Enchantment resort, Kachina woman Trail vortex

Day One… Again. 

Insomniac #2 - Adrenaline 15K

Mog Rim Job

Lunch Hike (Horton heard a Creek)

I must have been out of my mind.

Mile 1 -
I was pumped and full of energy.

Mile 1.5 -
I was regretting my decisions and nearly turned around to call it quits.

Mile 3 -
Out of water and considering my life choices which got me to that point, still thinking I should turn around and call it.

Mile 4 -
Was graced with another runner (Rhiana) and her will to help me push on.

Mile 5.5 -
Made it to Coldwater Aid Station, extremely happy to have actually gone this far. By the way, temps were still 110+

Mile 6 -
Tried to run a bit with Rhiana to stay motivated; I could not. My bandana which was completely soaked and had ice on my head was completely dry and I just wanted to go home. 

Mile 7.5 -
Sat and contemplated my life choices again. (probably did this way more than I have ever said here.
Met with another runner (Katy?) who graced me with some much-needed, "You got this" and "you don't need to run" Confirmations of how hot it was and how much she didn't wanna do it anymore either. She helped me to stay motivated and I ran a tad bit more. 

Mile 8 - As I was sitting on what looked like the most comfortable rock I've ever seen, I was passed by (Jesse) another runner. Ended up thinking she was just walking also so I figured, so could I. Finally, with my long legs, I realized I was going to meet back up and we chatted about the race and life choices that led us here. 

Mile 9 -
I saw the finish. Then the trail went back out and I think I cursed the entirety of this race and my decision to be in it. 

Finish -
I fucking finished it. 4 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds, My longest trail race ever. 

Recap -
They say distance does not matter, they say time does not matter, it is the personal accomplishments of setting a goal and following-thru to see those goals come to a completion. 

By the first major turn-off, when I sat and watched the sunset over the mountains, I contemplated taking the 6K route and going home, Then I thought, why even do that, and I could just go back. So I sat, trying to gain energy, trying to cool down. 

Nothing seemed to help except the knowledge of the horrible feeling I knew I would have if I didn't at least try to continue on this journey I set out for - Failure; could not have been an option, I told myself I would walk the whole way if I had to, and so that is basically what I did. 

I don't think I consider this run a race, or a win, for me it was an accomplishment. The true grit inside and onward mindset won over my thoughts to just stop and sleep, time and time again. I had defeated myself and It was a battle I won't soon forget. 

I cannot thank those who helped me along the way enough, saw me when I was in, what seemed to have been my hardest moments yet, and helped me see that there was more inside, deep inside, and helped me succeed and accomplish this goal I had set out for months prior. 

I feel like I need to include Jolene, who texted me words of encouragement along the way, the simple texts of someone saying I can, helped. 

The heat was tough but I fucking finished. I, no one else walked for me, No one else ran for me, I did. I started and I, ME, Anthony Frank Esposito, finished Hypnosis.

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Anthony Esposito

Insomniac #3 - Hypnosis (My thoughts)

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Enchantment resort, Kachina woman Trail vortex

Day One… Again.

Insomniac #2 - Adrenaline 15K

Mog Rim Job

Lunch Hike (Horton heard a Creek)

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