Dances With Dirt 100K Relay (Hell, Mich.)
Saturday, September 7, 2002
Race report from Julie...
Date: Tues Sep 10, 2002
Subject: Re: ~ A tale of friendship & suffering in the dirt! ~ warning LONG
Sometimes Winning isn’t about coming in first; sometimes you win even when you are dead last! This whole experience started last March when Toronto Penguin Dave asked me to join his team in Hell, Michigan. At the time I hadn’t even run a 5km race! I told him I would let him know, as I wanted to speak to my husband about it, especially since it included leaving the country!!! My husband said do what you want BUT don’t you think you should run a race first? You don’t want to discover it’s not for you after committing yourself. So I did, I ran the St Pat’s day 5km and I was hooked!!!
It didn’t hurt that Dave was so enthusiastic about his DWD experience and I thought I wanted my first BIG RACE to be just like he described. Then after my life altering experiences at the Penguin World Conference in May I knew I had to run with his team!!!!
Moving forward to race weekend.
I left Toronto a little before 7:00am. We were making great time and were on track to meet Dave in London at 9:30. So far so good.
Well, we were, until Bruce said to me ‘we are just entering Grimsby, we must be getting close.’
‘Grimsby’ I said? I think we are going the wrong way. BUT Bruce was sure that we would still hit London.
I was doubtful, but thankful for the ride so I stayed quiet.
A few minutes later, I showed him the map and he realized we were on our way to Niagara Falls!!!! As soon as we could we turned around and drove all the way back to Burlington to catch the 401 to London.
I have to admit I was panicking just a little. I didn’t want Dave to worry and most importantly I
didn’t want El (from NY) to feel like we had left her stranded in Michigan!!! But I also didn’t want to pull over and call ahead b/c I just wanted to get to Dave’s house fast! So I just prayed that we’d get there quickly!Finally we arrived (around 40 minutes late) Dave was a good sport and even took time to give me a tour of his house. (To all the members of team penguin he did an awesome job on his surprise for his wife) And after a quick stop for gas and Tim Horton’s we were off!!!
Before I knew it we were in Michigan and on our way to pick up El. I was really excited. I had already met Dave and had heard so much about El and after months of emails I couldn’t wait to meet her in person! We arrived at the airport, parked the car and were off to find her. Just as we got off the escalator I saw El standing with this big smile on her face and a sign that read Dave & Julie. Her and Dave hugged and I said hi and was just thrilled to finally meet her, so I didn’t think it could get any better until I spotted a vending machine and had my first Payday candy bar, right there in the airport!!! We gathered all El’s stuff and were off to Hell!!!
On the way we convinced Dave to stop for lunch but couldn’t get him to go shopping (he was really anxious to get to the cabin), so no shopping for us, well unless you count the bike store. I think Dave’s long-term goals are top of mind and he just had to check out the bikes!!! I think it’s great how he’s so focused on his goals!!!
We arrived in Brighton and checked into the Main office of the Recreation Area. That was an experience (I remember El asking if she would laugh when we got to the cabin) well I wasn’t sure if we should laugh or cry when we met the ‘guy from deliverance’ as El describes it ~ and I knew we shouldn’t have asked if they had snakes!!!! After buying some shower passes we were off to find our home for the next 2 nights.
We arrived at the cabin and were quite surprised, it was in a really pretty spot and the bunk beds had mattresses not to mention how clean the cabin was. All was good till we inspected the port potties, I remember El saying something like, ‘this smells worse than a porta potty after a marathon’ LOL, it wasn’t pretty but we had a plan in place.
A few minutes’ later Nancy & Gene arrived and right away I noticed Nancy’s enthusiasm and excitement. This was going to be fun!
Then Gwen, Gary & Courtney arrived and our family was almost complete (we were missing Shannon but she would arrive in the morning) You guys if you ever get the chance to meet Gwen and her family, jump at the chance they are the best and each of them played a HUGE part in me finishing this race.
I can’t get over the feeling of comfort we all felt in the cabin, it was like we had known each other forever!
We needed to get groceries and we all hopped in Gary’s van. The grocery store was so much fun, we were honestly like kids in a candy store and I think each of us picked something special. Me and my paydays, Gary with his cinnamon rolls, Gwen and her bagels, El and her Oreos and Courtney & Gary introduced me to Ding Dongs & Twinkies and beverages Gwen & El found some caffeine enhanced water and Dave beer!!!
We dropped off our groceries and then we were off to check in at the race headquarters!!!! We saw Nancy right away and she was telling us about how the experienced racers were telling stories of past races and leeches!!!! El, Gwen and I choose to shop and bought the team some Poison ivy soap. It appears to have worked!
