Objective: Run 50k.
Partners: Deez and Landen crewed.
Links: Strava.
Vid
Thank you to the RD's, my crew and the volunteers!
I wasn't going to write a report for this, but I figured I might as well. I used this race as a long training run and of course to see a new area. This was pretty much a "check the box" type event for me but the RD's did put on a well organized event. This is a point to point course that changes direction every year. I ran it on a year that the course profile is basically downhill. Even on the uphill course, there is only about 500 feet of gain.
Race morning was a bit brisk but I knew the day would rapidly warm up so I started in a short sleeve shirt. I ran into Erik at the start line. He filed to the front and I stood in the back like I usually do and waited for the green light. The initial out and back section was unremarkable other than high-fiving Erik as he ran past me before I got to the turn around. The first few miles all for a warm up anyways.
I was only aiming to average an 11 min/ mile pace for a finish time of sub 6 hours. Yes, I know I'm slow but that's my pace. The pace of a chill tortoise.
After plodding along for about an hour, I hit the first aid station which was just a walk though. I had no reason to stop other than to hit the porta-potty.
My conservative paced start had me nice and warmed up and feeling good and I had already passed several people by this point. From then on, I found my groove and went into cruise control. I'd see a runner ahead of me and surge until I was on their six, then I'd chat with them for a minute, then surge and separate. The scenery along the river was interesting with a lot of birds and the occasional glimpse of the nearby mountains. There were also relay teams running the course and every so often I'd get passed by one of those quick hares. I kept my pace and kept passing other solo runners all the way to the end. Nothing personal, nothing competitive, just a turtle in his groove.
I didn't see Deez and Landen until the third aid station in Cambridge at mile 22ish. They were quick to run up and remind me to apply sunscreen. Deez filled by bottles with Tailwind while I grabbed some real food and then I was out. Only 9 miles to go!
By now there was a stiff head wind that lasted the rest of the race. The crew was waiting for me at the last aid station and by this time I was staring to cramp. Here I chugged a small amount of Coke, grabbed some M&M's and a pickle to go. Not the best combo. I had a nice little bout of near vomiting but the quick sugar had me feeling a little better. 4.1 miles were all that remained between me and the finish line.
In my limited ultra running experience, I've learned to just focus on running my own race. I've also learned that time goals are okay, but it's really all about the finish for me. The last few miles were a bit warm so the breeze was nice, but still annoying. Landen was waiting for me about a hundred feet from the finish line to run in with me. The chase was on to pass one more runner! I let him take it by a nose. Crossing the finish line of an ultra has never not been an emotional experience and I was quite happy with my finish time of 5:43.
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