Part 3: A Conqueror
The People Who Carry You: Substack Series
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Thank you for being here with me,
Julie
The water glistened, and a light breeze touched my face. Small gravel kicked up around my feet, and I was grateful for my gaiters.
I knew it was going to be a great day when the first aid station was blasting “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC—one of my mantra songs for this race. I hummed along while runners filled the path ahead and behind me. I checked my watch: 20 minutes in. Time for a gel. I opened the packet, slurped it down, tucked the wrapper in my vest, and sipped some water. I could feel the sweat under my hat already. I made sure I was drinking early and often.
A runner in a red hat ran up beside me. His name was B, from Maryland, and he was here with his girlfriend. I told him my husband and children were here to help crew and my son would be pacing me from mile 60 to 70. His eyes went wide. “That’s great.”
He’d run many ultras, and it was nice to get his encouragement when I told him this was my first 100 miles. He grinned, “You got this, have fun.” After a few miles, he told me he was going to walk, so we smiled at each other, and I said, “Great to meet you.”
My eyes returned to the water as I settled into my pace. Conversations drifted around me, the river flowing among us all. My shoulders dropped. I checked my watch and reached for the chews, still on track with my fueling.
I caught up to another runner, and we fell into step together. He’d started running five years ago when his life was at its lowest point. He’d been an addict, he told me, eyes forward, voice steady, like he’d made peace with it long ago. Four back surgeries, too, he said. Not one but four, and he was out here running 100 miles.
Running had given him something to fill the space where the darkness used to be.
We ran in silence for a while after that, just the gravel and the river. He didn’t say anything else. Neither did I. He just kept moving, steady as the river beside us.
To be continued…part 4: on Thursday. Thank you for reading along.
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Wow . Running 🏃♀️ 100 miles 🏃♂️ after 4 back surgeries!!
I am learning so much about what is possible!
"We ran in silence for a while after that, just the gravel and the river." I can hear the crunch, crunch, crunch, of the gravel, Julie. What a great sensory experience: what you felt under your feet and saw while running onward. I get it. So cool. Can't wait to read more!