Monday, October 4, 2010

More Than Words - Extreme

To say, "I don't know where to start." Would be the most understated thing I've probably ever said.

But . . . I don't know where to start.  So let's start with a few photos from Race Packet Pick up.  Was very hard to find.  In the middle of a dirt field.  However, if you were coming from the other direction - it was well marked.

Like this:


Follow the pink Barbie strings, right?!  Awwww, they shouldn't have.

Found the table to pay / pick up.  "You here for the 12?" [nope]  "The 25?" [nope - the 50] "Ohhhhh, okay.  You're only number 27, so far."

[ummmm, yay me?!]

The shirt:


This is all I will say about this experience, for now.  Off to dinner.  Pasta time.  Yum.

I will be doing my RR in songs, for the most part.  Feel free to click on the song name but be sure to come back!

While sitting at dinner, I just kept thinking, "I want to take forever tonight".  Tomorrow was coming a little too quickly.

Then, I kept thinking about how badly I wanted more of my loved ones here with me.  My Mom kept saying I "Wanna Be There" but I just didn't feel this was a great event for spectators.

Enter 4:45 am.

Bring on the horses.


Found "A".  Got our pre-race photo.



Right after this photo was taken [about 45 seconds].  I [no joke] had a horse charge at me, turn his butt to me and then I hear the lady [rider] say "Run away!  Run away!".  The Pita & I didn't think this was a great way to start the morning.  Have I mentioned, I hate horses.  Wait, more like I'm afraid of horses.  This was no bueno.  Face your fears, right?!  I'd just rather do this face to face.  Not butt to face.


Let it rock.
Then I thought of this song, "Ship of Fools".  have no idea why.


Now the first few miles is in a wash.  Lots [lots] of dirt, pebbles, sand & holes.  Ahhhh, so THIS is why people were wearing "gators".  Uggg.

At mile 5 The Pita was there.  "You good?"  I AM, I SAID.  First aid station - YAY!
The pace was good. 



Knowing there were 45 more just like it [actually much, much harder]. 9:30-9:45 pace.

Miles 5-13 ..... Seemed pretty non-eventful.  Was feeling the elevation a bit.

When my Garmin hit 13.  Immediately, I was, "Lost in Emotion".  Thinking really?  Really, I'm only a half marathon into this.  I knew this thought needed to be a fleeting one.  I hear Andrew typing, "SUPERWOMAN".  I remember what I told Adrienne, "I am strong."  I remember what I told KP to do, "say I've got this!".  And by 13.25.  I had wrapped my brain around this thought:

Emz - you are going to be out here all day.  You will not stop.  You want the buckle.  Buck up.  You are strong.  Enjoy the view.  You can do this.

At this point, I am running by or near by "A".  I really felt, I needed someone to pace me.  On the {rare} flat portions, I had a hard time staying steady.  My legs were strong.  I wanted to run faster.  But I knew that'd be stupid.

At 16, "Top Back" came on and motivated me at a perfect time.  I could feel a blister coming about on the top of my right foot.  I put it off [looking] until 20.

The Pita wasn't there, as we had planned.  These roads were few and far between.  I completely understood but was silently sad.  The thought crept in, "Em you're not even half way" - shot that down ASAP.  I'm at 20 and I feel really good.  Yep, that feels WAY better.

At 20, Had a PB&J with added salt.  Some M&M's and checked the foot.  Ehhh, was ok.  Not great but ok.  Put an ENGO pad on.  [You must buy these if you get blisters.]  AMAZING. 

The people at the aid station didn't like the way my feet I looked.

"You ok?"
Me:  yep. 
"Are you going to stay with her [they asked "A"]?"
[uhhh, hello, I'm right here?!]
A:  ya.

So I figured, now was the time to put on my "Boogie Shoes" and GIT ER DONE.
"A" stopped to fuel at 22.  I kept rolling thinking he'd catch me.

Then at 24 I hear, "Once Clear Voice".  Hey Em!  [YAY ME!]  The Pita.  Another peanut butter sandwich and 1/3 cup pickle juice.  Awesome.  I'm feeling great.  I was so grateful I had, "Someone to watch over me".  Our car was stocked.  And we had ICE.

It was perfectly fine that I had been told, "you smell like *&#%@#."  Yay, then I'm doing something right.  I was a, "Dirty White Boy Girl"

So, for two miles [that felt like 6] I ran s-o-l-o.

