Eighteen-odd Hours in the Park

 ..which is a lot less than 3 days.

Especially on a rain-washed weekend.

There we were - out doing a bit of shopping on a Saturday afternoon, after I'd run down to the Cambridge Farmers' Market that morning. I had some loose plans to take it easy for the rest of the weekend; it looked like a very wet day on Sunday, and I had a big blog post to finish off, so staying in and writing seemed like just the ticket. We were going to go for a little hike after we finished our shopping, but that was it.

Then, a text came in:

"..might.."

OMG OMG OMG I had totally flaked that it was Three Days in the Park weekend!

Yes, you can still donate.
Go ahead - I'll wait right here.

So I turned to Tanker, and told him our hike just turned into something a little more interesting - we had to get our butts to Huron Natural Area!

We arrived around 6:30pm, and when Clay went out for his next lap we were right there with him.

A man on the move

Clay, Tim, Tanker and myself rolled along through a few laps of the 1 mile course that Clay had chosen. While it wasn't flat, it was probably as close as you could find at Huron, and there was a nice downhill stretch that Clay was still able to run.

Tank even ran that section, for the couple of loops he did!

After 3 laps in shoes that I don't like running in (not to mention a cotton t-shirt, cotton hoodie, jeans, and my tote bag; not exactly ideal running apparel for any conditions, let alone rain), I'd almost had enough. I decided on one last lap - during which Tim told me he thought I should stay and finish it off with Clay, and wherein I realised I wasn't wearing a bra - I started to get a weird idea.

As if I ever have any other kind.

Finishing it off with Clay as I was currently dressed was not happening, particularly as it had got dark by then and I didn't have a headlamp (I'd managed ok by the light of Clay & Tim's)...but if I went home and got changed..?

We needed to get groceries, but there was a store between Huron and home we could easily pop into. I talked it over with Tank, putting it to him this way: "Umm, so it's been awhile since I did anything really srupid.."

Bless his heart, he was immediately on board. We hit the grocery store, went home and put it all away, stuffed some food in our faces (it had been awhile since brunch at noonish!), and after donning some actual running gear we were back on our way.

Steven had arrived just before we left, and had said he was good to go til midnight. We were able to make our return by about 11:45pm, while Clay was having a bit of a rest in the shelter that Gary had set up.

Apparently the call had gone out for a tarp or two to block the wind - Gary set up something almost as nice as our house!

Maria and Steven taking a break while Clay rests; Andrea and Tank crewing.
Andrea had been there since Thursday morning, and now says she knows exactly what to do if she's ever homeless!

Along with Andrea - former race director of the Sulphur Springs Trail Run, including the year they offered a 200mi option (that Clay had attempted, but DNF'd at 150mi) and a total badass runner in her own right - Clay had Debbie with him. Debbie is a complete sweetheart, the best trail mama ever, and also a BEAST of a runner. She's completed not only the Sulphur Springs 200 (first Canadian woman to ever complete a 200mi race), but also the Tahoe 200, the Moab 240 (which is actually 244mi), and most of the seven summits (that is, climbing the highest mountain on each of the seven continents). 

That's her right behind Clay as he comes in from a night lap.
I can't think of anyone better suited to help him through this than these two kickass women!

I did 8 laps with Clay as the night deepened, taking no photos in the darkness - just meandering along, making as much bright, cheerful conversation as possible. He was having real trouble with his stomach; now well past his longest-ever run, the staples on which he'd always been able to rely had begun to falter, and some dry heaving had happened. We did our best to encourage him to drink as much as he could, and try some different foods to see if anything would sit. I also tried to remind Debbie to eat and drink, as she was more concerned with taking care of Clay than herself, but I knew she'd been working hard, too.

I was going to stop after my 9th lap for a wee, but Debbie had to use the washroom as well and that would have left Clay out there for at least part of the lap by himself. Not acceptable! So I hung in for a 10th lap, but things were definitely getting on top of me - now well past 3am, I was getting drowsy and my feet weren't necessarily going where I wanted them to anymore. Not to mention, I'd chosen an old pair of socks and a newer pair of shoes that I'd only worn for short distances; the combination was giving me some unpleasant hotspots, particularly on the backs of my heels where the socks were nearly worn through. Ironically, I think some of the fatigue was due to forgetting to take in water and calories; I was busy trying to remind Debbie, but failing to do so myself.

