Today I ran my first 50k, I will write a race report later. Off to celebrate.
The before: After I ran the Black Warrior 25k last Feb. I decieded that I was going to run the 50k this year.(2010) With help from a few of my more experienced running friends (Eric Schotz , John Nevels and Jon Elmore) I had a plan in place. Run 160 miles a month for 12 weeks before the race in Feb. 2010.Things were going well and then I ran across a race on the Huntsville Track Club's website which would be at the end of the year.Even though I would only have about 7 weeks of higher mileage I decieded to give it a go.
This race is a low key 50k with a 1 mile loop at the start and then 10 three mile loops that follow on a cross country course.It is described as a flat course with 1 steep short hill.I talked with Eric and he said that the hill IS steep and that he walked it every time when he ran the race.
The race: The morning started off with good weather for running, 42 degrees and cloudy.It had rained the day before and half the night so I knew that it would be muddy in some areas.After a short breifing from the race director we were off. The race began across a open field and the went up into a wooded area that ran along the backside of a golf course. The minute that we hit the single path trail in the woods I started slipping and sliding.I got to get me some kind of trail shoes. We made the 1 mile loop,went around the aid table and was off again. Only 10 more to go I told myself. I ran the first 5 miles with guy from Tenn. named Dewayne.He told me that this was his second 50k and ask me what my goal was. I said to finish. We both laughed but I dont think he knew how serious I really was.And by the way I finished ahead of Dewayne 9 minutes.
Miles 1-4: I had a plan to run at a 10:00 -10:30 pace because I knew that it was going to be a long day and I really didn't know how my body was going to react to 31 miles.When I made it to the HILL,It was everything that was advertised. You go down it first and then what goes down must come up. I noticed that 95% of the people were walking it so I knew that there was no shame in walking. (A lesson that I would learn all to well at mile 18).
Miles 5-15: The crowd was very spread out and I was moving right along and feeling good with my pace and fueling.I was eating potato chips and drinking plenty of water. Gels just dont seem to work for me. I was going to text my wife every 10 miles to fill her in on my progress. So during this time I had text her and told her that I was feeling great and that I would be home early. (A statement that I would regret later) The trail was pretty slick and some areas were getting a little mushy.
Mile 16-24: I noticed that I was spending a little bit more time at the aid station each time that I completed a lap.Trying to eat more and drink more. I hate carrying a water bottle.I know t hat I am going to have to get over that if I am going to continue running these trails. At mile 18 I started to feel a little tired for that first time.The steep hill got steeper and the 3 mile loop got longer. I was starting to walk more frequently and knew that it was going to be a rough finish.
Miles 25-28: A lot of the faster runners were starting to finish and standing around the starting line eating their chicken noodle soup.(hot soup) Man it looked good. By now I was walking up all the hills and believe it or not it hurt worse going down the steep hill than coming up.My legs screamed while going down but felt pretty good during the climb.I text my wife at 28 and told her that I was on my last lap.
The finish: The last lap turned out to be my best since around mile 17. I brought my pace back down to 10:50.I had a burst of energy and sprinted to the finish....well, it felt like a sprint to me.The only problem that I had was a raw chest (forgot my band-aids).
That night I went out for a steak dinner and just relaxed. This was the most miles that I have ever run and really enjoyed myself.
As of today 01-02-2010 My quads are a little sore and for the first time my arms and shoulders are sore. | 