My alarm was set to go off at 6:30am; however for some ultra related reason I was awake by 6am. Going back to sleep was not an option. I was scared that if I added 5 or even 20 more minutes I might miss the 2nd annual G.O.A.T.z Gravel Classic. I was honoured to have my coach for the day, Alicia Shoemaker. I also had my wonderful girlfriend, Caitlin Shoemaker, as my race mom. We were set to go.
We plugged in the address to Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch and headed off. When I heard the GPS lady say, "Your destination is on the left", I looked around and only saw a cornfield. I started to panic. Caitlin calmly said, "lets call Alicia, she knows Nebraska well." Alicia figured out the address and we were on our way again. As an act of assurance, I put the correct address in my GPS and also gave my friend Tim a call. Tim assured me that we were going the right direction. Promptly after talking to Tim, I looked on my left and saw a lot of cars. I was at the race, with 20 minutes to spare before the start.
I began my normal pre-race ritual. I checked in and paid the pooper potty a proper visit for good luck and a happy stomach. After pinning on my number, I knew I was ready for my first 60km.
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| It's getting hot in here |
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| Asengicibhe! |
When the race began I noticed that my watch was off and every one is excited to race. The race started right when I was fumbling to turn on my GPS to track my run. When I looked up I realized I was in the back of the pack. It was time to dance. I ripped my shirt off and threw it at Caitlin. As I tried to catch up I remembered my mantra, "Run your own race P.S." These words enforce the Pasche way. I relaxed my pace as I wished other runners the best. Soon I was in the fourth position. I looked ahead and saw three guys flying. A debate erupted in my head, "go get them" to "relax" to "sprint, catch them" to "save your energy". I decided to keep them in sight till the first loop to see if they were doing the 60km.
By mile six, I was in third place and dancing to my music. I marveled at the rolling hills in front of me and remembered the tempo runs that we used to do at college. I missed the gravel roads and the encouragement midwest drivers shouted as they drove past. Even though the gravel roads were not busy, about 90% of the drivers were smiling and cheering me on.
While soaking the views laid before me, I noticed only one runner was in sight. I picked up the pace with the goal of catching up to him. Fortunately, enlightenment came to me before I did much damage to myself. I remembered that he might be doing the 30km. I relaxed and went for a bathroom break and continued. At mile 12, I skipped filling up my water bottle thinking, "I am a camel, I can go on without water." By mile 15 I was starting to feel thirsty. My prayers were answered when a truck stopped and asked if I needed food or water. "Oranges" I shouted. I grabbed two quarters, took off and shouted, "Thank you!" Those oranges felt great. I even forgot to refill the water bottle. I was not worried because I was close to finishing the first loop.
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| Where are they? |
The oranges powered me through the first loop. I was feeling great and looking forward to start the second loop. As I was finishing the loop, I saw Caitlin and Alicia and felt like a professional/elite ultra runner as they ran towards me with stuff I might need for my next loop. I quickly gave Alicia my water bottle to fill and grabbed more cliff gels and cliff blocks. I found the two guys I kept in sight relaxing at the finish line.
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| Loop number 2. Yasuka futsi |
Feeling replenished, I took off feeling great and knowing the course now. I met the orange truck again and got more oranges. I think I will find an orange sponsor. I continued to run the second loop, I wished some one was biking by my side, because I started to feel a little bit lonely. I decided to focus on the music and think of myself dancing. So, the gravel roads became my performance stage. The music kept me company. I started to compare this race to life. I thought, Sometimes you are alone, but you have to keep doing what you love. Do not stop just because no one is looking. I continued to dance on the gravel carpet that laid under my feet on my dancing shoes. At mile 25, I filled my water bottle and felt a minor crap on my right hamstring. I brushed it off thinking I scared it away. At mile 31 while running up hill, I felt something grabbing my hamstring. I stopped and stretched it. It felt better. While focusing on my hamstring, my right arm started to cramp too. I had to run with the water bottle on my left hand. It felt weird but I was just happy that I was moving. I was praying for the finish line by now because I did not have my iodine pills with me.
With about 5 miles to go, fatigue was settling in. For the next 30 seconds all my tough workouts and mantras came to mind and pushed me to go on. My favourite mantra was, "Hello fatigue. Where have you been? I have been looking for you since I started this race. Come on now, lets go. We will do this together." I pulled out one more cliff gel. The gel helped to balance the relationship with fatigue. We continued to run, me and fatigue. About 2 miles to go, I told myself, "One step at a time Otono! Do not slow down." Even though I could feel my body slowing down, these mantras made me feel as if I was flying. I imagined burgers, sweet potato fries, and cherries. Food was the mantra I used to finish. Again, the RD heard my prayers, I found Cherries at the finish line. I was done and ready to demolish that food that helped me finish the race.
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| DONE!!!!! |
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| I want food |
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| I did it!! Awesome! |
I hardly listen to my body, but sometimes it's impossible to ignore its voice. When Butt told me to take some time off, I ignored him. He was persistently waving his finger in my face and I ended up taking 3 days off. No running or gym, I just ate, worked and slept.. After three days I came back with the mentality that I had to catch up for the three days I had lost. I started hard, my eyes were glued to my Garmin making sure the pace kept increasing. My butt contacted his best friend Knee. Knee simply shut me down. There was no way I could have ignored him. I cross trained for four weeks and tried coming back slowly. Knee, without raising his voice, warned me that I was playing with fire. I had to stop pushing and reflect about this past year-
I am not happy that I have to stop running for now. However, this chance to reflect on the wonderful adventure I have had so far allows me to set accurate goals and who knows how far I will go when I return. As for now, one day at time till my recovered body can run. I patiently wait for October 1st! 