I was disappointed at not being able to hold it together better, but I knew the smart thing to do was to head out and catch a nap and some food so I could return later on. Clay needed assets - people to help him along - and I absolutely refused to make myself a liability.

The right decision doesn't always feel great.

When we left, Clay had 21 laps remaining - 179mi completed.

We got home a little after 4am, where I shoved some more food in my face, piled up some pillows at the foot of the bed, and slept from 5am to 7am with my feet propped up and wearing most of my running kit. I can't say I felt amazingly refreshed when I got up, but I wasn't quite so dozy, and Tanker made us each a strong cup of coffee for the ride back over to Huron. We stopped at T.Ho's for a bulk container of coffee as well, so anyone who was coming out for the final hours (or was still there after multiple hours or days) could have a hot, caffeinated beverage on a rainy morning.

It seemed to be well appreciated.

We found that Clay still had another 10 laps to go, but was taking a bit of a rest; he'd realised he wouldn't be able to make it to 200mi in the 72hrs he'd originally hoped (or get the buckle for doing so from the race for which this was named - Three Days at the Fair), but he was bound and determined to go the distance no matter how long it took him. 

Debbie had already done at least 100mi with Clay, and Steven and Tim were back

Clay emerges, ready (?) for another burst of effort

The party had grown a bit in size by this point.

Clay was mostly just walking by now, with 10 laps left to go as the soggy morning wore on. After each lap he'd get an X on a big piece of bristol board to mark his progress, with some other markings of initials of people who'd joined him on that lap. 190 squares filled - such a massive percentage down, but still a long way to go.


Fortunately, he had good help - if Clay needed anything Debbie would run ahead to get it ready at the aid station, and if it took too long she'd get it sorted out while Clay continued on and then run to catch up.

Everyone should be lucky enough to have a friend like that when they need them.

Me? I made stupid math jokes, some other assorted terrible puns, and got wet.

Like really wet.

The surface of the Board of Education pond was alive with the barrage of raindrops

Actually couldn't really complain, though - I'd dressed well, throwing on the insulated skirt I'd forgotten to bring for the night laps, and while the rain continued apace I was able to stay warm enough with the bit of body heat I generated from walking.

Headed into the woods on another lap - Gary ran along with his rainbow umbrella, doing some lunges, push-ups, and other bodyweight exercises (in jeans) as he was missing his BodyPump class!

Halfway through the final 10 laps, Clay needed to stop for a moment to take some weight off his sore, swollen feet, but didn't want to sit down as it would be too difficult to stand again. So, he leaned.

I swear I'm not holding him down.

Back on the trail for the final push - the rain was relentless, but so was our cheery little band of soaking wet walkers.

The other folks out walking at Huron weren't quite sure what to make of it all, but who cares?

Clay, Debbie, Steven and Tim sharing a laugh

The two stalwart warriors

Andrea - having mostly stuck around base camp/the aid station - joined in for the final couple of laps.

Tim had needed to head out to keep an appointment

At long last, we emerged from the woods one final time and the finish line hove into view. Clay had been saying his goodbyes to the course as we passed each feature on his 200th lap: the stupid uphill, the fake downhill, the orange balloons from someone's birthday discarded in the woods.

Almost there.

It seemed only fitting that the three who had begun this thing back on Thursday should be the ones to finish it off on Sunday.

I ran ahead to get some photos and leave those who had worked so hard for so long to claim their glory. At just past quarter to one in the afternoon, Clay's incredible journey came to an end.

So unbelievably proud of his effort, and of the support shown by our friends!

Clay is never too exhausted to offer up a smile..

..even if the rest of him might need a bit of a rest.

The 200th X was marked on the bristol board, and the final time recorded: 75hrs47mins of continuous hope, effort, and struggle.

When asked why Clay had made more than 200 boxes on the board, he admitted he had no idea!

Trail family is the best family

I'm so grateful to have such wonderful people in my life.
(Photo by Gary)

We helped Clay pack up the RV, then headed on our weary way. Getting home around 2:30pm, I finally got my lazy, wet Sunday afternoon..

..after a completely unplanned total of 52km of running and walking for the weekend, that is.

Chapeau, Clay. Your determination is almost as incredible as your heart.

Sincere thanks to everyone who helped make this happen - the absolute best of the running community was on full display here, proving once again the African proverb: 

"If you want to go fast, go alone - if you want to go far, go together."

Have a great weekend, y'all!