Then, I met up with Shawna at 26.  Game change.  Game on.  iPod off for remainder of run. 

And just in time.



We had 2,450' to climb in the next 2.75 miles with a "View to a Kill" .  Oh, did I mention it was hot?  87 degrees. We talked about everything. Work, religion, marriage, running, food, TMI's [she had some good ones], kids, after race plans . . . where we were going to meet up next for my "next one". Sorry, Mom.



Let's do this.  "Run to the Sun".  My new favorite song.

Okay, this portion was way harder than I had imagined.  Ran maybe a half mile of the 2.75 mile portion.

The Pita saw us coming.




I heard him.  I heard Shawna.  Did I mention she's done this 3 times before?!  "Em, we get outta here and the worst is behind us."  I liked that.

Then with "Every beat of my heart" - I knew we were getting closer to putting this beast behind us.

And we're out!
 Time for new socks.
It felt like I had had a 10 minute shower.  New socks.  Made.  Me. Happy.  More ice.  Another PB&J, more pickle juice, M&M's & a protein bar and . . . 18 miles more to go.  wow.

33 - slam.  Where are my legs!?  33.5 - anyone seen my legs?  Shawna assures me they'll be in my drop bag at 38.  yikes.  "Don't give up".  As if, I would.

Then at 35 "Empire" [sorta hit me like a ton of bricks].  Downhill.  WHAT?!  Rocky downhill. no.  Please no.  There is an art to running downhill.  And running downhill with huge and small rocks?!?! . . . . . I suck at it.  Meanwhile, Shawna is "rocking" it.  She's passing horses.  The rider asks me, "you want to pass?". 

Me:  no actually I'm pretty content staring at your horse's a*s butt.

36 - out of the rocks.

Legs, still MIA.

We see an aid station?!  The Pita?!  What?! 

Me: I thought the station was at 38?

S:  Emily, this IS 38.

Me:  my watch says 36

S: you are the only one using a watch & guess what?  It's wrong.  Welcome to 38.

"There Must Be An angel".


 Legs.  back.

It was more like heaven.  pickle juice, Gu chomps, powerade, 4 nuun tablets.

Shawna starts talking about her first time finishing a 50 - I have to make her stop. I'm crying and I can't breathe.  Let's talk about this at 48-49.  Agreed.

39 - the only pee stop for me.  The hard part was getting the quads to "Get up".

40 - check point.  Yell out to staff . . . .  "#161 & # 162"  Woot woot.  We are here!!  He looks at us like we are nuts.  We are.  Only 10 left.  I'm already going "there" - - I've freaking got this.  I feel like a "4 out of 5".  This rocks.

Wait.  We are cranking these miles out.  Pace picking up.

The Pita at 43!

 And we even had some clouds at 43!??

Oh happy day!

Check point at 47 - sailed through.  We call out, "number 161 - number 162 we'll pass on the water.  But thanks for being here!!" Awesome.  My feet hurt like crazy.

Do I care?  Nope.

Mile 48 - 9:59

Mile 49 - 9:40 - - we can see the trailers.  I'm crying.  Shawna's telling me, "You are killing this.  Let's push a little harder."

I
Love
Her.

I'll do whatever she says.  "Let's do it." [my reply]


Finish line.  Insight.


Here come my stupid arms again. [not sure why, I feel the need to do this.]

Here come the tears. [again].


The best.  Ever.


Got Er Done.
So.

Who's doing it with me next year?!

Oh, almost forgot . . . . The text that made me happy, happy, happy was this one from "A" yesterday . . . 

"I should have asked YOU for advice, ya big jerk! I thought you could "maybe" finish. Most first timers can't handle all the climbing and just snap. You totally crushed it! I saw some really good runners quit/die out there yesterday. Nicely done Emily!".

Day. Made.

105 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awesome!

That's really all I got, but I think that covers it.

Karine said...

Me, me, please let me do it with you next year!!! What an emotional report.xoxoxoxox

Caratunk Girl said...

You are my hero!!! Awesome RR, love that text message from A. You rock. I just don't even know what to type.

Oh, I just thought of something.

I am not doing that with you next year, but I TOTALLY will cheer you on & send you lots of good karma!! :)

Jen Feeny said...

Girl you are my hero! Well done! I hope you are still BEAMING from head to toe!!!!

Quinton J said...

