The Jacket

[I wrote this post for my other blog "See Chrisy Run", but thought I'd post it here too.]

Supermodel and I each became proud owners of the Triple Trail Challenge "trophy" jacket on Saturday. The jacket was awarded to participants who successfully completed the three required events. We ran our third race, Mid Mountain Marathon, Saturday morning. It was much more difficult than we expected.

I won't give a blow-by-blow, but 25 miles of the 26.2 were on singletrack. Rocky, root-ey, hilly, singletrack.  When I crossed the finish line I searched for and found the few friends who had run the race prior...the friends who had said, "Your legs will feel GREAT after running a marathon on trails! Yes it's at 8,000' elevation, but the trail's relatively level, just a few climbs, and it's all downhill after mile 20! The scenery's beautiful!"

When I found those friends, I said, "You lied. About everything."

But, Supermodel and I each conquered the course. I suppose the views were pretty if you wanted to prolong the time on the mountain to stop running and...look. My eyes had to remain on the trail or I tripped, plus the views gave me vertigo. I was running with a guy for several miles; he stopped around mile 12 and said, "Let's just take a moment to enjoy this beautiful view!" I said, "Pretty. Now let's GO."

I fell. Three times. It hurt.

I've never fallen while running on the road. I fell three times during the Jupiter Peak Steeplechase in August, and was determined not to fall during Mid Mountain Marathon. I can't tell you how painful it is, physically and emotionally, to hit the ground in one of these races. The physical pain is obvious. But it's the emotional pain and mojo loss that drains me. It's a huge withdrawal from an energy account that has limited funds.

I finished though. I finished with sore knees and a dirty body, but I finished strong.

[Looking for Chris and the boys.]

[I see the boys.]

 

Supermodel fell once and also finished strong.

 

We hugged and cried and were happy that the event, the whole Triple Trail Challenge, was over.

I called Supermodel today...

ME:  How ya feelin'?

SUPERMODEL:  Better than I thought I would. My shoulder and hip hurt. I think it's from my fall. How about you?

ME:  My quads and calves are sore, and my knees are hammered, but I'm functioning.

We talked about what we'd eaten, how we craved salty foods, how our plumbing had taken 24 hours to return to normal. Then I asked her if she'd pop over so Chris could take some pictures of us in our jackets.  The jackets I convinced her would be SO cool to have. We'd be like the Navy SEALS [sort-of] of trail running!

Here we are in the jackets we ran for, fell for, argued about, and spent $140 in entry fees for!

[Click on all photos to enlarge.]

 

 

I wanted to do some fun poses, maybe build a pyramid or do the splits, but Supermodel wanted no part of it. Chris photographed one of our famous disagreements.

I begged and pleaded, but I couldn't get Supermodel to do a Cirque du Soleil trick with me in our jackets.  She finally just walked away.

 

Maybe after we complete the Triple Trail Challenge next year she'll do it. C'mon, Supermodel. It'll be fun!

Comments

[Jane]

Those are the jackets, huh? For some reason I was expecting something...a bit sparklier. Like gold. :-)

Great job, Chrisy. I am in awe of your tenacity, but more in awe that you actually LIKE to run. It's something I do only when I forget to set the emergency brake and have to run after my car.

[Chris]

I know! They gave us one from last year to try on at the Steeplechase and it was more fitted and looked a little spiffier. This one was a bit boxy. You can still borrow it. :-)

I actually don't like running, Jane. I love fresh air, moving my body in general, a physical challenge [once in a while], and I'm just vain enough that I know running/biking/swimming will help keep my weight in check. I like wine and cheese too much.

[tysdaddy]

Yeah, for me to want to pull this off, those jackets would have to be lined with mythril.

Way to go, the both of you!

And, isn't it interesting that you two had a squabble, and captured it on film. The great thing is that many great duos in history have had their moments of disagreement. And yet we remember them for their accomplishments together . . .

I imagine Supermodel will be back, smiling . . .

[Tristan]

You two are AWESOME. I can't believe you are already talking 'next year.' Are you completely determined to break a bone? Anyway, I am so proud of you!

[christy]

Wow Chrisy I am so impressed!!! Congratulations! You did it! You conquered all three races and got the coveted jacket. Though, like one of the commenters above, I'm a little dissappointed that it isn't more sparkly and doesn't scream I AM A BADASS RUNNER! Or something like that. But I guess it does, in it's own low-key kind of way. People in the know will know, right? Regardless - GO YOU! And I HAVE to know - are you serious?! Would you really do them all again next year? Would they run on the same treacherous trails? And finally I want to say good for you for picking yourself up off the ground after falling three times - that must have been so freaking hard.

I know that you might be retiring See Chrisy Run - but I just wanted to let you know that I LOVE it and hope you bring it back if you ever really do go for one of these super duper races again!!!

[pam]

All I can say is WOW! Amazing... You both deserve a giant cheeseburger and a beer!!! I think they could have been a little more creative with the jacket.. I mean, c'mon!! You just about killed yourselves earning it! Impressive... I'm incredibly proud of you. I would NEVER have the mental stamina to do something like that... xo

[Middle Aged Woman]

I am really proud of you and your amazing accomplishment. Wish it didn't hurt to run, I'd try a mile!

