Making time in Brazil

Where to begin, it’s really hard to say. I have been blessed and honored to be surrounded by an amazing core group in my life for a long time. The Brazil 135 is very special to me in so many ways. It started in 2011 when Tony Portera, Jarom Thurston and I ran the entire Caminho da Fe as well as the Brazil 135 over 7+ days. Easily one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had in my life. I realized then how beautiful the country and people of Brazil were. It was also then that I had the pleasure of meeting Mario and Eliana Lacerda who have now become family. I was fortunate to return in 2013 and now in 2014 for the first time to race competitively. Excited absolutely, a little scared no doubt. For better or for worse I am not exactly shy about my training or hopes. From a training standpoint all was good. Ray Zahab has been taking care of me since 2011 and this year all that hard work has paid huge dividends as he knew it would. He works tirelessly with me to get things right. As most of you know Ray is the co-founder of Impossible2Possible, an incredible non-profit that teaches young adults to extend the limits of their own possibilities. I am a proud Ambassador for them as the mission is so worthwhile and valuable to all it touches. My plan for Brazil was to go sub 35hour and maybe a top ten. I had never “raced” the race before but knew that was in there somewhere. 

Ray Zahab and Me Badwater Basin 2012

One of the things I love the most is that when I meet people they rarely say “I” inspire them. They almost always say “WE” inspire them as in all of us including Erin and the girls. They sent me notes of love and inspiration and I know were with me in spirit along the way.

Notes from the girls :)

I arrived on Wednesday morning and met the legendary Sergio Cordeiro at the airport and was driven to my friend Paulo Calil’s home in Americana. As the norm it took awhile to find our driver, not sure why…… 

Driver confusion

There I met my other crew member and pacer Geraldo Silva. Paulo and his wife Claudia graciously housed me, fed me and took me out to an amazing steak and lamb dinner Brazilian style. His home was beautiful, comforting and relaxing.

There is no shortage of meat in Brazil :)

On Thursday we drove to Sao Joao da Boa Vista for the pre-race meeting, so many friendly faces and lots of whom I was fortunate enough to meet for the first time. The roster was chock full of past winners including Eduardo Calixto, Marco Farinazzo and Kurt Lindermuller. 

                 

Using Kurt and Marco for inspiration

It also included the Dingofish himself-Grant Maughan, Terry Sentinella and an incredible Jacksonville and Florida contingent. Having been to Brazil for the race twice it was really an honor to have so many Americans come and experience first-hand why I love that place and race so much. As always, my favorite reunion was with Mario and Eliana Lacerda and their great smiles and even greater hugs. After food, discussion and lots of pictures we headed off to our hotel. We checked in, I napped and the crew went out for supplies. Pizza and a beer for dinner then off to bed. Unfortunately given the heat, lack of AC and noisy church bells sleep was not too successful.

Sergio, Geraldo and Paulo ready to roll!

Florida peeps at the start

I arose race morning to eat the standard Pousada fare of fresh bread, cheese, meat and amazing coffee. Showered, dressed and off to the start. My rockstar crew was ready for action and the weather was cloudy, a nice way to start. As usual there was plenty of music and fun unlike any other race start I have ever been a part of. Lots pics, hand shaking and smiles for now. As we left the city I felt good and a little nervous to say the least, I am usually not a big fan of the first 40 or 50 miles because I tend to think way too much. The first long climb is quite steep and concludes with the dreaded 1 mile jungle section. Luckily there was little rain on the single track jungle such it was much more pleasant then recent memory. As we got to the top we started the descent into Aguas da Prata (the central home of the Caminho da Fe). As expected EVERYONE passed me on the downhill. This included Josh Spector, Terry Sentinella and Maggie Beach to name a few, not exactly my strong suite. As we breezed through the first checkpoint I felt great and our time was perfect.

We then embarked on to the highest point of the course Pico da Gaviao at over 5400ft. As we hiked up we saw all the leaders coming back down which was great but that also meant we were a little too close for comfort this early on. Such a beautiful view from above but no stopping for pictures, just turn around and descend straight back down. A little bit of brief quad cramping brought a scare but it went away and never returned. The next big stop is Andradas ~mile 42. I felt awesome and also saw Brad Lombardi which was good. It was good because he was smiling and that meant he was running a smart race. If you ever saw Running On The Sun there is a great quote from Gabriel Flores where he tells his crew he could be dying and one hour later he could be flying. Ha, well that’s how it goes, death and rebirth over and over. Well I died around mile 44 struggling to maintain a 12-13min pace but rose again around mile 54 and quickly hit stride with several sub 8min miles go figure. My one rule in Ultras is that after around mile 50 if you feel good you MUST run regardless if it feels like you are pressing. You have to go when the energy is there. Geraldo Silva paced me most of the day and kept me entertained with his stories and love for American women. I’m not sure he ever got tired.

