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I didn't take many pictures on the way back because it was more of the same in terms of scenery, and I was almost out of film.
Up until mile 33 I had had a great race according to my race plan. I was slightly below my planned pace (13:00 minutes per mile) and I was below my planned aid station rest time (the plan at this point was 30 minutes; I was at about 19).
At about mile 33, after the second visit to the Lapland Road Aid Station, I started to crash. I had a lot of pain in my ankles and back from the hills, and I just didn't have the same energy level that I had maintained throughout the morning. But I wanted to finish, and although I was uncomfortable there was no reason I couldn't keep walking and still finish well before the 14 hour cutoff. So I just kept trudging along at a much slower pace, about 16:00 minutes per mile. I also had to stop about every 1-2 miles and rest my back a little bit.
At about mile 43 two teenagers on a four-wheel ATV stopped by and asked me if I wanted a lift! Although I was tempted, I resisted and kept on moving.
At the last unmanned aid station, about 4.2 miles from the finish, I got my appetite back and I gorged myself. Pringles, M&Ms, nuts, more M&Ms, more Pringles. I probably spent three minutes there, just eating. It was soooooo good.
From about three miles away I could see the water tower at the starting line. That was so exciting because I knew I'd make it and I could finally see the goal in sight. I didn't have enough energy to pick up the pace much, so I kept on moving with a big smile on my face.
As I turned the last corner I could see the finish line! There were about 8 people standing around, including Angela and Lela, and as I rounded the corner they started ringing cowbells and clapping! I felt sorry for them because I was going so slow and still had to cover about a 1/2 mile, so they had to ring those bells for quite a while!
- Here I am approaching the finish line. Lela is holding balloons and ringing her cowbell. One of the most ironic things about this picture is the "Speed Limit 55" sign in the background! Ha! Not even close!
- Here I am, about to cross the finish line. That's right, that line of flour in the middle of the road is the finish line!
- They put a lawn chair in the middle of the road and I just collapsed into it! FINISHED! The race worker read off my time: 12:34:37. It was almost 1:10 over my planned time, 11:25:00, but I don't care. Given the hills, I'm VERY happy with my results. Plus, with a little more hill training, I know I can do it faster next year! ;)
- Angela and I at the finish.