Saturday, March 31, 2012

Seabrook Lucky Trail Challenge 2012



Finally getting around to writing up a race report covering my second go around with the Seabrook Lucky Trail Challenge.  The challenge?  Do a half marathon on Saturday (chip time 2:47:37.3) followed by a full marathon on Sunday (chip time 5:54:57.7).  The reward? Receive an extra special medal for completing both races.  The reason?  Proceeds from the race benefit “The Bridge”; a non-profit organization that assists victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

This race did not disappoint!  I had a great time as usual.  The volunteers are extremely helpful, the aid stations are top notch, the runner swag is awesome… a hat, a pair of socks and a tech shirt that fits perfectly, and the post race food seems never-ending!  The best thing?  My dear friend Mellody decided to come to Texas at the last minute and help me finish out my week long birthday celebration with a bang!

The prelude to race weekend was epic.  I spent the first part of spring break week in Austin volunteering for and attending ThePaleoFX Ancestral Momentum - Theory to Practice Symposium.  I already wrote a blog post about that one… I ended my day Thursday with a fabulous meal at the 24 Diner.  The bunless lamb burger was just what the Paleo doc ordered.  It was a little late for me to be eating dinner, but I had 2 hour drive home ahead of me.  So, I ordered my usual supercharger: quad shot espresso with heavy cream.  When the bartender served it up, he said that should last me til tomorrow night.  Of course, I had to tell him it was my 3rd that day. LOL  Time to head back to my newly found friend Tannifer’s house, pack my car and head home.

I arrived home at around 12:20 am and barely had time to unpack from the conference and then re-pack for marathon weekend, which would also include a Broadway Across America production of Mel Brooks YoungFrankenstein at The Grand Opera House in Galveston.  Mellody’s flight was scheduled to arrive at around 8:15 am, so I really needed to hurry and get to bed.  I looked at my clock and was about to get into bed at 1:36 am, when all of a sudden, I heard a horrible noise outside.  My heart hit my feet and I said “Raymond, oh FUCK, something REALLY big just fell out of the tree in the back yard, and it sounded like it fell on someone’s car.”  I walked to the kitchen window in time to see a large blue flash of light and then watched the lights explode inside the duplex in my back yard.  Pow, Pow, Pow, starting at the back of the apartment, then finally the porch fixture… POW!

We cautiously went to the back yard and the smell of smoke was overpowering, so I called 911 to make sure they were close in case of a fire, then I made all the tenants come outside until I was sure it was safe.  We have a very large oak tree in our back yard… so large that two adults can’t join hands around the base of the tree.  We had a seriously dry summer last year and then lots of rain this spring, so the tree was weakened by the stress and a limb of about 18” in diameter fell on the electric service entrance in the back of the duplex, breaking the ground wire and causing everything in both apartments to blow out.  The amazing thing is that the electric company came right out and reconnected everything on the spot.  I think I finally crawled into bed at about 3:45 am.  Raymond woke me up when he came back in the house at 5am.  

Hahahahahaha… knowing what I know about stress and not getting enough sleep; that probably took a couple of years off my life.

This is certainly not much of a race report, but I really did enjoy the challenge in Seabrook.  The trails are immaculate, and what could be better than spending the weekend with 100’s of your craziest friends?  Well, maybe beating your previous finish time from 2010!

6 comments:

  1. Great job! Looks like a fun one.

    Three quad shot espressos!!!

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  2. Hi MaryAnne,

    First, Congrats on your races! And I'm a caffeine fiend too! My favorite post marathon drink is a grande bold from Starbucks.

    Second, I did it! I completed the 12 hour Pickled Feet race in Boise over the weekend, I did 40 miles. The big news is that it's my first grain-free race. The runners tent was chocked full of bagels, pizza and muffins. I had none of it. My drop bag was full of bananas, grapes, larabars and a baked yam.

    Thanks again. I don't think I would have switched to a primal diet if I didn't read your blog.You rock!

    My next test is on April 21, a 50 miler in Las Vegas.

    I let you know how it goes.
    Lori

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    1. Do you have a blog, Lori? I would love to read it if you do! congratulations on your first Paleo powered ultra! I will be thinking of you as you head out to your 50 miler... fast feet to you! In any case, please keep me informed!
      I am doing a 25k trail the 14th and then the Country Music Marathon on the 28th, then the Bear Lake double the first weekend in June.

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  3. I just started a blog..primalmarathoner.blogspot.com. I've been posting sporadically,if I know someone may read it, I'll be more consistent!

    I've done the Country Music marathon, it's fun. Last year I wanted to get the big shiny Rock Idol medal so I did 12 R&R races in 2011. I love big shiny medals!

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