2009 CCT


I got lost getting to the start.  Okay, I was on the cell phone, so I missed my turn.  Can I use that as an excuse?  Okay, I can't.  I am not supposed to be on it while driving.
At least I wasn't the last one getting to the start, but I was the last one to finish.  You must read on, though.  The intrigue is in the details.
 
I'm feeling brave so I leave my turn sheet in my car.  Anstr and Lucia are there anyway, and I can stay with them.  They're veterans at this kind of stuff.  Hey, Anstr, can I stay with you guys.  You know what they say about two's a company and three's a crowd.  Oh, you don't mind?  Thank you!  I'll try to not talk your ears off.
 
We're off!  Wow, it feels good to run after basically hiking most of the EFA the day before.  I'm tired, but not beyond normal; and it's a grey day, but it could be a lot worse.  I was expecting a lot worse.  It was not a downpour, and the course is not very muddy.
 
I'm running along in a good pace, and all of sudden I no longer see those small "CT" signs.  Instead I see a large sign.  "W&OD".  As I approach three people dressed in Civil War regalia, I mumble to myself, I'm lost.  I turn around and see the runners that I passed on my way out.  The guy said something about a left turn.  I am there.  I'm back on course.
 
Ernesto and Cappucino tells me that the turn around is about half a mile away.  I just chug along.  I no longer see any trail markings, instead I see a whole bunch of pink ribbons.  I am totally pissed off this time.  I'm thinking I'm off course again, but how in the hell did I get off course again when there were no other possible way to go?  So at the bottom of a short but steep climb, I turn around and saw the last official marking.  I turn around and find myself going down the same "path."  I'm totally pissed; for now I see Anstr and Lucia coming down that hill that I decided earlier was not the course.  Lucia tries to say something nice to me; and I'm just not happy.
 
Volunteers are wonderful and offer me all kinds of good stuff as they need to wrap up and go to the next aid for other runners.  Cup of Noodles is my choice along with a half of turkey sandwich.  The noodles are still too hard, so I drink the broth (OH, IT'S SO GOOD!) and ask John to bring it to the next aid.
 
I'm much happier, and I'm chugging along again.  I see some hikers and entire family (small children with their doggies) on the trail.  One dog is so friendly that he jumps up on me and knocks me down.  The owner looks mortified and mumbles, "I didn't think my dog would do that."  No problem, guy!  I'm playing with his ears, and laughing with the dog for a bit before I chug down the trail again.
 
Rolling, rolling, rolling . . . chug a lug a lugging . . .  I finally catch up with Anstr and Lucia!  Yippie YaHay!!!
 
We're at the next aid.  John hands me my noodles.  I'm eating with my dirty hands.  Tried to get the mud off, but too stuck around the finger nails.  I feel like a cave woman!  Noodles never tasted so good!  Can't eat it all right now.  John, save it for me at the finish?  Thanks John!
 
The three of us on the final leg.  About a mile from the visitor's center, I feel the need to leave them.  I'm feeling pretty good about not getting lost, and I want to get this over with.  I see the beautiful waters near the visitor's center.  I know the end is very close.  I'm chugging along and find this single track near the dam.  I don't remember this dam!  Were we hear this morning?  We had to, but I'm not remembering.  I'll be DAMNED!  I go back to the visitor's center and ask a few people.  They don't have a clue, so I go inside.  There are a few people in front of me so I patiently wait my turn while people around me take notice of me.  I'm laughing inside.  I ask this woman if she knows of any "Marina looking place" near this visitor's center.  She tells me that I must be talking about the "Riverbend Park."  I totally don't know what she's talking about, but she insists that's where my car must be.  What a hysterical situation!
 
So I follow her directions to the "Riverbend Park."  I'm glad to see a few people still hanging around.  Lucia looks at me, and I tell her, "Don't say a word!"  We're laughing and exchanging a few words.  I'm thanking John profusely, and congratulating Snipes on his first place today.  John hands me my left over noodles, and I'm heading home.  I'm glad my portable, car navagation system gets me home without putting bonus miles on my already high mileage car.
 
Caroline "lost and found" Williams.
 
p.s. First thing I did, before getting in the shower even, was to heat up my leftover noodles with plain water.  I ate every bit of that Maruchan Cup O' Noodles flavored with my kimchee that I had at home.  I'm going to be stashing some of that in my Edinburg Gap drop bag.  It's going to be good after doing Short Mountain.