Promise Land 50K Race Report

by Jeannie Craig (aka "Hay Burner"), first-timer

I have to start by saying that at one time, I never would have imagined I'd be taking part in such an event.  After the P.E. requirement ended in high school, I did not move my body at all from age 15 to 29.  I have decided that genetically I have the "Lazy Cupcake Gene".  This is the part of me that likes to sit on the couch and eat Ho-Ho's until the package is empty.  This is what I

did for 14 years of my life.

After having my second son, however, the old metabolism just wasn't what it used to be.  I realized I needed to either buy a whole new wardrobe or join a gym. Looking at the pudgy babooshkas in my family tree made me realize I didn't want to head down that road, so I joined a gym.  My first day, I set the treadmill at 4.8 mph and huffed and puffed (yes, this was running pace for me at the time) for 10 minutes.  I thought I would die on that machine, but I vowed that I would attain physical fitness 

One thing led to another, and after a while, I started doing 5K's.  In 2002, I met Sabrina Willis.  She had just started Women in Motion in Bedford, an all-ladies running group.  I started going every Sunday.  She told me I was a strong runner and could be really good at it.  Sabrina died before she ever had a chance to see me run my first 10K, half-marathon or marathon, but I always thought of her in these races.  Whenever I felt tired, I'd hear her in my mind saying, "You can do it!" and keep on.  It was her dream that women would empower themselves through physical fitness.   I race in my Sabrina's Dream shirt all the time for motivation.

Then a friend told me about these races that were LONGER than the marathon.  Why on earth would anyone want to do those?  Then my friend told me about the food at the aid stations.  What?  They have cookies, candy and CUPCAKES???  Oh yes, I think I could get into that kind of race.  But which one to do?  There was no question in my mind... Promise Land 50K.  Yes, it's tough but I thought I could get in under the cutoff and get to see that spectacular mountain scenery to boot.  Promise Land it would be.

The Highlights of Promise Land 2006 for me...

Singing the National Anthem.  Even though I sing every week at church as the music minister, somehow when I turned and faced 200 runners, my heart started pounding.  I am surprised no one could hear it.  I think my heart pounded harder during the the anthem than at any point in the race.  But it was so cool... as soon as I hit the last note, everyone let out such a cheer.  I tell you it might as well have been the Superbowl - that's how honored I felt to sing for all these great people.  Thank you, David Horton, for letting me sing it.  It was a really special way to start my first ever ultra.

Running in the rain.  When it was really heavy, it wasn't too fun... but I kept repeating my mantra, "I will not be weak!" and somehow that made it all seem better.  Plus, it makes for a really good story

Getting to run with my friends Anita (aka "Runamaniac"), her husband Jay and Carter (aka "Zipper") - although Carter went on ahead of us after about 8 miles.  She was looking awesome.

Seeing Steve Bozeman on the trail and getting to talk to him for a while.  My husband used to work with him years ago.  It was neat to be doing an ultra with him, when years ago I could not have imagined ever being strong enough to do one.  (I must confess, years ago I also thought he was crazy for doing these endurance events... but now I finally understand.)

Coming down the mountain for the final few miles and having Jay tell me I'm a good trail runner.  I did feel good on the downhill.  I guess I should thank God for my strong quads.

Jay being gracious and letting Anita and I run in together holding hands ahead of him.

The only point in the race where I started to wish I was somewhere else was climbing up the Apple Orchard Falls trail.  Then I started singing, "Climb Every Mountain" to myself in my head.  It was the perfect pace song and it perfectly summed up my day...

Climb every mountain

Search high and low (for some decent footing)

Follow every byway

Every path you know (and some that you don't)

Climb every mountain

Ford every stream (yup, been there, done that today!)

Follow every rainbow

'Til you find your dream (as in Sabrina's Dream – what other shirt would I wear today?)

I am so glad I did not let the weather forecast deter me from coming because it turned out to be a wonderful day with wonderful people... and another score for Jeannie in her Battle of the Lazy Cupcake Gene.