The other day in the shower I thought that my life is just a happy blurr. And why should it be any other way? I used to hate it when my dad quoted those quotes, "life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." But alas, I've concluded that those quotes are true. I don't have anything to complain about. I might hurt 25 or 40 or 50 miles into a race, but that's something us kids like to call a "first world problem." Running is such a trivial and luxurious activity, and I'm thankful I get to partake and that I'm healthy. Goodness, my little blog posts always begin so sentimentally.
Dare I say 2012 was the best year of my life. School went well, I made and developed some incredible friendships, summer was a unique experience, and my running continually improved and improved. It's 2013 now, and it began with new friends in New Zealand. Blacksburg brought snow, and a UltraVT 50k to go along with it. I have nothing to complain or worry about.
The event all started with me half-knowingly strolling into a women's restroom. The door was open in the cozy building at Camp Bethel (great place), and I didn't see the "ladies" sign until I was two steps in the door. As I was using said bathroom, I heard a merry band of people chuckling. Whoops. As I exited the opposite sex's bathroom I was greeted with a round of applause and laughter. "Can't you read!?' "I go to college I swear!" I felt part of a loving and joking family.
But the door was open!
The event actually started well before the bathroom-incident. I was so stoked after Glove's Grindstone 100 that I decided to put my name in the Horton-selected-lottery-type-thing that is Hellgate. Without thinking about it, because yes, it was probably a bad idea, I put my application in the mail. AND I was accepted! Hellgate is a small and intimate and SPECIAL race, and I was thankful? and anxious and stoked that I got in. Had to do justice now...So I ran a very good MMTR and kind of kept training, which was probably a bad idea again. I had some foot issues, I couldn't really walk without limping but I could run. I got new shoes with support in them (highly recommend Solomon Sense XT 5s. They should last awhile too). I finally did a little rest and then got called to a wildfire on Sunday night and was out until early Wednesday morning. And I was sore! I don't have the upper body to fight wildfires I suppose.
Anywho, come Friday afternoon and my dad came to Blacksburg and the UltraVT crew piled in two cars and headed to the camp. Picking up my race number, Horton said "show me you earned your entry" to me and Fletcher. Glove remarked, "that's encouraging." Haha. Anxiety was really setting in. I'd never run more than 52 miles and more than 8:40mins. I was about to add at least four hours onto that. Starting at midnight. EEEK! During the pre race briefing I felt like I was getting a fever I was so freaking anxious. Yuck.
Come to the start line and we were quickly off. Fletcher was running next to me and I was happy about that. Glove took off, but about five mins later pulled back and hung out with Fletcher and I. We went up the first climb to AS2 WAY too fast. I was sweating bullets in my long sleeve. We basically ran the whole climb. I was flusssstered and using way too much energy by the time we saw our fab crew at AS2. I switched shirts and told myself to RELAX.
Top left: weird. Top right: not happy. Bottom: Fletcher hanging with a pinched nerve
Fletcher had wisely backed off as he was having some weird foot tingling issues. We think he has a pinched nerve in his back, BUT HE FINISHED!! Major props.
For the rest of the night Glove and I ran together, which realllllly was nice and helped. We moved swiftly. Never breathing hard, but not going easy. My plan was to go easychair the first third, hang the second third, then work the last third when I would pick up Henry Wakley to pace me in. That didn't really happen haha. Glove and I chatted a lot through patches of dense fog and fun climbs. I didn't caffeine until 4am or so, which I was pleased about. We didn't listen to music until about 5am, which was also good. I thought one of the biggest struggles would be to keep awake, but that really wasn't a factor until maybe 11am.
4am and happy!
Sunrise came with smiles and a fistpound to Glove. Well, we made it past dark. I needed to eat. We barely missed our crew at the breakfast aid station, and I thought breakfast was the following aid station so I didn't eat too much there. Bad mistake. I ate well the first 5 hours, then basically dropped off from there, still eating, but not nearly enough. Powerbars weren't tasting very good, and neither were gu's. Perhaps one of the biggest things I came away with from this race: ALWAYS take more water and food than you think you'll need (for a race this long). You can kind of struggle through a 50k or maybe 50miler with not enough food, but 100k you will DIE. Thankfully I didn't die until the last 6 miles. We'll get there.
After AS6 Glove began to fade a tad, which was a little bummer cause we ran so well through the night together and had loose plans to finish together. I enjoyed the section into AS7, where I found out top 10 was viable by Horton shouting "THEY'RE CLOSE! YOU CAN GET A JACKET! DO YOU WANT A JACKET!? HURRY UP WHAT ARE YOU DOING GO GO GO!" Horton's enthusiasm got to me, and I way too hastily ran out of Bearwallow too fast. I had plans to eat a whole PB&J and drink some redbull, but I completely forgot. Not good.
