Imogene Pass Run

I spent the entire summer training for and deeply fearing the Imogene Pass Run. The course is a 17 mile trek from Ouray, CO to Telluride, CO via the second highest pass in the United States, Imogene Pass. I trained over the toughest terrain I could find in Tulsa, Wagoner, and wherever else I found myself. Injured toes, high heat and humidity,  and tick swarms (really gross), are a few of the most unpleasant distractions I encountered during my three months of training. Even though I trained harder than I ever have for any marathon, I knew this race would still be very hard for me. It did not disappoint. I thought I was going to die. More on that later.

David and I headed west on Thursday and stopped in OKC so that David could attend a hearing at the courthouse. The plan was for me to come into the courthouse with him. I walked into the courthouse with him, took one look at the dingy walls, 40 people standing in the security line, and started backing up. It was like a scene from the movie Runaway Bride. I think I yelled, "I have a pocket knife!" and I ran out of the courthouse. Seriously, this happened. My husband is pretty understanding about my behavior in crowded public places and didn't chase me down. I instead walked the 10 blocks or so to my favorite OKC coffee shop, Coffee Slingers, and ordered two iced coffees. I wandered around downtown for a bit and then eventually headed back to the courthouse to find David. We headed west again, happy to leave OKC behind us. We stopped in El Reno for onion burgers (it's kind of our thing to do in El Reno) and made it to Albuquerque, NM late that evening.

The next day we arrived in Telluride, CO. Telluride is an adorable mountain town nestled in an impressive box canyon. Glimpses of the trail I would later run down could be seen towering over the town in the surrounding mountains. The race has two strict time cut-offs, one at mile 7.5 and one at the top, which is 10 miles. Although I had trained to make these cut-offs, it is really impossible to tell how your body will behave at altitude if you train at basically sea level. I can't even tell you how nervous I was. In all the races I have run, I have never had a DNF (did not finish) and I really feared that this race would be my first. Our friend Andy and his friends were so very patient answering all my questions and trying to prepare me for what I would experience. Their encouragement calmed my fears and by race morning I was more excited than terrified. On race morning buses left Telluride for Ouray at 5:15am. I dozed for the 45 minute trip. The race started at 7am and within less than I mile, I felt like my lungs were on fire. By mile 2 I seriously considered turning around, finding a coffee shop, and calling David to come pick me up. By mile 3 I was getting more used to the burning in my lungs. By mile 4, the big "hills" started and I have very little memory of miles 4-7.5. I made the Upper Bird Aid Station within 5 minutes of the cut-off and nearly cried, but I refused to waste the oxygen on that. Everyone had told me that if I made the first cut-off, I'd make the next one for sure. The relief I felt here dwindled pretty quickly as the most grueling stretch of the entire race lay between me and the summit. I kept moving upward and onward, one foot at a time. The trees thinned and then disappeared altogether. The trail was an unrelenting climb up. One mile from the summit I could hear the volunteers on the top cheering. It still seemed so far and my pace was crazy slow. Breathing was hard, and I found myself drooling and not even realizing until feeling it drop on my sleeve. I was surrounded by other participants, but no one spoke. It was too hard to form words, so we just grunted and somehow everyone seemed to know those grunts meant, "I think I may die here." Some people turned back. Some people had breathing issues and had to be taken down the mountain. Some people fell and continued on, battered and bloody. I continued up the unbelievably steep trail until I finally felt the hands of volunteers pull me up and over the edge of the pass. A cup of hot chicken broth was placed in my hands and I obediently drank it as I looked down at where I had just come from. What a crazy feeling to be standing on the 2nd highest pass in the United States because my body brought  fought me up there. Not a jeep, not a motorcycle, but my own two feet. Amazing. I didn't stay long up at the top because I still had a tough 7 mile descent down to Telluride.The trail was messy and slow going (I didn't want to fall, so I went extra slow) but I was so overjoyed just to be going down. Unlike on the journey up, I enjoyed chatting with everyone on the way down. My favorite conversation started, "Where are you from?" Most of the runners were from the mountains, and they usually flipped out when I told them, "Tulsa!" I finally made it down to the finish. It was so fun to near the finish line and spot David, Andy, and his friends cheering for me. They were finishing about the time I was getting to the top, so had quite the wait to watch me finish. I wasn't hurting too badly to "thank" Andy (don't look mom, but it's a long running joke with Andy and I) and of course, David captured the touching gesture with his camera.