Flippin' Awesome.

Quinton J said...

Flippin' Awesome.

KovasP said...

Turns out Ken is okay. Amazing run, amazing report, way to go Trail Running Barbie!

Emz said...

Mooshy - works for me. :)

Mom-you're coming. Bring a saddle.

Cg - likewise my friend. :)

Q - flippin thank you.
Q - flippin thank you. ;)

Kovas - do they make one? I'm totally buying one if they do.

Anonymous said...

oh my, i need to lay down. you've just worn me out!

congrats my sweet friend, you sure deserve it.

xo

Jannifer said...

Wow 50 miles done, incredible! That is such an awesome accomplishment-YOU Rock!!

Marlene said...

best
RACE
report
EVER

You are a true champ and you look STRONG out there.

WOWOWOWOWOWOOWOWOW, 50 *hard* miles done!!

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!

Johann said...

Fantastic! You are amazing! You did incredibly well! I would so love to do this, but a bit far from home...

Allison said...

That is so amazingly awesome... I was crying while reading it... you are amazing.... (I think I say this in every comment)

Neil Zee said...

That was fn amazing. I want to do it now. I am glad you had such a support team in A, Pita and Shawna! wow. Congrats... truly.

Velma said...

AHHHHHHHH - so excited!!!

abbi said...

OK. So this looks like the coolest thing ever and you are amazing. That's all I have to say.

Rae said...

Way to go Em! Again, you rock, are awesome, are amazing, are my hero! I am so, so proud of you! You got me all tearing up over here!

So am I correct at thinking that you beat A to the finish? If so, hell yeah girl!

Heather said...

I loved all the photos you posted, especially the black and white one of you with the big smile on your face! You are an inspiration! Way to kick some butt! That text you got from him was spot on! Congratulations! What a awesome accomplishment!

Kelly Leigh said...

oh wow this is so cool it actually makes me want to do it with you next year!!! You are unbelievable! But the part about pickle juice has me gagging over here. I have a pickle phobia - can u replace that with something less gross?

Sammie Girl said...

That is amazing! Right now I will look towards my Goofy Challange in January and then in the near future a 51K, but a 50-miler I will have to hold back on that one for a little while, unless I can use my bike!!!! :)
Congrats on an amazing race!

Emz said...

termite & Jannifer - thank YOU.

Marlene - :) took 2 hours to write?! So weird how you can feel tired at 35/36 then feel like a rockstar from 40-50. but I'm taking it.

Johann - told Shawna all about you when we were running. You are my idol.

Allison - me too. What's with all my tears?! ;)

BNZ - you are so right. they were amazing. The next 50 of my VR to come. :)

Velma & Abbi - thank you. It was a blast.

Rae - 78 minutes. but who's counting?! ;)

Heather - thanks! I never have to delete that text right?! ;)

Emz said...

Kelly - oh man. I love pickle juice. I swear it saved me - NO CRAMPS!! Olive juice maybe?! ;)

Sammie - you rock that 51k. If you'd have told me I'd ever do one of these - I'd have never believed you. but. done! :)

Andrew Opala said...

Thanks Superwoman, you give me a new desire to be a better person and to challenge myself when others don't think I can!

I'd love to try the race - but I'm not even in your league. But if God is willing I'll get there on my desire and my training.

Nice smile - older than your years, but more innocent than them as well!

Rae said...

That's is totally awesome that you beat him! LOVE it! At least he acknowledged how amazing you are. :)

bobbi said...

amazing. effin amazing. you ROCK!

Amy said...

Amazing. I don't know what else to say!

Anonymous said...

Un-freakin-believable. You are a machine, not a Barbie. I bet the watch was off because it's not measuring your ascent. Holy smokes. That is one serious ascent... that race is bad a$$.

DRog said...

Totally flippin amazing. You did it! LOL at why do you feel the need to do this with your arms, I tend to do the same. haha
10:17 seems an INCREDIBLE time for this! Sooooo impressed.
-Derek

misszippy said...

Amazing, incredible, awesome! You are one tough chick. Think how easy a plain 'ole marathon is going to feel now for you!

Wear that belt buckle everywhere you go.

I may want to do it with you. Seriously.

ShutUpandRun said...

Well dammit girl. You did it. So amazing. I love the flailing arms. I love the crying. I love the pickle juice. I love the small pebbles/rocks that got in your shoes. I love taking only one piss. I love the text. I don't know how you did it, but you did it and I'm bowing down over here!!

