Running A Mile In My Shoes: 3 Days at the Fair

         They say you don’t know a person until you run a mile in his shoes.  I’m not sure about that, but I do know about running a mile over and over again for 6-12-24-48 or 72 hours.  Three Days at the Fair is a timed race around a 1-mile course.  To date, I have run this mile 466 times, including 115 this past weekend.  I have it memorized.
            It may sound monotonous, but there is comfort in knowing the tail.  Let me take you on a trip around the mile.


Start/Finish-This is the happiest place on the course.  It features the one aid station.  They are known to cook to order and deliver hot food right on to the course.  Nothing beats hot chocolate chip cookies at 2 am!
The “HILL”-this thing will grown exponentially from barely noticeable, to OMG!  Before you tackle the hill, you have the choice of stepping a few feet off course to hit the bathrooms or simply continuing on.












Tent City-Turn right at the hill, take a few steps, turn left for a few more, then one more right.  Some of the superstars camp here.














Out and back-Many of the campers set up here.  The out and back is where you will find “crowd support” as friends and family supporting runners are housed here.  Not unlikely to find someone playing guitar, passing out ice or simply cheering.   

                                                     











The out and back culminates in the garbage can musical chair turn-around.  It can be humorous watching  runners hug this corner to get momentum.

                                                        









The Downhill slide:  Once you round the garbage can, you run down the slightly downward pitch straight away.   Most try to run here.  You will go by the chicken coop.  These roosters are often confused by the time, and will crow at all hours.


Right at the fence:  take a few steps, go through the gates, look for cars.


 

Ouch:  After a few steps, you take a sharp left, and take no more than three steps over a rocky, sandy area.  This transition from pavement to dirt, hurts every time.  Yes, every time.


Round the Bend:  You next spend about a quarter mile going around a bend.   The bend is marked with an odd assortment of lawn ornaments.  Apparently, the ¼.½ and ¾ marks are also indicated.  I didn’t learn this tidbit until I had been around over 400 times.

Stained glass dino's;  back to running

Angry Birds Part1;  many start to slow their pace here

Angry Birds Part 2- lots of walking happening

Stained Glass fish:  Paces begin to pick up again.  Halfway!


Kung Fu Santa;  A marker for many to begin running again













Cyclops Squirrel:  Entry to the long straight away back, and a character that will enter my nightmares

 

Old Bitty Owl:  Keep moving


Seen Better Days Puppy, straight away is ending

Quiet Zone:  The one turn on the course, yes, I’ve missed it, but I shouldn’t have, it is very well marked.



Grass/Gravel  Straightaway:  Relief for the feet, and often a chance to view a horse show.











Back to Gravel:  Turn right and go back on the pavement.  Run past the barns where less adventurous campers hang out.   Start thinking about what you want at the aid station
 

Heavenly Left:  Make the turn and you are back at the Start/Finish.  You just have to grind up a very small incline.


I have learned to love this course.  What it lacks for in diversity it makes up for in so many other ways.  Aside from the logistics of not having to carry any gear, as you are never more than a mile from it, you get to watch some amazing human spirit quests.   I can think of no where else you can share the same trail as a man setting the world record for 72 hours, a Barkley finisher, a heavy grandmotherly looking lady completing a marathon, a smarty-pants walking encylopedia, friends working hard and hanging out, a special lady, I've watched come close to finishing a 100 several times, finally achieve it, and a multitude of others endeavoring to get out of their comfort zones.

As a group, we battled sun, rain, wind, cold and a Relay for Life with horrible music.   Spirits soared, crashed, and were resurrected.  Friendships were built and strengthened, while bodies were beat up and torn down.  

I was never alone.  I could always see another runner, and was often buoyed by their journies.  I was supported by those with me, and by those who would reach out to me.  All helping me dig deep within myself, to go the extra mile.

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