The G Running Diary

Javelina: Yeah, Lucinda: 11/20/04

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We still hurried along, and as we got to the start/finish, everyone asked (as they had done throughout) "Where's Lucinda??" And we happily replied, "Right behind us!" Once again, Don gathered things she needed, and Dave Combs got ready to do the last loop with Lucinda. So now we could relax. The hard part was done. We had three hours to do a loop that we knew could be done faster. Dave had even timed it for himself. The loop followed the regular course uphill and then at the first aid station cut off down the middle, with a gradual downhill. I was looking forward to it. Vicki DeVita had been with us on part of the 6th loop. She started the final loop with us. She had been worried about the time, but we convinced her that she was on a good pace. When she hit the downhill section, she took off! That's a good way to finish a 100. We stayed ahead of Lucinda and Dave, but always within their sight. I was a little worried that they might be too casual. We didn't want a dramatic finish. But Dave knew what he was doing. The volunteers at the last aid station were a happy bunch. They seemed to share the excitement of finishing.

I figured I could run on the downhill Tonto Tank Trail (I like the name). My feet really hurt. My toes had passed beyond bad toenail pain, and my heels felt like knives were jabbing them in the middle of the underneath part. I thought the sooner I could finish, the sooner this pain would stop. Of course, there was hip, knee, and butt pain, but the memory of that all fades almost instantly. When we reached the bottom, the trail intersected back with the Pemberton Trail, which was our way home. Don said, "Let's wait here." I was confused. Couldn't we sort of wait around the finish line or something? I wanted off my feet more than anything. We sat on a log and waited. I cried for my feet, but then that was over and I smiled again. We were going to finish this thing with Lucinda, and we had enough time that we didn't have to panic. It was a good feeling.

The finish line came up quicker than I expected. Lucinda was quietly thrilled to bits. She had worked hard for this, for a long time. She told me, "I've waited 12 years for this." So now it was all worthwhile, for all of us. We crossed the finish together and the small group receiving us was happy and crying at the same time. We eventually ambled over to the food area and ate whatever. I sat on the ground in the sun, which felt good and got those shoes and socks off my feet. Really ugly! I told Don to take a picture for John Vonhof's ugly feet contest, but I don't think it came out.

After hanging around as long as we could, we followed Karen to the place where she was staying so we could borrow her shower. We also took a little nap before heading off to the airport. We found Rich and Louise waiting for their flight, so we had food and chatted with them. Rich is very easy to get along with, and seems more normal in person than in his writing (well, except for the black body paint, but that was all washed off by then). Everything went smoothly again with our flight and return to San Jose. Before we knew it, we were home.