Forced smile :) Mile 44ish.
Dad saying, "hey stop and eat" and me ignoring him. Typical relationship.
Pre-race I didn't think about post-bearwallow at all. My thought's were basically: Henry will get me through. AND HE DID! We talked a good bit through the "forever section" which really didn't feel like forever because AS3 to 4 was over 10 miles and that felt like forever. I was loving the forever section's trails too. Beautttyful. Views too! I ran this section well and eventually popped in headphones again because I was plain tired.
Got to Boblett's Gap at AS8 and my crew wasn't there. Had plans to eat the PB&J and redbull again but that didn't happen. I drank some mtn dew and that instantly didn't sit well in my stomach. I started to have issues running downhill. Slow. Till AS9 I had passed maybe 3 people and caught up with 10th place. He was gingerly picking his was down the rocks but I didn't pass him, just stayed on his tail for maybe 2 miles? Got to AS9 and crew wasn't there again. I ate a couple oreos and had some gingerale but that didn't sit well either. I took two tums and that helped, but my stomach was aching for food and I couldn't take it. 10th place guy started to run up the 3 mi climb, and I basically let him go, giving up the jacket. That was fine. My goal when I sent in my application was to finish. I was going to finish.
Walked the whole climb, Henry trying to push me but I was out of it. I was in a low patch. That was becoming lower and lower. My inner thoughts were something like "bleeeep this stupid bleeeping climb and all this bleeping elevation gain and I'm bleeping tired and I want to stop and sleep and for this bleeping race to be over and this bleeping sucks bleep bleep bleep" but I was consciously telling myself "you're ok. recognize how you're feeling and move on. you're almost there, you can do it, you're still hiking relatively well. you asked for this. it's not supposed to be easy. embrace it. you're alright." It was a weird dichotomy between what my body and mind were telling me. I was out of water. I wanted to die basically. Drama. Forcing myself to respond to Henry, trying to smile, forcing grimaces that might have been smiles. Looking back on it, it was bad, but I'm sure it could have been worse.
Once we topped out the climb we got some water from the kind volunteer sitting there. I just wanted to sit there too. Henry and I started to jog down the climb. The plan was to run it well all the way in. But my stomach was doubling over itself in hunger and cramps. I felt like I had to throw up but I had nothing to throw up. My head hurt. My feet were tingling. I felt top heavy. I had to stop a few times to collect my stomach then tried to run a little more. I never hated a downhill so badly haha. I was surprised nobody had caught me (Sam Dangc and I were yo-yoing for the past 20 miles or so and he was downhilling way better than I was but I was hiking better). The road finally turned to gravel and a straight shot to the camp. Henry said Sam was behind. I didn't have the energy to look. My head was spinning but my legs were moving, actually running now. Henry wasn't going to let Sam pass me. We hit the 1mile mark and started moving. A blur. 7:15 last mile, what the heck, I was struggling to walk downhill fifteen mins ago. I thanked Henry and ran in where Horton was yelling, "WOW! You did it! I didn't think you'd do it!" :-)
Posture says most of it.
Pops!
I'm stoked and tired at the same time now. I toughed out some hard miles. I survived the worst bad patch I've ever had, and I ran for more than half a day. That's odd. The human body is incredible. I'm ready for two weeks of zero running and then easy running after that. I need a break. Eight ultras in one year might be too much for a still-newbie like me. Horton said he'd give me a proper seeding next time ;-) and that I had to live up to it and that this year wasn't a fluke. It wasn't. Unfortunately the next Horton race for me won't be until Promise Land. I never really felt good in the race, minus maybe a couple hours when I started to listen to music at 5am. Other than that I was working all day. Which was fun and new. The new ground past 8:40 was incredible. But I was tired. I need to race less! I'm excited to rest and then get back into running a lot in training, which is what I love. Races are a time to race for me now, still enjoy it of course, but the whole stop-and-smell-the-roses fun is for those everyday runs that leave me in continual awe. Hellgate was certainly the hardest thing I've ever done. Period.
Gotta say thanks to Henry, Earp, Catherine, Rachel, Darren, Kelly, Fletcher, Guy, and Jordy. And pops! And Horton for putting together this, yes, special, race. I can only guess what it would have been like if the weather was horrible. Eeek. Ultra VT repped hard! Glove came down with some bad tendonitis (understandably, I mean he did the BEAST series!) but still finished sub 14, which is great. Jordy finished right ahead of Glove with more energy than I could imagine. Fletcher deathmarched the last 20 and made it. I love our team.
The crew!
