Drove 3 hrs to Red River Gorge - Southeastern Kentucky, from Columbus, IN the night before an early Saturday morning 50k trail race, and intended on camping out in tent. When I got there at 9p, I didn't have the heart to set up a tent and thought I wouldn't need it... After layering up and climbing in my sleeping bag laid on top of ground pad, I quickly realized I should have set up the tent... and that I had some very loud neighbors at the adjacent park camp site. After freezing my butt off and getting really annoyed at a couple loud guys (who I should've joined by their fire), I moved on down to another site, and leaned the seat back in the car. Slept about 4 hours, maybe. The race morning couldn't come sooner. It did, and it was pretty cold. Met up up with a old buddy from youth soccer days and his friend and enjoyed catching up with them before the race. Warmed by the fire in my scantily cladness (arm wamers and singlet) prior to race, and then, gladly, away we went.
A large group of 8-10 went out and around the paved campground starting section of the course. As we got on to trails, the topo changes gradually started. The group quickly thinned down to 5 by mile 5, and then down to 4 by mile 8. Fortunately, I had some knowledge of wht would lie ahead. Rough Trail is just that - rough. There is constant up and down and several spots with very steep climbing sections. Combined with a good mix of longer climbs, but, less severe, the course really wore me down. Energy levels were great on the GU gels and frequent sips of water from handheld. By mile 18-20, I had opened up a 3 minute lead. I was surprised to find myself in the lead and evaluated the lead at an out and back section to confirm my pleasant shock. Confidently, and a little scared, I forged on, and probably should have almost lost the race out of shear stupidity I was bonking hard core at literally mile 28 and thought about DNFing out at mile 29. I was extremely lucky that a very generous hiker was passing by and offered a Clif Bar and water. I almost immediately bounced back and held on to collect the win and... prize $ !!
Sadly, as I rounded bcak in to the Start/Finish area, I saw a guy who I knew was in 50k, but, had not seen all day ahead of me. As I came upon him and went to pass, I inquired how he was and pulled the ole "what are u getting for distance" question on him. When he informed of 27 something, I knew. I looked down at well over 31. This less than honest guy cut the course and even tried to claim it at as legit for second place. I mean, come on, I actually kicked to cross the finish line ahead him... The race director's sorted it out, but, not til after the guy made off with some prize.
I got hang out with the old friend and crush some foods. Drove home and ate lots of more foods along the way.
Won my first Ultra - Yaaah !
GPS Data:
| 1 |
7:29.8 |
1.00 |
7:30 |
| 2 |
8:05.8 |
1.00 |
8:06 |
| 3 |
9:15.6 |
1.00 |
9:16 |
| 4 |
8:55.2 |
1.00 |
8:55 |
| 5 |
11:20.4 |
1.00 |
11:20 |
| 6 |
7:47.6 |
1.00 |
7:48 |
| 7 |
7:01.2 |
1.00 |
7:01 |
| 8 |
7:17.1 |
1.00 |
7:17 |
| 9 |
7:29.6 |
1.00 |
7:30 |
| 10 |
8:35.6 |
1.00 |
8:36 |
| 11 |
9:48.0 |
1.00 |
9:48 |
| 12 |
11:36.3 |
1.00 |
11:36 |
| 13 |
8:55.8 |
1.00 |
8:56 |
| 14 |
7:08.5 |
1.00 |
7:09 |
| 15 |
7:07.1 |
1.00 |
7:07 |
| 16 |
7:05.0 |
1.00 |
7:05 |
| 17 |
9:38.2 |
1.00 |
9:38 |
| 18 |
8:57.5 |
1.00 |
8:58 |
| 19 |
13:10.5 |
1.00 |
13:10 |
| 20 |
9:07.0 |
1.00 |
9:07 |
| 21 |
14:14.6 |
1.00 |
14:15 |
| 22 |
11:43.8 |
1.00 |
11:44 |
| 23 |
10:29.7 |
1.00 |
10:30 |
| 24 |
14:37.0 |
1.00 |
14:37 |
| 25 |
12:41.2 |
1.00 |
12:41 |
| 26 |
16:36.9 |
1.00 |
16:37 |
| 27 |
14:08.3 |
1.00 |
14:08 |
| 28 |
12:41.7 |
1.00 |
12:42 |
| 29 |
14:37.2 |
1.00 |
14:37 |
| 30 |
12:07.9 |
1.00 |
12:08 |
| 31 |
13:28.5 |
1.00 |
13:28 |
| 32 |
2:34.2 |
0.27 |
9:32 |
Weather
34°
Feels like 34°
3 mph WSW wind
Humidity 51%
| 