Have you ever found yourself in a moment of spontaneity that leads to an unforgettable adventure? That’s precisely what happened to me when I decided, on a whim, to participate in a 12-hour overnight race. I am by no means a spontaneous person, but I figured why not. The event in Garnett, Kansas turned out to be a grueling test of endurance and willpower. I walked/ran from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., and by the end, I had covered 30 miles and earned third place among the female participants (or at least that’s what the trophy says). This is the story of how I embraced the journey, stuck it out when my body was screaming for me to stop, and discovered the true meaning of mind over matter.
The Spark of Spontaneity
It all started with a casual conversation with my husband, a bona fide long distance runner who has completed several 100-mile races. No, that is not a typo – several 100-mile races. As the person who often “crews” for him during his races the idea of actually participating in a 12-hour race sounded insane at first. Who in their right mind would willingly walk or run for 12 straight hours, especially through the night? But there was something tantalizing about the challenge. It was an opportunity to break free from the mundane, to push myself beyond my perceived limits, and to embrace the unknown. Without overthinking it, I signed up.
The Night Unfolds
The race, an out and back 5-mile loop, began in sunlight. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and nerves. Most runners had signed up for the 3-hour option, a few for the 6-hour option and 11 “brave” souls for the 12-hour option. As the clock struck 8 p.m., we were off. The initial miles were filled with energy and camaraderie. I found myself chatting with fellow participants and marveling at the beauty of the trail as we moved steadily into dusk and eventual darkness.
But as the hours ticked by, the reality of the challenge set in. The temperature dropped, muscles began to ache, and the thrill of spontaneity gave way to the grind of endurance. My legs felt like lead, and every step became a mental battle. My imagination went into overdrive as I started to contemplate my demise. My obituary would state, “She died trying.” Every sound and scent seemed amplified. I eagerly sought out the lights emitted by the headlamps of fellow racers but as the night progressed these lights became fewer and farther between. It was in these moments that the true essence of the race revealed itself.
Embracing the Journey
At around 2 a.m., six hours into the race, I hit my first major wall. My body was screaming for me to stop. Every fiber of my being begged for rest. But I remembered why I started – the promise of an adventure, the desire to push my limits, and the curiosity to see how far I could go. I focused on one step at a time, breaking the journey down into manageable chunks. I started counting steps to the next landmarks. OK, 20 more steps to the fallen log on the right, 100 more steps to the memorial bench. I started greeting the mile markers as if they were old friends.
Embracing the journey meant accepting the discomfort and finding joy in the small victories. Each completed lap, each sip of water, each hastily consumed bit of food, and each encouraging word or gesture from a fellow racer became fuel for my spirit. I discovered the power of community and the strength that comes from shared determination.
Mind Over Matter
The final hours before dawn were the most challenging. Fatigue had set in, and the novelty of the night had worn off. It was pure grit that kept me moving. I repeated mantras in my head, reminding myself that pain is temporary, but pride is forever. It was mind over matter, a mental game of pushing beyond physical limits.
As the first light of dawn began to break, I felt a renewed sense of hope. The end was in sight. By then I had been on my feet for 10.5 hours and I had completed 25 miles. I was fine with that, but my original goal was 30 miles, and I thought why not. So off I went for another loop. That was perhaps the hardest 5 miles and truly a time of mind over matter. With every step, I drew closer to the finish line, driven by the knowledge that I had already come so far.
Triumph at the Finish Line
When the clock struck 8 a.m., I crossed the finish line with a sense of accomplishment that words can hardly capture. I had walked and run 30 miles through the night and had spent 12 hours on my feet battling exhaustion and doubt. To my surprise, I was awarded third place among the female participants. For me, though, it was never about the medal or the recognition; it was about proving to myself that I could do it.
Lessons Learned
This spontaneous adventure taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, the power of the human spirit, and the importance of embracing the journey, no matter how tough it gets. It reminded me that sometimes, the best experiences come from stepping out of our comfort zones and saying yes to the unknown.
So, the next time you’re faced with an opportunity that seems crazy or daunting, I encourage you to embrace it. You never know what incredible journey awaits you on the other side.
