Well, this is officially my 2nd race of the entire year. I have wanted to do a 50k just to see how I like it. I signed up initially planning on running with Steve H. and Kamm Davis. Both of them got hurt so it was just my pregnant wife and me that made the trip up to Goblin Valley State Park. (Don't worry. She didn't run!) We ate at the pre-race dinner last night in Green River at the Senior Citizen's Center. It was really low key and their were only about 15 people there. I knew after seeing this that the race would be totally different than any marathon I have ever done. The race is an out and back course that runs through Goblin Valley State Park. It is flat, has rolling hills, and some decent climbs throughout the race. My goal was to finish and see how close I could get to some of the top guys. Shaun Martin ran a sub-1:07 at Bryce Canyon 1/2 this year (he also won this race last year) and Nephi Gold who has done a bunch of other ultramarathons and done well were 2 guys I recognized at the start. We started out nice and casual which was totally different than an all out pace right from the start during the marathon which is what I am used to. I talked with some guys during the first part of the race just trying to relax and get into some sort of rhthym. Shaun and Nephi took off about 6 miles into the race. I just wanted to keep them in my sights. I got to the turn around point, which came up on me pretty quick, and saw Shaun and Nephi barely leaving the aid station. I was less than a minute behind these guys which was very suprising to me! I was at the turn around at about 1 hr. 47 minutes. I turned around and wanted to keep them in my sights and see how I felt as the race got closer to being finished to pick the pace up. I was sitting in 3rd and was really happy. I felt good about things but at about mile 21 my legs started to cramp up. I refueled, stretched a little and then look off still sitting in 3rd place. I was just before the last aid station when the 4th place guy went by me and told me to keep up the good work. We chatted during the first part of the race. He was a really nice guy from North Carolina running the race. I made it to the last aid station and started downing pretzels and any other food I could put in my system. I had just over 4 miles left and I was not feeling that great. I drank a couple Cokes which suprisingly helped.
I cramped up really bad in my legs, especially my calves the last few miles. I shuffled, walked, and ran my way to the finish line. I was happy knowing I just finished my first 50k but slightly disappointed knowing I could have done much better. I felt the same way after the first time I did St. George. I didn't know what I was doing but I learned a lot and did much better. The same will happen for ultras.
I learned a lot today about future ultra/bushwhacking races. I need to get a better fueling system down which will help so I don't bonk again. Also, I need to make sure I respect the distance. This was the farthest I have ever ran at one time. Reasons why I should do better my next 50k: -I only have about 800+ miles on my legs total this year. The injury with the hip and hamstring is to blame. I need to get back to running more consistently and I think I will be okay. I just need more miles on the legs.
-I also need to get a fueling system down so I can not bonk next time. I took GU's and fluids but I need probably drink more and earlier in the race. I drank every 5 minutes with my handheld but I probably need to do more. The temps were cool at the start but it got pretty hot towards the end of the race. I should have started drinking more sooner.
I had a blast but I think Katey had way more fun. She can't wait for the next one. She gave me the okay to do another if I want to. She loved the atmosphere of the race. I have already signed up for the Moab 50k+ in February. I have a solid 3 months to get some good running in so I can do much better. Some of the top guys in the sport will be there. It will be fun.
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