Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race Report

I DID IT! Rock Creek's Chattanooga Mountains Stage Races: 3 days/3 mountains/60 miles.

Stage 1: 22 miles Lookout Mountain 5:44:42 (placed 118 out of 129)
Stage 2: 18 miles Raccoon Mountain 4:42.52 (148 out of 152)
Stage 3: 20 miles Signal Mountain 7:20:58 (130 out 132)
Final time 17:48:38-overall pace 17:48-overall place 98 out of 99
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0AhctcagoYHWhdG9sOC1ncXR1dUgxSU0tWkg0ODBXRmc&gid=0

I wasn't dead last in any of the races, just next to it....
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little discouraged by my last day's exceedingly slow performance, but it was a heck of a learning experience and adventure.

My pouts and excuses:
-it was my first time doing that kind of mileage/races three days in a row. I did manage an acceptable (for me) trail pace on days 1 and 2. (fyi: my total mileage for the week was 72 miles!)
-the Signal Mountain course was hard. It was a lot of very techincal climbs and descents; the sort of pick your way through the jagged rocks trail that I just can't run (so, for me, it ended up being more like a strenuous hike with some jogging miles thrown in). My mind gave me as many fits as my body did about it all; not as it seeming unbearably hard, but finding the trails to be somewhat anxiety provoking.
-I remembered all my vitamin suplements, but had forgotten my Prozac; maybe by Day 3 my mood was falling a bit and that contributed to feeling more stressed and skittish?
-need new glasses
-need to lose 10 lbs (to be in top running condition)
-it was HOT high humidity weather

Good stuff:
-With about 4 miles left in the race, my friend Mona from Huntsville caught up with me on day 1; her company was great!
-Ran with new running buddy Amy on days 2-3. (I so wish I could have kept up with her all day on Sunday, but she was waiting at the finish for me to get there!)
-other running buddies, Andon (from Birmingham; he and I were pretty pace compatible on days 1 & 2, with me finishing a bit ahead, but he had more left on Sunday's final race), Van, Randal, John, Nick, & Lia.
-REALLY glad Amy, Lia and I were all together on day 2 during the Thunder and Lightening storm!
-New friend and roommate Jenny from Nashville, even if I am jealous of her youth and speed.
-said hello in passing to a couple of the folks from the ultra mailing list I'm a member of on Yahoo.
-The "couchsurfing.org" roomshare Jenny found for us; a mansion overlooking the Tennessee River sure beats Motel 6 for accomodations! Thanks to our host James.
-some beautiful trails and scenic views
-Sitting, soaking and splashing in the creek for an hour after finishing day 1. That was just one of the Best-Things-Ever!
-wishing 70 year old Randall, who happened to be the father of the race director, a "Happy Father's Day" (since I wouldn't get the chance to talk to my own father that day)
-My boyfriend Barry came as race support on days 1 and 3. (after the race, we went bookstore browsing- and he bought me a photography book of Victorian body builders/muscle men that we dubbed "steampunk porn") Oh, and he also gave me a great post-race massage on Sunday evening!
-My daughter Hannah came on day 2. (After the race, she and I played tourists and went on the Ruby Falls cave tour; lol--I spent the morning on top of the mountain and part of the afternoon under it!)
-I slipped and stumbled only a few times, went down on my knees once on day 1 and on my butt twice on day 3, all easy falls with NO Blood or Bruises on any of them.
--my new Adidas shoes were fine; I learned I need to wear them with medium weight not the thinnest socks to fit right. Could have probably done with a size 10 instead of 10.5 No blisters though! Wore the Adidias on days 1 and 3, and my Newtons on day 2 (while the Adidias were drying out from a deep creek crossing on the course!)
-was surprised and pleased that my legs and feet didn't feel too bad on days 2 and 3, after having done 22 miles the first day out. (obviously tho, by Day 3, I was past my peak.)
-I am now a believer in S-caps (electrolyte supplements); made it through the extreme heat. Mostly got by on GU, Heed, and a few M&Ms and pretzels, but Aid station PBJ sandwiches and sips of coke still rule!
--possibles: try wearing calf compression sleeves? try a camelback hydration pack instead of hipbelt carrier?

More details (and I think Barry got some finish line pics?) later.