Summertime bliss continues to dominate life here in the mountains. Although as usual, I don't feel like I have enough time, who can really complain about so much hiking, lake swimming and time with friends? Responsibility has taken a back seat this week, which actually makes my guilt-alarms blare with regular frequency. I'm trying to drown them out with loud music.
Andrew and I are headed out of town this weekend for two weeks back in Minnesota to see family and friends. Before we load up the Subaru with climbing gear and dogs, I'm hoping to squeeze in two more posts: one about the gear I used for TRT, and one about the incredible backpacking trip I just did in Yosemite. I'm crossing my fingers that I find time to get those up, and then after that it could get pretty quiet around here for a while.
In the meantime, I have to share the following picture. I ran across it yesterday on Facebook and hooted for joy (and utter amusement) when I saw it.
Jenny and Donald give me the pit-crew pedicure while I live it up.
Remember in my race report when I compared my crew to Nikki Kimball's? I arrived at Tunnel Creek at mile 61 with some decent blisters on both pinky toes. I also wasn't feeling so hot, and I'll confess, I knew good and well that it was going to be a sufferfest to the end. I started to worry a little less about my time, and mustered some stalwart determination to enjoy myself. I decided it would be worth the time to stop and have the blisters dealt with, and if it's not clear from the photo, I was thoroughly enjoying myself.
In many ways this picture sums up my race experience. It could be said that things weren't going perfectly for me. However, I was in an amazing setting, doing something I loved, and surrounded by a fun and dedicated crew who gave me unquestioning support (and dealt with some seriously gross feet). I felt like a complete rockstar, and I ate it up.
Of the (at least) four people who helped me with the feet issues, only Donald was officially part of my crew. But I felt like they were all there just for me. That Tunnel Creek gang - they're pretty awesome.
Tunnel Creek wasn't the only place I experienced the rockstar treatment either. At every aid station there were volunteers and friends doing things for me and telling me how awesome I was doing and how great I looked. Even though I was pretty certain they were all lying to me, I loved it, and it made me feel great.
I have to thank Andy especially for draining the blisters, and taking that picture. You may notice that not only was I stuffing my face while all this was going on, but I was also jabbering away non-stop about how I felt like I was getting a pedicure at a fancy spa. One of the things I'd asked for was a picture of the moment, but everyone was too busy cleaning my feet. Or so I thought!
Looking at that picture makes me smile and laugh. It also makes me feel so lucky to have had the support of amazing folks like Donald, Jenny, Andy and JoAnn. Thanks, guys!
Tunnel Creek at mile 67: Jenny, JoAnn, me, and Olga, still having fun!