Diana Tries-A-Tri! said...

Oh. My. Goodness. Rockstar status. Congrats!

Emz said...

Andrew- are you saying I look old?!

Rae - so agreed. :)

Bobbi & Amy - thank YOU!

Lesley - you are totally right. That's what "A" said too. {ascent].

DRog - My arms have brains of their own - well my brain might be IN my arms?! IDK. Thank you!!

MissZ - SERIOUSLY?! YES.YES.YES! PLEASSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEE!!!!!

SU&R - talked to Shawna about you at 39 [my only pee] I remembered my mile only because of you. :)

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Reading about your accomplishment your experince is actually making me cry. I dont' even really know you and I am sooo proud of you. Congrats!!! Thanks for inspiring me to push harder!

Andrew Opala said...

Why the frig can't women take things as compliments!

You have a smile that shows you experienced something that few have done before - a smile built by trial and punishing travail. You are a friggen young chica! If you live another 100 years you ain't gonna have an old smile - but you will have a mysterious one that doesn't reveal the whole story!

Anonymous said...

i thought about you all day on saturday emily. i'm so happy for you. I even talked to my kids about your race and doing hard things. inspiring.

way to go. i'll totally run it with you (and by you i mean pita) next time. Or i'm getting a horse. no 50 milers in my near future;)! Good job, em!!!

and the tears. totally warranted!

KovasP said...

So now Andrew thinks you look like a 100 year old? Keep digging Andrew!

Emz said...

Shelly - where do you think I get my drive ....... you. You push yourself DAILY. awesome.

Andrew - thanks for the follow up. I'm a little [overly] sensitive about AGING and you use big words in "days of yore" like sentences. or in other words - I get confused easily.
You
are
awesome.

Jill said...

Well, I know who I am going to have pace me next year. Way go to, Girl!! I was thinking about your most of the day and just knew you would find that strength to dig deep when it got tough. I only hope I can accomplish half of your amazing accomplishment. Well done, Em!!
xoxo

Emz said...

Kovas - cracking up. I'm hopeless. I hate AGE talk.

Natalie - thank you. Means the world to me. but trust me . . .I think running may actually be EASIER than riding a horse. We kept talking to the riders. We'd say, "glad I'm not doing what you're doing." and they'd reply back the EXACT same comment.
I actually kind think thePita may deserve a [smaller] buckle for this too. ;)

Emz said...

Jill - LET'S DO IT!!!! Thank you!!

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

Insaaaaaane!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

Amazing! And the best race report evah!

That is some incredible scenery in those pictures!

My IM is in May and after a little rest I was planning on a Fall Ultra and that damn buckle is just too cool. If the wifey feels like an AZ trip then I am in!

Generation X (Slomohusky) said...

You made what sounds like HELL so much fun. It must be the pickle juice? Have not heard of that one. I must try now. Thanks! Not sure about next year but I will have this on my running radar since I am not far from Prescott. Rest up!

Emz said...

YAY!

SO we have:

MissZ
Jill
{Natalie - at aid stations]
& Jeff [I'll get your wife some sweet heels and she'll say "yes"]!

Who else?!

Do I hear a Kovas?

Emz said...

SLOMO - You're close to Prescott?!

You've been added to the list. Pickle juice - keeps cramps at bay. :)

Petraruns said...

God. You're amazing woman. AMAZING. I thinks you're incredible. Amazing. Impressive. Rockhard! The coolest. Did I mention I was impressed?

Carly said...

HOLY HELL! You are my hero! That was an awesome race report. Nice work!!!!!! You made it look easy. I wish I looked as good as you do after a race.

Anonymous said...

I'm awe. You're soooo awesome!

Tom said...

Holy crap that does NOT look fun. You are a machine for running so long in such horrible conditions. I am impressed!

Laurie said...

You are so inspiring! I so would love to do this with you, don't think I'll be ready by next year... maybe you can make it annual thing?

Again, you are AMAZING!! Awesome report, awesome picutres... AWESOME you!

heather said...

Absolutely amazing!! You are my HERO! My inspiration.

Your rr is the best ever!

Sorry about your face to horse butt encounter, but so glad you met up with Shawna and that you beat A!

Liz said...

Again, you are a running goddess. Absolutely amazing! To use your lyrical talent, "Baby You Were Born To RUN!!" Congrats!

