In awe

We have a total of four training for MMT 100 mile race. The past weekend, we did the second run. Each run is about 30 ish mile and over four training, we would cover the entire course.  For me, the training runs are more fun the the race itself.

Night before the run, we had a quick winter storm system swept through the area.  The initial forecast was that we would received up to 6 inches of snow. Note, we had not had snow in our area for about two years until couple weeks ago. Now we had another. The governor did not declare a state of emergency but everyone was getting ready to brace the storm.

A friend asked if I would head to the training location ahead of time.  To me that is silly talk.  I love my sleep. I’d rather wake up early at 4 am to drive out than to camp out a night early. 

As I was getting off work, the cars on the roads seemed getting nervous and maybe it was just me.  I changed my plan to go home as soon as I could and packed my things. Everyone I know too was skipping town ahead of the storm.

I made it to the site by 8 pm. The night was cold. No snow yet.  Our RD also arrived ahead of time and he built me a fire that potentially could last the night. 

By midnight, he left to check the course and various locations.  I let the fire died out and went to bed.  It started raining a bit.  By the time I woke up, the whole place was in a winter wonderland.

Everyone showed up.  We left our cars at the finish and carpooled together to the start.  I had a good day.  My run was 30 minutes slower than last year.  I was being careful of not to fall.  And I was wearing my hiking boots instead of my trail shoes. 

RD said, we need to carry headlamp in case some of us would be finishing at night.  I had mine but I was telling myself, I don’t want to finish in the dark.  I got back as the sun was setting and so were the last few of us.