I have been what I would like to call a "serious runner" for about 8 years. I started off small, with short group runs with friends, which led to 5Ks, which led to 10Ks, which led to 15Ks, which led to Half Marathons, which led to Marathons, which led to Ultra-Marathons from 50K to 100 Miles. Some would say I am obsessed. I like to think I am motivated; which brings me to the point of this blog.
I have never been short on self motivation. I enjoy running tremendously and although I have indulged in the occasional group run in the past, I am primarily a solo runner. Not because I am trying to be anti-social, and not because I don't enjoy group running. I just like the flexability of running on my terms, at my time, and at my pace. Although I am not what you'd call an elite runner, I do tend to run ahead of the average recreational runner. Which is why I tend to go solo alot. My philosphy is, "Why show up to a group run, only to run by myself because no one runs at my pace?" This is something that has plagued me for a while, so year by year, I have found myself less involved in the group run and more involved with my solo efforts.
There is a certain sense of pride that comes with finishing a big race after putting in many training miles on your own. It is your victory, and yours alone. You got this achievement by putting in your own blood, sweat and tears, and the victory is all yours. It is an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment. In the past, this has never been a problem for me. I was happy to run alone, most of the time, and my motivation has remained high during this time.
When 2012 rolled around, I was brimming with confidence as I set a new marathon PR at the end of 2011, only to set yet another marathon PR in early 2012; only 6 weeks later. I had the feeling that nothing could stop me. So next I decided to go back to ultra-marathoning. I ran the Mississippi 50 in March 2012. It was a tough run. In fact I finished in 10:43:10, the worst time I had ever logged in a 50 mile race. I chalked it up to the very poor and wet trail conditions and shook it off. I then set my sights on doing the Cactus Rose 100 in October 2012, and a solo attempt of the Rouge Orleans 126.2 in February 2013. I began training at the end of April. During this time I also completed the Big Butts 50K in Clinton, MS. Although the course was relatively flat, the extreme heat slowed my time tremendously, and I finished in 6:13:35.
After the beating I took from the heat at Big Butts, my game seemed to have changed. The summer heat was in full force and my training runs were beginning to get long; over 20 miles. (If you've never run in summer weather in Louisiana, just imagine 90 - 100+ temps and 100% humidity, all the time.) I began running with great difficulty on my long runs, completing most, but cutting some short on account of the heat, exhaustion and lack of motivation.
That is what has concerned me lately. I have never had a problem keeping my spirits high, but my summer running has taken me to a place I haven't gone before. My running was becoming a chore, as opposed to an activity of recreation and enjoyment. I maintained my mileage according to my plan, but make no mistake, the miles and heat have taken their toll on my body and mind. I am always amazed when I have a great long run, and then the next week, run the same distance and totally tank. I have definitely had more bad long runs than good this summer. Although, there are many marathoners and iron men in the Alexandria/Pineville, LA area, ultra-runners are in short supply. I am the only one. Which is another reason I've been running solo for so long. There is no one I can call up in this area to knock out a 25 trail run on the weekend. As a result, I have all but removed myself from the local running scene. I have not participated in one 5K or sprint triathlon all year. Which is something I always did in the past. It just seemed pointless to waste a Saturday morning running a 5K, when my plan calls for a 20 - 25 mile run. My only reprieve has been the occasional run with my fellow ultra runners from Lafayette. They are my only avenue of running with other ultra athletes. But, those runs are few and far between, and recent events have caused a rift in their group, which has made things even more difficult.
If you add all these little issues up, it equals to the most difficult running season I have ever had. I am still training, but to say the runs are less difficult would be a lie. I keep praying for the cooler weather to arrive, in the hopes it will jump start my game. With only 7 weeks until Cactus Rose, better days can't get here soon enough. How will my race go at Cactus Rose? It is difficult to say. Although I have never DNF'd a race, between the very difficult terrain and my current mental state...who knows? I have no intention of DNFing, but does anyone ever enter a race with that intent? All I know is that Cactus Rose is the light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel, and I need to get there.....one way or another. I only hope I can get myself together by race day.