Here, mom look over there for a nicer finish line  photo. :)

I am so very glad that I didn't listen to that little voice inside me that told me I couldn't do this! Even 5 feet from the summit, that voice was active and strong. I don't believe in bucket lists, but this race is a bucket list race if ever there was one.

The day after the race David talked me into a hike to Bridal Falls. Did I mention we didn't have our children with us?! We had so much fun exploring this beautiful spot together.

In addition to the amazing scenery and the extraordinary experience of completing this special race, we enjoyed catching up with David's longtime friends Andy & Allison (and after 16 years, I get to claim them as my friends, too). They are pretty dear to us and it was a treat to get to share this place with them. Lots of laughs shared over food, cards, drinks, coffee, and donuts the size of your head. You can see a few more of my photos here and if you are interested in reading more about this unique race visit  http://www.imogenerun.com/course.htm

Drumroll...

And the winner of the drawing for the Camp Lutherhoma jacket is:

The Caspersen Family! Thanks to the 20+ people who sponsored me as I ran back to back marathons to raise money for the Gayle Ross Campership Fund at Camp Lutherhoma. $4,000 was raised! I'll mail/deliver thank you goodies over the next few weeks, so keep your eyes open. I love so many have asked me when my next marathon will be. Ha! Do you believe me when I say never?

I have already started training for my next adventure and... it's not a marathon! Maybe I'll divulge more over the next few months, but I am looking forward to returning to a extraordinarily beautiful place with long time friends to run a race that is way over my head in terms of elevation and skill. I am already a nervous mess. Wish me luck!

Antibiotics, Sweat, & Tears: a race recap

Near the finish of race#1--Jazz hands?!

I don't even know how, but after three rounds of antibiotics in five weeks, and being sick as a dog the week prior, I completed my goal of finishing TWO marathons in TWO days (that's 52.4 miles in less than 48 hours). My friends call me a bad-ass rock star now, and maybe that's true (ha!) but I still say anyone can do it.

Saturday's race (The Tulsa Golden Driller Marathon) started at 7am. In typical Sarah fashion, I missed the start because I was in the porta-potty. The weather was beautiful, but by mile 16 or so, was a steamy 83 degrees. Despite its name, the course didn't include the Golden Driller, but followed the bike/running path along the west and east sides of the Arkansas River. Since I had been ill for so long, the weather was so warm, and I had another marathon to run the next day, I changed up my normal routine, and ran a 5:2 ratio (5min running at a speedy pace, and 2 minutes walking a speedy pace). I was totally surprised to nearly PR at this race. It must have been that dragon shirt.

After a massage and lunch, I headed to Oklahoma City. My dear friend Kelly picked up my race packet, fed me dinner, and tried to keep me from being on my feet. At 5:45am the next morning, Kelly dropped me off at the start line. I was so nervous that I started crying before the race even started, packed in the start corral with 12,000 other people. I was miserable and juggling cramping muscles and sore joints for the first few miles of the race. At mile 3, I spotted Kelly with her dogs, Fred & Billy Ray. I don't know if I even greeted my friend, but I squatted down and loved on the dogs and got a few wet kisses in return. It's funny, but my attitude flipped 180 degrees afterwards. Kelly gave me the next rendezvous spot and I limped off. By mile 4, I felt better and mentally worked on relaxing the cramps in my calf that kept coming and going.  At mile 6, the marathoners split from the halfers and the resulting quiet and peacefulness helped me find better concentration and relaxation. I remember when I first started running marathons, how lonesome it felt to "lose" the half marathoners. On this day, it was just what I needed to find my happy place.         

