Months prior to toeing the line I had this re-occurring
lower abdomen pain that was difficult for the doctors to diagnose. (With a cancer diagnosis in my history, they
were a little concerned.) One morning’s
run was so painful, that I contacted the race director and pulled out of the race. After the pain subsided, I re-contacted him,
and said I would at least try to make it to aid station four. It was finally diagnosed as an inguinal
hernia, and I await my very busy surgeon to have an opening. To date I have not had some serious injury or
health issue weeks prior to a race, so I knew to trust the grace of God to help
me no matter how bad I felt. One day, I
proclaim and confess that this side of heaven I will run an ultra without a
hernia, flu, viral syndrome, degenerative hip, cancer, Achilles tendonitis,
plantar fasciitis, migraine headaches, rotator
cuff syndrome, bunions, capsulitus, etc., etc.
To add to the moment, my wife invites our middle granddaughter
to join us, and a plan is made. She is
seven and is a natural runner, and has already completed a 5k so I knew she
could handle the start to the first aid station if Dan would approve. He did, and so grand dad and granddaughter on
Father’s day Saturday started together. By
God’s divine timing, we just ‘happened’ to sit at a table that the aid station
workers for #1 were sitting. Amanda and
Tom met my granddaughter and with their permission, they agreed to watch her
until my wife arrived. There wasn’t a need as my wife was right behind us in
the car, but it was nice to know she would stay with someone she knew if
needed. This would put me in last place at the first aid station, but I didn’t
really care. Soon after the aid station,
I met the first of many who would be having equipment malfunction due to the
very wet, muddy bogs. I read in another
report that one person lost her shoe in a bog and the water was so deep, she
never found it. She had to go seven
miles without a shoe.
Starting slow has its benefits. I was able to pass a few people, and that
gave me a little boost of morale. My hernia
was behaving and I felt decent and after the ascent from aid station one to the
top the rocky filled and water filled bogs were fairly easy to navigate and led
a few people through them at a decent pace. I was afraid to look behind so I introduced
myself and a nice sounding lady named Catherine was behind me and we ran well
together through this section. Leaving aid station two with 20 minutes to
spare my hernia starting hurting, and this portion was painful. When possible I tucked my hand between the
strap on my waist pack and the hernia to hold it in place and push it back in. This affected my coordination and balance on
the pretty steep descents on this portion.
I finally found a rhythm and started running and led a pack of four
talkative young ladies down and down. I
turned to see who it was near the bottom and nearly fell. I let them pass as the ascent began, and now
the hernia was combined with some serious stomach gas. I have never prayed for a fart or poop, but I
was doing some serious praying for one or the other. The scenery and setting was absolutely the
prettiest portions and I soaked in the beauty of the forest and the sound of
the overflowing creeks to soak in some peace.
I remembered praying about some stressful issues from living in
Washington D.C. and I got a strong sense to “don’t bring that stuff here. Enjoy this moment and listen and see what is
all around you.” The creek crossings were helped by the volunteers who put up
ropes. Even with the ropes, the crossing
prior to aid station three was treacherous for me. I almost fell in many times. The rocks were slippery, so I slogged through
thigh deep water, and still almost fell.
Leaving aid station three there was a notice that this was bobcat
country. If that is so, the bobcats must
love steep grades. Wow, is all I can
say. Eventually the top came, and then
it was more creeks that once were a trail.
Holding my hernia and navigating the rocks was tricky and I eventually gave
up running and walked most of this section.
I was glad to finally get to the bridges and then to the road. I had pre-planned to stop at aid station
four. Running uphill on the road didn’t
hurt the hernia as bad as the descents so I was able to finish fairly
strong. My wife and grand daughter were
set up a half a mile from the aid station, and were surprised by my granddaughter
who had gathered a handful of yellow flowers and jumped out from hiding and
showered me with her bouquet. I jogged
into the aid station, and let them know I was done, and I was thankful to the
Lord that the hernia, though painful wasn’t strangling an intestine or
something even more serious.
I appreciated so many things about this race. Dan Lehman, being the main reason. He has gathered an incredible group of
volunteers who were knowledgeable and helpful at each aid station. His pre-race dinner was so filled with give a
ways; most people that won got product that were equal to their race entry. (Except the two who won a copy of my books.) I appreciate the grace of God and the cool
weather. I am also appreciative of the fellow back of the packer’s. We all have a story and though we all dream
of running with the lead pack are just glad to be alive and moving. I am still undecided but for now I think I
would rather have cold and wet, than hot and dry. It was like running through creeks for ¾ of
the first half of the race, but it was better than burning up from the
heat.
Thanks be to God and everyone who
made this race a reality, even though it was only half a reality for me.
I'm glad you ran Craig. I'm also glad you're doing the Trilogy. Recover quickly from the surgery my friend!
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