Wow what a weekend. I did it! I am officially an ultra runner now. Yes I have done a few 50K's (about 31 miles) but in the ultrarunning world that doesn't really count. I have now completed 50 miles! So to briefly recap the weekend, here we go. After several changes on who would be traveling to Buena Vista with me to support me, a final decision was made, and in the end, it was Melissa and three dogs who would make the journey with me. We were lucky enough to have a free place to stay in BV only 5 minutes from the start. It had been my first week of my new job but I was still able to take Friday off to get organized, try to say off my feet and not be stressed by the craziness of a new job. We left town late afternoon and arrived in BV around 6 just in time to find the house, then head to the start to pick my race packet up and listen to any last minute instructions for the next morning.The race would be a 25 mile loop on forest service and BLM just east of BV with lots of great views of the collegiate peaks. It follows mostly jeep road and some single track that is not too technical with some climbing and descending in each loop. I believe the couple of high points max out at about 9200 feet and we start just short of 8000. I ran the 25 mile course last year and enjoyed it so much I felt like I could comfortably and confidently sign up for the 50 this year. The 50 would involve looping back to the start and then heading back out on the same course but in the opposite direction. We are allowed access to support at the turnaround point but cannot accept aid from anyone else besides the aid stations anywhere else. And you have the option of dropping out and becoming a 25 miler if you want.
So we arrived at the start just after 6 for a 630am start. It wasn't too chilly compared to last year when it was in the lower 20's at the start and didn't get above the 40's. This morning it was in the 30's and it would get into the 70's during the course of the day. The above picture is all the runners waiting at the start line. Everyone started together. There were about 300 25 milers and 100 50 milers.
I just barely made it to the start. I think the RD started it about 3 minutes early. Oh well, off we were. I started with my light wind jacket on and gloves but soon shed that and wouldn't need it the rest of the day. I settled into a very conservative pace as I didn't know what to expect on my first 50. I ran last year's 25 in 4:15 but I that was fast for me and I was exhausted at the end of that. So I knew it had to be slower than that in order to succeed. Many of the 25 milers raced ahead so it was easy to get caught up in the moment but I felt I did a pretty good job of not. The other important part of succeeding in the race was making sure to stay hydrated and fueled properly. I decided to carry a handheld water bottle instead of my usual waterbottle in my waistpack. This proved to be a great decision as I had easy access to sipping often. When I carry my bottle on my waist I tend to forget to drink and when you are running shorter distances you can do that but not when you run 50 miles. I ran most of the 1st lap and walked a few of the uphills. And I ended up running with a girl for about 10 miles of the lap. She was a local but was only doing the 25. It was nice chatting with her and it broke up some of the race as I knew I probably would be out doing the second lap completely by myself with not too many fellow runners with me. I ended up finishing the first lap in about 4:40. Melissa, Joanne, and the three dogs were waiting for me at the turnaround.
Joanne running next to me taking pictures of Melissa while she was taking pictures of us. Sorta funny.
At the car, changing shoes and sports bra, getting more food and water while the dogs stared at me wondering what was going on and wondering why they weren't running with me. It would have been too hot for them anyway. I reapplied sunscreen and grabbed my ipod which was turn out to be my savior in finishing the second lap. I don't normally run with music.
Melissa was awesome and kind enough to have everything laid out for me despite being sick with chills, sore throat and aches. She also updated mostly my mom on my progress as she couldn't be there because she was in California visiting my brother. She was a trooper. Thanks also to Joanne for driving up from the Springs for the day to cheer me on. It would have been a lot harder to finish without support there. Thanks so much!
Just about the head out for the second lap.
On my way out with very mixed emotions on how I was going to do this.
Crossing the bridge over the Arkansas river.
The dogs patiently waiting.
Melissa drove out to on of the aid stations which turned out to be a perfect spot as it was the end of a long 7 mile climb with 18 miles to go. I am just cresting the hill in the above pick as she is trying to take a picture and control three big dogs who are pulling like mad men to get to me.
Taking a brief break with 18 miles to go. Luckily I had some downhill in the shade from here until the next aid station. Overall the second lap was slow as it took me 6 hrs. I walked alot of it, mainly the up hills. There were really two big climbs with the first being the longest one. I just kept telling myself to keep my legs moving and in general except the uphills it felt to run than to walk as my tired legs were more in a fluid motion. The volunteers at each aid station were very helpful although as I got closer to the finish there was less and less food. I had a few sips of coke at each aid station which is quite the wonder fuel. I also carried my own eating clif bloks, gu's, hammer gels, and power bars. Overall my stomach did fairly well in my opinion. Only had one pit stop along the way.
Heading back out. Mile 32. Wish me luck.
One last goodbye before close to the finish.
Melissa met me at one more spot before the finish. This was about 3.5 miles from the end but it was the toughest part. It was flat road which is killer on tired legs. I probably would have been better with a hill. I was pretty slow and had to walk most of the last mile.
There I am on the lonely, miserable road to the finish. This was mentally the longest part of the race.
And I finished finally. Had some tears in my eyes. I had done it!
And immediately had to get off my feet and lay in agony for a short while. I couldn't do much else...no talking, no eating or drinking. Eventually I was able to my protein drink down. Melissa pulled off my compression socks and instantly my calf cramped! They definitely helped with muscle fatgiue.
A cool group of spectators. These were all rescue huskies, and they were very well behaved.
My finisher medal, time, distance and elevation. According to my watch I was 1/4 mile short of 50! We hung around the finish area for about an hr watching the rest of the finishers come in. The cut off time was 12 hrs. The winning time for the men was 6:37:10 which was a course record by quite a bit and the female winning time was 7:59:19. There were only 21 females that did the 50! I finished right in the middle.After Melissa had to pry my crippled body off the grass, I hobbled to the car and we meandered back to the house. It was already 7pm by the time we got back. We both had no energy and felt pretty cruddy. There was no way we were going out to celebrate. So I picked up a giant pizza, salad and ice cream. We plopped ourselves on the couch and watched a movie. I didn't have the ravenous food cravings I usually have after a long race. Quite the opposite. My stomach really didn't want to anything and it was very grumbily. I had to eat slow bits at a time. I slept fairly decently and woke up much better but still tired.
We had a lazy morning sitting outside being entertained by the dogs, cleaned the house and then drove the 1 1/2 back down the pass! I was pretty exhausted by the time we got home.
It was quite a weekend that I will never forget. A great learning experience and I look forward to the next one.