Kelly found me a few more times to dole out Ibuprofen, water, or whatever I needed. Providing race support over a 5 hour span to a grumpy runner is an exhausting task. I very honestly say that I would not have been able to finish without her. And so, it is very fitting that my only personal photo from the race is of Kelly and me at the finish. I love her so. Thanks, Kelly!

Overall, it was a lovely race with nearly perfect running weather. I lost some time waiting in a long porta-john line, and probably would have come very close to my Tulsa time if I had peed behind a dumpster like I threatened to do (my mother is thankful for the additional minutes I am sure).

I can not even come close to putting into words what it felt like to cross the finish line at this race. I was so incredibly proud, happy, and TIRED.

STAIRS!

 After the race, well, I hurt. But it was totally worth it.

My favorite cheerleaders

Thank you. Thank you for the support, the texts, phone calls, MAGIC BARS, and thank you for supporting me by sending your money to the Gayle Ross Memorial Campership Fund at Camp Lutherhoma. Your generosity will help every camper who wants to go to camp this summer GO TO CAMP. Money is still coming in, but so far, about $4,000 has been raised! If you've been meaning to donate you are welcome to still send your donation to me (made out to Camp Lutherhoma) or to Camp Lutherhoma (online) or by mail: PO BOX 1672, Tahlequah, OK 74465. Since I neglected to send out an April reminder email, I will wait a few weeks before drawing a name for the camp tech-jacket. I will be sending out goodies eventually, but until then, I want to send A BIG THANK YOU to all the people who sponsored me this time around (so far):

Barb & Tom Sprunger

CTR Wednesday Women's Group

Leila Zelnick

Andy & Allison Overshiser

Jennifer & Donnie Lyon

Sam & Erin McGrath

Shelli "Swoosh" Carothers

Hillary & Wes Speer

Hank & Allison Ross

Irma Droske

Linda & Jesse Niederklein

Buddy & Ann Lloyd

Teri & Jim King

Jennifer & Jonathon Casperson

Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church

Teresa & David Nightingale 

Nikki & Brandon Witt

I am beyond blessed and very thankful to be surrounded by such generous and supportive friends & family. THANK YOU!!!

One Month to Go!

54.2 miles in 48 hours. Man, that sounds crazy. Many times during training or when talking to people, I wonder what in the world I have gotten myself into. I don't even like running. :) Yet, here I am, less than ONE month away from running two marathons in two days. Training is going well and I am cautiously optimistic that I will be up to the challenge come April. I hope you guys are praying and cheering for me, because I'm going to need all the help I can get.

Thank you so much to those who have donated to the Gayle Ross Memorial Campership Fund at Camp Lutherhoma in support of my running! Now is the perfect time to fill up the Campership Fund as summer registrations will soon start flooding camp's mailbox! Camp Lutherhoma rarely turns a camper away because of money, and this fund helps make that generosity possible. $1,630 has already been donated (with more pledged). If you plan to donate, please make sure to do so before April 24, as I will draw the winner of the Camp Lutherhoma tech jacket that day. You can send checks made out to "Camp Lutherhoma" to PO Box 1672, Tahlequah, OK 74465 (or you can give them to me and I will get them to camp) or you can donate online at: http://www.lutherhoma.com/Support/donationtypes.php  Then just send me an email to let me know you donated. It's easy and very appreciated. Thank you for supporting me and Camp Lutherhoma!



On a final note, because pictures of me running are non-existent and/or hideous and pictures of my kids playing in the snow are awesome: Our family visited Colorado over spring break. I enjoyed keeping the running streak alive (89 days, today!), snowshoeing and watching the kids learn to ski in the beautiful San Juan mountains.

I enjoyed my early morning runs in Colorado-beautiful sunrises!

Snow bunnies (Addie & Char)

Char LOVED ski school. She hasn't stopped howling yet.

Jack and his friend James snowboarding.

Where'd 2015 go?!

I skipped a year! 2015 was a marathon-free year but I was proud to finish my THIRD PostOak Challenge Doubler, and had a blast at the Cincinnati Flying Pig half-marathon. My 2015 running calendar got a little messed up when I broke my foot by dropping a water ski on it this summer. It didn't stop me from finishing out the weekend at the cabin, but it did put an end to my fall marathon plans. I was able to run the Tulsa Run and the Route 66 half in 2015 before taking the remainder of the year off to finish healing.

