50k Endeavor

I signed up for another virtual race. This one consists of four distances, and if you do all four, your get a buckle. The longest distance was 50k. I did that today. It was an ordeal. For those of you that don't know, 50k is 31 miles, but I did 31.46 miles.

I started off at 4:00 am. It was a delightful morning, but I knew it was going to heat up. I wore the bib provided by the race, just to feel and look like I was in a race.

I ran the first 20.3 miles along bike paths near my house. They went really well due to coolish temperatures during the night and a small amount of cloud cover until 8:30 or so. I included the bike path in Hodge Park which goes north to south across the park. The first time I went across the park, no one was in the parking lot near the golf course start. The second time, about 50 men were there, some at the driving range. Some at the putting greens and many many waiting in carts. There was a veritable traffic jam of golf carts. I was not impressed by the golf scenery. 

After the first 20 miles, I took a pit stop at my house. It was by then getting hot and my feet felt like they had just run 20 miles. I battled with thoughts of quitting (its just a virtual race, who cares what you do), but somehow, I made it back out the door (I would know whether I quit or cheated and feel bad about myself). This time, I drove 2 miles to a park that had some trees, planning to do the rest of the 50k in the shade. I did it, but it did get hot, even in the shade. The last 5 miles, I only walked. 

It was exciting to see those last few miles get done and my Garmin slowly make its way to 31 miles. Especially since my brain was devising various ways of cheating. The honest finishing is so much sweeter when you realize how much your brain was working against you. But doing it was awesome. I did it!!

(I complain about the heat, but really, Missouri is not at all hot like Houston area where I used to live. )

I thought alot about this blogger named of Dixie of Homemade Wanderlust. She hiked the AT, the CDT, the PCT and a trail in Spain. I relate to her because she was an engineer who escaped her cubicle. I so appreciate that I am not in a cubicle, sitting at a computer all day. I had the courage to say, "this is enough money," and get out. 

I'm saving up all the virtual race swag I've been getting and making a little shrine to 2020 on a wall in my house. Four events done so far, and at least two more which I've signed up for, but they haven't started.

Letter and 100 miles done

What are you doing with your corona-cation? 

I just finished a 100 mile race. I did better than I originally planned, even with some blister issues which hampered days 4 and 5. I had 10 days to finish to get a belt buckle. Mission accomplished.

Day 1, 20.50 miles
Day 2, 22.23 miles
Day 3, 20.12 miles
Day 4, 14.26 miles
Day 5, 15.06 miles
Day 6, 9.26 (really fast) miles to finish.

Its a virtual race, so nothing really matters as far as placement but....  over 400 people signed up to race 100 miles. I came in 84th overall, 31st female, 2nd in over 60 age group.

While at Starbucks this morning, I got a double shot tall latte. This drink fueled my 9 mile run this morning. I haven't run 11 minute miles in several months so I was extremely excited to see myself banging out the miles so happily.

I have had a fabulous 2 days. Really turned the corner on energy somehow. I've been engaged with my projects and not laying in bed reading half the day.

I got groceries early today and got everything on my list including a can of Clorox wipes. I went by Starbucks to get my free pound of coffee which partners get each week. I've been to online meetings at my old home group in Texas for two days in a row. I've worked on my book. I'm reading a very difficult philosophy book (many words I don't know). I got out of bed before the alarm and before 7 am this morning, something that hasn't happened since March 16, my last day of work.

Well being abounds. The people of India can see the Himalayas. I can see beyond the yellow brick road to a new world. Its coming. I love it all.

Just talked to my store manager. I'm scheduled to be back at work May 5. She told me that the Starbucks in Liberty (not the one I went to this morning), is closed because a partner was suspected of having covid. Turned out not to be the case, but Starbucks as a company is sort of having a grand new re-opening of all the stores on May 7. We will be getting $3.00 more per hour, guaranteed an average pay based on what we usually worked, benefits guaranteed no matter how many hours we work. So.... Starbucks is a very decent company. Yes we have to wear masks.