This was all new to me because I had never done an endurance event.I was excited and nervous about this race, but damn, don’t I remember that day.

My car gear shift broke, and I had to borrow someone else’s car. I left in a hurry because I thought I would be late, but I arrived in the nick of time.

The gear that I bought was a backpack with five bottles of water. Even though it was a 6k, what was I thinking back then? Damn, that was a mistake I soon found out during the run.

The race was about to start, and all I could think about was the race’s route. I was clueless about where I was heading once the race began.

Looking back at it, damn, why was I overthinking it. Since I was clueless, my game plan was to follow the runners.

I know right simple and basic.

Here we go, the race starts. I go at a fast pace initially; however, it’s a great not idea as I learn in the future.

However, those damn water bottles shook my bag up and down like there was no tomorrow. A couple of minutes later, I was tired of going up those hills.

Once I reached the finish line, I was happy because I never thought I would be doing this in my life.

My Advice For First Time Runners

• Buy yourself a hydration backpack instead of carrying water bottles in a bag.

• Eat and hydrate two hours before the race starts because you don’t want to be shitting or peeing yourself mid-race—that one worse feeling during a run and your couple a miles away from the restroom.

• Study the layout of the route

• Pace yourself; don’t go full-on sprint 

• Have fun out there

The Night Shift

I volunteered for this event as a sweeper because it allowed me to hike those mountains at night. My job was to collect the marker on the short trail. My shift started at 1 am and ended at 3 am.

Once I stepped back into those mountains, it was pitch black and windy ass hell. It was gorgeous that night, but damn, wasn’t I paranoid.

I was constantly looking behind when I was up those hills. I only saw two people throughout that walk. I thought I was it take longer, but I finished within one hour.

Race Results