Yesterday I kicked off the Summer of Shanley the Sequel by running the 47th annual Double Dipsea. The race in numbers is 13.7 miles, 4,500 feet ascent, 4,500 feet descent, 1,342 stairs and 724 participants. The race described in a gentle warning from the race directors is “just stupid” and “sadistic.” That alone could scare someone like me who is just your average runner, but it didn’t. If you know me and know my Type A minus personality, you know that “average” is not my favorite word. But the nerd in me also knows that there is no denying the numbers and that’s just what I am average (20/49 female in my age group, 141/269 overall female, 438/724 overall.)
I used to be embarrassed that I’ve gotten much slower or that I never was quite as fast as my friends, but I’ve gotten over that. Someone once reminded me that my medal after a race looks the same as the guy who came in first. Yeah, he or she probably got an additional medal or some cash, but you get my point. This average runner along with everyone out on that trail worked very hard to make it to yesterday’s starting line and there should be nothing but pride felt in that.
Another thing they say about the Double Dipsea is that it’s not for everyone. Maybe not, but I sure did see a lot of different types of someones taking on the course yesterday. I not only had the pleasure of having the lead runners pass me twice as I jumped to the side and stood in awe as he bounded both down and up very technical trail, but I also saw Daryll the 79 year old gentleman who was dead last but still had a smile on his face when you cheered him in passing.
Before I go on and on I figured I’d make a list of some of the highlights. I hear lists on the Internet are all the rage.
Top 10 highlights of running Double Dipsea as an average runner:
10. “Not to put a feather in my cap, but I’m pretty well known in the running community.” When I complimented an older woman on her very fancy bow and she proceed to let me know just how fancy she was. Somebody was clearly feeling herself.
9.Coke: Races and training for races I allow myself to drink tonic and even warm, it’s pure magic during a race.
8.Say my name say my name. All of our race bibs had our names on them and big enough so you could cheer for each other in passing. It was a huge boost.
7.Never Say never: Not only did my body not want to quit, but more importantly my head didn’t either.
6. Other people’s sweat: When you are coming and going up the Mill Valley stairs it didn’t matter that you would knock into folks because you’d simply glide right off them.
5. It’s no Secret: That I forgot deodorant because I announced it in the car ride to the race, but as I was in some tight quarters on the stairs, I realized soon enough that I wasn’t the only one. That was some Stank!
4. Triple Dip: After my Double dip, I went for one more dip in the Ocean at the finish line, totally saving my legs.
3.Next-level Picnic: Spending my post race hours basking in the sun with friends, great food and yes more Coke!
2. Oh I think I found myself a cheerleader…or two… There were my friends who saw me off in my time wave with smiling faces and cheering voices. And since those same friends are above average runners they were also there to greet me as I finished. The encouragement from my Team Grind pals as they came upon me on the trail. My pals waiting in Old Mill Park to see me just for a few moments and then see me off again. And to every unsolicited “Go Caitlin” from other runners, I thank you.
1. Just keep running: “Dead Last is greater than Did Not Finish which trumps Did Dot Start.” So, in this case, I guess I’m a little above the curve.
There was only one downside to this whole adventure that began back in March when I registered. I never figured out who the shirtless runner was who’d be out there training every Sunday like me and who put a little extra pep in my step when he passed me coming or going and gave me that nod. Looks like I need to just keep running to see him again;0