Lee said...

Amazing! Congratulations!!

monicac2 said...

You are amazing and so inspiring! I love the self-talk that you used during the race!

And your 50 miler pace is right around my, ummm, goal marathon pace, but that just makes me love this story all the more!

Tiffany said...

It's official...Emz You're my Hero (and not in the lame Cameron voice either)...but for realz!

Emz said...

Ok Tiffany - that is awesome. I love how you KNEW I'd be thinking of Farris. ;)

Jon said...

Amazing Emz! Gorgeous scenery to run in! What a lifetime experience.

I am soooo jealous and that is a TON of race photos for such a long race.

Amazing!

Stacey said...

You are awesome! I got teary reading your post! Great job! Congratulations! Amazing!!!

Evolving Through Running said...

Incredible piece of running - you are a rock star! Sounds like you really crushed it. I'm in awe.

Great recap too - one of the more entertaining I've read. Everyone comes across a horse's-ass every once in a while at racing events, but you're one of the few that actually encountered one attached to a real horse.

Great job!!!

Unknown said...

I really like this and i love all the pictures! great job Emz! And I really like the mantra "Emz - you are going to be out here all day. You will not stop. You want the buckle. Buck up. You are strong. Enjoy the view. You can do this." Rock on lady!! Great recap, great read, great job!!

ajh said...

Incredible pictures.
Incredible post.
incredible you.

Unknown said...

wow. I would love to do this :) Can I come along too?? You make it seem so easy!
Cheers girlie, you totally rock my socks!

Adrienne said...

How does anyone run that and still look as awesome as you at the end! That hill looked beastly and that was just one of them. Totally amazing. So proud of you!! No doubt in my mind ever that you were going to get er done and do it in style!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, I'm totally smiling and crying for you! Congrats!!!!

Anonymous said...

Aw, man...what a sweet and heartfelt race report. Well done!!!!
(Any tips on how to pee out in the woods during an endurance event like that? That, in itself, is an amazing feat for a city gal like me!)

Aimee said...

Yay, yay, yay! Woohoo! I had goosebumps the whole time reading your post and got teary eyed at the end!
YOU ARE AMAZING! I am so so so happy for you! Way to ROCK the 50 miler!

Gina said...

Wow. That's all I can say... Wow.

The Green Girl said...

First of all, I loved loved loved your race report. It was fun and light-hearted but I felt what you were going through.

Now, to the important part - congratulations on being one hardcore bad-ass Emz! You are my hero, girl!

ConcreteNCoffee said...

Holy crap girl, you are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

I kinda wanna be you on my race day, ya know, minus 23.8 miles ;-)

RobinLK said...

*COOLEST*recap*E-V-E-R*! Cried the whole thing... feelin' it with ya'! Well, done, Em! You totally rocked your ultra. You are the MAN, um.... the woman!! :-)

*hugs* from Orlando! Look for a recap link later today.

Silly Girl Running said...

Wow! You amaze me! You should really come to Europe and run the Swiss Alpine Marathon 78K next year! :)

Matty O said...

took longer to read the comments than to read your post!!!

First off, you are an amazing woman. Great job. Seriously I saw your time and laughed, not at a bad time, but at the fact that your first time running 50 miles up a mountain and you CRUSHED IT. New you would, hoped you would, glad you did.

As for meeting someone and running with them. Your best move ever. The only way I got my PR Marathon time was meeting up the group and talking the ENTIRE run. Funny talking at 7:10 pace is easier than running 7:10 pace with tunes... The mind can be evil :) haha.

As for the only one with a watch... uhhh HELLO!!!! I would wear mine too. Unless it weighs me down then I would ditch it ;)

How did the water pack work out for you? Curious if you got any blisters, rubbing, chaffing?

Congratulations again, an amazing feat and you rock for going out there and tackling this bad boy.

Please take time off to recover though. You will need a few days to let everything heal up, don't injure yourself.

Anne said...

A-MA-ZING!!! You are an incredibly strong and fit woman...but it's your mental strength that impresses me the most! Congrats!!!!!

Anne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Harold said...

Wow 50 miles. Insane. Congrats.

SteveQ said...

Wow! Great race!

I'm still aiming for the Man vs Horse wrestling match.

Aron said...

you are freaking amazing. that is all :)

Angie said...

