Fears and Tears

Minneapolis and St. Paul are know as Twin Cities, with downtown centers about 10 miles apart. But they're more fraternal twins than identical. People who live in Minneapolis don't usually venture across the river to St. Paul; there's no need to. I supposed the people east of the river feel the same way about their town. I've lived in Minneapolis for about 15 years and I may have been to St. Paul more than some of my neighbors who've grown up here.

My running group is in St. Paul. It's exposed me to different places to run and I like that. For Saturday's long run we went to historic Fort Snelling, an area I pass on the way to the airport, but never visit.

Since I'm the slowest in the group, the coach had me leave before the others. Problem was, she was briefing everyone on where we were going to run. I got quick instructions on how to get to the water stop, where we would re-group.

As I ran south along the River Road, I realized I had no clue what our running route would be after the water stop. As the fast people started to pass me, I called out to the coach that I didn't know where I was going! She said they'd wait for me. Okay, fine.

I managed to make it to the water stop, saved by some runners who arrived and turned right just as I was about to turn left. At the water stop, we were told to go out, run two loops and come back, then leave the park and we'd be less than two miles from the club. I started out, behind the others.

The two loops were supposed to be two loops around the island. But I missed that part. I thought the road was shaped kind of like the letter "P" with the water stop at the base of the letter; that we'd run out, run some loop a couple of times, then head back to the water stop and the club.

The area was beautiful! Wooded, along the Mississippi River, and with a nice dirt path to run on. I was soon alone, but just as there was a choice between going left or veering right, my coach and another woman were coming towards me from the right. As she passed I asked if the loop was going to be obvious and she assured me it would be. When I came to another path that offered a choice between left or right, I again kept to the right. When I got to the end, I followed the path as it curved to the left.

We're in the middle of a heat wave, so it was hot and humid! When we started out, the temperature was about 70 degrees with 76% humidity, and climbed to 85 by the end of the run. But I had my water bottle and plenty of gels. And the water stop wasn't too far away.

As I continued, I saw the path to the left. Not sure what to do, but remembering that the loop would be "obvious", I turned left, figuring it would lead back to the path that I started on, which it did. At one point there was a huge thing in the middle of the path. It turned out to be a wild tom turkey and a hen. I took their picture, then approached gingerly. They mosied over into the woods. I'm glad they weren't aggressive--I've had Canada geese hiss and chase me and it's not fun. Unfortunately they're just two black blobs in the picture, so I didn't upload it.

I saw the second slowest runner in our group, M., shortly after. She was also running alone and had turned around at some point and changed direction just to ease the boredom. She told me that we were running on Pike Island. That was good to know.

Again, I got to the end and followed the path as it curved to the left. This time I continued past the first trail where I had turned left. I was enjoying the scenery and listening to my iPod. When I got to the next fork, I turned left, and when it took me to the other side, I turned right to head back to the water stop. That's when I got lost.

I love the country. I just don't have inherent survival skills. I need to know where I am and where I'm going, with a plan on how to get there.

Remember, I was in the woods. My running group was long gone by this time. It was unseasonably hot and I had run about 10 miles by this point. I was hot, tired, and in no mood to be exploring. I came to a bridge, but I didn't remember crossing a bridge, so I continued past it. I couldn't figure out where the water stop was! After going in circles a few times, I was getting very frustrated. There was a sign with a map, showing Pike Island. I'd look at the map and try to figure out where I was standing, but there was no "You are here" to help me get my bearings. The sun was over my right shoulder, so I figured I was facing north, and the interpretive center that I was trying to find was also north.

Desperate, I started praying. "God, please send me an angel to show me the way out of here." There's nothing like fear to give you religion. After more searching in vain, I broke down and cried tears of frustration. Stoopid running club! I should have joined Team Salubrious. I should have stayed with my old club. I was out of water by this time, and mad that my training run was full of stops. I had my cell phone, but I didn't know how to tell my husband where to find me. Finally, I saw a couple of women hikers coming across the bridge and I asked them the way out. It involved going across the bridge, then veering to the right. Hmmm. I didn't remember crossing a bridge, but they assured me it was the only way and I figured I'd get my bearings once I got on the road. They even shared some of their water with me. I think they were the angels I prayed for. :-)

As I followed their directions, then headed up a hill, the area looked familiar. Looking back, I saw the water stop! There was no one there, but the water and gatorade bottles were there and inside the plastic bag were cut-up oranges. Oh, boy! Maybe this running club wasn't so bad after all.

At the interpretive center, I used the bathroom and washed the grit off my face. Refreshed, I ran to where I thought the bridge was supposed to be. Argggh! there was only a freeway frontage road. Screw it; I headed back to the club the same way I came. It was longer but at least I knew where I was.

My knee started hurting at around mile 12, probably because of dehydration. It was 11:30 by this point; 3.5 hours to go only 12 miles! I wanted to run 16, in order to feel confident for the marathon. I tried to run strong, but it was pathetic. When I got to the turnoff for the club, I kept going because my mileage was only at around 14. I ran until I got to 15, then turned around. As soon as I hit 16, I turned off the watch and walked the rest of the way.

After stretching and showering, I went to get some food. As I was sittng at the table, I looked at the map I had picked up at the interpretive center. It was so obvious! Pike Island only had one entrance, which was that little bridge that I didn't remember crossing. I thought the water stop was on the island, but it wasn't. The interpetive center that was north of me when I was looking at the signpost was north, but I had to go south to cross the bridge first.

It wasn't the best workout, but that was my last long run until the marathon. I'm so glad.