Geraldo Silva and Me pushing through

               

 

From there life was pretty good leading into Inconfidente just past halfway. Our crew vehicle did maintain a flat from a horseshoe nail which left us crewless for several hours but everyone we saw was so helpful and offered anything we needed. It was here that I took my only break, a five minute shoe a sock change. Look ma no blisters so happy. Managed to eat half a hamburger for which my belly was thankful. Sergio took over pacing for now and off we went into the night. I dislike the night for several reasons but mostly because my night vision sucks and I am slow.  At this point I was thinking somewhere in the 35hour range but realistically knew I was ahead of that. The problem is the 2^nd half of that course is much harder than 1^st and with wear and tear accumulating I feared a death march hitting at some point. I knew if I just kept moving till sunrise I would get a boost from the day light and about a 4 hour window before the heat hit. It seemed as if we were slowly plodding but we were actually making good time. We made it into Estiva (mile 109) around 730am or 23h30m, a huge success. I had never been there before the aid was setup which was kind of strange. In turn, we purchased some fresh bread and coffee (SOOOOOO good). I was surprised to see one of my favorite runners Marco Farinazzo resting and getting treatment. At the same time it gave me an understanding of just how well I was doing so off I went.

Around mile 113 or so Marco and his crew caught me, we battled back and forth for a period then I let him go as I could not quite keep up. His crew asked me if there was anything I needed. Somewhat jokingly I said “Do you have any Cachaca?” Cachaca is the local sugar cane liquor which tastes like moonshine and is probably as strong. They of course responded yes and handed me a little plastic bottle of clear liquid. Without a hitch I took a small swig and instantly got a little muscle relief. Although I could not catch Marco, I did catch and pass Ariovaldo Branco a previous 2^nd place finisher so that gave me a boost.  It was also confirmed to me that I was in the top ten, SNAP!

Cachaca

The sun and heat came out in fury around 11am and the last 4 hours were a battle. I was on fumes physically and it seemed the closer we got the further we were. Those last climbs were so hard but my crew pushed me every step. When Sergio Cordeiro tells you he is impressed it motivates you trust me. All of sudden we passed a race volunteer and asked him if we had less than 5k to go. He laughed and said you have about a mile to go. Instantaneously the weight was lifted and I looked at my watch. We were going to finish just over 30hours, holy moly. As perspective that is over an hour faster than my Badwater time and 30hr at Brazil is just plain harder than 30hr at Badwater. We descended into the city and I ran across the finish in 30h3m3s, 8^th place OA, 1^st American and a new American record. Eliana was there to greet me and there were tears of joy. It had all really paid off, I was in shock. Later that day Mario gave me my medal and there were more tears of joy. He was proud like a father and I love him like one.

             

Comandante Mario Lacerda

Cold ones with the boys :)

Post race with Ari Branco

  

The next few days were spent reminiscing and enjoying time with family. There is such a great feel around Paraisopolis after the race. It’s also fun to watch all the other competitors finish. We even got to drink some fresh coconut juice atop a beautiful mountain on Sunday.

Now that is a fresh coconut!

              

The Krokodillo

I left Brazil with a touch of sadness but could not wait to see my family on the other side. My girls ARE my world. So thankful for all they do to support me. I am also incredibly thankful for the friendship and coaching of Ray Zahab, WE did it buddy! Thanks also to Bob MacGillivray at Drymax Socks, I ran 135miles blister free on the Caminho da Fe, who does that. Lastly for Mario and Eliana for all you do for me and others and putting on such a World class event in every way. You are two of the most beautiful souls on the planet.

Welcome home!

As I picked up Maddox from school upon my return she said “Daddy you did so well, I am SO proud of you”. Having that come from my 8yo daughter was as special as anything I can recently remember. They are so pure at that age and speak heartfelt truth when they do. I am blessed!