From couch to 50 miles – three and a half years ago I
started this journey. I finally, after
years of making excuses, made the decision to start running and work towards my
goal of running a marathon. On a cold winter
day late in February 2008, I ran a mile on a track at the local YMCA. I literally thought I was going to die. It felt that bad. Somehow I stuck with it. Three and a half
years later I complete my first 50 mile race.
You see, I am not a natural runner.
I am not built like a runner. I
am tall and very thin. My legs look just
as thin now as they did three years ago.
No bulging calves, no manly quads – just skinny. I shouldn't be able to complete 50 miles.
November 19, 2011 will go done as a very memorable day for me. My first 50 miler is in the books. Let me start off by saying it was, as many
ultra-runners state: a mixed bag of
emotions and experiences all rolled into one event. In an ultra,
it’s easy to go from running a good race to a terrible one and possibly back
again.
The Stone Mill 50 mile race was birthed in 2010 as an “alternative” to the
JFK 50 miler which is run on the same day no more than 30 miles away in Maryland. Just as there were 1000 or so JFKers running
50 miles (some of them very fast by the looks of the prelim results), we had
300 or so running mostly single track trails. Weather
was perfect – a bit cold to start but truly was perfect running weather. Crystal clear skies and little to no wind. The
race fee was a mere $35 (got to love race fees that are less than the miles
run). For that fee there was little in
the way of swag which I personally didn’t care about. No tee shirt.
There was a flashlight and a finishing medal but really it was just the
experience. I was thoroughly impressed
with the amount of food at aide stations and the incredible volunteers. I would recommend this race to anyone. It is low key but very fun.
The theme of this report is “It was not my day!” I could
easily say that because I finished in 12:20 and had expected to finish somewhere
between 10 and 11 hours. But in the end,
the time doesn’t matter. What matters is
the entire experience. (disclaimer – I
want you to be informed of many complaints through this RR – not complaints
about the race but about my health. No I
am not a hypochondriac. It just wasn’t
my day. I don’t write these things for
anyone to feel sorry for me. This was
simply my experience on this day.)
The day started with an early rise and a long drive to race
central. With a 6am start, they got
packet pick-up going at 5am. I arrived
shortly after 5 and there was already a nice line. Got my bib, dropped off my drop bags, and
waited in line for the bathroom. Race
started promptly at 6am (which was nice).
The first three miles were in the dark.
One of the coolest things I have seen was the line of head lamps bobbing
through the woods. Since this was the
start, most of the 300 runners were together through this section. Got to the aide station at mile 3 where most
people did not stop. So far, I was
feeling good but had thoughts of what the day would bring. After this is when things started to fall
apart. Let me back up by saying a couple
days prior to the race, I must have slept in an awkward position because for
those days leading up to the race, my neck and upper back were very sore. I was concerned as to how they would hold up
for 50 miles. Through the race, it was
painful at times. I noticed a tendency
to run with my head tilted to the right – seemed to take some of the pressure
off. I caught myself a few times doing
that and wondering what others thought of this dude running with a tilted
head. Ok back to mile 3. I said it got worse and it did. I had major GI problems pretty much miles 4
through 25. I kept looking for a nice
big tree along the way but it just wasn’t happening. “Runs” on the run ain’t no fun. I was fortunate to come across a gas station
at a road section 8 miles into the race that I nicely took advantage of. Two more pit stops along the way between there and mile 23. Prior to this first pit stop, I took a hard fall. Just after an aide station around mile 7 I
went to plant my right foot on a downed tree to catapult myself over (something I have done many times before) and to my
surprise someone greased it up. Ok no
not really but I essentially went down like a ton of bricks directly on my
right hip. Wow that hurt. With 3 or 4 runners behind me saying
“Ohhhhh….ouch” before asking if I was ok, I got up, dusted off my ego and kept
on down the trail. I knew for sure this
would hurt the next day (and it does).
The pain went numb for a while but kept coming back periodically.
The trail was beautiful. It made it’s way through suburban like areas
but was far enough in the woods at times that we didn’t feel like we were in
civilization. At times we were deep in
the woods and other times we were literally in people’s back yards.
