I am 64

Waking up at 3:45 AM and getting ready for race day (Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock 50 Mile) set the tone for an intense experience. Picking up Jordan, Kira, and Lulu at 5:00 AM and heading to the start marked the beginning of a long, memorable day. The drive was smooth, and I was relieved there was no runner-support-team congestion, as I had feared. 

As they prepared for the race, I got the car ready for Lulu. I waited at the start until they finished the initial 3-mile loop, but I soon realized I had missed them. The TrackMy phone app was unreliable due to spotty service, and its distance measurement as the crow flies didn't reflect the mountain trail's true course, highlighting the race's unpredictable nature.

I headed to the Pilot Mountain Visitors Center at mile 19, where they had free 6kW charging, and waited. I went from 61% to 78% while waiting over two hours for them to complete the next 16 miles. When I met them, they were very hot. They quickly grabbed some fluids and snacks and headed out. I picked up Shelley, and we followed them for the rest of the day. 

The next stop was 29 miles into the race, and they were glad we had COLD water. They looked overheated. It was a quick stop; they got sodium caps and food. The next stop was 36 miles into the race. The tracking improved, so I knew they were doing OK. Again, cold water and food were much appreciated.

Then, 45 miles into the race. I was worried because I expected them at 4:30 PM, based on the last signal on my phone. I was getting really anxious that something had gone wrong. Then, at 6:00, they arrived. They met Kira’s friend, who Kira stopped to talk with, while Jordan did not stop. He just dropped his backpack on the ground and off he went, leaving Kira behind. Kira’s friend decided to run with them for the last five miles. They later said she motivated them to run more, since they had planned to watch.

Shelley waited with Lulu at the Government Center while I took the shuttle to the finish. As the signal dropped again, I felt worry rise as the distance showed 0.81 miles away. Minutes stretched into twenty, and still no sign of them. When they finally appeared 37 minutes later, I felt a mix of relief and pride as they crossed the finish line at 12:45:14, tired but happy.

I went back to the Government Center, picked up the car, and gave Kira’s friend a ride back to Hanging Rock. Jordan had a scary anxiety attack, went numb, and was hyperventilating. It was frightening. Shelley cared for him while I helped Kira unpack. Jordan felt better after a shower and some rest. We talked about the day, then slept, grateful for each other's support.

So this is how I spent my 64th birthday. It felt lonely and disappointing, with only Jordan, Kira, and Shelley acknowledging it. Not my sister, my mom, Shelley’s daughters, or many others. I feel like I am disappearing.

Carry on my friends, carry on!