I am so amazed by you. Congratulations. You can't know how much you inspire me to be better.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

YOU
ARE
MY
IDOL!!!!!!
Wow, purely amazing!!!!!!!! Congrats!!!!

Unknown said...

EPIC Amazing! Congrats!

Molly said...

Okay, just picked my jaw up off my keyboard after reading this.

And you only peed once????

Matty O said...

Did I mention that "more than words" by extreme was the first song I learned to play on my acoustic guitar in high school?

Just saying, great song pic ;)

Emz said...

Molly - I know that was almost as impressive as finishing, right?!

Matty-O --- loved that. One day you must post a video blog of your "more than words" performance.

RunningLaur said...

Fantastic report - you really powered through and controlled the whole thing.
Makes me want to do it next year... :)

Zaneta @ Runner's Luck said...

EMZ!!! YOU ARE AMAZING!! Seriously!! Totally and utterly amazing! you are definitely an inspiration! i would LOVE to run a race with you sometime! :) You may have to slow way down though lol ;) But... GREAT JOB!! You're photos tell a story at the end and its awesome, what a great accomplishment! :D

Emz said...

RL & Zaneta --- let's do iT!!!

Zaneta @ Runner's Luck said...

Well, I dont know about a 50 mile race since I did just complete my first half marathon and all... but maybe a full marathon if one is half way between us or something? I seriously would love to run with you! I find you highly motivating :D

Emz said...

Zaneta - email me!! Queenofjean@ gmail!!

Kevin and Kim Partridge said...

I just read about pickle juice and cramps this weekend! I'm so glad you knew about it before. You are a wonder, and not just at running. I can't wait to see you next year at this. I'll be with your mom (as long as it's not over Conference weekend, because then she'll probably make me do a conference packet).

Joanne said...

Amazing race and absolutely unbelievable time! You were awesome!
I just did my first marathon and can't imagine double timing it. But.... you got me thinking (as my husband quakes at the thought ;) )

Unknown said...

amazing has been used SO many times in the comments but truly...AMAZING!!

Fantabulous!!
Incredible!
Marvelous!
Astounding!
Awesome!
Spectacular!
Extraordinary!
Wonderous!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

This is a TRULY TRULY amazing race report..I read every word, laughed, cried and totally confused all in one.

CONGRATS!!

adena said...

Wow, wow, wow. sorry for the late reply.. I got chills reading that. Well done, way to go and ALL THAT!! HOLY CRAP you are awesome!!

Ed said...

That brief summary of this amazing triumph was spectacular. The words, the pictures, the songs, the font sizes... everything was perfect and not even enough to encapture a good size portion of the internal satisfaction that you clearly have... I can almost see you smiling while composing this post. I know I joke a lot, but I want you to know that I am completely serious when I say that you are an awesome person and I am truly inspired by your example of actions and attitudes to carry. Thank you. Cheers to you, Mate!
Happy Happy
Joy Joy!!!

ihaverun said...

Awesomeness!! You totally rocked it!!

Congrats!

Jeri said...

You are a MACHINE! This is what I tell myself when I'm working on a hill or hard tempo run. But you seriously are. So impressed. :)

Unknown said...

I still can't believe you did this. Seriously, how did you get so bad ass?

I've said it before and I'll say it again...I want to be YOU one day.

Thanks for the comment on my latest blog - so sweet of you!

One Crazy Penguin said...

Way to go girl! I don't think it would be an exaggeration to say that you're my hero! Maybe I will join in on the next one....

Suzy said...

Wow, wow, and wow! Congrats on one awesome race. Great report too.

Rachel said...

FANTASTIC! reading your report gave me goosebumps. i have my first 50 planned for spring and reading this got me so excited! congrats on conquering 50 miles! crazy!

The Boring Runner said...

This is so amazing. More amazing than words could even describe. The assent, the brush, everything.

NICE job out there. You really killed it.

Lucas R. Tucker said...

You may very well be the most awesome peson I know.

Allie said...

So, I am waaaay late reading this post (like over a week, what's wrong with me?) but you killed it. I got all teary-eyed at the end. You're so money, baby!!!!

PS When do I get to see the actual belt buckle?

Scott McMurtrey said...

Awe.

Some.

Suite-Smith said...

Oh Emily I am totally crying reading this and wondering how I can have a friend so amazing to do this and even think about doing it again. I love you you strong beautiful woman! WAY 2 GO!!!