Would I do it again? Like Fletcher said, not for another year hahaha. In one year exactly? Sure...
Now: sleeping. eating. doing college. Recharging. Being thankful.
To any typical onlooker, the scene a half mile from the finish line of Mount Masochist 50 miler looked pretty bleak this past Saturday. A windy mountain road, snow atop the surrounding mountains--the scene must've been dim with gray colors of the cold afternoon. But I was cooking a 6:18 mile, catching 12th place, hyped on caffeine, the leafless trees vibrant with brown, the sky emitting warmth. Trying to keep my breath under control, blaring one hell of a remix in my headphones, I passed a man to land myself 12th place, took out my headphones, and crossed the finish line. 51 miles, 8 hours, 40 mins, five seconds.
It's been three days since, and my head is still foggy with lingering endorphins. I think these ultra things make us better people. Daily tasks seem so insignificant after embarking and completing a journey like MMTR. These really really long runs force you to be patient, force you to be present, and force you to relax. On one hand you're so hyped up and just focusing on running the next step, but on the other hand you're at such peace. I've spoken a little about peace in past race reports, and I'll say it again: I have this strange sense of peace about me.
Anyway enough musing, to the race report.
UltraVT repped hard at MMTR this year, with six of us running and six of us finishing! Even though I placed higher than Guy Love I think he had a better race, still breaking 9 hours in the snow course less than a month after Grindstone 100. Incredible. Rachel Corrigan had high hopes for the race this year, but with a stress fracture still finished and completed the LUS. Incredible. My man Earp chilled all day and completed his first 50. Dmack died hard and still finished. Kelly Summers threw up before the first aid station. And still finished. Incredible. My team is so inspiring!
Even after my best training block ever, getting up do decent mileage and maintaining it (70-75 mpw), I found myself sitting at the pre race dinner Friday evening not very confident. I didn't really want to run. Reported knee deep snow in places on the course, coupled with some external (and internal) pressure to run fast and place high left me not really wanting to run. But I slept really well in my tent Saturday at the start line and woke up feeling good to go.
The gun went off, and a mad dash to the first turn around. Glove went out ahead, like I knew, and David stayed by my side which I was stoked about and didn't realize till 5 mins in.
Runners around the little pond. 630 am
Creek crossings, soaking feet, running by headlamp, and not trying to spend too much energy summed up the first hour and 15 mins. The sun came up and was stunning. It boded well. I kept telling myself aloud that it was going to be a good day, but in my head I kept having slight doubts. The temperature was cold, but I felt comfortable and was almost 2 hours in without realizing it. David and I yo-yoed with AJW for a bit and he remarked that we were running a smart race starting slowly. That boded well. It didn't feel slow, but it didn't feel fast. I told my doubts to "shut the fuck up. you're doing great. it's going to be a good day." I didn't have any doubts the rest of the day.
David and I had a super smooth transition with our crew at mile 11 (Mike and Darren and Fletcher--THANK YOU!) and plugged along and starting having some good conversation. We soon caught Glove and started climbing, mostly running. Dmack started breathing too hard and wisely backed off. Glove and I ran the next 17 miles or so together, which really made the time go by quickly as we've run together so often this semester. We ran fast too, almost missing our crew at mile 22.
Mile 26, halfway, and the climb started. I pow-hiked it all basically, just keeping at a good clip. Saw a friend Chris and chatted. Started to get really cold, and started seeing snow. Went ahead of Guy and got to THE LOOP (mi 33). AND SNOW.
Super super snowy. Completely different course than the first half. I was under sub 8hr pace, but the snow really slowed things down. I think the snow made people mad, or maybe I can just run through snow (doubt it), but I started to catch people here. I knew the loop was the place to begin to slowly start working, and I caught Krissy Moehl (pro female, winner, she's awesome) and yo-yoed with her for awhile. I whipped out my headphones and listened to some good tunes. Starting to get out of the loop (mi 38) and I was breathing just a tad too hard. I knew I had to calm down. Coming out of the loop, Fletcher perfectly in his chill manner calmed me down, got my pack filled, and I stuffed my face. Fletcher asked if I was gunning for top 10. Before the race that was a very loose and somewhat unrealistic goal. I asked if I was even remotely close to top 10 and he said, "I dunno, just catch mofos."
So I started to work. I started to caffeine and was running on my own. I took out my headphones for a section, and found out I was 16th. Climb. Fell going uphill fiddling with ipod. Then really started to race. Blared rage music and just went. 13 miles left. Leggo.
