“If you build the guts to do something, anything, then you better save enough to face the consequences.” ~Criss Jami
“You made it into the Rut 50K! Immediate Reply Needed,” screamed a new email in my inbox. “Yeah right, very funny!” was my immediate thought as I pondered my pathetic, broken, out-of-shape self. Fast forward three days and I am now registered for said 50K!
What?!? How did that happen? What would possess a seemingly rational person to register for a 50K happening in a little over 5 weeks away when they have done jack poo for the last 2 months? We’re not talking just any little 50K here, but The Rut 50K – a serious Montana mountain run with 10,000 feet of elevation gain described as EXTREMELY STEEP & TECHNICAL with sections of exposure and potential rockfall hazard.
Okay so I haven’t been exactly doing nothing these past few months, I’ve been hiking and cycling and climbing and yoga-ing and working my butt off rehabbing my knee. I just haven’t been doing a whole lot of running.
I responded to the “You made it into the Rut 50K!” email with a, “I need a few days to decide,” and then drove straight up to Snowbird to run up 11,000-foot Hidden Peak and assess the hopelessness of my situation.
And well what happened was the most glorious run of my entire life – we’re talking multiple baby moose sightings, the most amazing wildflower display I have ever seen, some decent uphill running ability to both Hidden Peak and Baldy for nearly 4,000 feet of gain, and well a post-runner’s high distorted view of my capabilities which ultimately led to my registering for The Rut.
I am psyched! This will be my first ultra post-FAI surgery and I think The Rut is a good choice since it will involve a lot of hiking. Over the past week, I have hike/ran 35 miles with over 12,000 feet of climbing so I think I am in better shape than I thought!
The plan is to hike like a madwoman these next three weeks and then take two relatively chill weeks while traveling to Wisconsin and California over Labor Day week with the main focus on recovery including, but not limited to ice baths, foam rolling, cherry juice drinking, yoga, glutes PT, Epson Salt baths, and good quality sleep. Yay!
I could care less about a particular goal for this race other than to finish, not fall off the mountain, and have a swell time! I was number 50 or so on the waitlist, having registered in March when I was feeling optimistic, so I am thrilled to have the opportunity to participate and run on such a beautiful course!