October 31, 2011

How can one possibly say thank you to an incredible, unflappable, and incredibly patient one-man Cactus Rose crew?  With enchiladas and beer, of course.  Over the past day and a half, I've reflected on the eighteen and a half hours I was traversing the Cactus Rose course.  I'm a very independent person so, at first glance, I'm sure I would have thought entire self-support for the race would have been feasible.  However, I now am very well acquainted with the fact that Cactus Rose requires quite a bit more than stubborn perseverance and independence.  Although I knew to take extra shoes, extra food, and extra everything, there is no way I would have had access to any of it without assistance at each aid station.  Without a sane person present, I could not have overcome the psychological wall and virtual "check out" to force myself to eat more calories before moving on to the next set of miles.  Simply put, there is no way I would have finished on my own.  While I can utter "thank you" and "you're awesome" as many times as my lungs will allow, these words felt meaningless considering the accomplishment I couldn't have achieved without help.  Thus, Chuy's had to fill in the gaps this evening with creamy jalapeño sauce, Mexican beer, and chicken enchiladas on a breezy patio with a server by the name of "Shaggy."