I run therefore, I am!

Ran from Bethany's parents house here in Ashland Oregon right onto some cool trails that lead onward and upward to the Pacific Crest Trail.  I ran 4.5 out and back. Good run. Great temps and awesome company. 

Started this race skeptical as I had  stomach issues this morning. I was contemplating switching to the 15k. I lined up at the 50k start and off we went. It's starts on an asphalt road the first 1/4 mile. We were at a 6:30 pace. It then hit a logging road that dropped for a half mile. We were then at  a 6.00 pace. We hit the single track and my first mile was 6:30. I immediately settled back to trail pace of 8:00 and watched Hayden fade away with a couple others with him. I made it to the first aid station around 4.7 miles and got water and a few potato chips. I felt ok until mile 5.5 and my stomach started churning. I slowed and let a few pass me and got to a long downhill section so I got into a groove and planned on stopping at the second aid station 4 miles from the first. When I got there I felt fine so I kept going. I only made it 1/2 mile and had to stop and walk and make a plan in my head to go off the trail for an emergency pit stop. But a guy in a green shirt asked what I needed and gave me a big white stomach pill. I chewed it and Immediately felt the urge go away. I started running up a log road and passed the guy up thanking him. At mile 12 I caught DeeDee who was running the 50 miler that started an hour earlier. At mile 14 I caught up to Bethany's dad. The third aid station was 14.6 and I stopped and made my deposit at the porta potti. I felt a lot better. I got some salt tablets and ibuprofen from Bethany's dad and this is where the 50 mile splits from the 50k. We were back on a logging road. It went up a bit and then finally started dropping. I made it to about mile 20 when I had a small twig go in my shoe and start reeking havoc on my toes. I stopped and took my shoe and sock off. I made it back to the 4th aid which was the same as the 2nd. I decided to switch out of my shoes. I took my saucony trail shoes and switched to hoka's. This was the best decision I made in the race. I felt amazing. My feet weren't slapping the ground anymore and my speed on the drop parts got better. This section from mile 8.6 to mile 4.6 is murder! I walked about 3.5 miles of it. I couldn't run at all. Every time I tried a slow shuffle it was as fast as my power hike. Frustrating but I had a week or two of training in front of this race so I didn't have huge hopes anyway. I made it to the last aid which had a coke and sprite. I drank both. Ate potatoes and pickles and took some electrolyte pills. I then thanked the awesome crew helping out and proceeded up the last little up parts. As soon as it dropped I got into a Rhythm and passed 4 people. I ran behind a guy from California and we talked for a couple miles. He was cramping up bad. I then was on my own as I hit the last down hill part. I got to the logging  road that goes up a half mile until the paved road. I was then dropping down to the finish and the road felt awesome. I made it in to the finish. My first Trail race! First race over a marathon distance! I ended up 20th over all, 2nd master and my time was 5:07. 9:53 per mile pace. A little less than 6,000' elevation rise. Amazing scenery on the Pacific Crest Trail! Lots of hikers on it and campers. No I didn't see Reese Witherspoon.