Discovery Series #3

I was intimidated by this course. The description makes it sound so tame, but that second hill is a monster. I banished thoughts about pacing, the one goal I had was to run the whole way, and not give up.
My calf muscles were so tight at the beginning of the run. That is one thing you don't want when you're doing a lot of climbing. The first mile or so is flat or downhill, which I had hoped would loosen things up a little. But as I made the turn onto Greenlee, that was just not the case.
Just don't give up, I thought to myself. And that was my mantra for the rest of the run.
The first hill is about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile, not terrible steep, but you know you are going uphill. I employed my trudge technique, and just ate away at it step-by-step. My calf muscles were burning, but I knew there was a easier stretch once I reached the top.
Just don't give up.
I crested that rise, and saw a short downhill before me, leading to a short uphill. I knew the course rolled like this for a while, so I lengthened my stride and started running easy. I just kept focus on my breath, and let the miles slip away.
Then I came to Beidelheimer Road. Calling this a road is somewhat generous: it's really just a logging trail cut into the side of a small mountain. And it had fresh gravel and loose dirt to add to the challenge. At the bottom, you see just a long, long ascent in front of you before it turns a corner.
Just don't give up.
I kept plugging away; one foot in front of the other. Speed was not an option here; it was just about maintaining forward movement. I rounded the bend, and more climbing. There was a short upward bump, which I hoped would have a small downhill behind it. But no, it kept going up.
Just don't give up.
Climbing and climbing, the minutes crawled by. I had no idea what my pace was at this point, I was just in the moment, climbing. Then, there in front of me: that must be the top! I pushed over the hill, only to see that it rounded a bend and kept going up as far as I could see. I was a little deflated, but I kept going.
Just don't give up.
After a few more minutes, I knew I had to be near the top. Looking to my left or right I could see blue skies through the trees. Another little upward tick: could this finally be it? I took a few longer strides to crest that, and again was fooled. The road flattened slightly, but then I could see two more sharp rises a few hundreds yards ahead.
Just don't give up.
My legs were screaming, but I was so close now: I knew I had to be. I kept pushing, over the first hump, and then over the second. For a moment I felt heartbreak, as the road went around another bend. But then I saw that it finally started a short, steep downhill. Wings of joy carried me. I wanted to celebrate right there, but I still had over a mile to go.
From there, the trail rolled up and down, but I didn't even notice. I cruised in from there, even with a little added burst of speed as I saw the finish line. My time was not important: I was just proud that I had toughed it out.
I got a ride back down the hill in the back of a pick-up track. That fresh mountain air never felt so good. My calf muscles were burning last night, and that continues today, but I know now that there is no challenge I cannot face as long as I remember: just don't give up.