Ran, ran, ran, caught people and people, lots and lots of snow (4-9" my estimate). Got to the last aid station and found out I was in 12th. 10th was only a min up. I only drank coke and sprinted, too fast, got a side stitch, and backed off. Got passed which was a little deflating. Really just got into the music and started running really fast. Felt confident. My legs were working really well. Booked the rest, all downhill, caught a guy in the last 3/4ths mile, and beat my crew to the finish line. 12th. A little surprised :)
Post race UltraVT runners!!
Training run a couple weeks ago, atop Mt. Pleasant.
I flowed the last 13 miles. I flowed all day really, just in two different ways. The first half was just getting the miles through, the second half was racing, which, like I've said, isn't always as fun as just running, but it was def enjoyable and the right time to do it. Looking at race splits, I might've gone out too conservatively? But that's how I like to race. We'll see. Perhaps I'll gun it from the start in the spring ultras.
Here's an awesome video the Doc compiled. I've gottan appearance coming out of the loop at 5 mins! Woo
It was a great day, continually remarking how incredible it was that we're able to do this sort of thing. Running thankful is the best. I'm stoked about our team and my recovery is going really well. No soreness, just a little ache in the right ankle but it's getting better. Next up is HELLGATE baby, yup I got in! Glove and I are the youngest two people entered. I HAVE to finish and I'm going to. I'm super excited for it. It'll be a very long night and day, but I'm going to love every step.
Post race at the finish line. Tired. Pure serenity.
Phew, September was a whirlwind, hence my writing this post a week later than usual. Things've been super busy but definitely good. Onward.
Right on par after Iron Mtn after I penned that I was feeling so great I came down with a pretty bad cold that lasted all that week. After that I managed to get some really good weeks of training in (like 60, 70, 70 mpw which is much more legit, although still not very legit, than the 55 I was stuck at). Every weekend was a new adventure: solo 22 on the AT at a new section, a random marathon training run on the HELLGATE course YES I WANT TO RUN HELLGATE, then to Wintergreen for Uber Rock 50k, then to GRINDSTONE (more on that later). Each weekend was filled with early wakeups and long runs and long recoveries and sleeping and trying to do homework but thinking about running and meeting new folk. We stayed at a new friend's place, Bob, for Uber Rock which made it fun. I feel like I've been traveling, which has been awesome and I feel fortunate. I feel like I'm becoming part of the little ultra community.
Uber Rock was penned as a training run. Perfect timing before Masochist, which was the goal race, but now with HELLGATE on my mind my stoke of Masochist has dwindled a little bit. I'll still try to run that fast, maybe shoot for sub 8hrs? That'd get me 10th as of last year. Top 10 would be nutssss but I'd really have to push it and have a great day. Not really sure if that's even feasible. They're just numbers. But it seems as though I'm starting to race and not just run.
Anyway, I somewhat underestimated Uber Rock as it turned out to have probably 25 miles of roads with some surprisingly steep climbs that made me laugh. I went out a little quick and just kept rolling. I decided to see where I'd go. If I die then I die, I've never really had anything go horribly wrong in an ultra, so why not push it a bit? I picked up Guy Love at mile 20 (pacers were allowed, something else that made me laugh but why not?) and he paced me in for the WINNNN! I was pretty surprised and pretty stoked. Almost sub 5 hrs for 34ish miles. Guy really helped me stay focused and dialed. I was in it, broke tape and all.
Afterwards I wasn't very sore, just really really tired. Good thing I had another back week planned. I was just lazy this week and kind of let myself go, buying a half gallon of icecream and all! Haha. So I'm very happy and blessed to have won last weekend at the JV race (UROC 100k was happening). But I'm not making a big deal out of it.
I'm more stoked about GUY LOVE because he killlllled GRINDSTONE this weekend! I went to crew and pace with Rachel and Fletcher which was loads of fun and a new experience as I'd never crewed or paced before. Guy was just dailed all night long (6pm start) running super easily. Rachel picked him up at the halfway point and they did work, moving up in the field a few places. I inherited Guy at mi 80 and we beat daylight! He finished sub 25 hrs which was incredible. It was a really good experience for all of us. Seeing a person 95 miles into a race, man. Trying to think of things to say to a person who has ran 85 miles to take their mind away, that is difficult as well haha. We'll see how things go, but Grindstone is effing sweet and I would like to do that someday, if not next year.
So back at it now that my lazy week is over. Not really sure how much I'm gonna put in before Masochist. I think that taper will be dictated by if I get into hellgate or not, which I should know within the next two weeks.