I was looking at these cool chairs, prizes for the top 40 teams when Dave or El I can’t remember who showed me the MEDAL!!! I was speechless; I didn’t know we would get a medal. I have never gotten a medal before and I was even more excited if that is possible!!!! Then Dave showed us our shirts and we also got hats and key chains. What could be better!!! ??? !!! I know, dinner with the Elders!!!
Gary then drove us to the Town of Hell, where we stopped for postcards and where our encounter @ The Damn Site Inn was to take place. All I can say is I loved the company & the food BUT I would have given anything to trade places with Violet that night. She was so relaxed having her beer and chatting away. I even asked her if she wanted to switch and let me volunteer (I was remembering how I felt at the conference pre race dinner, so relaxed and just excited to be there) that night I was starting to get just a little anxious. But she was happy in her volunteer role LOL...
It was a great encounter and the only bad thing besides the smoke was the fact that ALL of us left our cameras at the cabin. I got the chance to speak with Dennis and Sherry and they are such a great couple! I just hope they know how much I enjoyed their conversation. I was getting really nervous about the next day and wasn’t very good at making conversation. I must agree with Nancy, I’ve never met anyone who looked as good after a race as Sherry did!!!
The dinner ended so soon and I never did say goodbye to everyone, sorry about that.
The night back at the cabin was memorable; we all packed our stuff for the morning and then settled down for sweet dreams. But, as usual, I was too excited to sleep and we were all giggling, telling stories; as well as sharing our dreams and I don’t think any of us wanted to go to sleep yet we needed to. At one point Nancy and I got up to use our Royal toilet and somehow got locked out of the cabin! Luckily Gary opened the door for us and pretty soon we were asleep!
5:30 came way too quickly and I remember sitting straight up in my bunk, asking if we were really going to do this??? I know I had trained but I wasn’t sure if it was enough and I was scared. Nancy had the great idea of showering before the race, so her, El, Gene and I drove to the showers and had a brief moment to relax. I felt much better about the race ahead!
You know what it feels like when your prepared but then you second-guess yourself? I must have taken everything out of my race bag 50 times before I was ready to put it in the van. Thanks to Gwen I had a good pre race breakfast and before I knew it we were off. We had a few moments of panic when someone actually said the words ‘What if we don’t find Shannon
before 7:00am” but just as quickly as the words were out of our mouths, Shannon arrived and we all drove to the Start together.Shannon is a real trooper. She literally had 5 minutes to park her car, jump in the van, say hi nice to meet you all before we were pushing her out for her first leg. Luckily we were able to give her water for the run but no watch. I found her watch but wasn’t able to get her attention at the start of the run.
After we watched her take off, Gwen Courtney Gary and I drove to hell Creek Ranch to drop Courtney off with Millard & Violet. Courtney had decided last night that she would help Violet & Millard at the water station. Which was a good thing b/c the other volunteers didn’t show up. She is a great girl and I know she has a bright future ahead of her. It was a pleasure meeting her and her excitement and generosity is contagious. Something I’m sure she got from her 2 awesome parents. I think at one point I asked them to adopt me into their family as my family away from home.
Violet & Millard were busy setting up the aid stations so we pitched in and carried a few boxes and then we were off to catch Shannon finish leg 1 and Dave begin leg 2.
Shannon ran in strong and looked great. She had great time too 55mins, or less for 5 miles! I was impressed!!! Out of the 5 of us Shannon had the brightest smile all day, she was a great addition to our team and I’m very happy to have met her.
After Dave took off we got in the van to drive to the end of leg 2 and start of leg 3. Runners were already coming in and excitement & anticipation filled the air. I couldn’t wait to see Dave come in and once again I was posed with my camera.
A lot of runners had started leg 3 already and Dr KIA (know it all), (he became very intimate with our team troughout the day) told El and Sherry to start, (he was letting us cheat early)
I was happy that they got to run but was about to throw up b/c I knew in less than an hour would be my turn!!!! Once Dave [pictured at left] and Nancy ran in, I dropped my stuff and ran to the bathroom only to discover it had backed up. Gwen and I decided to face the bushes and I said one of the funniest things all day. After I answered mother natures call in the most un-lady like manner I told Gwen that this was the most relaxed I felt all day!!! She started giggling! The sense of calm lastest all of 10 minutes till Dr KIA told me that myself and 9 other runners would be starting in 3 minutes!!!!
The moment of truth was upon me and I was terrified! I was speaking to another runner who assured me that we’d be in the pack of the pack together. This was comforting until she took off like a bullet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The last thing I remember was Dave wishing me a great race and assuring me that it was okay to be last.
