Preface: Terrie Gorney is the Head Coach of Fort Bend Fit (FBF) with a membership of about 400-500 runners, and is one of the most enthusiastic and inspirational people you will ever meet. This story is written about her day at the Sunmart 50K (31.0 miles) and 50 mile run, which is held in Huntsville, Texas the first weekend of each December, and is considered one of the premier ultra-marathons in the country. She also gives some great advice to anyone, whether they be a walker or a runner, about mentally and physically preparing yourself for any distance.

Terrie (second from right) is "a mother first - a runner second". This picture was taken with her kids during a summer cruise stop.

Why am I writing this? First to share my joy of running this weekend with you and second to let the first timers know that you don't just hop into this kind of running with out many training years and miles behind you.  Third to let you know that I am really not crazy despite what you may have heard..............

I woke up this morning, got right up and realized that my middle toe on my right foot hurt.  Wow, It hadn't bothered me this much since I stood in line Friday night to register for Sunmart.  Friday night was tough for me - actually the two weeks heading up to Sunmart had been tough.  I banged my foot into a suitcase over Thanksgiving and had busted my toes badly.  That middle one hadn't gotten better and there was a lot of swelling.  We sort of determined it wasn't broken and Harris helped me with some PT.  But, I wasn't able to run for 2.5 weeks.  Friday I had to make a decision to continue with my plan to run 50 miles or change to the 50K or drop out.  I felt well enough that dropping out wasn't something I considered for long - I haven't missed a Sunmart since running my first in 2001.  Meanne Jeanne and I discussed what I should do the entire week leading up to the event, and in the car all the way there on Friday.  Jeanne and I started training for our first marathon in 1999.  We ran together for years before that.  She is my best friend and her opinion is invaluable to me.  She also knows me better than I know myself.  She gave me sound advice - listen to your body. The toe gave me enough grief that I didn't think it would hold up for 50 miles but I wasn't sure.  I completed my form and stood at the registration table for a good 10 minutes.  I had the pen in my hand but just couldn't check the box - 50K or 50 Miles?  I kept telling people to go ahead of me.  Someone asked to borrow the pen.  I had to wait to get the pen back so I could hold it some more while deciding. It wasn't just about what I did on Saturday but how what I did would affect me for a future goal.  Jeanne had already gotten her bag full of stuff and was telling me the buffet would close in ten minutes.  They were running out of cookies.  I needed to make a decision.  Standing there I realized that I was favoring the sore foot - my other leg was tired.  I checked the box for the 50K.  I felt sad but glad the decision was over. I now had another issue....were there any small shirts left and would I get a chocolate chip cookie before they ran out?  I limped over to get my bag full of goodies and medium shirt.

We had a convoy heading to the park at 5:30am Saturday.  I was all business finding the perfect spot for the tent.  We set it up proudly.   I froze and so did my toes.  We had a "Hoo Yah" (FBF's pre-race cheer yell) and prayer and then huddled together waiting for the start. Rosa now knows why I do so much hugging on cold mornings - body heat!  I kept a blanket around me at the start line and threw it off to Grant as I ran by.  My toe nagged me all day after it defrosted at 8 miles and later my leg above my ankle started hurting but not enough to really cause an issue.  I watched my footing and was more timid than the past.  I never fell or even had a bobble.  I ran the first 6 miles with Jeanne and Janet and then decided to go a little faster while the toes were still numb.  It was a good day and I had a strong finish with way too much left at the end.  I watched my friends finish and we all waited to see our 50 milers come in.  We took the tent down and packed it in Kevin's car for the next day.

All day I regretted not doing the 50 miles.  With an injury I still finished an hour faster than my first 50K but 45 minutes slower than my best 50K.  However this event was not about time to me (ok, just a little) but more about endurance.  I needed another long back to back running weekend.  I felt like I had failed on day 1.  I got home about 8pm and started preparing for the 30K.  Went to bed at 10:30 and then got up at 4am.  Had a fight with the alarm clock until I realized I really did want to get up.  I was just a little sore (another sign I didn't push enough on Saturday)  but my toe no longer hurt - my ankle did.  I hadn't rolled it or anything the day before, but the  compensation for the toe had put stress on it.