There is a patience of the wild--dogged, tireless, persistent as life itself--that holds motionless for hours the spider in its web, the snake in its coils, the panther in its ambuscade. --Jack London, Call of the Wild
Right on. We're back at it, full swing, all systems going, and we're loving it. I've been back at school for three weeks now and spent the first two classless weeks simply running and reading and cooking. The three best activities out there as far as I'm concerned. I was able to put in conscious efforts into all of my runs as well as having optimum recovery of basically doing nothing with ample time to stretch and massage. While doing that, I've worked my mileage up to where it was before mono back in January and then where it was in March before all the racing commenced. Which I'm super stoked about because I feel great whereas I was pretty tired and felt topped out back then. I'm good to go to keep building and start getting to some real ultrarunner miles per week opposed to my now-modest high of 55 mis. Basically I've only been running for three years and have always felt oncoming injury when upping my miles. But now I feel like I have enough behind me that my body is used to continually running. Knock on wood.
Speaking of continually running, Iron Mtn 30 miler was this past Saturday, as was my 21st bday! 21 miles + 9 for 21 years :) Best way to start off a birthday! Friday night Guy Dmack and I traveled to Damascus, Trail Town USA, where we picked up our packets and grabbed pizza and a beer (legally!) along with Rachel and Fletcher. Guy was volunteering/sweeping, Rachel running the 16 miler, and Fletcher the 50. Dmack and I slept at Guy's mom's place which was a cozy mountain home. She made a fantastic rum cake!
21!
So we woke up at 545 to make the 7am start. We did a little Hokie chant that went something like "abbbuuuahahahhalkjdshfalueh HOKIES!" and were still chatting when the gun went off. The plan (which we executed pretty well I think) was for Dmack and I to run together the whole way on training efforts. Training efforts as in slow slow slow just getting in our first really long run of the fall together and enjoying the trails. The slow slow part didn't really happen, but we had ample amounts of fun. We ran the first 4 or so miles with Rachel on the VA creeper trail which was flat but nice to loosen up and chat. At the first climb Dmack and I dropped Rachel who went on to get 3rd female and break the old course record AFTER running Cheat Mtn 50 mile at night seven days prior! That's resiliency and love right there--fun and inspiring stuff.
Without getting into the play by play, David and I plugged away at the climbs and ran happy the first 20 miles. I kept reeling in David and running in front of him cause he runs the first part of the race too fast! But he was setting a good pace when he led, just a taaaad too fast that wouldve bitten us in the end. Mile 20 or so is typically when I start to feel really good in these races, and the rest of the course was basically all downhill, so I upped the effort naturally. At this point Dmack and I weren't talking, just focusing, and I asked if he was flowing and he said definitely not and I told him to fake it :) Ended up booking the last decent and catching a dude in the last 200m to snag 4th place, with David shortly behind due to the steep decent (which he's improving on). 4:42 for a 30 miler with ~5500ft gain! I'll take that any day, nonetheless this early in the season. I felt good the whole time really, no real aches or pains. Awesome low-key race. During the last mile and half or so after the decent out of the forest, I really sucked in the surroundings of the race. The hills to the left of me, the mountain behind me, the Damascus residents sitting on their quaint and blue-collar lawns, the little mom and pop shops, the clouds ahead threatening rain. I was in it. I have that love...
Reppin ultraVT
I managed to run a somewhat quick 6 this morning which was also reassuring that my body is doing really well right now. Just have to keep it going strong. Taking a little back week this week for longevity sake.
BTW Fletcher killed his first 50 mile in 9:11! Iron mtn is a pretty technical course. The trails were fantastic though, I love Damascus and will go back and hopefully run the 50 next year!
Now school's started and I gotta put in the study hours so we'll see what's in store next, but everything is going to be great. Great great great.
"The reward of running--of anything--lies within us...We focus on something external to motivate us, but we need to remember that it's the process of reaching for that prize--not the prize itself--that can bring us peace and joy." --Scott Jurek, Eat and Run
HELLO! The Stoke is at an all time high. Maybe it's finally feeling like summer that I don't have the stress of parenting 12 kids 24/7 for two weeks at a time. Maybe it's Scott Jurek's badass book Eat & Run. Maybe it's the fact that school starts soon and I'll be reunited with my buddies. Maybe it's the Olympics? Perhaps it's just my body feeling damn good, or maybe me not having eaten meat for 7 weeks. Whatever it is, I'm not fighting it or trying to pinpoint it, cause I'm straight pumped about what's happening and what's about to go down.
Quite a bit has happened in the past couple months. Basically I was taking middle schoolers around New England doing day hikes, 3 day backcountry trips, and some sea kayaking. As this is mainly a running blog, I won't get into any detail about that besides that our itinerary was freaking sweet and kids are exhausting but fun and I got giardia. Yup, I got giardia. That was a good experience haha.
Ridge along Mt. Washington!
