I was very excited for this race. My first attempt at 50 miles. Got to the start at 4:30am to cheer for the early 100 milers start at 5:00am. I met Maurine Lee and her sister Marsha. Maurine had agreed to share her race crew (Marsha) with me. We took the 50 miler early start at 6:00am. We had to use lights for the first hour, it was cold, so we were in long sleeves and gloves. The running felt great. Soon after sunrise, it got hot. Ditched the long-sleeves and gloves. Our pace was well matched. At Simpson Springs Station, Maurine got resupplied and back on the road a minute or so before me. I had trouble finding my S-caps. I returned to the road, but did not try to catch up with Maurine. I was feeling good, running at the pace I could maintain. I guess I wasn't paying enough attention because I stepped on a rock with my right foot and felt a 'pop' accomanied by sharp pain. That was about mile 19. I ran another mile to where Marsha was waiting. That mile was a debate on whether to continue. Since the pain was not subsiding and my left knee was complaining from favoring the right leg, I let judgement overcome pride and experienced my first DNF. RN Marsha iced and wrapped my foot and I became additional crew for Maurine. She is tough, finished in 13 hours 7 minutes. Davy Crockett won the 100 mile race, setting a new course record. It was a bitter/sweet day for me. | 