{"id":641,"date":"2013-12-18T19:24:37","date_gmt":"2013-12-19T02:24:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/eatdrinkrunwoman.com\/?p=641"},"modified":"2013-12-19T09:29:02","modified_gmt":"2013-12-19T16:29:02","slug":"c-c-c-cajun-c-c-c-coyote-100","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eatdrinkrunwoman.com\/?p=641","title":{"rendered":"C-C-C-Cajun C-C-C-Coyote 100"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"1441539_10202306242605118_951311892_n\"<\/a>

Buckle and age group award.<\/p><\/div>\n

I never expected this race would take more mental fortitude to finish than Cascade Crest. \u00a0In reviewing the elevation profile, it make Rocky Raccoon look hilly. \u00a0Fortunately I had heard the course has some steep upsie downsies, albeit short. \u00a0I knew I couldn’t take the course for granted.<\/p>\n

Cascade Crest really wiped me out, and with my father’s death and getting sick a couple of times, my training wasn’t ideal. \u00a0However, I did get my long runs in. \u00a0(My 50th birthday run was a huge confidence boost). \u00a0I figured it’d be best to show up rested and sans injury, and that I had enough endurance where I could at least finish.<\/p>\n

We stayed in Opelousas (which we dubbed OompaLoompas), which is about 40 miles from the start\/finish. \u00a0(The Best Western in Ville Platte, the closer town, was sold out). \u00a0Got in late on Thursday, but slept in, grabbed some breakfast, and headed to the S\/F to meet up with friends Kelly, his wife Jo, and Burke for a shakeout run on Friday. \u00a0We of course had been monitoring the weather; winter storm Cleon swept through north Texas resulting in treacherous icy conditions. \u00a0While things were fine in the south we did get colder than normal temps. \u00a0It was in the low 40s on Friday; on Wednesday it had been close to 80!<\/p>\n

Our shakeout run was an easy 5 miles and showed us the hilliest portion of the course. \u00a0Indeed, the hills were short but rather steep. \u00a0Since it had rained the ascents were slick with mud. \u00a0But I figured that’d keep me to a slow pace.<\/p>\n

We drove back to OompaLoompas after the run for a nap and shower, then headed back for the packet pickup and dinner. \u00a0The RD was laughing since he decided to serve what they had the previous year — COLD pasta with veggies and chicken. \u00a0It was delicious, but given the temps hot pasta would have been better. \u00a0The swag was great: a long-sleeved Patagonia shirt, HeadSweats visor with CC logo, pint glass, Forge Racing stickers and a Saloman drop bag. \u00a0I also found out they’d be giving out age group awards; there was only one other woman in my group, so I’d be on a mission to beat her. \u00a0We got back to our room by 9 p.m. and settled down.<\/p>\n

After a fitful night of sleep due to inconsiderate hotel guests who did not grasp the concept of “inside voice” we got up about 4 a.m. \u00a0We had organized all of our stuff the day before, so we just needed to gulp down some coffee, change into our running togs and head out the door. \u00a0It was indeed pretty cool, but not too bad.<\/p>\n

Since we’d be starting out in the dark Matt offered to run with me for the first hour or so. \u00a0I gladly took him up on that. \u00a0The S\/F was pretty mellow when we arrived; there were only 100 or so entered in the 100 mile and 100k and there were several DNSs. \u00a0As we lined up Matt was shivering almost uncontrollably, so I told him he should go out at his own pace to warm up; I’d be fine.<\/p>\n

Knowing it’d be cold, I prepared well (or so I thought). \u00a0I started with a long-sleeved shirt, my Patagonia shell, gloves and a hat; I then had a couple more shirts in my drop bag, along with fleece-lined mitten gloves (fingerless cloves with a flap to go over them), a mylar blanket, Wattle Waddle arm warmers and a rain poncho. \u00a0I wore a skirt and compression socks; although people kept asking me if my legs were cold they actually were fine. \u00a0However, I said they’d probably get cold should it start to rain (queue foreshadowing music).<\/p>\n

At about 3 miles in I picked up a friend — James, who was running his first 100. \u00a0His girlfriend had told him not to go out too fast, and I guess he felt I knew what I was doing (silly boy). \u00a0He was a talker, but I welcomed it. \u00a0In fact, I was pretty chatty myself. \u00a0We told each other our life stories to pass the time (but what is said on the trail stays on the trail). \u00a0We became the “Living the Dream!” team as we yelled that out each time we entered an aid station. \u00a0We finished the first loop in 4:30, which was right on target.<\/p>\n

