brought a joy of its own.

Still climbing. The route had a bit of snow but very little ice.

Elation.
Reaching the top of that powerline hill brought such a feeling of elation I could not stop smiling. The section between the top of the hill and the start of the final climb to Mt Constitution was fantastic running, with moss-covered vistas that were soothing for the soul, if not the burning quads. I flew through the forest, feeling strong now that I was not climbing.

Frustration.
Climbing again.

Mother effer.

Any strength I had been feeling. Gone.  I was dizzy on the switchbacks, stopping to recover at every one. My body was betraying me, and I was pissed.

Thank goodness the trail up to the top of Mt Constitution was gorgeous and I could distract myself with its beauty.

Friendliness.

I had the chance to meet quite a few folks on this race, and for me, that may have been the most rewarding part. I had some great chats on the climbs and at the summit of Constitution.

Which helped cushion the sting of having zero view from the top.

Surprise.

Descending down from the summit felt decent, and I spent hardly any time at the second aid station at all. Just past that point was Summit Lake, which surprisingly was frozen. It was so lovely I had to stop and take a couple of photos.

After that, I flew down the trail, feeling fantastic and passing people left and right, stopping only to get a photo of a huge fallen tree that caught my attention.

Pain.

I had been flying.

Truly.

We hit the road, and then started up another trail.  Wait, up?

CRAMP.

I shouted.

"Cramp?" a guy asked as he ran by. 

"Yes," I whimpered.

"I had one that knocked me to the ground," he said. "Don't go to the ground! It makes it worse!"

I had to chuckle a little, but then another spasm ended that.

So there I was, limping and waddling along, trying to figure out how I was going to keep moving forward.

And of course, here are two trees across the trail that I have to get over.

Seriously?

Humor

As I straddled the trees, I started laughing. How ridiculous was this - me, leg cramping, straddling two trees in the dead of winter and unable to get all the way over, miles into a race that most people call me crazy for running...

Perhaps laughter IS the best medicine, because shortly after making it over the tree, my leg quit seizing and was able to start running again.

Mountain Lake.

Anger.
Less than a mile to go, and I am ready to finish. 

Is that another steep mother effing hill?

Are you kidding me?

Yeah, I muttered a few choice words in James' direction.

Gratitude.
Finally, the hill to the finish, the green grass of Camp Moran, the smiling high-five welcome back from James himself. Grateful to be done, grateful to be able to run in these races, grateful to see my friends, grateful for the cold beer on the porch.

Orcas Island, you were fantastic. You challenged me, inspired me, kicked my ass, renewed my love for trails.

You just might see me again.

Course notes:
I had the powerline trail described to me as "unrelenting". Competely accurate. Think 30% - 40% grade -  you are basically climbing straight up a powerline. Side stepping up the climb helped a bit. Mt Constitution was a walk in the park by comparison.  For those that have done Beacon Rock, powerline is hardesty trail, but much longer; Mt Constitution like Hamilton Mtn.

There was snow at the top of the run, but there was a good track and it was fairly wet. No ice to speak of. The trails were in great shape for this time of year.

The distance between the two aid stations was quite far due to the fact that all of the climb was in the middle. I would definitely carry water & more aid with me. I think I struggled with nutrition and definitely with hydration, though that had more to do with the fact that it was a cool day & I didn't feel thirsty than actual available aid. Even with the cool temps, I need to remember to keep drinking.