The power of one

First, now I know why NO ONE will tell you exactly what to expect at Seven Sisters; they don’t want to scare you off! Had I known the extent of the climbs, the steepness of the downhills or the sharpness of the rocks, I might have thought twice about signing up (NOT). For a newbie, I would say that there is no way to explain the punishment this race could put on a body. I must say, however, with my current level of testoserone being WAY below normal, inducing loss of endurance, loss of muscle mass and increased fatigue, that my perception of the run may be slighty exaggerated.

The day actually started warm (62) and a brief shower passed before the start (might be an OK day to run), but the sun came out and temps rose to 88 with 85% humidity.

I had a nice time chatting up people and (again), none of whom would tell me what was in store, except that everyone complained about the first hill. Snobody had told me I wouldn’t need a camelbak, but at the start of the race, there were a ton of camelbaks, and 4 bottle fuel belts and gu hanging from every pocket. I knew I was in trouble with just my 2 btl fuel belt and one gu. Then I heard someone say that they hoped to finish in 4 1/2 hrs (after listening to Suds, I was planning 3 to 3 1/2). Oh well, too late now.

The race actually starts at the very bottom of the trail, and immediately climbs for almost a 1/2 mile, some 1010 feet. Everyone (in the back of the pack) is on a stroll and laughing and having a good (short lived) time. Then the real work begins. There is no break in the hills; you are either going up steep slopes or side stepping down even steeper trail. No flats, just literally a roller coaster of down and up. Each time I got to a supposed peak, I was presented with another sister. This is an out and back, so when you get to the turnaround, you still have the same ups and downs, just in another direction. Water stops are literally that, gallon jugs of water (no Bluff food on this course). With the heat I was going through water quickly and barely staying hydrated. My toes would jam the toe box on the way down and then my heel would slide to the back of the shoe on the climbs. I am going to lose at least 4 toenails. I refused to use my hands for holds on the way out, but grabbed every branch and rock hold I could on the way back. Having runners coming back on me on single track was a new experience. I wasn’t sure but I thought “stay to the right” was etiquette. It got to the point where they just had to go around me, because I couldn’t get out of the way fast enough. When I reached the 10 mile water stop, the DEP officer asked me if I wanted to be brought back to the start. I said no, I just needed some water and to fix my shoes and I would be OK. He asked me three times, to the point that I asked him if I looked that bad? Hell yes, was his answer. I told him I could walk the last two miles if I had too (which I had to), and as long as I finished by dark, I was doing well.

When I finished the last run in, through very steep (remember the first hill) loose shale footing and crossed the line. I new I would NEVER sign up for this race again (at least not until next December when I forget all of this and my testosterone level has me biting at the bit)!

LostC