As for Rouge Orleans..............right now it is a judgement call. I will not even consider registering until Cactus Rose is over. I have to see where my head is before I can commit to another race. I know this blog is really depressing, but I needed to get this crap off my chest, and the only people who actually understand this is other runners.
So, hopefully, I will come out of my funk before it is too late and knock Cactus Rose out of the park. All I know right now is that I need to find my love for running again, and I need to do it soon.
Run on friends,
Lane
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Saucony Peregrine 2 Review
Saucony Peregrine 2 Review
I have been running in Saucony Kinvaras for several years, so when I decided to go with a lighter, more minimal trail shoe, the Peregrine 2s were a no-brainer, since they are basically a trail version of the Kinvaras.
The first thing I noticed when putting these on for the first time is the weight. Very light (9.9 ounces), which was a big change for me because my primary trail shoes for the last 4 years have been Brooks Cascadias. The uppers are made of a very light, airish mesh material. There was plenty of room in the toe box and my toes did not feel cramped or confined. The shoe did seem to feel a little larger than I was used too. I always get a size 12.5, but could have maybe gotten by with a 12. No matter. I just had to tighten them up a little more. When you put these shoes on for the first time, you will notice that they are very stiff, but if you are familiar with the Kinvaras at all, then you know this is normal. It take a few runs to soften them up. Once you do, they feel great. Also, these shoes are considered to be a minimalist shoe and have the 4mm heal to toe drop. This makes every step feel solid and stable, and very low to the ground.
I tried to run in every type of trail condition available to me here in Louisiana. I will break down their performance by terrain:
1. Hard/Packed Trails- Performed well. Almost felt like wearing Kinvaras.
2. Mud- Good traction in the mud. The lugs are spaced out enough, where the mud doesn't stick to the bottom of the shoe, which keeps them feeling light.
3. Water- I ran in all types. These shoes are light, in part because of the mesh uppers. However, this means that the lightest touch in the shallowest of puddles ususally leaves you with damp feet. There is very little protection from the water in these shoes. The upside is they dry just as quickly. In deeper water where the shoe is totally submerged, I found they dried pretty quick and never felt heavy. This is a huge plus to me.
4. Rocks- I ran on several gravel/levee type roads, on everything from pea gravel to larger, golf ball sized rocks. The shoes provided good protection from every type of rock I encountered.
Overall, I'd give this shoe an A-. It gives me everything I need, but I feel there is always room for some type of improvement. If you run in cold/snowy conditions, this may not be the shoe for you. In snow or extremely cold conditions, you will definitely have cold, wet feet. However, if you run mostly in warm conditions, like I do, this is a great shoe.
The first thing I noticed when putting these on for the first time is the weight. Very light (9.9 ounces), which was a big change for me because my primary trail shoes for the last 4 years have been Brooks Cascadias. The uppers are made of a very light, airish mesh material. There was plenty of room in the toe box and my toes did not feel cramped or confined. The shoe did seem to feel a little larger than I was used too. I always get a size 12.5, but could have maybe gotten by with a 12. No matter. I just had to tighten them up a little more. When you put these shoes on for the first time, you will notice that they are very stiff, but if you are familiar with the Kinvaras at all, then you know this is normal. It take a few runs to soften them up. Once you do, they feel great. Also, these shoes are considered to be a minimalist shoe and have the 4mm heal to toe drop. This makes every step feel solid and stable, and very low to the ground.
I tried to run in every type of trail condition available to me here in Louisiana. I will break down their performance by terrain:
1. Hard/Packed Trails- Performed well. Almost felt like wearing Kinvaras.
2. Mud- Good traction in the mud. The lugs are spaced out enough, where the mud doesn't stick to the bottom of the shoe, which keeps them feeling light.
3. Water- I ran in all types. These shoes are light, in part because of the mesh uppers. However, this means that the lightest touch in the shallowest of puddles ususally leaves you with damp feet. There is very little protection from the water in these shoes. The upside is they dry just as quickly. In deeper water where the shoe is totally submerged, I found they dried pretty quick and never felt heavy. This is a huge plus to me.
4. Rocks- I ran on several gravel/levee type roads, on everything from pea gravel to larger, golf ball sized rocks. The shoes provided good protection from every type of rock I encountered.
