Yeah, so this past weekend I took Polly back to Kansas City, MO to see our friends there. During our 49 hour visit my former running buddy Jenn and I got to experience our first ultra marathon.
The Blue Springs Runners club had a 50mile/50k/26.2mile run on Sunday so we signed up for it a few months ago.
Now a word 'bout Jenn. She's a fast runner - like a sub-3:30 marathon in the pre-kid days - so she knows all about competition. She also, one year ago today, gave birth to her 2nd son so she's not just a runner, she's a sleep deprived, working mommy of 2 little boys. Here she is in full drama :)
We both had to constantly remind both of us that this was only about having a fun time, running with an old friend, and tackling a new distance (or as much of it as we could) and still being able to drive home.
We wake up at 4:15am and get ready for the run. We are prepared for running in freezing temps until the sun rises and bracing ourselves for the cold. Silly, us - the weathermen are always wrong, remember! It was a nice 48 when we got up! That meant we could whip out the Skirts! So after a complete wardrobe verhaul, we were ready to go. We had the car loaded up like we were driving from Missouri to Oregon!
Our supply list for our first 50K:
- Skirts - I opted for the Gym Girl Ultra with 2 pockets on each leg that I shoved full
- Vests - I'm such a fan of the vest for cold weather running
- Longsleeve heavy technical shirts
- Kleenex and wipes to keep us clean
- Hats, gloves, ear warmers
- iPods which we didn't use b/c we talked nonstop for the whole run
- Fluids - 2 gallons of gatorade, 2L of Mountain Dew (just in case we needed a little jolt!)
- Camel back hydration packs
- Lots of food - pb&j, gu, trail mix, gum, bananas, candy
We get to the race and see all these people with head-lamps on. We're thinking, what are they doing? They need head lamps to get their stuff organized? Whatever. Then we hear a 10-9-8-countdown. Yikes - the 6am start is going and we're not there! So we slap on the camel backs knowing that in 4.5 miles there will be a rest stop and in 9 miles we'll be back at the car so we can reload.
Ahhhhhhhhhh, running in the night, on a trail, with the moon, and NO HEADLAMP! We get it ok! The head lamp is so you can see on the trail at night? I'm such an urban runner. There are street lights whereever I go. So we decide to mooch some light off the guys in front of us and follow in their footsteps. It was very Blair witchy running through the trail. Stealing light is good, it's a nice option.... until they stop to pee in the woods!
Thank goodness for the iPod = it gave off just enough light for us to catch the next group. Mr. Flag Man and another lady. Meanwhile, Jenn and I haven't shut up yet. We're having such a great time not being interrupted by kids when we try to talk!
Oh wait... do I have to pee... yeah, we forgot to do that at the start because we were so hurried. And oh yeah... there aren't porta potties on this course every mile are there. So we realize that this is what you do on trail runs and ultras. You run, get by yourself, pee, then catch the crowd. Repeat as often as needed.
So right about 6:45 we start seeing people (fast people) coming the other direction so the turn around must be up there. We say "hi" to everyone but they don't all say hi back and then we decide that we are going to be "the happy girls in their skirts". We look so totally out of place on this run. First of all, we are women (mostly men here), in our mid-30's (mostly 50+), and we are wearing Skirts.
We totally think they are looking at us thinking "there's no way they'll finish" - little do they know how determined we were. Anyway, we make it a point to say "hi" to EVERYONE we pass and smile and try to do it in unison (accidentally) when we can.
After the turnaround we notice that the 7am start group is gaining on us but we continue to remind our selves that we aren't here to compete, just to have fun and finish by 1pm so I can get on an airplane.
So I can sort of skip over the next few miles and get to Mile 27 - it's the same thing - run, see the car, refuel, see a rest stop, eat some candy, pee, repeat. At Mile 27 we hit the cars again and only have 5 miles left! We stop to take a picture on the trail we were running called the "Trail of Death" - how's that for inspiring confidence and Jenn realizes that her foot is really hurt.
I heard someone say in regards to injuries, do you want to run for the next 2 weeks or the next 20 years. Well, Jenn will be running her whole life so she takes the smart road and stops. I shuffle along for the next 5 miles by myself and continue to say "hi" to everyone. Especially the friendly ladies running the 50K the week before their friends 50th birthday! That totally rocks!
I finish the run and got my light-switch-cover medal. I love this race, this distance, and these people. They are all so supportive, kind, friendly, and motivating! I can't wait to do this race again next year and maybe after a few years of doing a 50K, I'll take the plunge and do a 50-miler. Until then here are my lessons learned from my first ultra marathon:
- Layering is a good thing
- iPods while running are totally overrated
- Running with a good friend and talking about everything without fear of judgement is the best thing
- If you are an urban runner (like me) and want to do a trail run expect some post-race discomfort
- Cheese before a run, not good
- PB&J before and on a run, perfect
- Saying "hi" to everyone on the trail is an easy way to stay motivated
- Walking breaks during an ultra are encouraged
- Corn husks can work as TP but they tend to shred and that is no good
- Arnica on sore joints and muscles is wonderful
- Having the support of your family and friends on a run makes it all worth while
The day after the race I'm feeling ok but I am more achy than after my Ironman. I know I trained enough, my shoes aren't old, and I wasn't sore after my IM. I think that the trail messed with me a bit. My IT Band is a bit flared up but I've got some arnica and a will of steel so I'll rest up and get ready for next weekend.
On November 2nd we've got the City of Oaks Marathon. I'm signed up to do the full, but I'm going to make it a game day decision about whether I do the full or half. I hate to not do the full marathon distance if I know I can but it's not worth permanent injury. Besides all my friends are running the half so at least I'll have someone to trot with! In a dress, no less!!
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