The G Running Diary

And then What?: 10/16/04

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The way back was nice and easy. Not to say there weren't slightly unpleasant moments. A fifty miler is never easy. But the way home always seems easier than the way out. In this case it truly was more downhill than uphill. That was a good thing because it was a little slow-going for me on the uphills. But on flat or down I was just fine. I was enjoying the day out. We were not concerned with any time goal at all, except the final cutoff.

We saw some of our favorite people again at the aid stations on the way back. It was tempting to linger for a while just to catch up. Many people asked about Don and the Bear 100, saying we were crazy. I just kept saying that I didn't do it, so he was the crazy one.

When we arrived at the Skyline Gate aid station, to see Tropical John and Lisa again (hopefully) there they were, making grilled cheese sandwiches. I'd forgotten, this was my favorite ultra food! I don't know exactly how they make them at aid stations, but they taste way better than any I've made at home.

We arrived at the Lake in what seemed like no time. There is a paved path around the lake, where we began to encounter more people out walking or running. I always like this part, when an older couple asks, "how far did you run?" and I get to say, "fifty miles." The incredulous "FIFTY MILES?" is one of the little extras I appreciate from ultrarunning.

The other thing to appreciate is that after we finished we got burgers and whatever else we could eat. Food is good. We hung out for a while with friends and smiled about our day-long run. Don admitted that he had changed his mind about running a marathon the next day, so we drove home together instead.