Overall, I'd give this shoe an A-. It gives me everything I need, but I feel there is always room for some type of improvement. If you run in cold/snowy conditions, this may not be the shoe for you. In snow or extremely cold conditions, you will definitely have cold, wet feet. However, if you run mostly in warm conditions, like I do, this is a great shoe.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
"Muddy Hell!!!!"
"Muddy Hell!!!!"
- My tale of ultra-running and adversity in Laurel, MS.
The Date: March 3, 2012
The Race: Carl Touchstone Memorial Mississippi 50 Miler
The Place: Desoto National Forest, Laurel, MS
The Report: Here it comes....
I've been distance running since 2007, when I completed my first marathon at the Mardi Gras Marathon in New Orleans (Before it was the Rock n Roll Marathon). I've been running ultras since 2009. I like to think of myself as a pretty seasoned distance runner who is familiar with the trials and tribulations that come with putting your body through extended and difficult events and conditions. I had not run an ultra since clocking a sub-24 hour finish at the 2011 Rocky Raccoon. I ran that race strongly and felt great before, during and afterward. After Rocky, I took a little time off to recover and then decided to step away from ultras for a little while and focus on marathoning again. I never thought my current marathon PR of 3:40:59 was my best effort and I wanted to re-establish myself and a strong marathoner. Following some hard training, I logged a new PR at the 2011 St. Jude Memphis Marathon of 3:28:30, followed by another PR of 3:23:52 just 6 weeks later at the Louisiana Marathon. I had achieved my goal to PR, twice, and I was happy. But after a year of beating myself up on the road, the trails began to call me back. I intended to sign up for the 2012 Rocky Raccoon 100, even though I knew that the short 5 week turnaround would not be an adequate amount of time to re-integrate myself to ultra trail running. As luck would have it, Rocky filled up way faster than expected, and before I knew it, the registration was closed. I could have gotten in on the waiting list, but I just took that as a sign that it was too soon. I still wanted to get back to ultras, so I decided on the Mississippi 50. It gave me a little more time to train and it was still close to home.
So train I did, and before I knew it race day was upon me. My wife/crew Erica and I left on Friday for the 4 hour trek east to Laurel, MS. One of the reasons I picked this race was because of it's reputation of being a flat, fast course. After two recent marathon PRs, I, of course, had a 50 mile PR on my mind. I was shooting for 9 hours or less; a PR of 12 minutes or so, if I could achieve that. What could go wrong? Right????
As race day got closer, the rain got heavier, and Mississippi was immersed in a deluge for most of the week prior to the race. As I sat in my hotel the night before the race, watching the Weather Channel as if it were some type of interesting movie, I thought about how bad the race course might be. The prediction that night was 80% chance of severe thunderstorms, hail, and possible tornadoes. Not exactly the best way to begin a race. To add insult to injury, they were also predicting between 30% and 60% chance of rain on race day.
I woke up Saturday morning to the rain. It was cool, in the 50s, but it did not appear to have rained as much as predicted. On the drive to the start, the rain stopped and I felt like maybe things would be ok. I got myself set up and before I knew it, the 6 O'clock hour was there and we were running.
Lap #1 (12.5 miles)- The first mile was pretty good. Everyone was establishing their pace and dancing around a few mud holes. Nothing major. Then came the first creek crossing. It was about 25 feet wide and knee-deep. Only 49 miles left to go I my feet were not wet, they were drenched. But, that's part of it and I had on Dri-Max socks which dry out quickly, so I felt I'd be ok. But then the mud came into play. See, this course is not designed strictly for running. It is an active horse trail. So on top of the creeks, we also had to deal with soft, stinky mud. Not just regular mud....the kind of mud that makes that sucking noise as you step into it and wants to take your shoes from you. And it was all over the course!!!! It was difficult to establish a pace because as soon as you did, you'd hit a long stretch of unavoidable mud that you had to walk through or you'd fall. But not to worry, because not far from that mud was a nice, cool creek that would totally wash off the mud, but then leave your shoes feeling extremely wet and heavy. I figure there were at least 15 to 20 creek crossings, ranging from ankle-deep to thigh-deep, throughout this loop. And when you weren't getting wet, you were getting muddy. All that being said, I felt good on this loop and finished in a respectable 2:01:18. I was happy with that. When I got by my drop bag, I talked to Erica for a second and I was off for lap #2.
