Tuesday, August 27, 2013

The bear and the maiden's fair


Yeah, i am totally providing you with a soundtrack to this post.  You're Welcome.

So, i mentioned a while back that i had to pull out of the North Country Marathon.  My training has been ok, but definitely not marathon worthy, and probably not so great for what would have been the hardest marathon i ever attempted.  So i cried a lot and laid around depressed at my failures.  But then Nina tweeted me.  She had a bib for the half that she would not be able to use.


Now, as an unwaivering rule-follower, this was the first time i ever ran under someone elses bib.  I felt dirty and reckless and i loved it.  I apologize, North Country, that i broke your rules to do this, but it is just that amazing of a race, that it can make a girl a little crazy.  So i ducked out of work early, and went to Michigan.

Because Maggie was also doing the half, we were able to drive up together, effectively making it a #gingerroadtrip.  Our main concerns going into this were mostly lack of trail running experience and fear of bears.  Thats right.  There was a bear attack near the race last week (If you read the news, it was that girl who was running at night near Cadillac)  But the race assured us of their bear policy, and we didn't encounter a bear the entire weekend.
Pre-race
We both had a very laid back approach to the race, so the lack of stress led to a great time, and a lot of laughs.  We illegally parked, and had plenty of time before the race started.  The start of the race was a little chaotic, as a couple hundred people tried to share space and time on a single track trail.  After a couple miles, people were somewhat organized according to pace, and by the first aid station, it was smooth sailing.
The first glorious aid station.  
Those aid stations by the way?  More like party stations.  They had EVERYTHING.  Blueberries, watermelon, trail mix, PB&J's.  And the nicest people.  Seriously Michigan, you blow my mind.
Photographing rando's as they ran down the hill
Being the most beautiful race either of us had ever run, we both decided to aim for a personal worst and took many photography breaks.  Sadly, the pictures do the course NO justice.  There just aren't words.
By far my favorite photo from the day.  Not just because we were a mere half a mile from the finish, or because its the most god damn beautiful view i have ever seen, but because as we were trying to figure out how to take selfies DURING the race, another runner stopped, and offered to take our picture for us.  Seriously!  That is SO Michigan!
We ran into super speedy Erica at the finish!!  Ginger sandwich!
As we approached the finish, i felt fantastic.  Something about the whole set up of the race made me wish i would have just attempted the full (guaranteed i would have been kicking trees and threatening squirrels by mile 20.)  There were also a bunch of signs leading up to a proposal at the finish line.  So sweet.

So honestly, what can i say about this race.

It's hilly and hard.  But it's the kind of hard that makes you feel alive.  For the past few months i have been this scared, angry shell of a person, and for the first time in a while, as i ran this race, i felt calm.  I felt so peaceful, and satisfied, and alive.  And aside from about five minutes we thought we were lost and i panicked, i didn't feel scared or anxious.  It was amazing.  I am fairly certain that Michigan is the cure for everything.  This was my first trail race, and i really want to run more.  It has everything i love about races.  It's quiet, there aren't many people or spectators, and lots of shade.  How did i not figure this out sooner??

Honestly, North County Run is an amazing experience, and you should try to squeeze it in at least once in your life.  You won't regret it.  And if you do, you can console yourself with your giant, plate sized medal that is large enough to eat a meal off of.  
#GingersinTheWoods  #WeWon



23 comments:

  1. Congrats on the awesome race experience!

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  2. This makes me HAPPY! If I've learned anything this year, it's that there's nothing quite like trail races. They have everything I love (all the foodz!) And nothing I don't (crowds and expensive parking and CROWDS).

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    1. We seriously left my car on the side of the road because we were confused, and returned to a note asking for a $5 parking donation. Asking- not demanding! #somichigan

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  3. Looks like a fun race, I really need to do some more trail runs too!

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  4. CONGRATULATIONS!!! Looks like such an incredible race!!! So glad that you had such a great time!!!

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  5. Aww, I love how calm and at peace this race made you feel! ahhh! I love running on trails. They do so much to center you! :)

    What a fun trip for you guys! I am happy your friend had a bib (#3333? I love 3s!) that you could use and still enjoy this race. Was the marathon medal the same? Those are epic!! :)

    And LOVE LOVE LOVE the food at trail races! I think the potatoes are what got me through my ultra feeling so good. NOMZ.

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  6. Oh, this looks so fun. I know what you mean about being scared/angry -- I have not been myself with all of this moving around, and I feel happiest out in the woods nearly tripping on tree roots. Congrats!

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  7. I don't know what Michigan puts in their air, but when I was running trails there this summer on vacation I just had this huge smile plastered on my face. Must be something about getting out of the craziness of the city.

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  8. I love how you love Michigan!!!

    This race sounds like so much fun- add some booze next time and I'm in.

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  9. this is an amazing race recap! love that you were about to switch to the half and enjoy the scenes :)

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  10. Man, I swear every blog post in August has Michigan somewhere in it, but with views like that (who knew Michigan was so hilly?) I can see why. Got to go to Michigan sometime next summer!

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    1. I think it's just you & me who aren't hitting Michigan this summer (although I'm more of a Wisconsin girl personally... I just haven't spent much time in MI).

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  11. I'm cracking up at the idea of a Personal Worst - I definitely need to find a race to do that at :) And Michigan IS the cure for everything! They have beautiful scenery, nice people and lots and lots of beer!

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  12. I really like the ending to the post, one because it make me thing of shakira (roar - It's hilly and hard. But it's the kind of hard that makes you feel alive)
    And two, how it has helped you feel relaxed and calm, which is really huge. I hope you keep finding this peace!

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  13. I think I have to try a Michigan race :) I love races that inspire you even when you're not in the best of moods, and make you look at the positive no matter what. :)

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  14. That medal is awesome! Congrats on the race!

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  15. Michigan is amazing. It's definitely my happy place. And I'm so glad we were able to run the race together! I don't know if I would have had nearly as much fun alone. I'm guessing no. I would have been kicking trees and theatening squirrels and like ... mile 8.

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  16. That medal is HUGE!!! Glad that you found a bib and a road trip buddy. The race course looked beautiful.

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  17. looks amazing, I am glad no bear encounters

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  18. This sounds like it was such a great experience! I would love to do a trail race like this in the future. Baby Wilson road trip?! :)

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  19. I was there in Manistee, attempting the 50-miler with a bum knee. I made it 39 miles before having to drop out. But everything you said was spot-on: gorgeous trail, beautiful weather and an insanely well-stocked set of aid stations. I was impressed with how much effort the organizers put into this race. Time will tell whether I go back in future years for another stab at 50, but despite the difficulties, I came home happy.

    Happy trail running!

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