I could walk and run fine and the toe looked no worse than before the 31 miles on Saturday so I decided to go for it.  I met the walkers at  Town Square and we officially did a Hoo Yah and started at 5am sharp.  My plan was to get them to Lexington and Sweetwater and then start my run.  Oops, I started talking.  The conversations were so good and we were enjoying the early morning quiet (except for us talking) so much that before I knew it we had hit the 5 mile mark.  I had been walking for over an hour and 15 minutes - the time had passed so quickly.  Wanda W. and I had "Opening Ceremonies" (we were the first in the porta potties) and I left the group to run.  We have some fast walkers in our group.  It seemed like I wasn't making much time as they were not very far behind me at first.  My toe/foot/ankle only hurt when I stopped for a water break.  The morning proved to be very special as there were many firsts for me.  I had a great time with the walkers as I never get to enjoy being with them during training time.  The second thing is that I arrived at the intersection of Palm Royale (I was finishing my second loop) at the same time as the lead runners started their first loop.  I had a motorcycle cop leading the way for me.  I was at the front of the pack!!!!! (In reality, I slapped myself out of the dream, stopped and let the first group go by before I merged in with the rest). Shortly after making the turn I started seeing my FBFers Dave D., Rich, Arburn, and I started running faster.  It was like I was back in the race again.  I did miles from 7:50 to 8:10 the last 4.5 miles on the loop.  I felt so sad finishing the last loop and heading straight to Sweetwater.  I spent the last 2 miles replying to cheers..."I am not the leader - I started early".  It was lonely out there and I almost got run over at Lexington and Austin Parkway as there were no police on that part of the route......they were waiting for the lead men.  All of a sudden I started getting confused on my time and thought that the winners would be coming up behind me and passing me.......how embarrassing - I wasn't going to let that happen.  I kicked it in and had a strong finish - the first to cross the Finish Line! (my third "first time" thing of the day) A couple of people were real excited thinking I was the winner but the rest were FBFers and others who knew I had started early.  I finished 45 minutes later than my best 30K but 20 minutes faster than my first 30K.  I was walking and my toe didn't hurt - my ankle and leg did.

I hopped on Wes' table and had a wonderful massage.  I didn't scream too loud and I was able to move in a more graceful way afterward.  I saw the winners finish.  I proudly watched every FBFer finish. Another first!  I watched our people finish with pride, dignity, tears of joy and pain.  I watched our first finisher, Dave, and our last, June.  I had a great day until it was time to take the tent down and I became sad - and my tummy started hurting.  Hmmmmmm........ I think I didn't want the tent to come down after it had weathered such a great running weekend.   Coach Bob and Terrell sent me home and they took care of tent duties.

So what did I learn?  Everybody learns something after every experience.  I learned that "training is everything" and you have to change your race plan based on your body and training - or I guess I should say "I re-learned it" - good thing I'm not an English teacher!  I haven't had an injury in years and haven't had to deal with not being able to run. I regretted giving up the 50 miler but it was the right thing to do.  I felt fine with no aches or pains on Monday or Tuesday - the massage and ice bath worked wonders.  The ankle and foot are back to normal - the toe is swollen (Jeanne said it is a little sausage toe) and I am giving it TLC so that it doesn't hinder my Houston marathon plans nor my long distance dream in February.  

There are basic guidelines that we should all follow.  Training properly is number one.  I didn't just jump into a back to back running pattern over night.  I have been training for marathons for 8 years.  I have been doing ultra marathons for 5 years.  I have completed two 50 mile races and finished both in top condition..........dancing and thrilled!!!! But I was in top condition when I started both times.  I completed the TMC by doing one marathon, three ultras, and a 50 miler in 4.5 months.  My body doesn't do well in fast competition - it took eveything I had in me to run fast enough to qualify for Boston. I trained for two years missing the qualifying time in 3 marathons before actually making it by one minute!  I seem to have a better tolerance for long distance and these ultras are magic with me. Saturday was my 22nd marathon if I counted correctly.  I don't keep a log.

So there is my story - I am not crazy at all....Just another runner.