0 -> 13.2mi > 3 Weeks = Insane

Why did you start running again? What motivated you? Are you insane? Those were the questions that people asked me when I signed up three weeks before race day. If you are planning on training for many races to come, I would not recommend this, but I had to know the answer to my own question. Could I do this?

The Race Summit, Candler's Mountain, Lynchburg VA.

I had not ran a race in three years. The race I signed up for was the Deep Hollow Half Marathon that spanned along the Candler's Mountain ridgeline. The trail was more like an obstacle course than a path.  Some obstacles included jumping and balancing on logs, jumping creek banks and sliding down switchbacks. There are also countless tree roots and large rocks that litter the full length of the trail. At several points, even the best runners found that hiking was more practical than running. For some reason, I felt like this is what I needed to do. What God was asking me to do.

I started my training the first day with 4 miles. Two days later, I did 8 miles. After one week of training, I ran a Half Marathon (13 miles), but it was on flat ground. I had to do it on a mountain. The next week I started training more on hills than on distance. Every other day I would run up the mountain face to the peak, back down and around the campus. After 2 weeks, I felt surprisingly ready to go.

I started posting on Facebook my plans to run. I had several friends tell me that they put on their running shoes for the first time in years. One elderly lady at my church pulled me aside and told me she ran for the first time since she was in her 30's. She is now 69 years old and ran 3 blocks her first trip. She shared with me that she is hoping to build back up to 6 blocks, if the pain in her legs would allow her too. I realized then that sometimes God calls us to do the insane. For whatever reason, I had to run this race.

My training was going great until I developed shin splints into my third and final week of training. I took two days off and ran 4 miles. I found myself limping back to the car. I have had shin splints in the past, but nothing that felt like this before. This was different. The next two days, I had pain even walking to my office. I was faced with a choice. Was it better to call it off, or see if I could finish.

The only regrets that I have ever had (when it comes to running) were the races that I decided not to run.  The ones when I never answered the question, "Could I do that?" I also thought about people with real courage. Those who may be overweight, elderly or those with some kind of physical handicap who get out there and try anyway. Not all of them finish, but they try. I thought about those who do not care if they come in dead last. Those who run the race just to finish it. Runners such as these are the real heroes and the reason for starting Off the Couch. If they can do it, so could I. How could I inspire others to do great and sometimes crazy things, if I were not willing to put my reputation and well being on the line? I stopped training, took the rest of the week off and waited for race day.

Race day came and I did not know what to expect. I left at 7:25 a.m. and did not get parked until five minutes before it started. I had never seen such a crowd turn out for a race, especially at 8:00am on a Saturday morning! Over 100 runners walked to the finish line and no one seemed prepared. I stretched what I could, put in my ear buds and prayed for a miracle. The perfect song began to play as the race started. I decided then I was not giving up.

Deep Hollow Elevation Profile

The first obstacle was not a log or creek, but two dogs (with no leash) that got loose from their owners in the crowd. They ran with us for a short distance before getting confused by the stampede of runners. They began running the opposite way, tripping the runners in their path. Thankfully no one was hurt, although I would have enjoyed seeing the owners tossed into the lake.

Surprisingly, I was feeling fresh. I started slow to make up for the lack of time I did not get to spend stretching and before long, I had settled into a comfortable pace. I always watch the other runners, you know, the serious ones with the shaved legs and short shorts, or the ladies that you would not want to arm wrestle. I usually do what they do, and my first sign that this was going to be tough was when they hiked the first hill instead of run it. I saw a man who seemed to be in better shape than the rest, that is when I noticed his Ironman tattoo. Now that is an accomplishment! I decided to follow his lead.

For this race, saving energy was everything. Before long, we hiked passed the runners who made it half way and ran out of oxygen. The lead runners began to break away from the pack and the race became much less crowded. I made it to the first checkpoint, which was where I thought they would be taking me out on a stretcher, so things were looking up.

I grabbed some Gatorade and kept on going. The next section was harder than up hill. It was strait down the side of the mountain. The long legged, stork-like runners flew by as I slid down the switchbacks. The Second checkpoint came and went. I felt like I was going backwards or doing something wrong until one of them took a spill down the bank. He was ok, but I noticed that those around me did not push so hard down hill as they had before. I eventually caught up to them again.

Deep Hollow 1/2 Marathon Map

I made it to the third checkpoint. I looked at the list of numbers that had come by and could not believe my eyes. I was in the top 10! I asked the staff how much further. "3-4 miles, your 3/4 of the way until the end." I could not believe it! That seemed so fast! Was I missing something? I picked up my speed and continued puzzled. I remember looking at the map before (always a good idea) and seeing 4 check points before the finish.

I ran what seemed to be at least another 4 miles and I was exhausted. I came around a corner and saw another checkpoint. "How much further?" I asked. "Oh, I would say about 3-4 miles." WHAT?! Exhausted and discouraged, I stopped and drank another cup of Gatorade.

It was on. I did not care if they had to bring in the helicopter. I was going for it. I threw my cup in the trash and started down the trail. I was passed a few times, and passed others along my way. What is so unique about this kind of race is that everyone is in it together. As others passed me, they encouraged me. As I passed them, I encourage them. Placement does not matter, but finishing does. Most runners are not competing against anyone. They are competing against themselves.

From what felt like 3 miles in, a middle-aged woman came jogging the wrong direction. I thought, "Oh no, she is going to tell me that we did not make the cut-off time." She looked at us and said, "Good Job! Only two more miles to go." Two miles... are you kidding! Two runners behind me had the same expression. They said this was the longest 11 miles they ever ran, so at least I was not the only one.

As we continued, we could hear the crowd in the distance cheering on those in front of us. It was as if the clouds of glory opened and the sound of a thousand angels filled the treetops. We rounded the final corner in the woods revealing the finish line. I could not feel my legs, but miraculously, they were still moving. I could hear Kelly cheering and that is when I kicked it up a notch.

I crossed the finish line at roughly 2 hours 40 minutes and placed somewhere in the top 20. (I will have the exact time and placement soon.)  I asked Kelly about the Ironman who had finished ahead of me. "He finished about 2 runners ahead of you. You did great!" She replied. I had a blank stare of unbelief. Kelly kept asking if I was OK; I was not OK, I was more than OK! I was great! Thanks to the prayers from her and others, I had finished it. God helped me do what I could not do on my own. Not just finish, but finish well.

This was one of the few times I had used every ounce of energy left in my body. This race was a blast and I would do it all over again. I do not know what challenge may lie ahead, but I do know one thing. I have rediscovered my passion for running. For whatever sick reason, I enjoy it. I am looking to take a few days off to recover, re-train and get back out there.

Please stay tuned to more from my new blog, Off the Couch. I plan to have updates with my training, as well as tips and stories of others who are training as well. Don't just read these stories. Let them inspire you to go out and try something new, something out of your comfort zone, something off the couch.