Running PostOak Challenge with Kelly.

First aid, lake style. Icing my broken foot with a cold beer.

 
So now, I'm healed and have started training for my spring marathons. I am excited to wear my Marathon Maniacs  race shirt for the first time since earning it back in 2014. Becoming part of this crazy running club is partly to blame for my newest running goal...

This spring I will be training to run Tulsa's Golden Driller marathon and the OKC Memorial Marathon on April 23 and 24. That's right, I'll run 26.2 miles on Saturday, drive 100 miles, sleep, and then do it again on Sunday. I'm not going to lie, I am super nervous. I have some great friends and family who have supported and encouraged me to keep working toward my big running goals. Without them, I'd probably still be sitting on the fence about running back to back marathons.

Once again, I am honored to raise money for the Gayle Ross Memorial Campership Fund at Camp Lutherhoma while working to achieve my marathon-ing goals. If you have given before, the process will be the same:

Checks can be made out to Camp Lutherhoma ("Campership/run" in the memo line) and mailed to: Camp Lutherhoma PO Box 1672, Tahlequah, OK 74465 

or online payments via PayPal can be made at: http://lutherhoma.com/Support/donationtypes.php

 If you do donate, please send me an email letting me know so that I can make sure you get a receipt from camp and a thank you from me! 

THANK YOU!

Finished.

It is finished. And man, am I glad to say those words! My body is tired and worn and I am looking forward to a few months of rest. I am not already searching for the next race.

78.6 race miles in 54 days.  The most grueling physical feat I have ever accomplished. Finished. Completed. And I couldn't have done it without you. The prayers, the cheers, the pledges, the hugs... I have some pretty awesome people in my life and I am so very thankful for each one of you.

And this, well, just this:

"Thanks for your marathons.  It is truly making a difference in the Ross Memorial, 

and therefore in the lives of hundreds of kids who could not otherwise come to camp. 

Eternally grateful, and Gayle continues to be the best camper recruiter ever!!!" 

-John Busch, director, Camp Lutherhoma

I have found many reasons to run in the years that I've been marathoning. And honestly, no amount of inspiration can get you a marathon finish. But it can get you through the hard bits and can give you encouragement in the midst of great discouragement that can present itself in the long months of training. Running for Camp Lutherhoma was an incredible benefit to me in attaining this huge goal.

What a joy to report that

$6,600
$7,000!

has been raised for the Gayle Ross Memorial Campership Fund!

I'm just a girl in a pair of tennis shoes who isn't afraid of a little mileage, I've got some great medals to show for those miles, but 

the GLORY is God's.

Thank you!!!

 Tales from Rocking the Route

I woke up the morning before the Route 66 Marathon with a cold.  Yuck. I felt pretty terrible. That evening was the fundraiser for our church's preschool. We went with friends (they let me drive their brand new beautiful Subaru) and had a great time. I made poor pre-race carb loading decisions, and stayed up too late. but I haven't laughed so hard in ages. It was good for the soul. Unfortunately, this is the only picture from the evening.

typically bad pre-race choices!

The nicest part of marathons at home is David! He took me up to his office (just down the street from the start) which afforded lovely views, and a clean, line free restroom. Somehow he managed to be at every tough spot on the course and encouraged me on to the next rendezvous, which was never very far. You can tell in the picture below that I am happy to see him! I would ask him things like, "Am I even moving forward?!" or would yell out things like, "@#$%, IT'S HOT!" All while blowing my nose in a tissue he provided. He just calmly, and reassuringly responded, while pocketing my used tissue. Now that is love.

This sweet firecracker worked with a team of Brownies (and her mom & big brother,too) at the mile 7 water stop, refilling and passing out water to all the runners. Thanks, Ivie! (James & Amber, too!)

With my finish at Tulsa, I entered the Marathon Maniacs Running Club.

My finish line supporters!

