4/8/2023 0 Comments Decembers song buddy greene![]() Last weekend, I learned that there is more to volunteering at a race than handing out food and drink and medals. In the end, I was sunburnt and dehydrated but was glad I stayed with my friend. So, we finished the remainder of the first 7.5-mile loop, together and pretty much hiked the remaining 7.5. ![]() I decided that it would be a better idea to accompany her and catch up instead of racing (I use that term loosely). It has been more than a year since I've seen her. She's the one who broke her ankle last year at Bandera. I changed my mind when I caught up to my trail BFF, Louisa. I had planned to race the course as a measure of where I was pace-wise with previous attempts. The pollen made my eyes and nose run and the humidity ensured I was a sodden mess after 2 miles. I got most of the "full experience" out there. I met up with a lot of friends and reacquainted myself with the sea-level, hard-packed trails. It was among the first "live" running events since Texas reopened after the pandemic closed the state. The reason: the Mesquite Fire trail race. I returned to the Rio Grande Valley this past weekend to reconnect with friends and the place where my trail-running career began. I am planning to tackle this one again next year because the loops aren't too long or awful and it's just an all-ou good time. But, it was uplifting to see friends along the way during the out and backs, that it was hard to contemplate quitting (which I never did). The weather was wicked humid and unseasonably warm, which beat us down on the second loop. I introduced my crew to Orly and Kathy (Hundo and Babe), who also finished the 50-miler. Maria finished her first (and possibly only) 50-miler with a smile on her face. Vivian drove us, cooked for us, anticipated what we needed, while Rebecca flitted about, filling bottles, delivering food and drink and just being amazing. It helped that we had an amazing support crew in Vivian and Rebecca. Running at sea level is a wholly different experience and one that I prefer almost anytime. It went well, despite my not-so-great training. According to my watch, it was 28.56 miles, so it was more of a 50K than a marathon, but who's counting? I finished my first marathon on Saturday.
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