Lap #1 Results- 12.5 miles 2:01:18 Pace- 9:42
(Disregard the date. Camera malfunction.)
Lap #2 (12.5 miles)- Lap #2 was more of the same. More water and more mud, but with a twist. Now the trail had been trampled by 200 or so 50 Mile and 50K runners as well as the 20K runners who had just started their first lap at 8:00. The trail had quickly deteriorated to a wet, muddy mess. It was more difficult to navigate and more difficult to establish a steady pace. I began to look forward to the few gravel sections of the course that were flat, hard and dry. They felt like heaven once you got to them. By the time I got to mile 20, I had slowed some and my over-saturated, muddy shoes felt more like concrete blocks. When I reached the start/finish area at mile 25, I decided that as pointless as it was, I would change my socks and shoes. I just wanted to run for that one mile in dry shoes. So for the first time, I sat and changed socks and shoes, sucked down a Red Bull and ate a little. I sat a little longer than intended because of the difficulty of getting on and off socks on my cold wet feet. I figure by the time I left, I had sat for around 7 to 10 minutes. Too damn long!!!! I complained about the mud to Erica and then left for Lap #3.
Lap #2 Results- 12.5 miles 2:31:23 Pace- 12:06
Total Miles- 25 Elapsed Time- 4:32:41 Avg. Pace- 10:54
Lap #3 (12.5 miles)- Lap #3 was a turning point for me. The trail had really deteriorated to the worst of extremes. It just seemed like one long, 12.5 mile, muddy puddle. My dry socks and shoes lasted for the intended 1 mile and then they were wet again. The mud now was not even mud anymore. It was a brown, soupy slush that tried to take your shoes off with every step. There was no more trying to circumvent the bad spots, because the bad spot was 12.5 miles long. It was just mud, water, mud, water, mud, water.....over and over and over. I got to the point that when I saw a creek or a really bad spot in the trail, it literally turned my stomach. I'd been running for over 5 hours in extremely poor trail conditions and now to top it all off, the rain began to fall. My pace had really slowed and I began to feel weak. Then I realized I'd made a huge mistake. I normally always bring some type of solid food like a sandwich or something to eat throughout the race. I did not. I decided to rely on what was provided at the aid stations, which was the usual sweets, salts, and PB&J. It was not enough to sustain me and I began to crash. I had pretty much been running on GU, water and a few things from the aid stations. I also did not bring any type of electrolyte drink. They had Heed at the aid stations. I hate Heed!!!! I knew I hated Heed, but for whatever reason, I did nothing about it. I still took salt tabs, but at that point it did little to help me. I was slipping into a low spot quickly, with little hope of recovery. I guess I totally underestimated the course and the weather conditions. "I am an experienced ultra runner. I can handle this.", I thought. But the trail doesn't care who you are or how many ultras you've run. It doesn't care that you are a sub-24 100 miler. It treats everyone exactly the same, from the rookie 20K runner to the veteran 100 miler. Now my goal had changed from a 50 mile PR to self preservation. I had just hit the wall.
As I stopped at my drop bag after completing my third lap, I was totally exhausted both mentally and physically. I was tired of running with wet feet and the trail was beating me. I found myself in a low spot that I'd never been in before. I then said words that have never come across my lips, "I feel like I could drop.", I told Erica. Never before in a race had I ever even considered it, but I was really in a bad spot right now and it seemed plausible to do so. I could stop now and get credit for the 50K, lick my wounds and go home. Thankfully, there was still a little glimmer of hope in me and deep down I knew that I was too close to the end to quit now. I had 12.5 miles to go. I had to keep moving forward. One bright spot was I had finally bid farewell to the hellacious 12.5 mile yellow loop and I was moving on to the shorter and hopefully better 6.25 mile blue loop. I collected myself and pressed on for Lap#4.
Lap #3 Results- 12.5 miles 3:05:55 Pace- 14:52
Total Miles- 37.5 Elapsed Time- 7:38:36 Avg Pace- 12:13
(The Wall!!!)
