In 6 days I will be getting in the goat pen to run the Nanny Goat 24 hour run in Riverside, CA.
Last year I ran 55 miles, fell asleep on the trail thinking I was going to barf, woke up and fell asleep in the barn where the aid station is for a few hours, woke up and hobbled the last 7 miles to get to 62 miles or a 100k.
This year my goal is to run 100k (that's 62 miles) without taking a nap. Anything after that is gravy.
I'm making my list of what to bring, taking stock of what I have from last year. I don't know what clothes I'm going to bring yet.
My friends are trying to convince me to do 100 miles. I don't know about that.
The first exposure to Nanny Goat was pacing my friends Tony and Alva there. I didn't sign up for the race and wound up doing between 25 and 30 loops. Then I signed up for my first ultra at Nanny Goat. I took a few long breaks, but after about 16 hours I made it to 50 miles. Then, last year, I made it to 100k. This January I did a point to point 50 mile run in Avalon, CA. It took me 12:22 to finish but I felt good. It wasn't enough. April I did the Mt. Si 50 miler in 11:42. I think 100k is doable without stopping now. I don't know what comes after that.
After 62 loops I am going to take it a mile at a time. I'd love to run 78 miles. My Grampa would have been 78 this year on May 11th, and I miss him like hell every damn day. I want to call him and talk to him every day. I miss him saying "My Dinah!" so much I can't even say it out loud without bursting into tears still. Life sucks sometimes. I know people can't live forever, but damnit. Him being gone will never be okay. I guess goal 2 is for him. Last year I wanted to run 77 miles, but quit at 100k. I remember LT saying "don't you want to make your Grampa proud of you?" and I responded with "I'll die, and my Grampa doesn't want me to join him yet." I think this year I'll try harder though.
I know a year ago my limit was 100k, maybe a little less. I'm not trying to buckle, or run for anyone else - I just want to go out there and see what I can do. I want to find my limit again, and push past it.
Packing List:
Supplies:
- 2 camping chairs
- 2 cots
- sleeping bag
- table
- cooler
- towels
- batteries
- flashlight
- handheld bottle
- tarps (for stall floor - need to buy)
- earplugs and eyemask?
Med:
- endurolytes and race caps
- ibuprofin and alkaseltzer
- immodium/pepto
- run goo/aquaphor/goldbond/bodyglide
- caffeine wakey wakey juice
- ginger chews
- salonpas
- baby wipes
- kt tape
- lip balm
- whisps (for brushing teeth)
- hand sanitizer
- bug repellent
- sunscreen
- safety pins (bye bye blisters)
- first aid kit
- tweezers/scissors
- hairbands
- deoderant
- gum
- road id? (like, if I keel over on the loop no one will know who I am?)
- the stick
Clothes:
- Altra Olympus and Torin
- 4 pairs injinji socks
- 4 pairs undies
- 3 sports bras
- gaitors
- 2 shorts
- 2 tights
- pants for night
- arm sleeves
- 2 buffs
- day hat w brim
- warm hat for night
- 3 t-shirts
- 3 long sleeved shirts
- sunglasses
- spibelt
- 2 headlamps
- down jacket for night
- hoodie
Food:
- Beer
- Water
- Coconut water
- tailwind
- honey stingers
- spam musubi
- watermelon
- sunflower seeds
- rice balls
- sweet potato wraps
- tummy tea
- pbj
- fritos
- potatoes
- pickles
- ginger ale
- ice
For After:
- Beer
- Recoverite and Blender bottle
- Holey jeans
- Loose Shirt
- Hoody
- Sandals
- compression sleeves
And for fun, here are some pictures of Nanny Goat.
There are more pictures, and so many more memories. Giovanni lifting up his son after finishing is my favorite. Cheering on Mark finishing his 100k. Getting to share my marathon with Leo. I can't wait to see, however many miles I do, what memories are made next week.