There were times in the race that I thought my hip would give out, and I wouldn't be able to finish. At just the right moment, a fellow racer came up from behind me and encouraged me with a few words. Having a "friend" to run with at a moment of isolation and discouragement was extremely uplifting. I would get to return the favor after we ran together for a few miles, and together we managed to complete the Center of the Universe Detour and a strong finish! I never learned her name, but I remember her bib number!

You want to run a marathon? YOU. CAN. DO. IT.  Need someone to cheer you on? Call me!

The End.

SPONSORS: If you made a pledge in my honor, please make sure to email me your mailing address so that I can send you an acknowledgment. If you don't receive acknowledgement from me, it means I don't know about your pledge, even if you have received a receipt from Camp Lutherhoma. THANK YOU!

Marathon #2: Marine Corps Marathon

First things first. Another marathon finished. That leaves ONE MORE RACE to go. In two weeks, on Nov 22, I will be running the Tulsa Route 66 Marathon to complete this crazy running goal of 3 marathons in two months. $6,450 has been donated to the Gayle Ross Memorial Campership Fund. If you want to sponsor me, this is your very last reminder to get your pledge in!  Thank you gifts will go out in December along with my final fundraising update. Although I still am 26.2 miles away from my goal, I couldn't have traveled this far without your monetary support and also all the prayers and encouraging words.

To donate, send checks to Camp Lutherhoma, PO Box 1672, Tahlequah, OK 74465 or pay online by visiting: http://lutherhoma.com/Support/donationtypes.php  Scroll down to the Gayle Ross Campership Fund section and follow the link to Paypal.


Now, more about race #2. I've been putting this off. It is true that coming home to Halloween hoopla and the stomach bug circulating through our household didn't make sitting down to write this any easier, but putting this race experience into words is something I know I won't be able to do easily.

The Marine Corps Marathon is the 3rd largest marathon in the US. Over 30,000 people were at the start when the sun rose over the Washington and Lincoln Memorials on race morning. That is a lot of people running 26.2 miles! Such a big difference from race #1 in Arkansas. I loved every minute of this race from the crowd support, to the beautiful course that wound through some of my favorite DC sites, to the fellow marathoners, who were so very supportive, to the Marines that lined that last mile of the course,... I could go on. Definitely, a bucket list race. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in this very special event. I didn't capture much on film, but this video is a good overview of the amazing atmosphere on race day.

While I was in DC, my friend Carla was kind enough to chauffeur me all around the town, delivering me to visits with others, taking me to lunch, braving the lines for packet pick-up, playing tour guide, waking up early to get me to the race amid crazy road closures, making a sign and waiting for me at the finish. She and her mom made me dinner, post race lunch, and tried to feed me breakfast both mornings. ;) Thank you, Carla & Carol.

I did take a few pictures:

It was a whirlwind visit, but I finally got to meet this little guy. He was quite charming and laughed at all my jokes. I also enjoyed a nice, hot cup of tea, macaroons, and a walk to the market with one of David's dearest friends. Thanks, Blake and Edward (and Monique, too)!

I spent many evenings walking the peaceful pathways of Arlington Cemetery after work during my sometimes stressful TDY stints throughout 2001-2002. Section 60 wasn't there then. It seems to go on and on forever now.

Sunrise on race morning!

The Start line.

The race course toured some of the iconic DC monuments. I was really too tired to care much by this point.

Oh my goodness. The 'More Cowbell' guy. He was at several places during the race, and my favorite "cheerleader." He gave me a high five and made sure his belly was showing in my picture, because it made me laugh.

The Finish

 

"Mission Complete!" 2 Down!

Although there wasn't much time for touristy stuff, we did take an evening stroll down the Mall and around the White House after the race. Everything looked so pretty lit up at night.

And some things never change. Sarah and Carla still know how to get into trouble!

Making my parents proud.

My loot.

I neglected to capture my hostess on camera, but I did take a picture of a picture of us...from 10 years ago (more like 15, but shhh!) that I found at her house. It still cracks me up.

Thanks again for your support and encouragement! I can't wait to be posting, "I AM FINISHED!"

Check back soon!