According their website, Highlands Sky 40 mile trail run “is
a demanding course on varied terrain”. I appreciate the modest approach the RD,
Dan Lehman takes to the race, but... “varied terrain”? It is like saying, a
menopausal woman or a man in a mid life crisis has varied emotions, thoughts
and desires. Let me try to list the
variety of just some of the terrain. There is a metal bridge, multiple wood
bridges, makeshift log bridges, asphalt, limestone, gravel, mud, nettles, poison
ivy, boulders, rocks, pebbles, lichen, moss, thorn bushes, stones, stumps, roots, snakes, dust, creeks,
streams, ski slopes, and, and, and. After
getting through the race, I have fulfilled my quota for rocks and mud for a
lifetime or until next year, God willing and I get my registration in on time. The
elevation stays the same about two feet, and then it changes abruptly to either
a steep ascent or descent for about six miles.
The one thing that did not vary, was the efficiency and friendliness of
everyone affiliated with the race. The
aid station workers were always focused on the needs of the runners and had a
more than adequate supply of food and hydration choices. I even found the sweepers to be very nice and
courteous as they encouraged me to pick up the pace so that “I” would not miss
the cut off. I really appreciated being
escorted the last dozen miles as two others and I got off the trail three
different times and needed their help.
As
a nice young woman named Catherine and I fought with each other who would be
last the “varied terrain” of the last 100 yards was mostly uphill. I let her win (lose), since I have been last
so many other times, I thought it might help her attain a first in her
life. Being able to finish with seven
minutes to spare after traversing “varied terrain” for 41 miles I am just
thankful to recline in a non “varied terrain” recliner and reminisce the
variety of the Highlands Sky 40 (which is actually 41) mile trail run, but who’s
counting?
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