From a running standpoint, I managed to maintain a decent base. One week would be mainly lots of slow slow hiking with a few short runs and the next week would be cramming in a run wherever my awesome co-leader would let me, which was usually quite early ams. Nevertheless, I had a couple three day stretches where I felt like I was peakbagging and getting in some tight vert. The stem of The Stoke. I was basically always tired from 7 hr sleeps which build up after a few weeks, but I made running a priority; I couldn't let the incredible trails go to waste. Vermont was my fav (Vermont 100 some day?), but New Hampshire was pretty sweet too. Maine was eh. Mass has some good stuff.
Me and my awesome co! Both with post run endorphins.
Due to Giardia sucking all my energy out (literally) I came home two weeks earlier than planned and was able to catch up on sleep and start actually running again. MMTR is a good ways away, so I signed up for Uber Rock 50k at the end of September which is great timing. The week after that is GRINDSTONE where I'll be pacing/crewing Guy Love who is gonna kill it. His training is getting me super stoked and I'm confident he's gonna do great. We're hitting some training runs on the course in a couple weekends, and I can't quite contain myself. We're also starting an ultra club at Tech, the Trail and Ultrarunning Club at Virginia Tech (ultraVT) (@ultraVT) and are hoping to build a community of students there!
Now I'm back to some medium distance long runs, and I'm feeling pretty good. Nothing nagging, but I still have a lot of room for improvement. For my sake,
1. Core/back
2. Hip strength (ITB rehab routine) to prevent ITB stuff again
3. Leg strength (lunges, squats, wall sits, etc)
5. Arm strength (the arms don't really have anything on them right now)
6. Mileage build up (hoping to top at 65 or 70 mpw this fall)
7. Speed work for fun/to just be a better runner
That's a pretty big list of things to improve upon in the upcoming months, I'll be keepin' busy. Theme if you didn't see it: strength. Going to make a priority to do a solid strength routine incorporating those things at least twice a week. I'm feeling pretty good but not very strong, but I'm confident that'll come back pretty quickly. Uber stoked to get back to Blacksburg (and for Uber Rock, ba da chhh).
With much energy I lifted two fingers to my neck to check if I still had a pulse. I had no idea how fast I was running. Ten minute miles? Eight? Fifteen? The time didn't matter, I was still alive despite what seemed like a shallow and fluttering heartbeat. My body was certainly in survival mode. I dropped my fingers quickly and stared ahead. I was close. I'd make it. Twenty more minutes baby. Don't walk. Don't walk. Don't walk.
Those were basically my thoughts for the last hour of the race. Calculating time, always with the worst case scenario. Realizing that I'm slowly dying but could keep this pace for however long needed. Enjoying the burn and the mental struggle to not walk. This was uncharted territory, and I was in it...
Short version
The race started early, was long, was extremely muddy and slippery, and was way harder than the 50k's and marathons and triathlons I've done. I ran well and am still hobbling three days later. Did I mention it was super fun? In the weirdest way though. I definitely raced it which took away the fun aspect of just running around. Perhaps I'll post on racing vs running later. I think running is more fun than racing, but racing has a whole different set of rewards.
Long version
I spent Friday night pacing the hotel room and worrying that I was forgetting something. I even realized I was worrying and finally told myself to just go to sleep. But alas, going to sleep at 8:15pm is difficult. Sleep eventually came though, and 3:45 am rolled around quite quickly. Was it late or was it early?
4:30am, in the car blasting rage tunes like usual to wake up and get excited. Always a fun part of a race. Getting that "you can't stop me now" line in my head is essential haha. Reality set in at the start line and now I was pumped. Nothing you can do now. Just go run. I chatted with a couple people at the start line which was really nice as I wasn't really expecting friendly people at a bigger festival-type ultra? 5am. Bang. Headlamp on. Onwards. Three minutes in and some dude yelled "49.5 miles to go! OH YEAH!" Can't get much better than that.
So early my headlamp was upside down
We're off!
The first few miles were the usual tip toeing but not hurrying through the field and trying to settle in. Settling in didn't really happen till like mile 15? I ran with this dude Eric for the first hour, and I wish I saw him at the finish line cause he was a good dude! He's doing Leadville in August. Get it Eric!
Puttering along first miles w/ Eric
First traces of mud. It had poured allll afternoon and night on Friday and we were gonna pay for it today. The singletrack that started around mile 5 quickly deteriorated and running on the berm of the trail became just as muddy as running straight through. Straight through it was. Shoe sucking mud! My first thought was frustration, but then I decided to jump straight in and jump around like a kid and enjoy it haha.
The rest of the 15 mile out to Great Falls Loop was extremely flat. Slided the whole way. I thought about going head first slip and slide style. The field was stretched out by mile 8, and I actually ran alone for awhile which I was surprised by. I didn't really want to run alone that early, so I backed off (good choice) and ran with Rick and Steve who had some good conversation. The ultra friendliness and encouragement is omnipresent. Loveeee that.