[Judy]

Amazing, congratulations! What an accomplishment. Let me know when you start consuming liquid carbs and caffeine again, and I'll be there for you.

[Connie @ Young and Relentless]

Great job! I'm so proud of you and Supermodel! And because no one else is gonna say it....You guys clean up nicely!

What did you eat after the race? You treated yourself right?

[Andi]

Love the "argument pics". Congrats on your awesome accomplishment!!

[Alix]

"Your legs will feel GREAT after running a marathon on trails!"

There is SO MUCH WRONG with that statement, I don't even know where to begin. But I am so very proud of you and SM and bow to your athleticism and physical perfection! God Chrisy - your bod is unbelievable woman! So keep on doing what you're doing, but never never ever call me for a run because I plan to sleep in for the rest of my life.

Go girl! Wear your jacket with pride!

[jessica bern]

mazel tov. God I miss running so much. I envy you, you have no idea. cue: tears running down my face ;(

[Corbie]

A-MA-ZING ladies!!! Congrats! (and I'll do a Cirque de Soleil act with you anytime, Crisy - you can be on top :)

[Jannie Funster]

This is just so INSPIRING, Chrissy.

Here I skipped my little 3-mile sashay this a.m. 'cause of a bit of rain and there you were running 26 miles on a freaking mountain. And falling 3 times.

You look GREAT! And your face when you saw you photographer -- just full of love and pride. Priceless.

Man, I wanna get real lean and muscley again. Thanks!

[Chris]

A cheeseburger and a beer sounds good NOW. The jacket isn't quite as cool looking as I'd hoped, but still, the ONLY people wearing them... are stupid people. ;-) Thank you, Pam. [Although I know better. You DO have the mental stamina to do anything you want or need to!] xoxoxO to you!

[Chris]

You're funny! I bet Pam will join us for liquid carbs and/or caffeine. I'm ready tough girl!

[Chris]

What did I eat after the race? EVERYTHING. Seriously, a peanut butter bagel, a little pizza, a little cheese tortellini, a banana, some orange slices and I capped off the night with 2.7 glasses of wine [approximately]. :-)

[Chris]

Thanks, Alix. I wanna party with you. I might plan a trip to Florida just so we can shop [you need to glam me up], prepare good food [in proper portion sizes], and drink wine. OH, and play with all your hair[s]! :-)

[Chris]

You made my day, Corbie. We might have to a blog post with JUST that. Although I think you should be on top. Or maybe we can do one of those connected mid-body, but angling out some how. You're the cheer coach. You must have all the two-person tricks, throws and holds mastered!

Thank you, Corbie. Seriously. xoxoxo

[Chris]

People in the know will know. You're right! And you, I would do them again next year and they'd likely be on the same trails. I'll be experienced though. :-) Come out and do it with me next year! Bring that beautiful baby girl and handsome husband of yours!

[Ashley Doran]

Okay,

It falls to me to ask - but ask I must:

WHAT'S NEXT?



Ash (who is looking forward to seeing you in a few days...and possibly raiding Betty's closet and muddying up her sneakers just for old time's sake).

P.S. I read this post with my right hand riding the mouse and my left man-handling a chocolate chip cookie. Oh the shame!

[Pam]

yup! I'm all over that one! How about wine?!

[Mrs. D]

Navy SEALS of running, lol, I like that. And you totally do. Way to go on the race :-)

[Judy]

that certainly counts as a liquid carb!

[Twenty Four At Heart]

Congratulations! What a great achievement! You must feel so proud - as you should! My husband has done several marathons, but I'm not a runner myself. I know it takes amazing dedication. Wow!

[Lady Fi]

You are in superb shape and you are both superwomen! Definitely the Navy Seals of running! ;-)

[debbie]

How incredible! I am so inspired by you. And no, I can't imagine how terrible it would be to fall in a race like that.

[Cheri @ Blog This Mom!]

My feet hurt just looking at the photos. I've only done a half-marathon ONCE and I thought I would croak off. I'm so impressed with you both! Congratulations.

[V-Grrrl at Compost Studios]

Wow! What an amazing accomplishment. As others have noted, I so admire your tenacity and ability to face down the challenges--mental and physical.

[Da Goddess]

Congratulations!

[The Demigod]

Oy! Again, I felt out of breath just reading that! LOL.

Congratulations, BB! You're my personal endurance hero. :)

[michael.offworld]

I admire your kind of physical and emotional strength. I might have to do a marathon some day. I think I'll procrastinate for a while. Maybe when I'm 50.

[Deidre]

Well done Chris! Holy god, that sounds so intense. You could bling up the jacket yourself - get one of the bling things from the 80s that bespeckle the jacket? you know what I mean? No?

Anyway, Congratulations to you both.

I am also up for any cirque moves. I can't do the splits - but I am very twisty.

[All Adither]

You studs!! I'm happy if I take a walk around the neighborhood.

[kanishk]

Yeah, for me to want to pull this off, those jackets would have to be lined with mythril. Web hosting india

[X]

You guys are awesome. What a bonding experience. No Cirque trick? Boooooo!

[Nikki]

I, too, wish I was a runner. I ran in college, 5 miles, up and down hills, in the elevation, half drunk still. Not anymore! I envy your grace, I would have fallen 17 times and still be laying there.