I was trying my best to enjoy the race. I settled in a bit. Just when I didn’t think it could get any
worse though, it did. To balance my GI
issues, I also started feeling sick to my stomach around mile 16. All of these things combined really slowed me
down. I made it through mile 11 in 2
hours which was great pacing, but then it took me almost 3 hours to go the next 12 or
so. I have never had so many thoughts in
a race of wanting to quit. I felt beat up and the worst part was that I wasn’t
even halfway done. My mind was really
against me here. All I could manage was
a shuffle. We hit a section of the C
& O canal way (same that JFK 50 uses except we were further south on the
Potomac River). Thankfully we only did 3
miles of this. Despite being absolutely
beautiful, it was a tough hard packed canal road. My left leg abductor area was really tight
(an area that seems to flare up when doing anything on pavement over 10
miles). So there I was shuffling along
wondering how I was going to make it. I
was praying something fierce at that point.
“God just grant me the strength to get through this”. My goal going into this race of wanting to run
around the 10 hour mark were out the door and I was simply in survival
mode. It was too early in the race to be
in that mode. The aide station at mile
23 served as the first drop bag section.
I spent some time trying to refuel, popped two ibuprofen and despite an
upset stomach I forced myself to eat and drink.
I was off and settled into a mode of just getting to the next aide station. At this point, I was not even halfway and at
5 hours. It was the next few miles where
my stomach grew more uneasy. I really needed to throw up. My stomach was acting like it was trying to
and I was very close to helping it. The
only reason why I didn’t is because I knew if I could somehow keep it down, I
would need those nutrients to fuel me for the next 26+miles. I worked through this section as best I
could. Mile 29 was the next full aide
station. Lots of walking from 23-29. I think I finally convinced myself to just walk
until my stomach settles. It took me
about 30 minutes or so of a straight walk.
Then I started running again and kept flip flopping with a guy who also
looked like he was struggling (for other reasons I am sure). After 3 or 4 times passing each other I passed
him and never saw him again. It was funny how I wondered how he was doing
through the rest of the race. Never did
find out how or if he finished. I hit
the aide station at mile 29, ate and drank what I could and took off. I felt like I hadn’t eaten enough but had
such a hard time mentally – thinking that my stomach would turn again. As I walked from the aide station I saw a
sign that said “Only 21 miles to go”.
Only??? I know I can do the math but still mentally this is a tough
thing to see after struggling for so long.
It wasn’t too long after that aide station I started running again and then it happened –
the race flipped on me. I felt a renewed
energy. I don’t know where it came from
but I didn’t care. GI issues were all
but gone, stomach had settled, pain in the legs and back were going numb
(ibuprofen??). I had no idea where this came
from but I was thankful. To summarize, I
ran miles 29 – 42 running at a pace of between 11 and 12 minute miles. This was good. I was not pushing it but felt very
comfortable. If it were not for this good section of running, I would not have
made it. I passed many people who had
passed me previously. I didn’t know how
long it would last but I wanted to ride the wave as long as possible. I kept doing the math and thought I had a
chance at 11 hours. At the aide station at
mile 42, we were told that there is a 3.5 mile out and then the same 3.5 miles back to this aide
station. From there it was 1.5 miles to
the finish. Not sure why but this news
was defeating to me. I don’t know if I
thought we were further along or what. It
was also around mile 42 that my IT band in my right leg started flaring up and
never stopped. I struggled on the 3.5
miles out big time. I was again in the
shuffle and walk mode. The other pain
crept back in my legs on top of my new IT band issues. It was at a point where I literally couldn’t
get my legs to move any faster. Energy
wise I was fine. It was just the
legs. There was a cold creek crossing close to the turnaround which refreshed my feet. The cold kind of woke my feet and legs up a
bit. At the turnaround was another aide
station. What great volunteers to be out
on the edge of the race serving food at sunset and beyond. It was an Indian family who was pushing their
hot apple cider, soup and roast beef that they claimed was the best ever. So what did I do? I tried the roast
beef. Now I don’t know if you have ever
eaten Indian food but everything is spicy.
