Each Day Is a Gift

:) :) :) RAD's Birthday Run (aka RAD's Treasure Hunt Run)!!!! :) :) :)

I texted RAD at the last min yesterday to ask her to email me her Birthday Run (33 mi) route so that Karen and I could join her for part of it.  The original plan was to park our car at the finish and run 10 miles up the route (backward) to meet her (at her mile 23) and turn around and run her to the finish for a 20 miler.  It was late when I looked at the map she emailed me so I just forwarded it to Karen and she would figure out the route since she would be driving us to the finish/start at the JRP park on 123rd South.

When I got up and studied the route, I realized that we could cut across on 12600 and meet RAD at her mile 17+ and run the Mtn View Corridor loop with her all the way to the finish.  That way we wouldn't have to run the same 10 miles twice.  It seemed to be a wise decision at the time since all we had to do is run straight west and meet her at the Maverick which is about 5 miles and she would take us to the finish...a perfect 20+ mile loop.  Just to play it safe, Karen printed out the map and we would call RAD on my cell.  I was SO EXCITED to be part of RAD's epic birthday run! :) :) :) :) :)

We got to the JRP park and found the bathroom locked.  Temp was colder than I expected.  We started our run and had to return to the car couple times since Karen didn't like wearing the fuel belt (had to reset/restart the run couple of times).  I finally started the Garmin officially and checked the time on my phone, 9:32am, perfect!  I figured if we run 10:30 pace, going uphill in heavy traffic on 126th South we should arrive at the Maverick by 10:30 which would give us 10 min potty time before RAD and Kelli get there.  They were supposed to start their run at 8am and at a 9mm average pace should arrive at mile 17ish around 10:40ish.  Karen has been having PF issue on her right heel and I have been worrying about my shins so we took it nice and easy.  That first 5 miles was uphill and we ran with traffic which was rather nerve racking at times. 

We reached Maverick with plenty of time to use the bathroom, gu, tape over the loose end of Karen's KT tape and called RAD.  She said they're about 3 miles away.  I thought about running north to meet them but she said they're NOT on the road but on the urban trail.  Since I am not familiar with the trail, I decided to either wait for her or run ahead to get a head start knowing how much faster Rachel and Kelli would run compare to me and Karen.  While talking to RAD, she was laughing and mentioned that their pace is slowed by the packed snow so they're behind schedule.  I told Karen that RAD is in REALLY happy mood...she's laughing...so she wouldn't mind us going on ahead to the Mtn View Corridor since it is a long 6 miles stretch and she would easily catch up to us.  So I called RAD back and told her our plan. 

I had never been to the Mtn View Corridor before.  I was totally blown away by how "remote" that road is.  It has a beautiful view of the valley and mountain to the east (dah, they don't call it Mtn. View for no reason).  I was not prepared for the up-up-up-hill and freezing cold headwind.  Two miles into the corridor climb, I had to pee bad.  (Too bad RAD didn't arrange to drop off a port-a-potty along that stretch of road, hehe! :-D ).  I saw a building in the distance and thought may be we could run there and see if it's open.  Then we ran alongside a 4ft high cement barrier that stretches for a good half + mile and when we got to the end, I decided to go back behind the barrier and walk further back so oncoming traffic won't get "mooned".   Freezing and laughing hysterically when RAD called as we reached the high point of the corridor.  (This was just before we went behind the barrier-make-shift-pop).  She has miscalculated her distance when we last spoke.  They were actually 5+ miles back instead of 3 when we spoke last at Maverick!  She told me where she had stashed her "aid station", a huge green bag of drinks, cans of Dr. Pepper, food, etc. and to call her when we get there.

My fingers were so cold and face so numb that I could barely use the cell when we reached RAD's green bag at the corner of MV Corridor and Porter Rockwell.  I ate my Gu and drank half a bottle of RAD's water and the pretzels tasted SO GOOD!!!  She had enough drink for 20 people! :)  I think RAD is about a mile or two into the Corridor when I called her.  Had it not been so windy and freezing cold we would've waited for them.  So after RAD's telling us the directions to the next "check point" at 140th S., we left the "oasis" and moved on. 

