45 DOWN, 5 TO GO…

Triple Lake Trails Marathon, North Carolina
Number of Runners: 55 (filled to capacity)
Elevation: 15
Time: 4:18:12
Weather: 71 degrees, partly cloudy

What better was to celebrate Halloween than by running through the enchanted forest of Guilford County. The Triple Lake Trails could be an eerie place, especially on October 31st. The trees are thick and gnarled, and the trail winds confusingly through the backwoods in a never ending “Blair Witch” like conundrum. Weird noises echoed off in the distance, first sounding like barking dogs, then like blowing wind whistling through tree branches, only to reverberate into the dull roar of a distant stream, the direction of which could never be isolated. Spooky stuff.

Luckily the trail was well marked. It still was tricky going, though, with lots of potential hazards lurking below a thick layer of fallen leaves which effectively concealed most of the obstacles. I fell several times, as did many of the other runners. Being that it’s Halloween, I kept envisioning these skeleton hands hiding below the surface and grabbing at our feet and ankles as we past by.

The sun shot broken shards of light through the thickets, distorting the ground and playing tricks with your footing. There were times when everything melded into one, as though you could step freely onto a stable floor of leaves, but this was just an illusion. Every footstep needed to be executed with precision, or a stumble was inevitable. Combine this technically challenging terrain with plenty of climbs and descents, and you have one haunting Halloween marathon.

This was the sixth “Trail Marathon” during the Endurance 50. As much as I love running on trails, after forty-four marathons, a mellower version—kind of a Triple Lake Trails Marathon “Lite”—would have been just fine, thank you. But the people and the setting turned something that would have been memorable, into something that will be unforgettable. The Endurance 50 has been about superlatives, and today the streak continued.

There was a marathon finish party setup outside of VF corporate headquarters (VF is the parent company of The North Face, who is the title sponsor of the Endurance 50). I ran to the finish with the 5th grade class of a local school, and were met by the Mayor and the Chairman & CEO of VF. They were serving lunch to 1,200 employees and members of the community. After the luncheon, they presented me with a bronzed shoe commemorating the Endurance 50, and a donation of $5,000 to Karno Kids to help support youth outdoor activity programs. They invited my daughter and son, as well as me, onto the stage to accept the award and donation, which I think illustrates VF’s commitment to our youth and community.

After the presentation, I got to spend some time with the other runners, swapping war stories from the trail, comparing bruises, and laughing about the juxtaposition of finishing one of the most demanding marathons of your life, and then being ushered to an awards banquet directly afterward covered in dirt and grime.

After all the runners had departed, we packed up the bus, loaded everybody onboard, and headed off down the highway once again. Thanks to you all for a Halloween “treat” my family and I will never forget.

On the road again,
Dean & Crew

P.S. The “finish party” in New York City will be on November 5th from 12:00-4:00 PM. The location is at The North Face retail store: 2101 Broadway (at 73rd), New York, (not far from the NYC Marathon finish). Phone number: 212-362-1000

All Endurance 50 participants (at any of the 50 marathons across the country), guests and fans are welcomed. So please swing by if you can!

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Click here for Endurance50 videos.

Comments

[steve hearst]

Go! Dean Go!

[Andrea Sefler]

Dean,

Even though I wasn't able to run yesterday, I had a great bike ride and a good time and I thank you for that. Congratulations on being so close to finishing this remarkable and memorable achievement. I heard a crazy rumor that you were going to Forrest Gump it back from Manhattan to SF- if crazy rumor becomes crazy truth (I wouldn't put it past you)- I want to wish you good luck and Godspeed in your future endeavours. If not and you find yourself unemployed, come on back to Glaxo and I'm sure we can find you a job here again.

Thanks for being an inspiration.

[David]

Dean,
Thanks for a great run yesterday. I truely enjoyed the experience of running with you and helping to support your cause. Thanks for the very memorable experience! As I said - it was fun - even after 4 hours of stumbling through the woods.

David

[Marcus King]

Dear Dean:

It's too bad Eveready didn't hop aboard as a sponsor. It's truly amazing that you keep going, and going and going.... As I sit here typing this note, I feel like a huge WUS! I'm sore from the 1/2 Marathon I ran three days ago; but a GOOD sore (PR's by 2 min.). Nevertheless you have kept me inspire during my training (Marathon #2). It makes it a lot easier getting out of bed in the morning.

Kudos to Koop and the Carmichael crew for keeping you going and patched up. Please let them know that there is at least one whacko with time on his hands to read ALL the blogs. Best of luck on the last five. I know you have inspired a lot of people to not only be better runners but also better people.

Peace

Marcus

P.S. I cracked up a whole pack of runners this weekend during the race with a quote from your book, "Pain is just weakness leaving the body." We crossed the finish line with a big yuk.

[cathy maguire]

Hello Liz, firstly, much respect to you been an ultra-runner. And secondly, thank you very much for taking the time and effort to explain an email that was essentially for Dean. Yes I can see you passion and can therefore appreciate your stand point. I guess we shall have to wait and see what unfolds on the 7th so. All the best. Safe running to you. Warm regards Cathy

[David Chippi]

Way to go. A few more left. You're almost there! Keep on going!

Dave

[Bill Willcox]

Dean,
I only ran about 15 miles of the course in Greensboro, but it was really, really hard. I almost fell three times, and strained my hamstring once trying to keep from falling. After only 15 miles, I had a similar feeling to finishing a marathon...and now I truly appreciate the ease of running on nice solid roads where my mind can unwind. This was a training run for me...I am running the Richmond Marathon as a fundraiser for a friend who is trying to walk after having a stroke...Just walking 40 feet with a cane is like a marathon for him. The details are at www.chapelhilljournal.com/runforgert.html. The run in Greensboro served my purpose. I got a great training run and did not injure myself on an extremely rooty and leaf-covered trail. Congratulations on approaching the finish line of another amazing endurance accomplishment. You continue to be inspiration for so many runners who are looking for inspiration, such as myself.
You said it was a surreal experience to run so many consecutive marathons. I imagine you have crammed a lifetime of experience into 50 days.

Bill Willcox

[Liz Wood]

Dean: No permission to publish this one.

I am going to send you a race bib just in case you might decide to run a 51st Marathon on November 6. I won't be insulted if you decide not to use it.

I am going to mail it to North Face in New York City. I hope that is an acceptable location.

Peace, Love, Cheers!

Thanks!

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DK wrote: Bring it on, I love it! I'll be looking for #51, and maybe 52, 53, 54,... too :-)

[Lori Alizieri Stevens]

Thanks for a great run and congratulations on a "kickin" 3 hour marathon in New York. A week later I am still floating on air at the thought that I completed a marathon--my first one! It was a surreal experience and I am already planning my next one. The weather was perfect, the company was great and my friend Crystal stuck with me to the end. Why not make this a yearly tradition? I will surely show up each year to run the beautiful trails. Hope to see you then, Lori

[Jack Odell]

Dean
I was just reminiscing the amazing time I had in Greensboro. Thanks for giving all of us all that you have. It's awesome. Any chance we'll see you back on the east coast in the coming year?
Jack