Lap#4 (6.25 miles)- Lap #4 started like all the others. The first mile was clean and dry, but the water and mud quickly came and I was in the same situation all over again. By now, aside from being beaten down mentally and physically, I was hungry and weak. I needed some solid food, which I did not have and simply had to continue on without it. Rain continued to fall at regular intervals and the temps were cooling. I ran sporadically, if you call it that. A few steps, navigate a creek. A few steps, walk through the mud. I was doing way more walking than running. I beginning to get passed by a lot of other 50 Milers as well. Unlike me, most seemed to be running with vigor, totally unphased by the poor conditions of the day. As I got passed, I began to ask some of them, "First or second short loop?". To my dismay, many of them were on their second. This certainly didn't help my mental state. I ran alone for a long time and felt like I was the only one left on the course. On occasion, I'd pass someone, only to be passed by them a little further down the trail. It was disheartening. Although this loop had more and longer dry spots than the previous loops, it did little to boost my performance. At the end of Lap #4 I walked through the start/finish area. The race director, Dennis, asked what I had left. I woefully said, "One more lap." I got a PB&J, which I really didn't want, and went to my drop bag.
Lap #4 Results- 6.25 miles 1:40:23 Pace- 16:03
Total Miles- 43.75 Elapsed Time- 9:18:59 Avg. Pace- 12:46
Lap #5 (6.25 miles)- I didn't sit very long at my drop bag this time. I wanted to get done. By now it was 3:30 pm. I'd been running for over 9 hours, and the day before I would have told you I'd be done by now. With only a little over 6 miles to go, I was off. I told Erica I'd probably take between 1 hour and 40 minutes to 2 hours to complete this lap. Although it was still early in the day, the wet, overcast conditions made it seem like dusk already. Add the canopy of the trees to that and it looked like it was getting dark sooner than later. That's when it hit me........I wanted to pick up my head lamp for this lap. I didn't think I would need it, but it was a safety net. The problem was that I was already a mile into the last lap. Then desperation hit. You always hear the phrase "Mind Over Matter". Well I'm here to tell you, that phrase is no myth. When I realized I had left my light at the drop and I could possibly get caught in the dark on an unfamiliar trail, my survival instincts kicked in. I quickly forgot how bad my day went, how bad I felt, and how tired and hungry I was and I began to run. Not shuffle, as I had been doing for the last 5 hours.........Running!!!!!!! My mind took over and blocked out all of the mental and physical pain. I watched my pace increase to 10:30 - 11:00 minute pace. I was moving again. I established a plan to run 9/10s of a mile and walk the last 10th. This worked out well. If I hit mud and water, I walked through it, but immediately began to run again afterward. Now I was the one passing people; people who were walking and looked like I had only an hour before. I had to get to the finish and fast. As I hit mile 49, it became evident that I would finish in the daylight and my adrenaline rush began to decrease. My pace slowed and I started walking a little more. But what a surge I had in those last 5 miles. Finally the finish line was in sight and I ran it in with authority. I was done in 10:43:10. It wasn't pretty and it wasn't easy, but it was a finish and I'll take it. The race director, Dennis, handed me my 50 Mile buckle and an Amphipod. I told Erica the day before that I didn't think a 50 Miler was worthy of a buckle, but after what I went through, I was happy to accept it. My stance has softened a little on that issue. I made it to the car, posed for some pictures and exchanged congratulation with a few other runners. The day was done and thankfully I had stuck it out.
Lap #5 Results- 6.25 miles 1:24:11 Pace- 13:28
Total Miles- 50 Elapsed Time- 10:43:10 Avg. Pace- 12:51
In the end, I finished middle of the pack. Of the 116 50 Milers who started that morning, only 80 would finish. Many more dropped to the 50K or 20K. Of the 80 who finished, I was 43rd. Considering how I felt, that was not too bad.
In closing, I guess the thing I learned from this race is to never underestimate your opponent; and by opponent I mean the course. I went into this race with high hopes b/c it was supposed to be a fairly easy course, as far as ultras go., but I was proved wrong by the weather and the resulting trail conditions and I made a few dumb mistakes of my own. This one was a learning experience and I learned some valuable lessons that I will carry with me to my next ultra. In the end, it was a good experience. When you hit your lowest of lows, it strengthens your mind, body and soul for the next difficult situation. I always tell Erica, "If ultra running was easy, everyone would do it.". And you know what??? I'm right.
