Duhn-duhn-DUHN!

When running 50k in Monument Valley, the scenery certainly helps pass the miles and time. But eventually you hit a point where you think, “yeah, yeah… more rocks. More sand. Where the John Ford is the finish?!” At that point it’s nice to see some other folks running.

There’s always a sense of the loneliness of the long distance runner even in the most communal of events, even in races where spectators line the streets three, four deep the entire way. But there is always something to be said for the boost one gets from spectators or fellow runners. That was definitely true during the 50k. At the Three Susters aid station, volunteers and crew/spectators made a huge difference to me coming back from the mesa ascent/descent. And on the course proper, I had a chance to chat with Kristen, a metronome of a runner who was so steady and steadfast that she was an inspiration. So too was Brian, a charming guy who helped talk me up the mesa ascent and would be a boost in the closing 2.5 miles to boot.

On the mesa, I snapped a few photos of a Brian and promised to text him when I had cell service again. He was thrilled to be able to get some pics as he didn’t bring his camera and was kicking himself for it.

At journey’s end, his girlfriend was snapping away and Brian insisted he repay the photo favor by having her grab one of me at the finish. We just swapped pics over iMessage texts and here’s me moments after crossing the finish line. Delirious, I apparently sang the Captain Chaos theme and struck actor pose number 27. That’s an old high school drama guild joke as our director would occasionally say to an old hand to strike actor pose number 13 or number 54 or number 73 and it was always the sane pose… anyhoo, here’s me (with thanks to Brian and Brie for the pic!).