It was in the high 70’s that morning and humid and dark. I got to the Lake at about 6:00am just so that I could put my cooler down and move around to be able to visit the pot. The Race director (Rd), Chris Matus, had clearly stated that there would be no food offered at the aid stations on this FREE trail race. The supply of water available would be there for only those who had officially registered to run this very FREE race. So, bringing the cooler and strategically placing it under the cooler’s tent was an important task for that morning. My friend, Susan Bell got there, and I showed her where my “special” cooler spot was.

Once the Rd acknowledged the volunteers and gave information about the course, he signaled the start of the race and off we all went.

Susan and I started together, but then the pack separated us. We really had not planned to tag each other. But, we should consider doing that for future races. I went off ahead, and I figured that perhaps she was saving her energy for the full 50K.

I did loop 1 (6.2 mi) and then started on loop 2 (9.3 mi). Before getting to the finish line of loop 2, I ran straight to the potty. Then, I crossed the finish line (T=15.5 mi, 25K), got to the coolers’ tent, refueled all my bottles and snacks and started off again for my next round on loop 1. I saw Susan as I was starting my second round on loop 1, and she told me she was exhausted. Perhaps she was suffering from the heat, or not enough hydration, but she told me she was not going to do the 31 miles. I asked her if she wanted me to wait for her, and she told me to go on ahead. So I did.

I was surprised by Susan’s reaction to the course. I know that she runs 100 milers and trains early and so on and so on. None of the participants were counting on the weather and the actual course as “limiting factors” on that day’s race. It was about 78 0 F at 7 am that morning and the dew point was 76 0 F. By 3pm, the temperature was 96.6 0 F and the dew point was 63.5 0 F. It was a very HOT and HUMID day. We are runners not fish trying to run!! These were tough weather conditions for any runner, including Susan. Loop 1 kept making you go up to the levee and back into the foresty trail where as loop 2 didn't have so many visits to the levee, but it certainly had a lot of drops and uphills. Susan thought that the whole course was harder than Rocky Racoon. At that time, I had not run Huntsville’s races. But by now, I have run the Rocky Racoon 50 k, and I have to agree with Susan.

I did my 2nd loop 1 (21.7 mi) and when I got back to the tent to refuel, I was fresh, happy, ready to hit 9 more. So, since it was 12:15 pm, I declared that I was going to do the last 9.3 mi for the full 50K. Chris Matus (Rd) told me I could, so I started.

The, first 5 miles were all right... except that I had "to go" Sooooooooooooooo...I "baptized myself as a REAL TRAIL Runner by "going" in the woods!!! When I got to the aid station (the 5 mile mark) I realized that I had energy for about 26 miles total, so I proceeded to finish the last 4. I still felt good. By that time, the afternoon was HOT. The guy at this aid station told me that if I ran back on the levee, it would be 2 miles and if I ran through the trail, it was 4. So, I decided I wanted the shade and went for 4. After about the next 2 miles I felt this overall feeling of tiredness. And the dips and uphills seemed to multiply. At some point, I fell. I started laughing and then I started crying. I was alone by then.

Then, I heard this biker behind me. He started talking to me and I asked him if he wanted to pass me. He said that he was there to make sure I made it to the finish line. I apologized, and he said that there was no need. That he was there for that. This was so nice. You do have to love the volunteers at any race!!

So, I started running the flats and walking the drops and hills. Then, we got to this point where I thought that we would have to go up the levee again!!! I felt so defeated. I realized that I definitely needed water. So I asked him if he had water and he told me to just continue and he would bring me some. So, I went on. I remembered I had food, so I ate a chewy bar. I ran some more and walked the drops and hills. He showed up and told me that I had advanced a lot--that I was quick. I don't think I'll ever forget those words!!! Talk about a way to impress and make me feel good!!!

So anyway, we proceeded, and then I ran to the finish line where all were waiting for me. Some finishers along with my sister, brother-in-law, newphews, my son and daughter were waiting for me. It was a great time for me. I felt so accomplished and I loved it. I felt truly alive!!!

I finished my first 50 K in 7 hrs.55 min. at 3 pm that afternoon. There were only 8 runners who finished the 50 k. The one lady before came at 7hrs.48 min.

I fought the devil, asked God to forgive me, prayed, sang, thought about the many people I know. And then of course, I just was out there away from everything...feeling my body move and fight and recuperate.

It was awesome!!!