Long Haul 100 Race Report (in progress as of 2/22)
(note: keep putting off finishing this, sort of a writer's block which has caused me to stop blogging until I finish this)
Time: 27:55:52
Pacers: Evan and Daisy, then Joe and Cynthia
Start to Mile 10ish
Not the best way to start - I overslept (but not too bad), alarm at 5:02 (ok a few more minutes but didn't hit snooze), woke up panicked at 5:50, out the door about 6:10, got to race start and lined up at 6:56 for 7:00am start. Fortunately, no time to be nervous or need to use POP. Brought last minute items and put in small backpack which I wore 1 mile out to "the hub" and dropped off at my site. Took it easy walk/run and chatted with others taking it easy, pretty much way back of the pack.
Mile 10 to Mile 20
Mile 20 to Mile 30
Mile 30 to Mile 40
Finished mile 40 at about 9:00, one hour slower than last year but one hour faster than my slow year (2020), so in the middle.
Mile 40 to Mile 50
Finished half way in 11:40 (one hour slower than last year) but no more time lost from my deficit at mile 40
Mile 50 to Mile 60
Anticipating running with Daisy and Evan
Mile 60 to Mile 70
Started off nice enough, attempted run/walk strategy I had been using but it soon changed to much more walk and very little run. After the first spur, I grabbed a Reese's big cup. Those things usually help with a burst of energy. Not this time, mildly turned my stomach, worried it might turn into a disaster but fortunately by the end of this loop was feeling back to normal.
Mile 70 to Mile 80
Mile 80 to Mile 90
At mile 88 switched off pacers, Evan and Daisy packed up and Joe and Cynthia were there to bring me the rest of the way. Actually, Joe kind of surprised me showing up at the spur 2 aid station, wasn't expecting to see him until back at the hub. Cynthia had set out walking and we saw her while we were on the sandy section running parallel to the road. She called out to Evan who said "no, not Evan". Joe did the same thing. She didn't realize it was us so she kept on walking until we called out to her.
Mile 90 to Mile 100
Last lap, last of everything, last timing mats, last checkin. Andy B. gave me a nice talk when I was about to leave his aid station, said "you looked down, but never out". Pretty good way to sum things up. Joe would tell me similar things about how I looked, resigned to my fate of trudging through the last 20 miles. I guess I didn't hide it very well. Foot was hurting, a dull ache with each step.
Post Race:
I survived! Jessica and baby arrived shortly before I finished so were there for cheering. Charlotte-Dani later said "I clapped for daddy"
Joe and Cynthia helped me pack up and get back to my car. Dinner out that evening with Jessica, baby, my parents and Jessica's parents at Longhorn.
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