Run on friends.
- My tale of ultra-running and adversity in Laurel, MS.
The Date: March 3, 2012
The Race: Carl Touchstone Memorial Mississippi 50 Miler
The Place: Desoto National Forest, Laurel, MS
The Report: Here it comes....
I've been distance running since 2007, when I completed my first marathon at the Mardi Gras Marathon in New Orleans (Before it was the Rock n Roll Marathon). I've been running ultras since 2009. I like to think of myself as a pretty seasoned distance runner who is familiar with the trials and tribulations that come with putting your body through extended and difficult events and conditions. I had not run an ultra since clocking a sub-24 hour finish at the 2011 Rocky Raccoon. I ran that race strongly and felt great before, during and afterward. After Rocky, I took a little time off to recover and then decided to step away from ultras for a little while and focus on marathoning again. I never thought my current marathon PR of 3:40:59 was my best effort and I wanted to re-establish myself and a strong marathoner. Following some hard training, I logged a new PR at the 2011 St. Jude Memphis Marathon of 3:28:30, followed by another PR of 3:23:52 just 6 weeks later at the Louisiana Marathon. I had achieved my goal to PR, twice, and I was happy. But after a year of beating myself up on the road, the trails began to call me back. I intended to sign up for the 2012 Rocky Raccoon 100, even though I knew that the short 5 week turnaround would not be an adequate amount of time to re-integrate myself to ultra trail running. As luck would have it, Rocky filled up way faster than expected, and before I knew it, the registration was closed. I could have gotten in on the waiting list, but I just took that as a sign that it was too soon. I still wanted to get back to ultras, so I decided on the Mississippi 50. It gave me a little more time to train and it was still close to home.
So train I did, and before I knew it race day was upon me. My wife/crew Erica and I left on Friday for the 4 hour trek east to Laurel, MS. One of the reasons I picked this race was because of it's reputation of being a flat, fast course. After two recent marathon PRs, I, of course, had a 50 mile PR on my mind. I was shooting for 9 hours or less; a PR of 12 minutes or so, if I could achieve that. What could go wrong? Right????
As race day got closer, the rain got heavier, and Mississippi was immersed in a deluge for most of the week prior to the race. As I sat in my hotel the night before the race, watching the Weather Channel as if it were some type of interesting movie, I thought about how bad the race course might be. The prediction that night was 80% chance of severe thunderstorms, hail, and possible tornadoes. Not exactly the best way to begin a race. To add insult to injury, they were also predicting between 30% and 60% chance of rain on race day.
I woke up Saturday morning to the rain. It was cool, in the 50s, but it did not appear to have rained as much as predicted. On the drive to the start, the rain stopped and I felt like maybe things would be ok. I got myself set up and before I knew it, the 6 O'clock hour was there and we were running.
Lap #1 (12.5 miles)- The first mile was pretty good. Everyone was establishing their pace and dancing around a few mud holes. Nothing major. Then came the first creek crossing. It was about 25 feet wide and knee-deep. Only 49 miles left to go I my feet were not wet, they were drenched. But, that's part of it and I had on Dri-Max socks which dry out quickly, so I felt I'd be ok. But then the mud came into play. See, this course is not designed strictly for running. It is an active horse trail. So on top of the creeks, we also had to deal with soft, stinky mud. Not just regular mud....the kind of mud that makes that sucking noise as you step into it and wants to take your shoes from you. And it was all over the course!!!! It was difficult to establish a pace because as soon as you did, you'd hit a long stretch of unavoidable mud that you had to walk through or you'd fall. But not to worry, because not far from that mud was a nice, cool creek that would totally wash off the mud, but then leave your shoes feeling extremely wet and heavy. I figure there were at least 15 to 20 creek crossings, ranging from ankle-deep to thigh-deep, throughout this loop. And when you weren't getting wet, you were getting muddy. All that being said, I felt good on this loop and finished in a respectable 2:01:18. I was happy with that. When I got by my drop bag, I talked to Erica for a second and I was off for lap #2.