(Okay, so a note about the course. \u00a0Although it claims each loop is 20 miles long, it’s actually shorter. \u00a0I recorded three laps of roughly 18.8 miles before my Garmin died; I’m rounding up to 19 miles\/loop for a total of 95 miles).<\/p>\n

I tried to get in and out of the main station as quickly as possible, but it was somewhat disorganized (my only complaint). \u00a0They didn’t have a specified place for our drop bags, so we just placed them in front of our car (which was close by). \u00a0I’d come in, grab what I needed out of my bag, check in at the timing station, then head to the bathroom to organize my stuff. \u00a0I’d then hit the A\/S for food and head out, dropping stuff back at my bag that I didn’t need on the run. \u00a0For the first loop that took only 7 1\/2 minutes.<\/p>\n

\"1454769_663391860349282_2032994587_n\"<\/a>

“Living the Dream!” Team<\/p><\/div>\n

Second loop was much of the same; James and I would exuberantly yell “Living the Dream” as we hit each aid station. \u00a0Since we’d be changing direction for the third loop, we started seeing the front runners a little over halfway through the loop. \u00a0I was thrilled to see Kelly in the lead and stopped briefly to give him a congratulatory hug. At one point I saw a woman who looked like she was my age heading toward us; ruh roh! \u00a0 Could it be my competition? \u00a0On paper that woman appeared to be a back-of-the-packer, but the woman I saw was a good two hours ahead of me. \u00a0I tried to convince myself she was a 100K runner.<\/p>\n

As we started up a particularly long boardwalk just before the mile 16 aid station, I spied a familiar figure coming toward us: my darling! \u00a0I introduced him to James, saying he was my trail husband for the day. \u00a0My darling unfortunately had rolled his ankle, so he was taking it easy. \u00a0I kept my fingers crossed he’d be able to finish.<\/p>\n

When we finished our second loop (4:54) I grabbed another shirt and my headlamp as it would be getting dark. \u00a0Eight minutes after arriving James and I were back on the trail. \u00a0We now got to see who was behind us as we had changed direction. \u00a0While I felt good, the lack of midweek training runs was beginning to catch up with me and my pace slowed a bit. \u00a0I told James I wouldn’t be offended if he decided to go out on his own but he refused. \u00a0He’s blown up in races before going too fast and he figured sticking with me would mean he’d finish.<\/p>\n

Because it was overcast we had to turn our headlamps on within about an hour of starting the loop. \u00a0My pace slowed even more as I did not want to risk turning my ankle on the leaf-strewn, rooty trail. \u00a0But when I wasn’t running, I was at least keeping up a steady shuffle. \u00a0I found out at one of the aid stations that my competition was a no-show, so as long as I finished, the award was mine.<\/p>\n

While I liked running the course in this direction in the beginning, I did not enjoy finishing with the hills. \u00a0The temperature had dropped and I was tired. \u00a0I managed to get my feet wet, so I decided I’d change my shoes and socks at the end of the loop, as well as grab my hydration pack that was packed with more warm clothing. \u00a0I warned James it’d be a longer stop, but he was fine with that.<\/p>\n

Due to the cold my fingers weren’t working quite so well. \u00a0I changed my shoes and socks in the car, also applying Kinesio tape to the balls of my feet since I was starting to get hot spots. \u00a0I decided to throw on a third long-sleeved shirt, as well as a headband that went under the hat I already had on. \u00a0Finally, I switched out my lightweight gloves for the mitten gloves. \u00a0While they weren’t waterproof, they were incredibly warm. \u00a0If they got TOO warm, I could just unflap the mitten. As suspected, this stop took far longer — just under 35 minutes.<\/p>\n

About three miles in to the fourth loop we picked up a third person: Ramon. \u00a0Cajun Coyote was his fifth 100 of the year; he had paced a friend to his first 100K finish, so that’s why he was farther back. \u00a0We figured he’d go ahead of us, but he was content to stick with us since it was dark. \u00a0I think James was happy to have another person to chat with! \u00a0I had several down moments during this stretch; I felt I was keeping Ramon and James back, but they both said they appreciated the company. I did too, especially since they motivated me to run more than I would have on my own, but I also knew I’d be slowing down even more in the dark.<\/p>\n

