The E.T. Highway kicked my Fox Mulder, and I loved it.
This past Sat/Sunday was the Extraterrestrial Highway Full Moon 51 K, Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K. Yes, there really is such a thing. A highway which runs just outside of Area 51 in the middle nowhere Nevada (which is pretty much 97% of Nevada). Supposedly strange things happen along this Highway at night. Things of the unexplained and unidentifiable happen in the heavens near this Highway. The only thing X File worthy for me on this Highway - the complete disappearance of any energy past mile 5.
It was my slowwwessst HM of my recorded time. Normally after a race like this, I would be tearing apart all things running. Only to piece my running world back together after yelling to the Heavens "KAHN!" doing my best William Shatner. Not this time. The race is intended to be fun - a fun challenge. So - the FUN of it all! is the attitude post race.
Most Calico Racing courses are challenging. Yet, still, myself and everyone else who is out there after Midnight on a Saturday night/Sunday Morning is there for fun. Lots of Alien costumes, running with inflatable ones, and WHO KNEW - you could be so creative with glow sticks. Not only covered head to toe in them, but creations that would make a Hollywood Special Effects person smile. Yep, in general, on a very dark night in the middle of nowhere Nevada, the only real X File was 1200 insane runners. All willing to run on NO sleep, with glow sticks, headlamps and LED lights a plenty. This is a race for those who LOVE running races.
Yet, still, my performance? The race is a unique thing. My only Midnight run ever. Plus, it involved a 2.5 hour drive to get there. How do you prep for such a race? Sleep? Carbo loading? You just obviously throw all your typical pre-race routines (anxiety) away, and just go with the flow. Go with what your body can give ya.
For my body - it was tired. I was still recovering from my downhill Mountain HM at Mt. Timpanogos the previous Saturday. Yep, this was a first. Back to back HM's only 7 days apart. The first 7 miles of the Mt. Timp HM is all downhill from 6500 to 4500 feet. E.T., in the first 6 miles, was 900 feet the opposite direction (going up) to 6000 feet elevation. Within 7 days ALL the muscles from my waist down were put to a test. A test they failed by mile 5. I was toast at least my legs. They were aching. My feet especially, and for only the second time in my life - blisters. I ended up walking half the last 5-6 miles of the course. Run/walk. Ugh!! I also need to throw in the elevation factor.
Yet, at the end of it all was a great breakfast spread waiting for me at the Little A'Le'Inn in Rachel, NV. Plus, the great feelings coming from meeting other insane runners, before sunrise in a place surrounded by mystery. It was a blast! Plus, on the two hour drive home I was greeted to a fantastic sunrise, and lakes! Natural Lakes in Nevada? Now that's an X File!!
Cheers!
6 comments:
Oh my gosh, that is great! But uphill ... at midnight? Yeah, you must be from another planet!
Sounds like a really fun race and like you went into it with just the right attitude. Awesome! :)
I plan to be doing my slowest HM in about 10 days. I already know that and it will truly be the best thing I can do. My tri is a week later and I care much more about that at this time.
Love the name of that highway. This sounds very fun. I would like to race at night sometime. I have done HM two weeks apart but not one. That would kill me.
Your attitude was great.
This it's actually a race on my to so list. Maybe next year.
This sounds so fun!!! Glad you got the chance to do it. A midnight race. Wow! Kudos to you!
Wow, what an experience! The ET element sounds fun. But I admit after I finished reading I hoped you were able to get a good long nap after that breakfast.....Good job!
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