Lap #1 Results- 12.5 miles 2:01:18 Pace- 9:42
(Disregard the date. Camera malfunction.)
Lap #2 (12.5 miles)- Lap #2 was more of the same. More water and more mud, but with a twist. Now the trail had been trampled by 200 or so 50 Mile and 50K runners as well as the 20K runners who had just started their first lap at 8:00. The trail had quickly deteriorated to a wet, muddy mess. It was more difficult to navigate and more difficult to establish a steady pace. I began to look forward to the few gravel sections of the course that were flat, hard and dry. They felt like heaven once you got to them. By the time I got to mile 20, I had slowed some and my over-saturated, muddy shoes felt more like concrete blocks. When I reached the start/finish area at mile 25, I decided that as pointless as it was, I would change my socks and shoes. I just wanted to run for that one mile in dry shoes. So for the first time, I sat and changed socks and shoes, sucked down a Red Bull and ate a little. I sat a little longer than intended because of the difficulty of getting on and off socks on my cold wet feet. I figure by the time I left, I had sat for around 7 to 10 minutes. Too damn long!!!! I complained about the mud to Erica and then left for Lap #3.
Lap #2 Results- 12.5 miles 2:31:23 Pace- 12:06
Total Miles- 25 Elapsed Time- 4:32:41 Avg. Pace- 10:54
Lap #3 (12.5 miles)- Lap #3 was a turning point for me. The trail had really deteriorated to the worst of extremes. It just seemed like one long, 12.5 mile, muddy puddle. My dry socks and shoes lasted for the intended 1 mile and then they were wet again. The mud now was not even mud anymore. It was a brown, soupy slush that tried to take your shoes off with every step. There was no more trying to circumvent the bad spots, because the bad spot was 12.5 miles long. It was just mud, water, mud, water, mud, water.....over and over and over. I got to the point that when I saw a creek or a really bad spot in the trail, it literally turned my stomach. I'd been running for over 5 hours in extremely poor trail conditions and now to top it all off, the rain began to fall. My pace had really slowed and I began to feel weak. Then I realized I'd made a huge mistake. I normally always bring some type of solid food like a sandwich or something to eat throughout the race. I did not. I decided to rely on what was provided at the aid stations, which was the usual sweets, salts, and PB&J. It was not enough to sustain me and I began to crash. I had pretty much been running on GU, water and a few things from the aid stations. I also did not bring any type of electrolyte drink. They had Heed at the aid stations. I hate Heed!!!! I knew I hated Heed, but for whatever reason, I did nothing about it. I still took salt tabs, but at that point it did little to help me. I was slipping into a low spot quickly, with little hope of recovery. I guess I totally underestimated the course and the weather conditions. "I am an experienced ultra runner. I can handle this.", I thought. But the trail doesn't care who you are or how many ultras you've run. It doesn't care that you are a sub-24 100 miler. It treats everyone exactly the same, from the rookie 20K runner to the veteran 100 miler. Now my goal had changed from a 50 mile PR to self preservation. I had just hit the wall.
As I stopped at my drop bag after completing my third lap, I was totally exhausted both mentally and physically. I was tired of running with wet feet and the trail was beating me. I found myself in a low spot that I'd never been in before. I then said words that have never come across my lips, "I feel like I could drop.", I told Erica. Never before in a race had I ever even considered it, but I was really in a bad spot right now and it seemed plausible to do so. I could stop now and get credit for the 50K, lick my wounds and go home. Thankfully, there was still a little glimmer of hope in me and deep down I knew that I was too close to the end to quit now. I had 12.5 miles to go. I had to keep moving forward. One bright spot was I had finally bid farewell to the hellacious 12.5 mile yellow loop and I was moving on to the shorter and hopefully better 6.25 mile blue loop. I collected myself and pressed on for Lap#4.