Basically the first 15 miles (the out) was full of conversation, meeting great people, and sliding around a lot. Was exactly on my 10min/mile goal pace, but way too much energy was spent sliding through the mud. The hips were feeling it. Without the mud I guess I woulda been 9min or less/mi. Not like that really matters. But I like challenging myself in the time aspect as well as the distance aspect.
Coming into Great Falls Aid Station. Loving the crews.
Great Falls Loop 1: So 2 hrs 28 mins in and I saw my lovely crew of Dad and D Rek. I dropped my pack, ate eggs whites, grabbed water bottles, and peaced out pretty quickly. I was most def in a comfortable place, but wasn't necessarily looking around and taking my time. I guess I'll race. The 4.8 mi to the next aid station was fire road with some hills finally! I ran most of them though, and saw Mr. Peck! The man. Not sure if he recognized me at first haha. Ran this section primarily alone, before the loop got crowded. My stomach wasn't really cooperating, food wasn't sounding very good but I didn't try to force anything. Yet.
The fun part of the loop! Really the only technical part of race.
The views towards the end of the loop were spectacular! The rushing river was tight. And I stopped for 15 seconds or so to take a look the first time around. A smile, then keep puttering along.
Great Falls Loop 2: Around four hours was my first low point (sides the first 7 miles or so when my legs weren't wanting to move from previous races. Perhaps too much racing before this race. but was able to ignore it and talk it out). I got behind on calories and didn't want to eat, at all. I threw up a gel in my mouth which was pretty concerning as I usually enjoy gel time. The loop was starting to get crowded, which was good for the fact that people are entertainment and a source of distraction.
Quickly after I felt horrible I bounced right back and had perhaps the biggest high of the race. I saw Jake Reed (#2 and LUS racer) and Leah Daughtey (sp? #1 female 50k, LUS racer) which I wasn't expecting. An emphatic exchange of hellos with passing Leah and I was stooooked. I opened up and starting running. I had this huge smile on my face and was saying "great job" to every single person going the opposite direction. I was booking and feeling great and even said "I'm having a great time" aloud to myself. But ohhh I shouldn't've ran so fast.
Ten minutes later and I was strug-city. I came into the aid station breathing way too hard and was still really happy and Lily was there and a fantastic pick-up, but I was def slowing down. I even said it to D Rek. I took coke and a power bar for the road and peaced out. D Rek and Dad said "dude you need to slow down" haha. I must've looked like hell.
Leaving GF Aid Station
Great Falls Loop 3: I walked all the hills this go around. By this point mostly all the 50'kers were on the course, so it was pretty packed and a good distraction. I talked to a guy who was running his first 50k and he was loving it and taking it really conservatively so I walked with him for a bit. I was chewing on tiny tiny bits of power bar, just trying to get it to go down. I think it took 45 mins to finish the thing. But it went down. I started to get excited cause this was my last go-around with the loop and was going to take it on home. On the River Trail, the short technical section, some guy a little up ahead yelled "I LOVE THIS!" I caught up to him very quickly and asked if he just said it he loves this. He said "hell yeah dude, this is my first trail race and first ultra and I LOVE THIS!" I said that it doesn't get any better and smiled. Certainly a highlight of the race!
I was definitely feeling the 30 miles I had put in, but wasn't thinking about it much and started to play games with myself. Trying to read the names on bibs and saying clever encouraging things to people as they passed. The best I heard all day was "good pace" when I was at mile 36. I found that hilarious and laughed my head off. Getting lucid? Perhaps.
Struggling. Forcing smiles haha
Sometime early in the loop
Loving the technical part. Epic focus.
I had no idea what place I was running in and I didn't care, but I was definitely running and pushing myself. I was in it. Starting to focus. Doing what I do. Getting endorphins to my head.
Way back home: One of my goals was to feel good after the loops, and mentally I was in a really good place when I finished my third loop. I was going back! I didn't think that it was 15 miles of back. I was just going back! I was running by myself again, and passing marathoners going to the loop. Time passed incredibly quickly for the last fifteen miles even though I can remember conscious thoughts the whole way, probably two hours and 45 mins back. I was managing myself, drinking a lot but not eating a lot, staying focused, still enjoying it, remembering that it wasn't a struggle-fest and it was a celebration. But it was taking forrrever. About ten miles out I remember wanting to walk, and this feeling stayed for the last hour and a half. A mental battle was taking place in my head. Running didn't really hurt, I think I was past that, but it was difficult to keep going. And the mud. The mud the mud the mud. Kept things interesting haha. I was longing for any semblance of a climb so I could walk. Hills didn't come. I linked up with a marathon dude and we ran together, both in the zone, encouraging each other to take it in. We linked up with Andrea, who I had yo-yoed with during the loops, and another dude and we discussed how much further. We were at the point where we were ready to stop running haha.