James started to get sleepy halfway through the loop and began stumbling around. \u00a0Ramon and I encouraged him to take his caffeine pills, but James was concerned he just have to keep taking them the rest of the night. \u00a0Instead he plugged in his earbuds, which completely revived him. In fact, Ramon and I would barely keep up. \u00a0(I pretty much was reduced to a fast shuffle). \u00a0We had to stop at the last aid station before the finish to change out batteries; my fingers were so cold I could barely get the batteries out of my flashlight. \u00a0Once again I felt I was futzing too much and taking too much time. \u00a0I must have put in one battery in the wrong direction, as the flashlight wouldn’t work. \u00a0Fortunately I had another on me, although that was about to die. \u00a0But with fresh batteries in my headlamp I could see really well.<\/p>\n

Just as we were finishing our fourth loop it started to drizzle. \u00a0The forecast had called for a chance of rain, so I figured it wouldn’t last long. \u00a0When we got back to the start\/finish James asked the RD if we were at risk of not making cutoff; I felt we had plenty of time (almost 8 hours), but I think James was concerned about how slow I was moving. \u00a0While he, Ramon and I took off together, he soon was far ahead. \u00a0(He’d go on to tear up the loop, finishing it in just under 4 hours for a 26:05 finish). \u00a0I got ahead of Ramon during the hills at the beginning; it was clear we’d all be running our own pace for the 5th loop.<\/p>\n

The rain was heavier than anticipated, making the course quite slick. \u00a0And while I had been fine in my skirt when it was dry, my legs became quite cold. \u00a0I stopped to fetch the rain poncho out of my pack, but as I put it on it ripped on my headlamp, leaving a gaping hole at the neck line. \u00a0I tucked it in to the top of my pack, but it was clear I still needed something else for warmth. \u00a0As I took the poncho off to retrieve the mylar blanket in my pack, the poncho ripped even more, rendering it useless. \u00a0Oh well, at least I had the blanket. \u00a0As I stood there tying it around my waist I somehow slipped and fell. \u00a0What a freaking klutz! \u00a0As I ran I had to keep futzing with the blanket since it stuck to my legs and made it difficult to run. \u00a0I finally got it in a position that worked, however, it meant a portion of my legs were still exposed to the rain.<\/p>\n

I had told James that when the sun comes up during a 100 it’s like you have a new lease on life: you can turn off your headlamp and the morning sun really brightens up your day. \u00a0Well, on this day that would not happen, as there was NO sun. \u00a0Sure, I could turn off my headlamp, but it was still gray and rainy. \u00a0Just when I thought the rain had stopped it would pick up again, plus it never warmed up. \u00a0My torso had become extremely chilled and I prayed they’d have a garbage bag at the aid station. \u00a0About two miles from the A\/S the thunder and lightning started and I worried they might shut the race down. \u00a0I had come too far for that to happen.<\/p>\n

Just before I hit the station I had to go down a steep dip and then up the other side. \u00a0As I was making my way down I slipped in the mud, landing on my butt and getting my mittens wet. \u00a0When I reached the aid station they handed me a garbage bag and asked if I wanted to warm myself by the fire. \u00a0At that point I just wanted to keep moving. \u00a0I’m sure I was quite the sight with the mylar blanket wrapped around my legs and the garbage bag on top. \u00a0I knew I was on the verge of hypothermia, but prayed I’d be fine as long as I moved. \u00a0I tried to think positively, but was incapable of doing so. \u00a0All I could think about was what would happen when I finished the race. \u00a0I get extremely chilled on a normal day, but after spending 6+ hours in freezing rain? \u00a0While I had both my Snuggie and down coat at the end, I wasn’t sure they’d be enough.<\/p>\n

The next eight miles were tortuous. \u00a0While the thunder stopped, the rain continued and it got darker. \u00a0I was chilled to the bone as my feet were continually wet (the trail had become almost a river with all the standing water). \u00a0While the garbage bag provided some relief, I was still quite cold and decided the mylar blanket would be better served up top. \u00a0However, I had to clutch it around my body, which meant my hands weren’t free to catch myself should I fall (and fall I did).<\/p>\n

