In July of 2024, my daughter ran the Beaverhead 100km race in Salmon, Idaho, over 50 miles of which followed the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). |
I lace tight my Brooks Cascadia
before the 4:00 a.m. start.
8500 feet and then climbing.
Over 50 miles on the CDT.
Breath in, breath out.
I’m not alone.
I have friends/husband running nearby.
But not in my head.
Climbing.
Feeling good.
OMG, the skree field.
38-minute miles.
On the keen-edged CDT,
if I fall right,
my blood flows to the Pacific.
If left, the Gulf of Mexico.
Dark.
Still running.
Everything narrows
to the glow of my headlamp.
11:09 p.m., cross the line,
19+ hours.
With my husband and three friends,
Holding hands!