Trail Weekend Recap 2021

 " Your greatest runs are rarely measured by racing success.  They are moments in time when running allows you to see how wonderful your life is." 

Kara Goucher, World Championships silver medalist

This year, I was jumping in a corral healthy. I was sticking my middle finger up at cancer in the politest way. 

Cancer robbed me of my memories from 2019. Against my Dr.'s orders I ran this very race2 years ago with no memory of it.  I would have my port put in the next day and chemo just a couple days after that. 

 2019 I struggle trying to remember details but I found some pics. 

2019

I ran Trail weekend 2 years ago determined to do what I love but cautious of the cancer growing inside me. 

TIME: 5:52  and 1st in my age group after running 13 miles the day before. 

This year, I CELEBRATED! I HAVE LIFE! I fought cancer and all of hell and I get a 'DO over'. 

Trail Weekend is a gnarly course on the Potowatami Trail in Pickney. The last 5 miles is described as "The 5-mile loop is five tough but beautiful miles along the Crooked Lake path! As hilly as any section of the half or full marathon, this is a kick butt trail course that is sure to please ... and beat you to a pulp!"

The course is a 13.1 mile loop you do twice then add the 5 mile loop I described above. 

That 5 mile loop had me rattled. 

The PLAN: Run the first loop conservatively. 2nd loop pick it up a wee little bit. 5 mile loop try not to die and stay upright without a tear-fest. 

THE START: Brrr, it was as cold as a witches tit in a cast iron bra. The wind pummeled you off the lake. I questioned my shorts and thanked God I grabbed a zip up hoodie. 

Without much announcement Andy and I jumped in a very bare starting line. It was a rolling start based off of pace times. "11:30 min miles GOOOO"! The announcer shouts as I am grabbing Andy, "COME on we gotta go!" 

THE FIRST LOOP: 

Andy and I ran together the first 8 miles. We laughed and chatted with the other runners. I had painted a few rocks and asked Andy to drop one on the trail. We found ourselves laughing about the silly rocks with the other runners. 

I was feeling good and slowly pulled away from Andy. 

I found myself running the hills, slow and steady. Even though my body felt strong I knew I had to dial it back or I would be in the hurt locker sooner than later. I followed this guy for miles. "What's your name?" I asked. "Shaun, from Plymouth." We shared similar goals and stayed together the first loop, me just trying to keep up. I looked at my watch and it was a 9:40 minute mile, I knew I couldn't sustain that. I had my hydration pack with 2 bottles, one with water and the other with NUUN. I also had 2 Gu's on making it easy to get in and out. It was a "cupless" race so I also brought my own plastic collapsible cup. I would try to get in and out to not waste time in the aid stations. 

As we came through the first loop I waited a couple seconds for Shaun, "Let's GO Shaun" I yelled back at him as I head back to the trail. 

2:22:22 was my time coming out of the first loop. 

The SECOND LOOP: I hadn't falled, peed or pooped my pants so I was doing pretty good. I was concerned about my ankle I had twisted really bad earlier in the week. And my PF was creeping back at me. I wore my Altra's Romano from Complete Runner had recommended for me and prayed I made a good choice. 

Shaun caught up. I had my music playing through my new speaker Andy had bought me. Its only about 3inches long and clips on my vest. The music, the trails, the gratitude was explosive. "GOD YOU are SOO good to me..." I was just soo happy.. 

I chatted with Shaun but I noticed he was falling back. "Come on Shaun, lets get to 20 miles..." 

We came up on a guy fussing with his phone. As I approached him I yelled, "HEY! Its' Hammeroutthe miles" this guy I follow on social media. He started laughing and a mile farther I noticed he was running with us. Until they weren't with me any longer. 

I felt my body sturdy and able to sustain my pace.  Even though I was now running solo I was finding myself picking runners off. I was almost through the 2nd loop and I was roasting.  Hikers were scattered on the trail shouting and cheering me on. I came down a very steep and rooty hill and overheard some hiker yell "SHE IS HAULING!" I couldn't help but smile. As I came out of the woods down the stretch of lakefront back to the start/finish line I through off my buff and jacket and ran right through the aid station with just a few sips of water in my cup.  I knew that might have been a big mistake. 

4:46 was my time going back out for my 5 miler. Even though my split was positive I felt good enough to run hard the last gruesome 5. 

THE LAST 5: Holy SUCKFEST. The sun was out, I was out of liquids. I was holding my second bag of trail mix and dropped a gear. 

Mile 27 I was going up, up up a dirt road back into the trail system. 8:50min/mi. I saw I girl look behind her and see me as I came up on her. "Your doing amazing" I told her as I ran pass her going uphill. "Get up the hill Anita, don't look back, and act like it doesn't hurt the way it does." I coached myself. Don't let them see weakness. The race has started. 

Mile 28, 9:43 min/mi and trying not to throw up. So many massive hills. My heart was racing as I walked for what felt like forever. I was so scared I was going to get passed I made myself run half way up.  Only to see a runner and pass them, they never even saw me coming. 

Mile 29, 9:59 I kept peeking for a runner to come up on me. "GO Anita!" I barked at myself out loud. Then I realized I was at mile 29! I lost a mile. I only had 2 miles to go. 

I came up on this group of about 8 hikers, college age. They saw me coming down a hill, they shouted at each other to get over as they all cheered me on with claps and applause. "Thank YOU, you guys are awesome!" It made me feel so mighty! 

Mile 30, 9:47. Still running sub 10's and now fumbling for my phone. I was trying to text Andy to let him know I was on my last mile. He had ran the marathon and should be waiting for me. 

"MARCOOOO" I hear a familiar voice through the woods. It was Andy. He had came back through the trail to run it in with me. 

"ANITA! Your doing amazing!" He stayed with me for about a half a minute, "I was going to run with you but your going to fast, what are you racing?!" 

I had a very steep and technical hill to hit. I reminded myself to run strong. I looked down at the roots darting across the rocks and fearlessly picked up my pace. "Go, go, pick em up, tap tap tap, use your arms, dart to the right jump to the left" I smiled inside. I was doing the very thing I love. This time cancer free. 

Mile 31, 9:15. My fastest mile. Mile 31. By the Grace of God go I. 

I was smiling from ear to ear. There was no one cheering me on at the finish line. But that was ok. I was cheering myself on. Jesus never left me. He gave me this victory. 

Never quit believing. Never give up the faith. Never Quit. 

Time: 5h 31min! 

1st in my age group

3rd overall female

8th overall. 

A huge shout out to all those who raced this weekend. SO many epic achievements. A big congrats to Andy. He had a killer race. I am so proud of him! 

THANK YOU to all those who cheered us on from social media, all the texts, encouragement and support. So much genuine kindness. 

ANITA