The first half mile was beautiful, we ran by a lake and up a hill into the forest, everything was great and I could still see the runners ahead of me but then my lungs started to burn and my breathing became difficult. I used my inhaler and walked a few minutes to catch my breath. I continued running thru some of the most beautiful trails I’ve ever seen. (don’t get me wrong, the beauty is deceptive) They were tough, but I felt peaceful and knew that my training would
help me through. They called this leg BUTT KICKER, I think it should have been named calf kicker as my calves were burning but I continued forward. I just crossed my ‘1st dangerous road crossing’ (which was deserted) only to see in the distance a pink ribbon, I got a little nervous b/c I remebered that El was following pink on leg 3 and I was folowing red, that was till I got a little closer and realized my eyes were playing tricks, it was red. I spotted some
runners up ahead and was about to pick up the pace when I noticed that the red ribbons pointed down a side trail. I decided to follow it and was glad I did, it was the right way. At least 20 runners followed me and thanked me for showing them the way. For at least 3 minutes I was running with other runners until we hit a steep down hill that they flew down and I walked. I did take a picture of their backs LOL ( I wanted to make sure they were really there LOL)A few minutes later the trail turned very narrow (maybe a foot) and I was running though MUD, I heard some other runners and stepped to the side, one girl passed me and asked if I was a volunteer and was she going the right way? I said I was running but she was faster and was welcome to pass me. She thanked me and went off.
The next girl to pass me stopped and asked if I was okay, I said great but I just needed to slow down. She asked me to shout when I made it to the end of the forest so she would know I was okay. I thought that was nice. For the next mile the runners ahead of me shouted what was coming up and I was very thankful.
I ran out of the forest and found some great biking trails, I thought of my sister and Theo and thought they would love it here. Before I knew it we were back on a uphill/downhill trail that seemed to go on forever. I was starting to lose steam and was almost out of water. I started to walk when out of know where I saw Dr. KIA, he said there she is, how’s it going? I told him okay but that this was the hardest run of my life, he just smiled and told me to keep going.
Then as if the skies had opened up and my grandmother was watching me I heard a voice and it was Gary!!!!!!! It had been an hour and I thought the trail would take me an just an hour. Gary told me I was doing great and had just less than .8 of a mile. He ran the rest of the trail with me, leading the way, encouarging me every step of the way. I really didn’t think I had anything left but I found the energy and finished the course.
I was just coming along the finish when I saw my teammates and they were shouting and clapping and taking my picture. I think Gary handed me some Gatorade but I asked for water (I hope I thanked you) and then I asked to sit down but Dave and El told me I should get back to the car and could rest on the way to leg 5?
Everyone was telling me I had done great BUT I felt sick. That was quite honestly the hardest run of my life! I have never run so hard before. I am so proud that I did it. I remember telling Glenn (the grand poohba of the TO Penguins) that I wanted to do this race because it would be the greatest physical and mental challenge I have faced and it was and I did it!!! And I’m so proud of myself!!!!!!!!!
The next few legs were a blur, we were back at Hell Creek Ranch and I chatted with Violet [pictured at right] and Courtney, ate some food and snapped some pictures. I was tired and tried to nap but I was too anxious. I was really nervous about the next leg, I was tired and hot (did I mention it was like 90 degrees, and I usually run on flat roads at 6:00am) Not on trails in the HOT sun at 2pm!!! And I had a headache! I spoke to Violet and she asked me if I was drinking which I was, TONS, so she gave me 2 tylenol’s and they worked, Thanks Violet!!!
It was about time for Gwen to come in when I noticed how dirty the runners of leg 7 were. Not just dirty BUT filled from head to toe with dirt it was almost as if they fell face first into the mud. I met one lady that did just that; I offered her some soap to clean off (she was really happy to take me up on the offer)
It was about this time that I asked Violet how far the horses were since I wanted to take a picture, she told me they were put away but one just crossed the trail and seriously one did I ran to take its picture but I only got it’s butt!!! (Imagine the things that happen in hell!!!)
Gwen was back and Gary had met Shannon and El had just left BUT we still hadn’t found Dave. I was really starting to worry about him, we talked to Millard and once again he paged Dr. KIA. (our new best friend)
El was leg 8 and I was LEG 9 called swoosh, so I was soon off- Nancy came running up to me and told me that I was going with Gene to Leg 9 and Gary was going to take them to leg 10. Sorry if this part is confusing to read, I was confused participating;) I reminded them that Gary was looking for Dave. So I think at that time we all piled into Dennis’s car and Gene
drove us to the next leg. Marcus and I got out and waited for El and Sherry to come back.Did I mention it was HOT! It was a neat break. They had 2 people dressed up as the devil and Queen devil meeting the runners as they finsihed!!! We were in Hell again and I must mention that this porta potty was heavenly, I even said to the next girl in line, you won’t believe it but this one smells like Roses!!!