I don’t know what they rubbed this with but it had kick. It was probably bland
to them but my mouth felt it the next half hour. This section, like I said before, was 3.5
miles out to this aide station and then back again so you saw a lot of runners
going the opposite way. Despite not
being able to make the 11 hour mark, my pride kicked in and I didn’t stay long
at the aide station. I didn’t want to be
passed. So I made my way back (4.5 miles
to the finish ). By this time it was
getting dark. It really got dark
fast. I had carried my head lamp all day
(note that I originally thought that I would not need a light for the late part
of the race because I was confident that I would finish in the light – which
would be an 11 hour finish. Boy was I
wrong.) The last 3+ miles were in the
dark. I only had a head lamp and
struggled to see the ground well enough.
There were many tree roots and leaves covering the trail. It was tough just staying on the trail. It was again a shuffle but I wanted so bad to
finish. To add insult to injury, a tree
very nicely decided to stick out a root and trip me. I didn’t fall but hit my big toe very
hard. It was getting late. I had
thoughts now of beating 12 hours, and my legs, feet and hips just couldn’t take
anymore not to mention this new pain in my toe.
I ended up limping the last 1.5 miles to the finish. It was what it was. An aside:
I saw many runners still making their way out on the out and back
section which meant they still had a ways to go. I have a lot of respect for them for
persevering. Not sure when they would
actually pull runners off the course but these people were not quitting. This gave me a bit of inspiration to finish
what I started. The finish line, also
where we started, at a high school, gave us one last challenge – we had to
climb a very steep (but short) hill right up to the finish. There was a girl directing runners in with a
flashlight and she kept saying “come on, you can do it. Run the hill hard, finish strong!” If it
wasn’t for the fact that I was grateful for the many volunteers, I might have
given her a piece of my mind at that point.
Limping the last 1.5 miles in the dark, I was not running that
hill. Clock read 12 hours, 21 minutes
and some change. Now the race was
advertised as 50 miles but the race director, in an email a couple days before
the race, said the course was actually 51.5 miles. Really not that big of a deal but by my watch
I think I hit the 50 mile mark around 11:40 (that is if the 51.5 miles is accurate). Not sure how they get an accurate measure
though. I did not stay long after the
race. I wished I was in better spirits -
I would have stayed and cheered for the runners behind me. At that point, I just wanted in
my car and to drive home. The pain I
felt the night of the race and the next day is more than I have in a long
time. I feel like I was hit by a car
(more specifically like a car with a low front end hitting me in the legs while
flipping me up in the air landing my on back.)
Ask me if I will run a 50 miler again?
Thoughts from this experience:
1.)
First and foremost I have so much more respect
for ultra-runners after this experience – especially those who have done the
100 milers. I can’t imagine doing
twice what I did. I do realize that you
don’t enter a 100 mile race without being well trained for that distance but I
do understand, at least on a minimal level, the mental challenge coupled with
the physical challenge that is ever changing through those distances. It does not surprise me that 100 milers have
such high DNF rates.
2.)
It is my opinion that ultra-runners enjoy
pain. Somehow you have to embrace the
pain of a distance like this. What makes
ultra-runners so sadistic? I don’t believe that distance runners believe that
they can ever achieve a “perfect” day where there is no pain. Ultra-runners find some way to accept the
pain/discomfort and work with it.
3.)
This was the hardest thing I have done in my life
to this point. I knew it would be, but I
still did it. I have so much respect for
anyone that “toes the line” of an ultra no matter where they finish.
4.)
I have learned a few things that I must do to
enhance my training for the next time I run a 50 miler (or 100k???). First is I absolutely have to get back to
strengthening my core – specifically my hips.
I was told two years ago that this is a weak area for me. I didn’t do
enough of that. Second is to implement more back to back long run days. I am not sold on this but would be something
to try more for next time. My overall
mileage was low (when compared to others) but I do not think that mattered for
me. Third is I might want to try running
the next one with someone and/or have a crew to help me as well as training
with others. I saw many runners with a
partner or having a crew out there. I, on
the other hand, did it alone. But the great
volunteers and aide stations allowed me to do so. I don’t want to underestimate the value of
support from others. And lastly, absolutely need to run in a pair of shoes that are 1/2 size larger than I normally wear. The feet and toes swell and I felt much too much rubbing of my toes on the ends of my shoes.
5.) Ultras are fun. They are doable for most any runner that wants to put in the time and mental effort.
Happy Trails!