Lap #3 Results- 12.5 miles 3:05:55 Pace- 14:52
Total Miles- 37.5 Elapsed Time- 7:38:36 Avg Pace- 12:13
Lap#4 (6.25 miles)- Lap #4 started like all the others. The first mile was clean and dry, but the water and mud quickly came and I was in the same situation all over again. By now, aside from being beaten down mentally and physically, I was hungry and weak. I needed some solid food, which I did not have and simply had to continue on without it. Rain continued to fall at regular intervals and the temps were cooling. I ran sporadically, if you call it that. A few steps, navigate a creek. A few steps, walk through the mud. I was doing way more walking than running. I beginning to get passed by a lot of other 50 Milers as well. Unlike me, most seemed to be running with vigor, totally unphased by the poor conditions of the day. As I got passed, I began to ask some of them, "First or second short loop?". To my dismay, many of them were on their second. This certainly didn't help my mental state. I ran alone for a long time and felt like I was the only one left on the course. On occasion, I'd pass someone, only to be passed by them a little further down the trail. It was disheartening. Although this loop had more and longer dry spots than the previous loops, it did little to boost my performance. At the end of Lap #4 I walked through the start/finish area. The race director, Dennis, asked what I had left. I woefully said, "One more lap." I got a PB&J, which I really didn't want, and went to my drop bag.
Lap #4 Results- 6.25 miles 1:40:23 Pace- 16:03
Total Miles- 43.75 Elapsed Time- 9:18:59 Avg. Pace- 12:46
Lap #5 (6.25 miles)- I didn't sit very long at my drop bag this time. I wanted to get done. By now it was 3:30 pm. I'd been running for over 9 hours, and the day before I would have told you I'd be done by now. With only a little over 6 miles to go, I was off. I told Erica I'd probably take between 1 hour and 40 minutes to 2 hours to complete this lap. Although it was still early in the day, the wet, overcast conditions made it seem like dusk already. Add the canopy of the trees to that and it looked like it was getting dark sooner than later. That's when it hit me........I wanted to pick up my head lamp for this lap. I didn't think I would need it, but it was a safety net. The problem was that I was already a mile into the last lap. Then desperation hit. You always hear the phrase "Mind Over Matter". Well I'm here to tell you, that phrase is no myth. When I realized I had left my light at the drop and I could possibly get caught in the dark on an unfamiliar trail, my survival instincts kicked in. I quickly forgot how bad my day went, how bad I felt, and how tired and hungry I was and I began to run. Not shuffle, as I had been doing for the last 5 hours.........Running!!!!!!! My mind took over and blocked out all of the mental and physical pain. I watched my pace increase to 10:30 - 11:00 minute pace. I was moving again. I established a plan to run 9/10s of a mile and walk the last 10th. This worked out well. If I hit mud and water, I walked through it, but immediately began to run again afterward. Now I was the one passing people; people who were walking and looked like I had only an hour before. I had to get to the finish and fast. As I hit mile 49, it became evident that I would finish in the daylight and my adrenaline rush began to decrease. My pace slowed and I started walking a little more. But what a surge I had in those last 5 miles. Finally the finish line was in sight and I ran it in with authority. I was done in 10:43:10. It wasn't pretty and it wasn't easy, but it was a finish and I'll take it. The race director, Dennis, handed me my 50 Mile buckle and an Amphipod. I told Erica the day before that I didn't think a 50 Miler was worthy of a buckle, but after what I went through, I was happy to accept it. My stance has softened a little on that issue. I made it to the car, posed for some pictures and exchanged congratulation with a few other runners. The day was done and thankfully I had stuck it out.
Lap #5 Results- 6.25 miles 1:24:11 Pace- 13:28
Total Miles- 50 Elapsed Time- 10:43:10 Avg. Pace- 12:51
In the end, I finished middle of the pack. Of the 116 50 Milers who started that morning, only 80 would finish. Many more dropped to the 50K or 20K. Of the 80 who finished, I was 43rd. Considering how I felt, that was not too bad.
In closing, I guess the thing I learned from this race is to never underestimate your opponent; and by opponent I mean the course. I went into this race with high hopes b/c it was supposed to be a fairly easy course, as far as ultras go., but I was proved wrong by the weather and the resulting trail conditions and I made a few dumb mistakes of my own. This one was a learning experience and I learned some valuable lessons that I will carry with me to my next ultra. In the end, it was a good experience. When you hit your lowest of lows, it strengthens your mind, body and soul for the next difficult situation. I always tell Erica, "If ultra running was easy, everyone would do it.". And you know what??? I'm right.
Run on friends.
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