I returned again in 2022 for more 1 mile loops at 3 Days in the Park (3DiP). This year, I "only" signed up for 24 hours as it was my goal to not run a 100 miler, but to improve my night running.
The training block leading up to 3DiP was less than stellar, with me catching The Plague during peak week and missing my back to back long runs. Plus, my longest run of the year was 67K at Tally. Still, I thought a 24 hour distance PB or stretch goal of 120K was doable.
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| Loop 1 of several, with K and Brian. |
Agnes arrived to start loop 3 with us, and in true Agnes fashion, we managed to bully her into a few more kilometres than she had planned.
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| Fireball shot #1 |
Saturday morning was quite chilly and windy, but at least the rain had mostly subsided. I was glad to have chosen full length tights.
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| Harry had to take a selfie with a vanity plate with "his" name on it. |
The day went by in a flash, and soon it was headlamp o'clock. I took the opportunity to change into my night outfit. Since the low was supposed to be down near 0 C, I had brought All The Fleece and All the Merino Wool to wear.
Lori came to keep me company for a few loops, and brought me some fortified happy grape juice. After running with Brian most of the day, Harry was happy to hang out in the tent and talk ultra with Existential Crisis Duck.
My next pacer was X, and in a flashback to last year, he showed up for the cold, cold night in shorts. Lori warmed him up with some mulled wine, Merlin served us long johns and blackberry gin. The "party room" area of the tent was really rockin' and it was more than a little difficult to get back out to run. I wasted around half an hour goofing around but it was so much fun!
X left after only a short run because he was cold (surprise surprise!) and I ran a couple of hours by myself before Audrey showed up. I was still trying to do the ultra shuffle but being solo and no one else running (K and Deb were hiking at a great pace) made me want to hike too.
Gary had made improvements to the course and race HQ tent. There were motion sensor lights on the course, the roots were all painted orange with a reflective coating, and of course the neon lit arrows.
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I wasn't trying to be antisocial; I was trying to stay the fuck away from the very skeery glowing heaters. |
After another too-short run/hike/shuffle with Audrey, I was solo for another couple of hours until Shannon and Darek and Charlie the tripod doggo arrived. Shannon had asked me beforehand what an ideal situation for them to arrive to was: still moving well, with some running. My legs were really sore from That Hill, my plantar fasciitis was flaring up, my ultra shuffle was not even the tiniest bit faster than my hike, and no one else on the course (K and Deb Bulten) was running.
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| Finish line with Darek and Shannon |
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| Awesome pic, except that Shannon blinked. |
