Last year was the first year I ran LMR. I signed up because Trail Sisters gave a fifty-percent off discount for first-time females as an incentive to gain more female entrants. Even though I had run Seven Sisters Trail Race two months prior and had trained on local ski slopes, I was terrified of LMR—so terrified I could barely swallow down my pre-race fuel. I took it easy to conserve my energy for "The Boss,” taking lots of pictures along the way as my excuse for going slow—the views are stunning! But when I reached the Upper Walking Boss, I was surprised at how well I had hiked it. Was it grueling? Yes! Did I have to stop several times? Yes! Did I almost fall backwards? Yes! I may have even crawled at one point. Still, I felt like "The Boss!" I finished the race at 2 hours 6 minutes, 47 seconds, and I couldn't wait to run it again!
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| Making my way up Upper Walking Boss |
This year, my goal was to PR (personal record) at two hours, but I told myself I'd be happy with the same time as last year’s because my ultramarathon schedule didn't give me much time to run on mountains. I thought running two ultras three weeks apart, with the last race happening just one month before LMR, would have prepared me. Boy was I wrong. Less than a mile up, my legs cramped, my back spasmed, my whole body screamed: "Why are you doing this to me?" There was nothing I could do, except keep on climbing up...
Up...
UP!
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| Running down was so much fun! |
Once my pain leveled off to a dull throb, I was able to focus on the positives. The views still amazed me, and despite other runners complaining about the brutal heat, I noticed I didn't feel sticky or swampy. My clothes stayed dry, and my headband wicked away sweat so my sunscreen didn't drip into my eyes. Last year, I was so sweaty and gross, I had to jump in the river to cool off immediately after the race. But this year, I was completely dry before I even started running back down the mountain. I was able to enjoy the after party, which I had missed last year.
I'm glad IllumiNITE had my back, even if I was undertrained. It's good to know their clothing keeps me dry and cool in all environments. Plus, I feel so much safer running in reflective apparel. I once got lost for more than an hour on a mountain I have never been on before. I was alone with no map, no cell service, and no idea where I was or where to go. I couldn’t even figure out where I made the wrong turn during the race! It was the scariest thing ever (a story for another time!)! But now that I've found IllumiNITE, I know that if I ever get lost again, I'll be easily found when a search crew's flashlights illuminate my clothing! But don’t take my word for it. Try IllumiNITE for yourself. Use discount code Sera15 for 15% off your entire order!
But I digress.
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| At the top of Loon Mountain! |
Back to LMR. It’s humbling to say that I finished at 2 hours, 18 minutes, 35 seconds. It’s even more humbling that the first elite male runner passed me on Upper Walking Boss, despite starting 1 hour, 15 minutes after the women—and even more humbling that he effortlessly said, “Good work, Ladies,” as he jogged past.
So Loon Mountain Race, I ask of you, “Who’s The Boss?” You may have won this year, but I'm coming back for you!
What mountains do you like to run?! Comment below.
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