Thought I'd share an email conversation from Wednesday. You see, if you run the Man Against Horse Ultra [the 50 miler] you get a buckle. Not a boring/cheap medal but a big friggin' cowboy buckle.
I want the dang buckle.
And so it goes:
The Pita: “You're gonna die if you do the 50 mile - even Aaron thinks so.
I'll start looking for a new wife now so it will be a smooth transition
"A" sent you some links see below.”
My reply to A & The Pita: “I always did envision you with someone even younger than myself [even though I’m 4.5 years your younger. Buckle up buttercup. It’s 50 or nothing.”
"A" cracks back-Pita [long signed off]: "Bull Shine!!" My first race was a 50 miler - the toughest 50 miler. ...and I never ran a single marathon except technically as a training run on my own a few times. I encourage you to run the 50 as long as you train for it and you're prepared to be out there awhile. It's a beautiful course and you'll probably even enjoy about 7 miles of it!! As long as that bloke you call a husband is out there, you won't feel like you'll ever be stranded. Just run from one aid station to the next and you'll make it and get your first shiny ultra marathon buckle!! One thing I gotta tell you though is there's about a 2000' climb from mile 29 to 30. That's after you've done about 6000 feet of climbing during those first 28 miles. Keep telling yourself "it's fun."
Me: YAY! I want the buckle. I need the buckle. It's all in the freaking buckle. You wear yours to work right?!
I know I'm an idiot but ehhhhh what's the worst that can happen?
1. I look like a complete a*s? [fine by me].
2. Break my leg? [downer but it'll mend].
3. I pass out [there's helicopters right?]
4. I die. [all attempting first time ultra runners go to heaven, right?]
Who says I'm an ALL OR NOTHIN' kind of girl? [ohhhh, you mean THAT person who saw my horrible dance moves Friday?!] whatever. I'm over it.
I'm soooooo IN!
A: you have the kind of attitude it takes. you're gonna do well. Please don't yell a bunch of *^%@!* when you pass me, okay? It's gonna be a beautiful day, I just know it!! keep hunting the Internet for the crude profile and/or map of the course. You need that to plan your drop bags. we'll have to plan a quick strategy session before the race. You're gonna kick some serious horse tail!! let me know if you think of any questions.
Me: Pass YOU? That's seriously the funniest thing I've heard all week and it's been ---- well ----- an EVENTFUL week. ;) Did you really write, "you're gonna do well"? Liar!! But I love you for it! If I make it out in 12 hours or 18 - I'll be the craziest blonde you've ever see cross a finish line. YAY! So excited.
A: there's a 12 hour cutoff. and trust me, I tested that one year when I had to run the second half with my shoe halfway off because of severe blisters. I barely made it. The next day I rode the Tour de Scottsdale (70 miles), ...but I'm not bragging or anything. seriously, I'm here if you need anything.
One hour passes
Then he emails me this. Ummmm. Help.
51 comments:
You have the right mindset for any ultra. Perseverance is all you need, and you sure do have that.
And the 12 hour cut off? Shouldn't be a problem at all for you, but there's no shame in getting pulled from an ultra just in case. Treadmill hill work here you come!
Good god - I'm putting on the oxygen mask after looking at that elevation grid.
I have NO doubt you'll knock an Ultra out of the park. Never sensed any lack of confidence or commitment on your part in any of your posts. Can't wait to read the recap on that one.
HYSTERICAL! Thanks for sharing the emails back and forth... too funny.
This is right up your alley! Go for the buckle, baby!
the buckle will be your latest and greatest fashion accessory. We'll soon see it in all the fashion mags!;-)
if you're feelin' it, I say...go for it!
YOU GO GIRL! I can't wait to see you rockin' that buckle!
I think you will figure it out! Just go scale those mountains that you have in your backyard a few times a day. ;)
Deciding to do it is the toughest part! You are going to do awesome.
Holy shit. No really... WOWZERS!
I hate hills, so you got me on this one. Good luck girl!!!
You are like my wife. H does the races for the bling and the T-Shirts. If she doesn't get a T-Shirt, HOLY COW watch out. Now a belt buckle like that is seriously stylin' I hope you have a lot of jeans to wear that with :) I would wear it for a whole year!
Good luck, what does your incline go up to again?
12 matty O. But at my gym it goes to 15. I may HAVE to buy a new treadmill. Dang. So sad.
I am so with you. I want the buckle too! Why do families think that potentially running for 12 hours is a bad thing?!?! I mean come on! I get a buckle!
There is one (a 50miler) I am looking at that has 8000ft gain in it too. What is it with 8000ft and 50 miles? I did 6000ft in my last 50k so shouldn't I be able to do 8000 in 50miles?
I can not wait for you to do this!!!
I hear you can put boards up under your TM to help with the incline. Also E...You're F'n crazy. It was nice knowing you.
Oh man does that look hard. Really hard. Good luck and that buckle would be well earned for sure.
I say do it b/c I know you can. Plus you can wear that buckle with some of your cool designer jeans and all the parents at school will be jealous.
