Everything is lining up.  I’m about 4 weeks out from running a 100 mile ultra marathon called the Cascade Crest 100.  My training has been adequate.  My motivation has been high.  I did all of the qualifying activities required.   And now I’m just logging some more miles, getting stronger and building my confidence, knowing that my head will be my biggest ally or enemy.  

And there is nothing like a training run in late July on the J Section of the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington.  I rallied some buddies and we met up at 5:10am on Saturday and caravaned to the trailhead.  The sun is coming up.  It’s an epic day.  I have run this section of the PCT many times.  And today, I’m feeling good.  I can tell as each step of the climb is strong and while there is always a bit of suffering, I’m okay with it.  Today we’ll run about 14 miles and be back home by 10:30am.  That’s the plan.  At about 6 miles, there is this epic section called the Kendall Catwalk.  It is mesmerizing.  The view is nothing short of spiritual.  When I get there, my appreciation level for nature tends to go through the roof.  But today was going to be a bit different.

At about 5.5 miles in, I come upon a section of the trail with some rocks that had dislodged from the mountain and are sitting right in front of me.  It is nothing insurmountable.  In fact, they are so cool.  It was like a cut view into the inside of a rock formation and the stone was kind of glistening.  I thought to myself as I stepped to navigate around them, “Oh these look like magic rocks.”   And then, in the blink of an eye, I slip. I catch myself and pull myself back on to the trail.  My lower shin really hurt but I just need a moment.  I’ll be fine.

My buddy comes up and looks at my leg and say, “Oh shit, that looks bad.”  I look down and I have this 2 inch gash in my lower shin that looks like a knife had sliced it.  There is a lot of blood.  I don’t have a first aid kit.  I don’t have a tourniquet.  I am 5.5 miles from the trailhead.  Wow, these really are magic rocks!

I cut some tape that I had used for my foot and put it over the wound.  I start slowly moving down the trail and then I think, “Hey, I came up here to get to the Kendall Catwalk.”  I’m going there.  Sure, there is some blood but I’ll survive.  So I turn around and limp my way to the viewpoint and take it in.  Now the slow descent begins.  I find some campers with a first aid kit and bandage up.  I make it down to the trailhead, relieved and tired.  I can’t move my toes and my ankle is swelling up.

And now I’m 4 weeks out from my race and I can’t run.  My big toe is unresponsive.  The cut is closing slowly.  But it just is.  Who knows, maybe this is a magic rock.  Here is what it has reinforced for me:

1. I need to carry a first aid kit (duh!)

2. Even when I’m close to my goal, I must stay vigilant

3. Taking a week off won’t destroy me

4. Unforeseen issues require some creativity

5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

6. Contingency planning is a good thing

I’ll let you know if I’m able to complete the Cascade Crest.  Stay tuned.