It was the perfect day for a run. The temperature was perfect, there was just a slight breeze, and I actually felt pretty good in the morning. The race started at 8:00 AM, so I woke up at about 5:30 to have my customary pre-race breakfast: a piece of toast and a lemon-lime Gatorade (more on this later). I left my house at about 6:15 with thoughts of a PR in mind (obviously I have never seen this course before; otherwise, I never would have been thinking "PR"). When I arrived I found that I had a long walk down to the starting line, which wasn't a big deal, but I knew I would be hating life when I had to walk back up it following the run; I was right.
I got to the starting line about 30 minutes early so I just stood all by myself with nobody to talk to. I felt pretty cool. Then I ran into an old Durango friend: Kelly Johnson. She was running the 5K and was way more optimistic about my running the half than I was.
The race finally started and we ran for about 3.5 miles slightly uphill. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. This was the first time I had run on a trail and I kind of liked it. I think I will sign up for another trail run in the near future. When we finally got to the first turnaround, we were running back down toward the start. That was a great portion of the race. I felt great and was moving along at a pretty good clip. I got to talking to a guy from Washington D.C. and it was good to get my mind to think about something else.
At about mile 6-7 we went right through the starting line and up towards the Hoover Dam. This is where the 6 tunnels are. This was actually really fun to do. The tunnels were amazing and it was a great experience to run along this historic trail. I had numerous friends tell me about the dreaded hills that were apart of this course. Up until this point, I thought they were all full of garbage; the hills weren't that bad. At this point of the race, I was actually on pace to run about a 1:52 final time.
At about mile 9 we hit the turn around to come back to the finish line. Let me describe what the previous mile or two was like. We went along this historic trail with amazing views of Lake Mead (unfortunately, I didn't have a camera. Thanks to Kelly Johnson for hooking me up with the pictures I did get). This was slightly uphill but it didn't really feel like it. When I got to about mile 9 I saw a huge downhill. It was the steepest hill so far, and since it was downhill right now, it would be uphill in about 15 minutes. I thought that hill was bad enough, but then we got to the sidewalk switchbacks. This hill might as well have been stairs. It was absolutely disgusting! Every year in my English class I teach Dante's Inferno. I now have a much better perspective of what Dante was going through having experienced a similar "Inferno" myself. This hill absolutely demolished me! I literally felt like I had an out-of-body experience from here throughout the remaining 3.5 miles. I could almost see my body in a crumpled, decrepit mass lying on the top floor of a parking garage at the turnaround point.
As soon as I got to the top of the sidewalk switchbacks, my body decided to expel my breakfast, and, as it seemed, everything I ate the last 2-3 days. Sorry if this is a little much, but it all came out! I could not force myself to run at this point, and I hadn't even gone back up the steep hill! I was beat. The 6 Tunnels to Hoover Dam Half Marathon had beaten me down and stripped me of my self-dignity. With about 3 miles left I vowed never, ever to run this stupid race again; however, as soon as I got home I told my wife that I have to conquer that stupid hill next year! I will prevail!!
I ended up running a 2:05 half marathon, which actually wasn't too bad. I will conquer this hill next year and I will focus my training on stupid sidewalk switchbacks so it doesn't kill me again. All in all, I really did have a great experience. Running truly does teach you about yourself: when every part of your body is telling you that you are insane, what are you going to do about it? This time, my mind was stronger than my body.
Many people ask me why I run; why I put myself through this so many times. I really don't know the answer to this question. I know, for one thing, that running is truly liberating to me. When I am stressed out or having a rough day, I know that I can run and be alone and clear my thoughts; it works every time! Just one example before I sign out for the night. I have been involved with a church basketball league the past couple months. My team was not very good. After an extremely frustrating game, I came home and promised myself I would not ever play again (I've done this numerous times). I was so mad at myself and at basketball in general. After this game, all I wanted to do was go running. My wife went to an exercise class as soon as I got home, so I laced up my running shoes and jumped on the treadmill. At mile 1 I was still fuming about the game. At mile 2 I stopped thinking bad and naughty thoughts about basketball. By mile 3 I think I actually felt myself smile a little. I ended up running 7 miles that night and by the end of my run I was in my regular cheerful mood. There is just something about running that puts me, and, I'm sure, most people, in a good mood. It is truly freeing and relaxing. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Even though I know that I really am not fast, running has turned into a passion for me and I appreciate you coming on this journey with me!
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| I view of Lake Mead from the starting line. |
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| At the starting line, looking away from Lake Mead. |
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| This was the direction of the race before the first turnaround. |
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| My Durango friend: Kelly Johnson |
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| Medal and bib. They had a great medal. |
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| Amazingly still standing a smiling after the race. |
