Why: I'm still asking myself that question. Yes, I'm a runner, but I run primarily on roads and easy trails. I'm currently training for ultras, including a 24 hour race this fall. This seemed like a good way to get some miles while doing something new and different at the same time. Plus, peer pressure still works even though I'm 41 years old. :)
How: I'm not exactly sure of that either, other than I've been working hard and have come a long way in my running ability. This was the hardest, hilliest, longest race I've ever done. But I just kept putting one foot in front of the other, over and over, rinse, lather repeat. And running with a good friend for 21 of the 31.1 miles really helped. Thank you friend for 1) encouraging me to sign up, and 2) not allowing me to stop.
The Nitty Gritty: I'm not a trail runner, remember? I run roads, and flat rail or bike trails. This was a hilly mofo race, rated level 4 for terrain, and level 5 for surface, with roughly 3200' of both elevation descent and gain over 31.1 miles (50k). I honestly (and rightly so) doubted my ability to complete this race, given my lack of trail and hill experience, although I have run shorter trails that were similar. I did complete two 50k training runs prior to this, so I felt very prepared for the distance, just not the technicality of the hills or the terrain. There was about 3 miles of mud per 10 mile loop, a crapton of rocks, and roots, and about 5 miles of really sweet, fun, runnable trail. The race didn't start until 8 am, so running through the heat through 330 pm was a challenge, but we were in the woods 98% of the time, and it really wasn't that bad.
My body held up very well, I did stub my foot hard enough around mile 27 to bring tears to my eyes, (I'll lose at least 1, maybe 2 toenails because of it), and the bottom of my feet were basically hamburger when I was finished. I will say, this was the hardest race I've ever done. To put this race in perspective, I ran a flat 50k training run a few weeks ago on a rail trail in 5:13, so this race took another 2 hours and 20 minutes. Yeah, it was that hard (for me).
Overall, this was a significant challenge (given my lack of hill and trail experience), but something that was a ton of fun, all wrapped up into one. I would be cursing the rocks with very loud expletives at one moment, being upset and slipping in the mud and almost getting my shoe sucked off the next, then be smiling at how much fun I was having just around the bend with a decent running pace. A real roller coaster of emotions.
The race: Can't say enough good things about the Kansas City Trail Nerds who put this race on. Very accommodating, and the aid stations (6 total per 10 mile loop) were awesome. Having ice in your water and sport drink when it's about 90 outside was incredible and kept me going. And the kinds and types of foods was awesome. Chocolate muffins, potato chips, glasses of Coke, watermelon, bananas, gummy bears, PB/J and Nutella tortillas, ahh, the food of ultra running. And I ate it all, as much as I could take.
The Friends: I got to run the first 2 laps with a good running friend for 21 miles or so, but she very smartly decided to not do a 3rd lap due cramping and light headedness. Thank you again for all your support though! And thank you for continuing to be a great running motivator to go beyond your abilities, and thanks for being a good running friend. And got to meet another local KC runner who I'm friends with. He stayed throughout the day, even well beyond the end of his 10 mile race, not because he had to, but because he wanted to. Very cool! He also took some great pictures. Really appreciate it!!
The recovery: Even though the bottom of my feet are in bad shape (just bruised from all the rock pounding, no blisters thankfully), the rest of my body feels pretty good the day after. I was able to run 9 recovery miles this morning after the race and I don't have any injuries, other than a little bit of chaffing hither and yon (completely normal), and a bug bite on my ankle that I can't seem to pin down exactly what it is yet. Need to watch that one closely. I did slip and fall in the deep mud about mile 17, and thought I hurt my arm pretty badly, but that pain went away after a few miles. Otherwise, no major ill effects.
Bottom line: I'm not a fast trail runner, and an average road runner. Trails and hills are not my thing (yet). My performance was well beyond the middle of the pack for this race. Big deal. I'll keep trying, keep moving forward, will work harder, and will continue to set new goals for myself, and will keep reaching further than what I thought I could do before. Better than I was, but not as good as I'll be, that's my motto. It's my first official 50k finish, I'll take it, no matter what the result. It was an experience of a lifetime, priceless memories were made, I proved to myself I'm tougher than I give myself credit for, and that's what it's all about.
A couple of photos:
I don't know when this was taken, although it's within the first 10 mile loop somewhere. (note the feet caked with mud though).
End of 20 miles. Soaked through to the skin. But feeling good, and actually started the third loop really strong.
Immediately after finishing. (Thanks Eric for the picture!) I know you can't see it, but the medal has a tornado on it. Since I'm a weather guy, I just had to have this medal (OK, the real reason I ran the race). It's all about the bling, right? :)
Pace and elevation charts: There was a lot of runnable section, which shows well in the pace graph I think. I was actually really pleased with the speed at which I could run, when I ran. That running pace seemed fairly consistent all the way to the end.
Lap 1: 2:17:36.0
Lap 2: 2:37:38.9
Lap 3: 2:38:02.3
Total Time: 7:33:17.3
Overall, this was a fun, but hard race. Given my lack of trail experience, I'd say I did OK. I finished. And I gained valuable experience if I'd ever attempt something like this again.
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