August 12, 2006

WE MADE IT

Yes, I know it looks like my girls are propping me up, but they’re not really . And yes, my fingers are swollen like sausages. But we made it — all three of us — my girls on the 5 Peaks  sport course, and me on the enduro. And it was hard, hard, hard, I tell you! And waaaay more technical than I could have imagined. But boy was it ever fun!! I am so hooked on this sport — wish I had found it in my 20s. Still, taking it up one’s … er *squeezes eyes shut* …. 40s … can’t be too bad. You should have seen some of the old guys . Nice to have role models for the years to come.

Woke up at 5 a.m.. Drove two hours to Cypress Mountain, where the swirling curtains of mist were thick and, well, threatening. I was convinced I was going to get lost in the forested mountains, at least for a couple of days. It was cold too — winter cold. The ground muddy. And treacherous – with a latticework of slick, exposed, and tangled roots, rotten bridges, rolling rocks, and elevation gains that felt as if I was climbing 20 stories straight up in places. Because seriously, I couldn’t run those sections. Nor walk them. ‘Climb’ was the operative word.

One guy went down in front of me, hurt his ankle badly, and needed portage out. I nearly fell three times. And that basically set my race strategy. I so did not want a broken leg — my real goal is the marathon in October, and this was supposed to be a training run. So I paced it slow, and thoroughly enjoyed it, in spite of the lung-busting and thigh-burning climbs. I imagine the West Coast trail must be like this in places. In other sections, I felt as though I’d slipped through a time warp into a Lord of the Rings world.

And nope. Did not come last — close though . DD#2, however, “podiumed” as they say in these parts – she was awarded a medal for third place in her age category!! So I was one proud mamma. My sister came to cheer us on, after which we all went for a decadent lunch — ‘us girls’ had a truly special day. (Where was DH? Does one really need to ask? He’s away fishing, of course)

More than you ever needed to know, eh?. Will stick to writing-related news tomorrow. Maybe

1. On August 12th, 2006 at 9:20 pm
   Bailey Stewart Says:
   

   Congratulations Loreth! You did it – I’m proud of you.

   And congrats to DD#2 – I bet you were bursting with pride on that one.

   Go rest now – you deserve it. And then start training again on Monday for the next one.

2. On August 13th, 2006 at 2:06 pm
   Toni Says:
   

   that is so cool! congratulations Incredible female showing. I hope dh got a whopper!!

3. On August 13th, 2006 at 2:37 pm
   Bailey Stewart Says:
   

   Isn’t that kind of personal Toni?

4. On August 13th, 2006 at 3:04 pm
   Loreth Says:
   

   Er .. Toni???

5. On August 13th, 2006 at 6:00 pm
   Bailey Stewart Says:
   

   

6. On August 14th, 2006 at 3:50 pm
   meretta Says:
   

   I’m thinking Toni means a FISH.

   Congrats, Loreth!! Excellent, excellent showing. Congrats to the two DDs, too!

7. On August 14th, 2006 at 8:14 pm
   Loreth Says:
   

   She’s not going to start talking about ‘tiddlers’ again, is she??

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