Hamster Endurance Run

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This past Saturday was the Hamster Endurance Run for us.  Wow.  Hard.  I wasn’t properly prepared as I am not used to running on a trail, or dirt, or rocks, or hills that one encounters while hiking.  What can I say other than I only completed 13.3 miles (21 km).  This is what my 13 miles of trail looked like:

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I usually run on the road, so I wore the shoes I’m most comfortable in… my road shoes.  Lesson learned… I won’t do that again, not for a trail run.  They don’t provide the cushion or stability one needs to run across rocks.  This is what James’s looked like at the end of the run; you can’t even tell that his shoes used to be black:

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Okay, with that being said, I loved this event.  The people, the food, the atmosphere.  It was the most relaxed I’ve ever felt, especially knowing I had a long, hot day ahead of me. We took our chairs and set up a place to hang out and relax when we wanted a break.  The whole covered part was our “aid station.”  There were only about 60 runners participating.

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Out on the trail, I met 2 older men, one who was 80 and one who was 69.  They both had accomplished running an ultra in all 50 states 4 times each!  The 80-year-old was signed up for the 32-hour event (!!) and was aiming for 100K.  He didn’t start running until he was 64.  See… there’s hope for me yet!!

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It was a great course, but like I said, it was hard.  The lake was beautiful that day and there was lots of activity going on.  At one point, I wanted to just go put my feet in the water as it felt like they were on fire.

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This is us with about an hour left to go (James lapped me a few times):

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And finally, the finisher’s award:

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We did have a really good time, but it left us wiped for the rest of the weekend. Even simple tasks were daunting, and we were sore in places we don’t usually get sore.  I won’t give away how far James went… that’s for him to share, so stay tuned to 50 in 50 Marathon Quest to find out.  He may give a full recap sometime in the near future, :).

My first trail run is now in the bag, and I would absolutely do more trail running if I could find a hiking trail on which to train!  In the meantime, I’ll have to stick to the road races. Next up for me is the Bellingham Bay 10K at the end of September… a tune-up race for my final half-marathon of the year in Tulsa!

Squirrel count for August so far:  13

49 thoughts on “Hamster Endurance Run”

  2. Janet Wilson

    Hi trail running is tough but well done. I have to say one park run was enough for me!!! Cross country is hard work but you need trail shoes, more sturdy with grip. Hope you recover soon. Jx

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  5. 50in50marathonquest

    What a great recap and you did awesome. We sure learned a lot didn’t we?!! Still made a good excuse for that huge burrito for dinner and a fabulous lunch yesterday!! But, yes holy ouch, I’m still wiped out! Great job hugsies!!

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  7. mawil1

    Wow that’s a lot of hills and in a half marathon distance to boot! Fantastic! I’m impressed with your 80 yr old. Took up running at 64 that’s the kind of inspiration I need!😊

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  10. Susan Leighton

    Those views were fantastic, Paula. I used to run and bike trails back in the day. I wish you success in Tulsa! Do you find when you do distance runs that your mind is clearer? Do you get any ideas for the blog?

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      I actually get a ton of ideas for the blog, but unfortunately, once I’m done with my run, I completely lose my train of thought (well, at least on the long runs, lol). It’s like I need to hook up a brain recorder or something, lol! And thanks Susan! I’m glad you enjoyed the views! 😀

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  11. Pingback: Motivational Music Monday #26 | 50 in 50 Marathon Quest

    1. wanderwolf

      What an accomplishment though, and the views are beautiful! Even if the run itself sounds hard. With inclines like that, I’d have a hard time sticking to the full six hours.
      Great work!
      And I’ve been invisible reading (offline reading) the blogs, so I know what your squirrel count is.
      I’ve always wondered what happens to injured animals in the wild, so I’m grateful that you share the details of your work with us! You have a really neat job.

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  14. janerunswild

    Congratulations on running your first trail race!! Very exciting. Your description of how you felt post race resonated with me! Even simple conversation is tough and you’re sore in places you’ve never been sore before 🙂 Very funny and very true! Looks like a beautiful course and glad you had fun. Enjoy the week of rest!! Congrats to your hubs too!

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  15. artisticsharon

    Congratulations! you are the bomb!! You should be uber proud, I’ve only done one trail run and it was only 5k – I knew after that I didn’t really want to do any more 😀

    I missed Motivation Monday but still wanted to share a new song I heard last week: Hold My Hand by Jess Glynne

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Thank you Sharon! It was so hard, but loved it!

      James didn’t actually get his MMM post published until last night due to no brain power from Hamster, and I won’t get mine published until tonight, but I’ll go add your song over to James’ post.
      Good luck on your 10K this week!! I think I wanted to say that earlier but just couldn’t get the words out, lol!!

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  16. Pingback: Round and Round | Never A Dull Bling

    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Awe, thank you! That is super nice of you to say! Running long distances is kind of scary… I have yet to get past 14 miles! But like everything else, baby steps first, 1 mile at a time! And if you really want to get there, you definitely will!! 😀

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  18. Lady G

    Way to go guys and congratulations Paula. I’d love to do this and it would have to be in Ireland, Hawaii, Alaska or New Zealand ’cause I can NOT do the snake thing.
    But we’ve already talked about that right! LOL
    No, seriously, what a magnificent accomplishment 🙂

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Omg!! I didn’t even think about the snake factor! And I’m really glad I didn’t while I was doing this, I would’ve been all kinds of freaked out!! I didn’t see any, but towards the end this big ugly black bug started chasing me, but thankfully I lost that bad boy!! :O

      Thank you Lady Gwin!! I so appreciate the support!! Xoxo

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      1. Lady G

        Aww thanks Paula!
        I love reading about what’s going on in your world 🙂
        Anyway, you probably didn’t see a snake because you didn’t think about seeing one. However, I am the opposite so I would have seen them EVER-Y-WHERE! LOL!
        Just don’t think about them next time 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  19. The Happy Healthy Kiwi

    Well done! I can’t believe those shoes used to be black! And the 80 year old who only started at 64, now that is inspiring! I’ll have to skip ahead to James post now, I’m excited to see how he did.

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Thank you Katie!! Oh yes, that man, I was so impressed. I stayed with him a good long while, but I veered off to take a break and he continued on without me. I’m hoping he got his 100K!! 😀 I’ll check in a few days and post if he did, 😀

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Ohmigosh, that would be awesome!! It’s the weekend before Thanksgiving! I can’t believe we’re going to travel at that time of year, but it looks like a great race! Would love to see you if you’re able!! 😀

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  22. zwanjay

    Awesome job! Trail running is the best. It brings out the mental and physical toughness. I’m glad you guys still managed to have a good time while doing it, because taking in the sights, sounds, food, and meeting other runners makes the experience even better.

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