Bandera 2006

2006 Bandera experience started out again this year on Wednesday. Robert and I headed out early Wednesday morning to ready to start marking trail by noon. The Wednesday crew included RD Joe Prusaitis, Henry Hobbs, Anne and Weldon Gloxsen, Micky Rollins, Mark Raymond, Jean-Jacque, Robert, and me. We were able to get all trail ribboned and went back over them the next day with signs and flags, with David Berdis arriving on Thursday to lend a hand.. Joyce and Ryan and the big truck, chef Sammy V. and crew, arrived Friday morning, others started arriving, and the quiet little course marking party was tuning into a three ring circus. Aid stations were to be set up.

My work was done for now and I was free to visit with arriving runners: familiar HCTR friends as well as many out of town/state folks that I only see at races. And of course, new friends as well.

Sammy's dinner, a good nights sleep... The weather started off (and continued to be) perfect. It was about 50 degrees at the SNA after about 38 in town. I started with my new HCTR zip over a sleeveless race ready and shorts, smart-wool socks, size 9 hardrocks, and dirty girl gaiter.Big water bottle, 4 0z. hammer. Broke the rule of nothing new on race day, but the gaiters worked great. They kept pebbles out, but the fine sand did filter through.

Gun went off, and so did the runners. Cruising along I overheard a guy telling his friend that he had forgotten to band aid his nipples and he was really concerned. I checked my toilet kit and had 3 band aids, so I offered him 2. He was very great full and I was happy to help. Heading up the big nasty, I was alarmed that Robert King was near me. That would be way too fast for me to be going out. But he was still warming up his legs and would soon be long gone. Was surprised that I almost ran out of water before the 1st aid station, but I had just enough and it is good I was drinking; Nachos, smile from Steve. Cruised on to Aid 2 Chapas and picked up my Spiz bootle. Greeted by Paul. Jeff Farrell was there to help. Left shirt. I had decided to be anal like my friend Shan and placed a note card in each drop bag of its contents. It was really very helpful so I would not forget something I had placed there. Off I went, then remembered I wanted to drop the shirt I had tied around my waist. Pulled it off, gave it to Jeff, and he said he would take care of it.

On through the flats to Crossroads in. I'm feeling a tad of pressure on my toes I had not intended to change shoes till the second time through Crosssroads, but I was beginning to wonder. As I arrive and find my bag, I see my shoes and decide that if there is even a hint of a problem, best to take care of it now rather than 31 miles later. I exchange greeting with Mark Raymond while there and wish I had stashed my camera in my drop bag. Ava's smiling face then appears and she helps me with my water/Spiz bottles. Check my list, and off again, Heading to one of my favorite parts of the course, the 3 sisters. But shortly before the sisters on a little loose-rocked drop-off, my left foot slides on the loose rock. I had gone into the race with a tight glut muscle. When I slipped, I felt my butt blow. No, it wasn't a good fart, the left butt muscle felt like it ripped. I could almost hear it. So I started hobbling along, assessing the situation. It was very hard to lift my leg. After a summer of several nasty falls, my main goal was to get through this race in an alright position. Now here I am with about 45 miles to go and suddenly it is quite difficult to move a leg. So I walk and hope it will . Sarah Brown and some others pass me and express concern as the see me massaging my butt. Well, a new element has entered the game. I rally do not like to do ibuprofen during a race, especially this early on, but I did not see a better option. So at 4 hours into the event, I take 2 ibuprofen.

I trudge through the sisters and back to Crossroads out.Ava is there again to help and says others have some problems as well. She helps me with my drop bags and helps me place a salonpas patch on my butt. I had had a bit of a stiff neck a couple of weeks prior to the race, and and put the salonpas patches in my bag in case my neck got too sore. Well at least that was not problem, but I was happy to see the patches. I head on out and soon pass Sarah Brown and Marcy Beard, who are chatting away.. This is encouraging as if I am anywhere near them, I can't be dong to badly. As every other step is quite painful at this point, I am of course, wondering if I will have a dreaded DNF. There is a good deal of climbing ahead, and that is the most painful. I think of my husband, Robert, and some of the races he has completed with a painful ankle. I think of Joyce Prusiatis, RD, who at his moment is hobbling around with a possible stress fracture in her foot to make sure this race is a success. I think of how many races I have run with no significant pain and come to the realization that it is my turn. I will do this thing. I will bear in mind that I do not want to do longterm or permanent damage, but I will keep moving as long as I can.