Every race has a story Finally getting around to my thoughts about my Across the Years 6 Day Race last week in Phoenix, AZ. First of all I wanted to say that I had an unbelievable time and met some amazing people. I got to see some old running buddies and gain a few new friends :) ATY is a timed event race with races of 24 hrs, 48 hrs, 72 hrs and the big boy, 6 day. Of course, I HAD to do the big boy. It was my 2nd 6 day race ever and 2nd in 5 months. It is run on a 1.05 mile soft dirt, gravel course with just a lil bit of concrete/asphalt mixed in too. Like the dummy that I am, I had lofty aspirations of getting to 400 miles. Considering I had only managed 300 miles at Six Days in the Dome in Alaska, and I didnt train much since then, that was a pipe dream. I even went so far as to having daily mileage goals going in 80,70,60,60,65,65. Note to self: It is very difficult and maybe impossible to PR by 100 miles lol. I went to Arizona by myself, no crew or anything. Sandie had to stay back home in Georgia to be with the kids and because of the holidays. It wouldve been very nice to have her there but we just couldnt work it out :( I flew out on Thursday (race started Sunday morn) from ATL to PHX with my 4 bags of luggage. All of my race supplies, shoes, clothes, etc. I was prepared for any and everything, I thought. A childhood friend from back home, Harwood Hamilton, showed me amazing hospitality and even had a house for me to stay in and a car for me to drive the days leading up to the race. He saved me a ton of money. Thanks man, I owe ya. I checked in Saturday evening and got my race packet and bib. I got to see several runners that I know and meet some new ones. I placed all my supplies and equipment in my tent and then went back to the house I was staying in to get some sleep. I arrived at the race start around 6:15am sunday morning and I noticed it was pretty chilly. Temp was low 30s. I messed around the next few hours, mingling with other runners, stretching, trying to get warm. I ate a couple of bananas and drank some water and coffee. The race started at 9am and all 52 six day runners took off. Some of us running and some walking. There are different strategies and different goals for everyone running in a race that long. I am still trying to figure out my strategy lol. Day 1 was a blur, I was moving really good and getting some good mileage. I was at 51 miles at 12 hr mark and I finished day 1 with a total of 84 miles. The temps were around 65 degrees for most of the day but it started getting a lot cooler at sunset. My first night was uneventful, I didnt sleep any, I just kept on moving. Some running and some walking. I talked with my girlfriend Sandie, daughter Gracie, parents, and my uncle James on the phone that night. I had dedicated this race to my uncle James. He was currently in the ICU unit at a hospital back home battling stage 4 cancer. I had a special shirt made that said Uncle James, True Warrior, Dont Ever Give Up that I wore on day 1. He was watching me on the live race webcam wearing the shirt running, proud and telling me how much it meant to him. I will never forget that conversation. He passed away in the early hours the next morning. My mom called to let me know. I was devastated, I had just talked to him. This race was for him. he wouldnt see me finish it for him. I was torn. Do I quit the race and fly back cross country to attend the funeral and be with my family? Or do I stay? How can I stay? Im 1,800 miles away by myself while my family is back home grieving. After speaking to my mom we decided that I should stay and finish what I started and complete his dedication run. It was a very difficult decision and I will admit that I spent many long, cold, lonely hours going around that loop by myself through the night in tears. But as the sun rose, my spirit did as well. I knew uncle James was with me. I felt his presence. He gave me strength to go on. So I did. I was at 129 miles after day 2 and feeling pretty good. I continued moving and got into a pattern of sleeping about 4 hrs a night. The nights were brutally cold, down in the 20s. I had no heater, only extra layers of clothing that were cold from being in my tent. I usually change clothes and socks on a regular basis in multi day races but because of the cold I would simply lay down and try to get warm. This was a big mistake because I started getting several large blisters on both feet and not taking care of them. They got worse and I kept having to go to the medic tent to get them popped, drained and taped up. They would end up being a big problem throughout the race. I would literally bite my lip and tears would come out everytime I had to take my shoes on/off. Rough stuff but I had to keep moving and getting my mileage. After day 3 I was at 179 miles and solidly in top 10 position. There were 2 different occasions during the race that I was so tired and out of it at night that I simply wandered off of the loop. Now, It was almost impossible to get lost but I managed to get off course those couple of times. Luckily both times there were other runners behind me that witnessed it and helped me get back on the course. I was a slow moving zombie just wandering around in a daze. Deano Montreuil and Kent Bull Dozier were responsible with helping those times. I know you two remember it! lol Good times! :) After day 4 I was at 216 miles and had 300 miles in my sight. That was my new goal. Primarily during the race I ate off of the main aid station, pickles, potato chips, pb&j sandwiches, pizza, egg and potato burritos, cokes, water, drank Boost ensures too. After day 5 I was at 265 miles, needing only 35 miles to get to 300. I got those 35 miles in the first 12 hrs of day 6. I was happy, I had hit 300 miles with still 12 hrs ago. But I was mentally and physically through. I was drained. I stayed in the medic tent getting tended to. I did manage to walk/shuffle another 8.65 miles and finish with a total of 308.65 miles. It was good enough for 11th place overall and 8th male. I was very proud! I met some amazing new friends at the event, too many to name, but I will tag you in this lol. I want to send a special thanks to Bill Schulz for taking me under his wing and teaching me a lot. Hes been running ultras since 1982 I believe. Also, Frank Johnston, the eventual winner David Johnstons dad, who made sure I had everything I needed. He knew I was crewless. I also want to thank my cousin Karen Collins who called and texted me religiously. We would do virtual 5ks together during the event to keep me moving. She said she was as sore as I was after event lol, I doubt it. The daily phone calls to Sandie, my daughter, parents and a couple of buddies helped keep me going too. I love you all :) I seen some amazing perfomances. Congrats to you David! 551 miles and you walked the last 12 hrs. I enjoyed those slow laps we did together the last night. You are a very humble champion. Im just getting my feet wet in these 6 day races and I have learned a ton. I plan on doing them regularly now and I hope to someday get my mileage up to 400 even 500 miles. Hey, why not? When you have been told that you will never run again because you have had a hip replacement and then you do back to back 300 milers in your very first 6 day events then you tend to think that anything is possible. It is....
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 00:20:41 +0000
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