Crazy Tecumseh Fun!

 Tecumseh........how shall I say this? Was amazing, awesome, beautiful, very difficult and unlike anything I have ever been a part of. I had been pretty nervous about this race. Only my second marathon ever and a hard one. I had finished the Eagle Creek Marathon in 6:30 so my big goal was to finish this in less than 6:30. And I succeeded at that. I finished in 5:46:38. 18th in my age group.
      There was a pretty big group of us from BARA running it too! And some surprise additions to our party as well! :-)   Then there were all the supporters out there. Everywhere I went there was someone cheering me on, giving me junk food, water, gatorade...there were two beer checks. My first time actually being part of that tradition and I have to say it's pretty nice. At the top of Indian Hill which is the biggest mo-fo hill (i don't usually swear but......whoa) there was Chris Banal with a camera and a great big smile and cheer for me. Made my day to see him! I had decided the way to deal with Indian Hill was to make it a jelly bean fest all the way up. Distract me with sugar...works every time.
    I had some interesting conversations on the course too. Just talked about racing mostly...where we had raced and run, things we were thinking of doing. I talked about my last marathon at Eagle Creek and how this was way different. I told them about doing Dances with Dirt in May and Flatrock in September. They told me about all their races. I met the bartender of the Upstairs Pub, met two ladies from Minnesota, talked to a guy from LA who was doing this for the first time, in fact his first trail race EVER. I got to hear how LA is which apparently the closer to the water the nicer people are and the further inland they get meaner and crazier. Good to know.

Here was some pictures that Chris Banal took of us. These photos were taken at the top of Indian Hill. The previously mentioned OH-MY-GOD hill?

I look surprisingly chipper. It was because I was seeing a friend and it made me happy to see him! He gave me a boost then. In fact it seemed like every time I felt kind of draggy there would be another friend! I felt like they were little shining lights along the way that led me towards the finish line.

I don't know how I would have gotten through this without my friends. S'Truth!

      Here are the tired, but happy, campers after the big day. So glad I have taken up this sport. It is so unlike anything I have ever done. It is like getting a family along with a lifestyle.I have had some lonely times in my life and it makes me grateful for people who want to spend time with me just for being ME. Nothing can ever take the place of these experiences.

2nd Trail Marathon DOWN. Now to look ahead to Dances with Dirt 50K and then Flatrock 50K with my friend Christy Victor. Can't wait to have more amazing times.