The dude: "I think we have four miles"
Me genuinely excited: "Oh kind words good sir! Thank you!"
Andrea: "I don't know about four..."
Aid Station Sign two mins later: "8 miles to go!"
The hammer on the brain. Eight miles? I have no idea how fast I'm going. That could be two hours. Two hourssss. Are you kidding me? Ugh. I grabbed chips and refilled my handheld. Just get to the next aid station. You can do that.
So I was in my head, but not for long. I was running by myself. Feeling the mud beneath my feet. Feeling the sun beat down on my face. Listening to the river. In my own world. A place I've never been. Unchartered territory, loving the challenge. Out of my body. Floating. Dizzy? Na, floating. Not very high above my head, but just behind and above me. Keep moving. Almost there. This is peaceful. This is tranquil.
Aid station. 2 miles till the same aid station. 10kers on the course passing me. People congratulating me on my "accomplishment" people giving me looks of awe, or of awful? Haha I have no idea. No more mud, pavement, never been so happy to see you pavement. Hello. Out of my head. Owch this hurts. Walk for one minute. Run the rest in. You got this. You got this.
On the way back to the aid station. "Get you some" to the 10k'ers. Blew by the aid station. 1.7 to go. Almost there, can't stop. A long forest road. Kids playing soccer to the left. 10k'ers breathing hard. Me trying to relax. Take it in. You've done it. Constant cadence that felt so good. The puddles and playground and green grass and laughter. A long road. Reach the end and you're there.
I see an Asian woman with an orange bib (50mile) struggling. She's on the verge of tears. A guy watching: "You're so close! Half a mile! You can do this!" She's wailing: "No I can't, I can't!" I pat her back as I pass, "Let's do this." She starts bawling.
People. Lots of people line the street and the golf cart path to the finish chute. "Congratulations! You did it! Right around the corner" I see Parker with his hands up high--Parker! I see D Rek "HOLY SHIT DUDE HOLY SHIT YESSSSSS!" I see Lily's smile. I have this huge grin on my face. People clap. The announcer says, "Hey 300. Well done" I see my Dad smiling "Rudy! Rudy!" I cross the line 100% spent. I turn to my Dad and give him a big hug.
I have great friends!
Little out of it? Hahaha
So man what a great weekend. Sunday we walked around DC as a group and saw all the sights which was tight, albeit a little bit long on the feet. Today's Tuesday almost over and I can walk straight! I'm still sore, but after a couple massages by pops that really helped I feel better. The shoelace tuck was supreme. I always remember that but forget it for a couple months. Shoes didn't come untied once.
I like 50 miles. It's different than a 50k. I ran it like a 50k but a tad slower then just hung on. My feet and gear held up really well. My hydration was good. My nutrition worked besides a couple hours in there when I couldn't eat. That was a new experience. The last 16 miles were a new experience. Perfect weather by the way. The time was 8:29:15 with 26th place. The time didn't really matter although I had a loose goal of 8:20 which is 10 min miles. Considering the mud, 8:30 is good and I'm def happy with that. As for the place, I didn't expect to place anywhere, and 26 sounds freaking good to me for a first 50 in a field of 320 runners. I wish the course had more vert. I'm excited for a mountain ultra, MMTR in November. I seem to run well with big vert, so we'll see what can happen there :)
Rough estimates of intake:
7 gels
1 oatmeal pie
1 powerbar
1 PR bar
2 handfuls pretzels
2 handfuls potato chips
2 cups coke
~30 oz gu brew
~300 oz water?
1.5 egg whites
2 handfuls pretzel m&ms
tiny bit of potato, didn't like
4 ibuprofin
4 salt pills
=~1700 cals? now that I think about it that's a good bit.
As I look back on it, it hasn't fully sunk in. My moods keep altering but that's expected I guess. I look back on it and think that it was really difficult and fun, but not extremely fun at all. Then I think of it again and I still have a huge smile on my face and think it was extremely fun.
Thanks to my Dad! And D Rek and Lily and Parker for coming out and helping and being great. Thanks to the cheery volunteers. Congratulations to all the runners, it was a good and long and muddy day.
As I was walking yesterday after the drive home I thought I felt free. I'm glad to have the off season to recover. I'm glad I did it. I'll do it again no doubt :) After really pushing and being in an unknown place for two hours, I have this strange sense of peace about me. Like nothing matters. Which it doesn't. We're just on Earth. Just running and being.
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