My Life as a Trail Runner: Part 2

Read Part 1 Here

When I hit the scramble of the Kennebec Mountain Challenge, I was completely unprepared. I can honestly say that I have never had to embark up such a hill—before or since. They weren’t joking when they said “scramble” because that’s exactly what it was, a completely usage of feet, hands, arms and any item hillside for support. Luckily, that part was over quickly; not so lucky, I had no idea what lay ahead next. Maybe I should mention my complete, utter and debilitating fear of heights. It is truly paralyzing at times; and this was one of them. Here I was on the side of a mountain and no choice but to continue to the peak. And, the way to the peak was an insanely narrow animal trail. After a few moments of labored chatting (anything to keep my mind off what I was doing) with the woman behind me, I finally decided that I had to let her pass; it was the only thing to do. It made me even more panicked at the thought of slowing down her progress or, heaven forbid, being the cause of her falling off the side of the mountain along with me.

After what felt like a lifetime, I finally made it to the summit. There waiting at the top was a team of EMTs with oxygen. The EMTs immediately asked if I was okay and then offered me oxygen. Apparently, I was breathing pretty heavily and I’m certain my heart rate was well over 200 beats per minute. I quickly learned that I was the last “athlete” (at this point in the race I felt nothing like an athlete) to reach the summit. I also learned that Rhielle had come and gone from this point of the course. She had waited for me for about 30 minutes and finally decided to head out and I’m glad she made that choice. I decided that since I was dead last at this point in the game, maybe I should just sit down a rest for a minute. I felt so bad that the EMTs were just waiting for me to arrive and now they had to stick around even longer before they could leave. After just a few seconds, I decided I just needed to push forward and get this thing over with. I stood up and started to leave and that’s when I completely lost it!

I don’t know if it was the relief of finally making it to the top, something I feared might not happen at points during that ascent. It might have been the fact that I knew Rhielle had waited and waited and I never showed. Quite possibly it was all the adrenaline needing to finally escape my body. Regardless of why, the second I stood up I was in tears. I immediately began apologizing to the EMTs, telling them that I truly was fine and how embarrassed I was at my outburst. As quickly as I began to lose it, one of the EMTs was by my side offering to give me a hug because obviously, I needed it! I distinctly remember telling him he didn’t want to touch me—I was sweaty and muddy and gross. But, he gave me a hug anyway and it was just the boost I needed. I wiped my face, making it an even muddier mess and headed off the summit down the mountainside.

I knew that I was a good 10 minutes behind the closest runner and had a lot of ground to make up if I didn’t want to finish dead last. I also knew on the roads, I’m a pretty good downhill runner (a skill I picked up running the St. George marathon so many times) I set off with the goal of catching that next runner and anybody else I could along the way. Once I made it off the initially steep, rocky portion, it was smooth sailing. Well, as smooth as a trail can be!

Before long I’d caught and passed that next runner. We chatted and exchanged encouraging words and I was gone. I continued over the course on my way back to the finish line. It’s been a few years, but I’m pretty certain I passed one other runner along the way. Either way, I didn’t finish dead last and on that day in August, that was a victory for me! By the time I reached the finish, legend of my breakdown at the summit had already arrived. Yes, I told them, it’s true; I panicked, broke down and had to get a healing hug from an EMT in order to finish the race! When all was said and done I was unbelievably happy and proud of what I had accomplished. Mere hours earlier I didn’t really believe that I could conquer Kennebec Mountain and I did!

I realize now (and even then) that taking on such a challenging course when you’ve only been trail running for 2 weeks isn’t the smartest decision. But, at the time there really were no other options for trail races and I’m the crazy one who thinks she can do anything. Lucky for me, I had a great friend by my side that showed me the joys of trail running and proved to me throughout the rest of our trip that few trails are as challenging as Kennebec Mountain. Without her, that might have been my last trail run ever.

Trail running, for me, is the perfect way to clear my head, enjoy some fresh air and get some exercise. I love escaping the city and getting out where there are no cars and few people. There is something so peaceful when you’re all alone on a beautiful trail with nothing but your footsteps and your breath for company. Once I understood trail running, I no longer thought all those people were so crazy. I actually started to understand the appeal of getting off the road and onto the trail. In fact, I now look forward to trail runs either alone or with good friends.

I’m thrilled that Rhielle is putting on a much more manageable trail running series that is perfect for beginners or even the seasoned trail runner. It’s a great opportunity to indoctrinate even more people into the joy that is trail running!