Mao Mao Speaks

The February 2nd, 2018 me never thought I would be writing this race report.  That me was sitting alone in a Shenzhen hotel room wondering how the hell I was going to make it through another day.  That me was far away from home and wrestling with a million demons.  That me wasn't happy or really running much at all.   The December 11th, 2018 me is still in shock that I can say I entered, was selected to run (by the skin of my teeth) and finished the Hellgate 100k.   The race is small in field by design and daunting in it's rugged toughness.   As you climb and descend the course changes effortlessly, slyly from technical to flowing and then back again.   Just as you become comfortable with your pace and find your flow you realize it is time to adjust.  Adjust, because now you are on a gravel road.  Adjust, because now you struggle to find even footing.  Adjust.  My training was pretty good heading into Hellgate.  After getting in on the second chance decision by the board

"Number 97, Sean Raines!  That is a good looking jacket!"  Those are the words of Dr. David Horton as I crossed the finish line at the Holiday Lake "50k" Saturday (Feb. 12 2018).  The jacket he was referring to was my greenish yellow Patagonia Houdini.  This particular style of jacket was awarded to those who finished the Hellgate 100k a few years ago.  It was also not the first time that day I had been confused with a finisher of the Hellgate 100k which is why I know said jacket was an award that year.  And that is what I want to write about today.  Bear with me, it might not make sense but  I will try to draw the comparison to my performance at Holiday Lake and the confusion my clothes caused. The day started as normally as any other ultra I have run.  I woke up pretty easily.  So easily that I am not sure I really slept the night before. It was a restless night.  As restless as many of my nights have been lately.  Regardless, I felt pretty good.  I made some br