I met Marcus in the shade and I asked him why we couldn’t be doing this in the Fall? He reminded me that it was fall and we chuckled about that! It seemed like hours we were waiting, but it was more like minutes.
Out of nowhere the Queen Devil came up to us and told us that our patience was rewarded and gave us a pair of socks (The race was giving out socks to people wearing a special trail shoe but we lucked out) I thanked her and she then told me that I needed to remember that I sold my sole to the devil LOL
At this point I met Dr KIA and I asked about Dave. It had been 2 hours and there was still no sign of him. I was really getting worried and then I couldn’t find El, I just hoped the rest of our team was safe. He suggested that Marcus and I start but Marcus wanted to wait. I waited a few minutes and then told Marcus that I was going on ahead, because I was slower then him
and could use the head start.Leg 9 started out on the road, it was hot so I played a game. I ran in the shade and walked in the sun. On reflection I’m not sure what my logic was. I think 2 miles in I found an ultra runner. His name was Les and I had met him at the check in point at Hell Creek Ranch. He didn’t look so good so I asked him if I could walk with him. He said sure and we had a great
talk. He has been running for 9 years and told me this was his worst race, and he just hoped he could finish, he was already an hour passed his best time and had gotten stung 5 times!!!Marcus passed us and I asked him to tell my team that I was walking. Shortly after a cyclist came speeding by, he almost knocked us both off our feet and this was the first time I swore on the race. (Dave you were right, the race does make you swear!) Les told me he was awake now and we continued down the hill. Surprisingly the cyclist was at the bottom and apologized to us.
A few minutes later Les said he was going to slow down and for me to go on ahead. I didn’t want to leave him but I was walking too fast and he wanted to be alone. We would have parted a few minutes later b/c his trail and mine changed directions. It was at this point that I got lost. I couldn’t figure out which way to go. I estimated that I had a mile left and just kept walking 5 mins. in each direction BUT no orange ribbons. I did this a few times and asked a cyclist if they saw orange ribbons up ahead, they said they did so I continued onwards BUT I couldn’t find any. I went back to where I first got lost and honestly felt like sitting down for a good cry!!! This pity party lasted all of 30 seconds when I realized that I would be worrying my team and disappointing myself. So off I walked. I found what I thought was orange paint and
followed it. I started to recognize some trail from leg 4 and followed it. Within minutes, I found the finish or so I thought.I found the van and fell to the grass only to discover that Dave was back BUT Gary was out looking for me. I went running off to find him and was calling out his name only to find LES and GARY. Imagine that? a runner finding the rescuer!!! We showed Les the way to the finish and wished him well and ran over to the check in point.
And then we were off. I asked whose leg it was and everyone replied 12. GREAT 12 was my next leg LOL
Leg 12 was my shortest leg 2.1 miles and the prettiest, it had a little bit of everything. I was making good time and then I slowed down my pace. I knew the race for me was almost over and I wanted to savour the time left. I was so proud of myself, I had faced my fears and I had WON! I couldn’t help thinking that my half marathon in October would be a cinch compared to this!!! Before I knew it I heard a car and I was out of the trails and found Gary, Nancy &
Shannon, they were honking the car horn and I was so happy to be finished.The race gets a little confusing here. We had dropped off so many of our runners that we were just trying to find everyone where everyone was. When we located everyone, we all gathered at the finish line to wait for El, she was running leg 15.
Team "Dirty Penguins" crosses the 2002 Dances With Dirt finish line together!This was the best and most memorable part of the race. We saw El running across the open field and all got up to run in with her. This is what Dances With Dirt is all about ~ unconditional friendship and support! It was awesome crossing the finish line!!! Not to mention
getting my first medal! I wore that medal for the next 48 hours proudly!!! I can’t even put in to words how much I’ll treasure this medal!After taking a million photos of both teams we sat down to eat pizza. I remember thinking that that was the best food I had ever tasted and I don’t even like mushrooms!!!!!
We said our goodbyes to Sherry and Dennis and Steve and Marcus and of course Shannon and went back to the cabin.
To my team thanks for having me, you all hold a special place in my heart! You made my first big race magical and I can never thank you all enough!!!!
We might have travelled to Hell and this crazy race as Strangers but we all left as FAMILY!
You can bet I’ll be there next year!
Hugs,
Julie
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