What IS the Do Loop

I would like to pose a question before I regale you with trail adventures: What IS the Do Loop? Where does the name come from? That being said, I will tell you what it means to me. This guy.

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This is The Doo. So scratch whatever thoughts you may have had about this loop prior. This is his loop, and, he bites. So, I’m not arguing with him.

Now, back to race adventures!

The 30th annual MGM was my second official ultra race. I’ve been a runner for a very long time and done a myriad of different terrains, from road races of varying distances to mountain races; and a bunch of trail running, but ultra trail running/racing is new. I’m also a huge fan of Christmas and all the festivities and foods and Nog (man, do I love eggnog!) so when MGM was offered as the next running delight by my running mate, I was like, heck yeah! More running! More Christmas!

On the evening before my first Jingle Jangle fat ass run, I headed over the river and through the woods to my boyfriend’s house for all the Christmas fun. Baking cookies with his little one and decorating the Xmas tree. We had a blast and it really set the holiday mood for the next day. As an extra special surprise, before we put on our kerchiefs and hats for our long winter’s nap before the race, John surprised me by making me an official member of the VHTRC. Ohhhhh, yeah! Now I was ready to hit the race the next day like the Kool-aid man breaking down walls!

The morning came early and we drank all the coffee and decked ourselves out in festive holiday attire before hitting the road. The check-in and prerace brief were awesome, with cool 30th anniversary VHTRC club stickers, familiar faces and meeting new friends, followed by a fun and crazy group start (so, we just…go?? Hahaha).

From the very beginning, the race was a blast. I loved the laid back atmosphere and format of a fat ass race. We brought our own stuff, but there were still some surprises out there, and water if you needed it, which was awesome and much appreciated.

We quickly hooked up with some amazing runners who became our gang for the duration of the race. Charlie and John linked up early and after running many times together previously, they had much run banter between them. This momentarily freed me to flit about the trails and take pictures and meet people, while my better half caught up with his buddy. Being new to ultras and VHTRC there were endless opportunities for me to get to know the fabulous trail tribe!

Carol Cohen had recently run at Potomac Heritage with John and joined in with our rag tag group at the Marina aide station. John had just consumed some absolutely terrifying looking squid-flavored chips (left over from the “guess the Asian chip challenge” at Potomac?! Haha… horrifying!). I declined the invitation to indulge.

Carol appeared to know where she was going and as we got to chatting her and I took off ahead. During our charge to the Do Loop we picked up several other people to run and have fun with. We found the old blue car, VHTRC carved into a downed log, and finally Q and the surprise that was promised hanging in the tree! Q’s spandex Santa top and booty long hat were priceless. That was a treat all in itself, but the tree boasted not one, but two bottles of booze, lol. Eggnog booze! Some of our crew got down on a little holiday cheer, and some of us dug around looking for candy…. Everyone left happy.

The anticipated Do Loop had arrived! A month before the race, I had had ugly sweater MGM shirts made for John and me with my kitty Doo (aka Dooey) on them, but unfortunately Amazon did not deliver on time. They would have been amazing, and Doo was there in spirit for his loop. If you fell on that loop at all, just know, Dooey would have approved and probably bit you for your trouble. Dooey is a jerk and I love him.

I had heard we could get lost but it was so well-marked that would have been exceedingly hard to do. That being said, Carol and I did try to go the wrong way once, but the boys saved us! We were once again pulling away and had started running with a young guy who was doing his very first ultra. We got pretty far away from John and Charlie, and Carol was feeling a bit off and just wanted to keep going, so I stayed with her. Karen Wille joined us and I felt like they could all go on while I waited for John at the Marina.

There was a lot of tag art. One was perfect. It said “sweetheart.” I met John at a race back in 2018 called the Sweethearts 4Ever 4 miler. Perfect place to link back up! No messing around now! John arrived with Charlie and friends, and we took off to catch Carol and Karen and young first ultra guy. We all linked up and finished strong together! It was so much fun and they had cake at the end!!! Cake, y’all! I may have taken a huge piece, but I shared with John. Mostly I battled it out with him for the buttercream frosting, lol. Amazing day and amazing race. I’m so happy to be a part of your group and get to have all these amazing experiences. Can’t wait to return next year! Maybe I’ll bring Doo and he can bite anyone who gets lost on his loop🤣. Thank you, VHTRC!