West Virginia Mountain Trail Runners
A Mountain State of Running
10 Reasons why I shouldn’t run the 41m Highlands Sky Trail Race ever again:
11 Reasons why I’ll be back to run the 41m Highlands Sky Trail Race next year:
here’s my two cents:
“I finished!” That’s my sentiment as I sit to write this race report on Thursday. It’s amazing that a few short days ago I was traipsing the wilderness known as Dolly Sods. For some it may seem a rather simple, yet profound statement, “I finished.” For me, it meant three years of watching and waiting to run again. Between back pain that haunted me for months and 2 c-sections, I didn’t know if I would set foot on the Highland Sky course again. With many prayers and the Lord looking over me, I began my comeback after my second child, Sarah, was born. I still struggled with back pain after my first baby, Daniel. I just didn’t know if I would be able to see what I had previously seen for the four years that I ran Highland Sky. I could vaguely remember how beautiful everything was but to actually be in the moment made this year even better.
Don’t let me knock being an aid station worker. I truly enjoyed that experience as well, giving back to the run, that has made my life better and richer than before. Did I mention that my first year of Highland Sky, I met my amazing husband? The first year of the run, he was volunteering, as was I. Fast forward 9 years and I was back to run my 5th Highlands after training with my two young children. They had many a training run (and naps) in our double stroller complete with their fruit and cracker snacks and juice cups.
So that leads me into the actual race report. I loved the beauty of the mountain laurels growing. Seeing the mist as I approached Roaring Plains Trail. Following the markers out to the road. Seeing the vast stretching of the road across the sky. Being lead into the meadows past Aid Station #6 to be greeted by the large rocks that peer down over the Valley. Somehow this year those rocks didn’t seem so big. Maybe I was better trained than I thought? I hit the Butt Slide section with gusto and slammed Freeland Road. That last little section between the church and the Resort still didn’t seem short though. I heard the voice of my friends, Adam and Bradley, telling me to keep running. It was another incredible moment in my life to top the hill at the very end and run into the finish with the voices of my many friends calling out for me as I crossed the finish.
Thanks Dan and all the volunteers for another incredible year. I will be back. I hope not as long as last time!
Jennifer
Dan was explicit in his Highland Sky details that ” no pets will be allowed on the course”. But, it seemed that someone had a “horse in this race”. Actually, it was a pony, and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a pet, or service animal, for any of my fellow trail runners. Just after the first aid station, an ecstatic , recently liberated, (I think) colt joined the lead pack on the trail. Being a natural pack animal, the comraderie in that single file procession of trail lemmings looked like the perfect ticket out of Laneville. A few runners, probably from our nearby urban areas, looked a little nervous as the pony seemed intent on holding pace and feasting on the treats at AS #2. A runner, who I will just call “Laura”, turned to me and asked, ” is that your pony?”. I could only respond, “no, but I am missing a chicken”. As I grew up with equine, and knowing my horse women wife was in the field, I did feel it was my duty to take action. This trail was big enough for multiple species, but the switch backs were just ahead- I just need to snag that lunge line and end pony’s escapade. ( I’m pretty sure his owner was a little concerned as well ). I maneuvered over the lunge line and grabbed it on my first attempt. Unfortunately, I didn’t notice the runner between me and “my friend Flicka”, and inflicted an unintentional rope wedgie , so I quickly loosened the lunge line and freed that front runner. After reining in the unregistered beast and tying him off on a tree, I rejoined my friends on the trail. I really didn’t think much about my actions , but I did notice that later in the day runners referred to me as ” My Little Pony” , “Star Bright”, and “Misty of Dolly Sods”. Anyway, the drama subsided and the day was spectacular. I’ll be back next year for the 10th as a grand master ( what’s with these fluffy old guy divisions ?) Does that mean I have to play chess with Dan? Giddy up!
Highlights of my Seventh Highlands Sky 40 on June 18, 2011
1. Having confidence at the start line for a strong race, not just a mere finish.
2. Seeing my friends running and helping at the race. It’s always about the people.
3. Noticing kazillions of Mountain Laurels along the tough and beautiful course.
4. Enduring a blow to my right side (rib area) early in the race, and being able to continue with plan B. Good thing that I didn’t fall harder!
5. Running most of the road-across-the-sky—making it seem a lot shorter than earlier years.
6. Finishing. I now have four finishes and three DNFs—more finishes than not!
Special thanks to Beth Weisenborn who immediately after witnessing my fall, uttered the words, “tough broad.” Encouragers need to be encouraged as well. I don’t know you well at all, yet you had just the right words for me at the most critical time. I was also moved to read Joanne Fenninger’s report, briefly hear Marty Lindemann’s experience, and witness Diane Taylor racing toward the finish line! What a day!