I finally reached the last aid station and gulped down some soup. \u00a0The poor volunteers were huddled around the fire, trying to stay warm. \u00a0The table of goodies was soaked, including a bowl of pretzels that swelled up with moisture. \u00a0I didn’t stay long as I was eager to finish; I only had just under 4 miles to go.<\/p>\n

Wouldn’t you know it — it was the worst 4 miles of the race.<\/p>\n

My spirits were already dampened (HA!), and then the rain became the most intense it had been the entire loop. \u00a0The trail was a river and although it was less than two miles to go \u00a0it seemed endless. \u00a0It was then I suffered the most insulting fall of all. I got to one of those evil dips; as I started down it I slipped yet again, landing with my butt totally up against the backs of my feet so that my knees were completely bent. \u00a0My already wet mittens got thoroughly soaked and muddy, and of course it was tough to get out of that position. I managed to pick myself up and soldered on. I knew I’d be close to the finish when I reached a paved road that I’d cross; I’d then have about a quarter mile more single track before I reached a second paved road that would take me to the finish line. \u00a0It seemed I had been running for miles, but the first paved road never materialized. \u00a0I actually thought I might have gotten off course. \u00a0Finally I saw it, but of course the trail wound around for about another quarter mile before I could actually cross it.<\/p>\n

Just as I was doing so Ramon came up behind me and scared the bejeezus out of me. \u00a0(I had been looking behind me several times to see if anyone was catching up, but hadn’t seen anyone). \u00a0I shouted out encouragement and told him to finish strong and get warm. \u00a0As I hit the single track again I could hear someone beeping at Ramon; the finish line was near! \u00a0I got within a few yards of the second paved road to realize it was Matt who was beeping.<\/p>\n

Even though I had wanted to break down in tears several times during that last loop, I wanted to save my energy to keep warm. \u00a0But when I saw our car I totally lost it. \u00a0Matt got out and started heading toward me with arms out-stretched; he too started crying as he saw the utter distress on my face. \u00a0I collapsed in his arms, telling him how incredibly cold I was. \u00a0He kissed me, saying he’d be right at the finish line with the warm car. \u00a0I scurried up the final 1\/10th of a mile, crossed the finish line and yelled out my number. \u00a0I didn’t even bother picking up my buckle; Matt immediately whisked me in to the car where I broke down into deep, moaning sobs. \u00a0I couldn’t believe the sound coming out of me; it was almost other-worldly.<\/p>\n

Matt wrapped the Snuggie around me and I managed to get my wet shoes and socks off. \u00a0But I was shivering so uncontrollably that it was difficult to function. \u00a0I finally got all the wet clothes off and got in to dry ones. \u00a0My extremities were tingling and I was incredibly uncomfortable. \u00a0I didn’t want to face going out in the rain again, so Matt collected my buckle and age group award.<\/p>\n

It was a good hour before I warmed up and was able to face anyone. \u00a0I still didn’t want to get out of the car, so Matt pulled around to the A\/S so that I could thank the RD and say goodbye. \u00a0We stopped in Ville Platte at Sonic Burger, and I immediately fell asleep afterward on the drive to Lafayette. \u00a0Fortunately our hotel room was ready for us; I climbed in to bed — down coat and all — and crashed again while Matt went in search of beer.<\/p>\n

Finish times: Matt — 22:57, me — 28:10.<\/p>\n

\"994978_10202306194763922_143793152_n\"<\/a>

Much deserved frosty beverage.<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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I never expected this race would take more mental fortitude to finish than Cascade Crest. \u00a0In reviewing the elevation profile, it make Rocky Raccoon look hilly. \u00a0Fortunately I had heard the course has some steep upsie downsies, albeit short. \u00a0I knew I couldn’t take the course for granted. Cascade Crest really wiped me out, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[162],"class_list":["post-641","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-race-reports","tag-2013-cajun-coyote-100"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eatdrinkrunwoman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/641","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eatdrinkrunwoman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eatdrinkrunwoman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eatdrinkrunwoman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eatdrinkrunwoman.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=641"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/eatdrinkrunwoman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/641\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":649,"href":"https:\/\/eatdrinkrunwoman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/641\/revisions\/649"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eatdrinkrunwoman.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=641"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eatdrinkrunwoman.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=641"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eatdrinkrunwoman.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=641"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}