Once on Redwood Rd, the wind was on our back, heading north and downhill felt wonderful.  We had run slightly over 10 miles, I think, at this point.  According to the map we were supposed to make couple of left turns going west then north.  However RAD instructed us to a more straight forward route going a little further north and east. Karen thinks it's just a bit longer but we wouldn't get lost and may be they would catch up sooner.  We took it easy and really enjoyed the run.

We called RAD when we reached our "check point" Maverick at the corner of 144th South and Redwood.  We took our sweet time to use the bathroom.  I think RAD said they're almost at the Corridor "oasis".  So I figured they're not that far behind.  She instructed us to run west on 144th and it would naturally turn north and call her when we reach WalMart.  We're now running on neighborhood roads, and one stretch that was torn up on both sides of the shoulders and a "road closed" side off to one side.  I felt kinda "bonkie" so when we reached mile 15, I took a gu.  Called RAD at the traffic light by WalMart and she described where she had stashed her 2nd aid station. 

We got to the dumpster behind an elementary school and found the 2nd green bag just as RAD described.  Karen and I laughed about the irony of the whole run.  We drove all the way out here to supposedly run with Rachel for her epic birthday run.  We ended up doing a RAD's treasure hunt run instead!  It was fun talking to RAD via cell along the way and still very memorable to run the last 16+ miles of her b'day route albeit ahead of them. 

At this last stop, I was too bonkie to talk, so I handed the phone to Karen and had her get the instruction from Rachel, something about going to Einstein Bagel and call her at Run8 store.  We soon reached 126th and now had may be 3-4 miles to go.  Even though it is mostly downhill, I still don't like this stretch because of the heavy traffic.  At one point, while Karen was talking to her husband on my cell phone, a car pulled out turning right did not look right and would've hit us if I had not grab Karen's arm to stop.  Knowing that the bathroom at the finish was locked, Karen and I made a stop at McDonald's to use the bathroom.  I had called RAD when we ran by Run8 and at McDonald's with no answer.  I figured she could not hear her cell with that noisy traffic. 

I thought about running back to meet them, but then it would mean running uphill on the heavy traffic road and add more mileage; so Karen and I decided to just run to the finish and call them.  Besides, Karen was supposed to be home in time to take her daughter to Gymnastic.  But I told her I wanted to wait for RAD at the finish, so she called her husband to see if he could get off work (he works at home and had a conference call) and take Abby to gymnastic instead.  Karen has a very understanding and supportive husband!

We reached the car when my Garmin read 20.7 so I ran on the parkway till it read 21.  I called RAD and they were about 2.5 mile away.  We walked around, stretched, drank, talked, and thankfully it was sunny so we weren't too cold.  RAD's friend, Sara and her coworker arrived with cupcakes and water half hour later.  We kept a constant eye at the road and finally about 5 min later saw Rachel and Kelli.  When I saw that they climbed over the bridge barrier to get on the parkway, I ran towards them and then cross the "finish" together.  Sara had her camera in hand thinking we'd stop just in front...but RAD wanted to keep going until her Garmin reads 33.33.  She had a good kick there at the end.  It was so fun to run the last little bit with her.  :)  I am SO SO SO SO PROUD of Rachel for this epic run.  I am in awe of Kelli's tremendous show of love and support to take the day off from work to run this ultra (she did 39+ for her upcoming b'day) and stay with RAD from start to finish!  What a GREAT friend! :) :) :) :O)  Kudos to them!

After a quick photo moment, hugs, smiles, congratz, and goodbyes, Karen and I drove home.  I had just enough time to take a quick shower then take Eric to see Les Miserables.  Even though hubby and I have already seen it, we wanted to see it again with Eric who sang some of those songs when he was in HS for their travel show choir.  We had a nice dinner after the movie at Texas Road House.  I love to watch my boys eats.  :) :) :)