Up ‘N Over, From a Dolphin’s Perspective

Up ‘N Over, From a Dolphin’s Perspective

Truth be told, this is not a backblast in the purest sense, yet YHC hopes these words fulfill the intent of the ‘blast in conveying the actions, the emotions and the motivations of a merry few PAX.  The following words share but one perspective of an event witnessed by hundreds of PAX from across the nation, yet the words in this heart need be shared, so here goes…

To provide full context of this past race weekend and the impact it had on YHC, we have to go back nearly 4 months.  2018 has been less than kind to YHC, especially in the 3rd quarter.  Much of the travails would be non-sequitur and have more business in a 3rd F event than in these pages, yet suffice it to say I went into the weekend at emotional, spiritual, and physical low points.  This year was supposed to be the year of the 3:30 marathon, the 1:30 half and the sub 30 BRR.  2018 was to be the year of personal and professional successes unmatched by prior pinnacles.  YHC had decided to make this 18th year of the century an unprecedented confluence of prowess and success, yet the big man had different thoughts…

The dominoes began to fall ~6 months ago and have been falling ever since.  Motivation has evaded me with mornings becoming chores left undone, then changes at the office resulting in long days and labors often going unnoticed.  Ten weeks ago my right achilles tendon started plaguing me, tightening during runs and often hobbling me the day after.  The following week the left calf started to misbehave as well.  Mileage flagged, and motivation sunk even deeper.  YHC told his team he couldn’t take on a Mtn. Goat position and stepped into the #2 spot… still high miles but without the extreme challenges presented by Grandfather and “The Nipple.”  Then six weeks ago the hardest challenge I’ve ever had as a father and husband began, sleepless nights and emotional challenges abounded.   As if all this wasn’t enough a chest cold set in 4 weeks back which has yet to abate.  More than once I considered dropping from the team, giving in to the pile of troubles… yet for some reason I didn’t.

Entering this weekend I was undertrained, under the weather, and wholly depleted of spirit.  Yet I arrived ready to bring what I could to the mountains, a gasp of defiance daring the world to keep me down.  I was joined by eight men of indomitable spirits and questionable decision making.  Together we would take on the highways and byways of southern Virginia and western North Carolina with the long standing bogey of a sub 30 hour BRR in our sights.  In the back of my mind I knew how much of a challenge that would be, even if I ran the race of my life… for that is one hell of an achievement (talking to you Minions, great job!). Yet we believed if we willed it, we could rise to the challenge and so we set forth.

Over the next day and a half I watched those men stretch themselves mentally in physically in an event designed to break you. The lack of sleep, the exhausted muscles, the questionable nutrition and many other factors which strain the mind and body were same as ever, but for YHC something was different.  I began to realize the support, the camaraderie, and the common belief that spirit and brotherhood can overcome the worst of obstacles was filling a void in my soul.  Where there was heartache and suffering before, the shield lock of my team and the drive to defeat the mountains together where a healing salve on so many open wounds.

This weekend I had genuine laughter (both with and at the expense of myself and my team mates).  In the middle of the night I had conversations of deep moral standing, and insignificant banter.  In the heat and the bugs I experience solidarity and profound peace.  I didn’t realize how depleted I was, until I wrung myself out upon that course and was replenished by the strength of others.

At the end of it all, we came in to Asheville at 31 hours, almost to the minute.  We missed our target again, but at least for YHC, the completion of the task was a profound victory.  I am so grateful for my brothers from both this year’s Up ‘N Over squad and the years before.  I cannot say how moved I am writing these words, how appreciative I am for their love and support.  As I wipe some dust out of the corner of my eye, I swear thats what it is, I am humbled by their acceptance and by the opportunity I’ve had to be part of this team.

For the PAX who swear they’ll never run, YHC encourages you to consider my story.  Its not about the miles, or the hills, or the vans or the pancakes.  Its about what each man brings into the weekend, and the wealth which can be brought away.  The Blue Ridge Relay is what F3 is all about.  Its about strength, its about community, its about fellowship and the faith in each other and something which is beyond all of us.  This is why we post, this is why we labor, this is why we CSAUP and this is why we are all F3rd.

To the start Gentlemen, See You In The Gloom…