8/06
I’m not much at this writing stuff but I will take you on my journey. Writing and grammar are not my strengths, forgive me.
August 23, 2004 – removal of 80% of pancreas due to rare tumors. Pathology report states (in laymen’s terms) – whoa this patient is one lucky bitch but we still couldn’t get a clean margin….Good Luck. 24 hours in ICU and 7 days on the surgical floor of Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, TX – then a painful trip home with abdominal tubes and drains still attached. Walking from my front door to the curb several times a day because I’m not going to let this shit beat me.
Slowly I moved to walking a little further each day holding on to my husband’s arm for support or my kid’s arms for support. Eventually I was walking the neighborhood alone and with determination. A little further down the line I began a slow slog/jog and on January 1, 2005 I ran the Resolution 5K. It hurt and I was slow but I did it.
Fast forward quickly to a forum ditch luncheon and I was sucked into the Pikes Peak Ascent. I registered, I joined Sisson’s Rogue training and I trained my heart out. I was moved to the Marathon by some friends without my knowledge but I was tickled, as I had done the entire marathon training.
August 21, 2005 – Marathon Day. This day didn’t go so well for me, it sucked. Long story but I DNF’d. Not due to a lack of preparedness but due to altitude and some gastro issues I’ll never shake. Also, being stranded on top of Pikes Peak for 5-6 hours on Ascent day without hydration or food didn’t help. Also, having my daughter triaged for serious altitude issues added to my demise. It wasn’t my day and I had to carry that DNF a full year.
Finally August 20, 2006 arrives – Marathon Day! Training over the summer was somewhat difficult for me due to that damned gastrointestinal issue I have to live with. No worries, I made it through training and I felt good at the start. Here we go:
I positioned myself with Carrie, as I knew she would keep me in check when it was critical, at the beginning. From the start to the Rock Arch she kept me (& Paul) behind her and she constantly told us, “not yet”! It became rather humorous to be honest…not yet, not yet, not yet. Shut-up Carrie, I need to run. No she would counter, NOT YET! Eventually it became time to let me go and off my dear friend went, without me, as I knew I was not in her league. That moment was bittersweet for me but I was feeling good so I dug in and began my mission.
Coming into Barr Camp brought back memories of being ill last year since this is where I began throwing up and diarrhea last year. This year I felt fine and took notice of all the positives. Keep moving Cathy, Bob and the kids are counting on you! I kept a steady pace and tried not to push myself beyond my already set limits.
Coming into A-frame I felt my calves tighten and my hamstrings pulled tight. More e-caps, more e-caps I thought. I was pushing the fluids and the pills like a junky. Keep moving. I was passing a few people and kept looking around to see if I could see Dano. He was behind me and I knew he was going to pass me and eventually be my lead. So far no Dano.
Above treeline I was really beginning to feel the calf muscles and someone yelled, “downhill runner” – I looked up and it was JT. As I moved to step up and out of his way I cramped from the toes to the butt and went straight down into the fetal position. JT slammed on the brakes and got in my face asking me what I needed and was I okay. I said – or at least I think I said – it’s cramps, I’ll be fine go on. He remained and I recall saying go, go, go!! There were several women going around me telling him to tell the aide stations that there was a runner down, I screamed, NO! I did not want to be pulled from the race. I started cramming e-caps into my mouth and swallowing Gatorade. Eventually I was able to get myself upright and waddle on. I was worn out and a little shaky but I was moving. I knew it would be tough but I really thought I could do this.
I hadn’t seen Sisson descending so I knew something was wrong and I was a little worried. My worrying for him probably helped keep my mind off of me, thanks Sisson J Finally, I see Abe coming down and he stops and chats me up and hugs me. That hug and his words were a gift I needed at that time. Next comes Marty, how lucky am I? He hugs me and tells me a funny, something special that he and I will always share from our Leadville Marathon, we laugh. Then there is Sisson and Kent and hugs and some questionable coaching techniques from a tired and injured coach. Sisson says, “You gonna finish?” I was already walking away and I hollered out to him, “If I get to the top, I’m coming back down!” He smiled and yelled back, “You’re getting to the top, I’ll see you at the finish.” Dan comes past me about this time. He’s moving with a steady pace and I try to latch on but couldn’t. I was moving a little slower but having him ahead of me was great.
Moving a slow and steady pace is all I had in me. I was not sick but just out of gas and had those moments of wooziness. Rogues were descending and we’d exchange encouragement and smiles. Seeing everyone and sharing moments with these friends I had made over the summer made the time go faster. I knew I’d see them back in Manitou and it felt awesome.
Soon I see Carrie and that smile of hers! I was headed to the top and we both knew it. There wasn’t much to say we just locked eyes and smiles. Put one foot in front of the other she yelled at me. Off I went again. I don’t know if it was before Carrie or after I ran into Sebastian and we hugged and almost fell off the mountain. I laughed and knew this was my day.
NOTE: At one point after all of the hugs from male Rogues a lady behind me commented that I was one lucky lady and how could she get hooked up? Hahahahaha.
With not much to go I saw more Rogues and all of them were focused and working hard. Charles wasn’t feeling so good but he took the time to stop and encourage me and hug me – thank you Charles. My friend, John, stopped and took my photo and gave me a hug. Good grief do you know how many hugs I shared with you people on that damned mountain? Thank you.
Then I was there, I was at the freaking summit! Holy crap this is it, I’m going home. I turned around and knew, again, that this was my day. I took a brief moment to look over and gaze at the place my friends Leah and James were last year, wishing they were there this year too. I smiled and off I went. I almost immediately came across Emily and I hugged her…another hug, I laughed to myself. I know I probably said something goofy as hell to her because I was headed home down and completely psyched.
The trip down was too long. I cramped again and had to slow but still no worries I was headed down. I walked and ran and walked and ran…damn this is hard. My legs were cramping and my toenails were being ripped from my toes…OUCH. I passed people and was passed by a few but overall I did not care, I was about to be a PP Finisher this year.
I’m on the W’s – oh my God this means I’m almost there. Then the trail becomes the street and it hurt. I look up and see LT waving her arms and walking up toward me & I pumped my arms in the air and smiled. She screams that my son is around the corner waiting on me. I round a little bend and there he sits with Brenda (little Brenda), he jumps up and begins the run with me down Ruxton. All he could say was, “Mom, you’re awesome, I love you.” I couldn’t stop grinning as we ran down that street together. We rounded another corner and there YOU were – all of you. My eyes scanned the crowd for Bob and Mary Lee, there they were too, smiling. I see Carrie and we both began to cry – a dream had come true for her friend and she shared the moment with her heart. I see Marty and I know he and I are shedding the same tear. I see Abe and I feel his strength and his feeling of satisfaction in knowing I am there. I see Bob and I see relief in his eyes J My Mary Lee looked tired and just plain happy to see her mama. All of you were cheering and smiling with high-fives and outstretched arms…I felt the love of a family, a family of Rogues.
Crabby