You can totally do this! I want to do my first 50 miler too - I'll cheer you all the way.
haha, you'll do great! i'm doing my first 50 on nov 6th...not nearly as hilly tho! you'll love it i bet, and even if you don't, you'll play the part just to prove him wrong, like a true woman! :-) cool, i'm excited to follow ur progress. glad you made the right choice! :-)
I hope you feel better! Maybe the doctor will give you a buckle?
;-D
I'm sure you can do it...although I can understand the freak out on that elevation chart.
I am all about the bling when it comes to races, heck ya i want to show off what I been doing, i love peoples looks when I show off a medal or shirt, I want a buckle though
Wow, Emz!
I've only been reading your blog for about two weeks now, but you are one tough(and stylin') chick. I know you can do this, and I can't wait to see your buckle.
Hills. Schmills. You've got the fitness, you've got the attitude, you've got the carrot in front of you (hello?! buckle? yes, please). You will do great!
LMAO, that belt buckle is bigger than you, where is this race? You know you can find belt buckles that size at the corner store in Texas?
Hahaha...Hey E...The Allie that we know and love is back...in full force.
The buckle may cover your abs ... please consider this conundrum seriously - there are many [wink wink] who will be effected by your decision.
bets on ALL HORSES have been placed
Ahhhh Allie.
Life is gooooood.
I'm back, bitches!!!
...well, mostly, I'm still a little gassy.
Allie!! Contain yourself! This is a family blog. "Dorks" and all!! ;)
That elevation is crazy! I will be in your crew. Tell me they allow you to have a crew? You will do awesome.
On a side note the comment Pita said about how he was going to start looking for a new wife to make the transition easier reminded me of what my dad said to my mom.
Mom: Are you going to remarry if I die before you?
Dad: Ya, do you want to know her name?
True love--45 years together. :)
You will totally rock it. I say do it. But really, 30+ mile training runs on the treadmill?
Wow...this will be fun!!
I did a 50K trail run last year and the first 26 miles were easy ... the last 5 miles were harder than any Tri I have ever done.
Get some good trail shoes and make sure they are at least a 1/2 size bigger than usual b/c your feet will swell.
The best part about the Ultras are the rest stations -- they are loaded with all types of food -- i probably ate more calories than I burned - so awesome! You already have the weekly mpw in the bank so you can do this and do it well.
Adrienne. Awesome. The best comment ever. Be my crew. Pretty please.
Jeff-thanks for all the info but now I'm freaked. Swell a whole sz?
what fun!!!
You are going to rock that buckle girlie!!
Just so you know, many of the ultras offer buckles. Not to feed the fire or anything :)
Besides, you have already kicked the marathons arse so why keep beating it while its down. Back away and go kick some ultra arse instead :)
THis will be fun to follow!
Ajh- you like slow painful deaths?! ;)
ummm...I think you are my hero.
I wanna do it too for the buckle and I almost passed out on my 9miler
Girl - you really love a challenge! You can do it for sure - no doubt. Look forward to following you for this one. How do you even train for a 50 miler, at that elevation, I dunno??
HF 26.2. - yep. Have no clue. Especially when I have a marathon in 4 weeks now this in 6 weeks.
I am going with the "wing it" ultra marathon schedule/plan.
Um I know I can't check your blog 5 times a day with the summer holidays and all but weren't you ill the last time I checked? Maybe you were ill in the noggin? Ok whatevs actually if anyone can do crazy sh*t like this it's you. You'll wipe its *ss and bring the buckle home to show us. Respect girlfriend!
Nice one! Now you're talking my kind of talk! You'll do great with this. Hill training and more hill training.
wow! you are seriously, one brave woman!! lol... you can sooooo do it!!! good luck!! cant wait to see a pic of the belt buckle! :D
That profile is NOTHING ...focus on the damn buckle!!!
You're crazy! Can't wait to hear all about you rockin' it.
Wow I can't imagine doing a 50 miler- what an accomplishment that will be! Good luck with training!
You are going to be great - just pace yourself and smile. The buckle does look kick ass!
I don't doubt for a minute that you could do that.
Yowza! You'll be fine. If not, can I have your buckle? ;)
Good luck. I'm sure you'll do great.
That is some crazy elevation, but I have no doubt that you are going to ROCK it!
Holy Mother of God! That is crazy course and distance, but my $ is on you and your killer abs! Get that buckle, even though it looks a tad too big for you! ;) (and hope you are feeling better!).
I think I'm married to your PITA's twin based on his remarks... ;)
Holy ##@$@$ %#$#%^@ !@$#%% @!!@#$% ^&*$ #(*#@ @%*(^^ @#%$! That is some serious elevation!!! But the belt buckle! THAT is even more serious! Good luck! I can't wait to hear all about this one!
uhhhh looks daunting (but a no sweat run for EMZ)!!! Do tell what is your REAL motivation. I mean I know the buckle rocks, but digging a bit deeper, what would one find???
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