Run It Fast®

Here is a look at the finisher’s belt buckle from the 2011 Nanny Goat 100 Mile Ultra Marathon that took place in Riverside, California on May 28, 2011.

Read Kista Cook’s Race Report from the 2011 Nanny Goat 100 Miler

More Marathon & Ultra Marathon Finisher’s Medals and Belt Buckles

[photo via Kista Cook]

Nanny Goat 100 Mile  Ultra Marathon Race Report (May 28-29, 2011)
My 1st 100 miler, 1 loop at a time

Nanny Goat is a race that offers to run 12 hours, 24 hours or 100 miles. The course: a one mile loop on a horse ranch. You actually run through the horse stables each mile and swipe your timing card attached to your wrist. I picked this race because I thought it would be a good way to find out if I am even cut out for running all day and all night. Passing by your own aid station every mile seemed doable.

Last year, I attempted Nanny Goat and dropped at 69 miles, 20 hours due to very bad blister feet. Consensus was the shoes caused the problem. I ditched those Asics trail shoes and got Inov-8 Roclite 295s I’ve run in for a year and no blisters. This year I also summoned a crew of 6 and told them their goal was to keep me out of the chair. I even questioned the times I had to use the bathroom whether or not I was looking for an excuse to sit down. Yes, we had portable pots at this race. I had 28 hours to finish 100 miles and I assumed that’s what it would take me. Within first few hours of running I kept saying I was running too fast as I was way ahead of schedule but I let happen and banked the miles.

I trained for 5 months with a women training for Western States 100 this month. We ran at least one of our weekend days together. Some of my training runs were harder than any ultra race I’ve done and I did use a couple 50ks and a marathon as training. Most of my weekend long runs were hilly trails but knowing my race was going to be flat, I did run a few long flat road runs.

The temps were nice and peaked at high 70’s, not too cold at night. I used the cooling system I learned while crewing at Badwater. Cold wet bandana on neck, ice under hat, and ice cold drink every mile until 6 p.m. Two days before the race I got a sore throat and lost my voice. Within about 3 hours of running, I was having difficulty eating, even gels. I had the gag factor and felt nauseated after everything I swallowed. I’m usually a pig at a race and can eat anything any time. I didn’t even want to drink my Hammer electrolytes. Another runner suggested I stick to fruit and water. I could get half a banana down reluctantly, lots of fresh oranges from the orange trees on the course, water and a salt pill every hour. Even though I gagged, spit, and groaned through the night I did not let it slow me down. I remember the first time I said I was sleepy and it was already midnight. This made me so happy I woke up a bit. Throughout the night, I sipped soda, cold coffee with creamer and chewed caffeine gum two times. Not a lot of calories in and not many potty breaks. I wasn’t bloated so we weren’t concerned.

After about 27 miles, I did get hot spots and quickly applied bandaids. Two on each foot in exact same places appeared at different times. I changed my socks often too. I brought quite a few pairs of thin socks thinking due to heat I would like these best. Thin socks on a mostly flat hot race did not work for me. I loved my thicker socks. The NG course offers various textures such as sandy, bumpy grass (the worst), dirt, and black top.

Sunrise is a magical time during this distance. We even had a rooster to let us know.  I couldn’t stop looking up at the blue sky, white puffy clouds and then that one black cloud. It rained lightly for less than an hour. I did have different pacers with me all through the night. A crew/pacer arrived in the morning and two of her suggestions gave me new pep. First was applesauce. Man, never did cold applesauce taste so good. With 15 miles left, she asked if I listened to music while running and I said, “no.” She then shared how she doesn’t either but used music in her 100 mile race and it helped. We grabbed my ipod that I did bring just in case. Who knew?! Listening to music made me forget any discomfort. I was so excited to be almost done and finishing an hour and a half faster than expected. I let it rip. I was singing and dancing my way to the finish, holding back the tears. I had a lot of ultra running buddies at this race that would stand up and cheer for me every time I came through the barn. I couldn’t believe I was actually going to finish and finish strong passing a couple runners in the end.

At 26:17, I accepted my buckle and cried while my friends snapped photos. I had no leg pain during the whole race but as soon as I stopped, some muscles stiffened in areas all new to me. Oh, and my cold came rushing in full force. Legs and feet are golden but my cold is kicking my butt.

That’s the race report about me. A whole other race report can be written about the Nanny Goat race itself. The horse ranch, the race director, the other runners all make for a family event with lots of quirky endurance run nuts and big smiles. Endorphin Dude changed capes throughout 24 hours and Ed Ettinghausen memorized everyone’s name, giving every runner a shout-out every time he passed you. I love my ultra family. My first buckle is baby blue with a goat on it…I’ll take that!

–Kista Cook

Kista’s Website & Race Medal Racks for Purchase

Nanny Goat 100 Mile Ultra Marathon Race Website

Here is a quick look at some of the big marathon and ultra marathon races taking place this weekend in the United States.

June 4-5, 2011 Races

Saturday, June 4

Green River Marathon (Kent to Alki, Washington) – Results Page

Newport Marathon (Newport, Oregon) – Results Page

North Face Endurance Challenge 50 Miler, 50K, Marathon, & Half (Washington, D.C.) – Results Page

Sunday, June 5

Casper Marathon (Wyoming) – Results Page

Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon (South Dakota) – Results Page

Minneapolis Marathon (Minneapolis, Minnesota) – Results Page

North Olympic Discovery Marathon (Sequim to Port Angeles, Washington) – Results Page

Rock N’ Roll San Diego Marathon & Half Marathon (San Diego, California) – Results Page

Steamboat Marathon & Half Marathon (Steamboat Springs, Colorado) – Results Page

Saltines, Ginger Ale, & an Indomitable Will
(Finishing the 2011 Umstead 100 Mile Ultra Marathon)

Barely moving my legs, I think about my breathing and how labored it is. At times, I’m preoccupied with inhaling and exhaling. It’s so loud and disturbed sounding. I wonder why I’m breathing like this and whether or not it’s helpful. I’m also curious as to what my pacer Kelley, is thinking. For about two seconds, I’m slightly embarrassed by my noisiness. By the third second, I could care less what she thinks or what anyone else thinks.

I ask myself, “Do I really need to be breathing this heavily?” So, I stop breathing heavily and settle down by focusing on each step. I’m amazed by how ponderous each step feels and how variable my rhythm is at this point. I know I’ve become slow, but the reality is it’s so slow that I’d rather not know my pace. Deliberately focusing on my steps causes my feet to hurt even more, so I decide that it might help if I resume the heavy breathing again.

When walking uphill, I’m taken aback by the strong pull in my neck and upper shoulders. I’m recalling that only a mere 10 miles ago, my neck wasn’t even bothering me at all. The pain is not unbearable but it forces me to stop and self-message on several occasions. At one point, I’m wishing that I didn’t have so many layers of clothing on so that I could really penetrate into the muscles to loosen them up. My mind wanders back to the car ride to Raleigh when I remember thinking that I really hope that this tight neck won’t be a problem in my event tomorrow. Being the overly confident and optimistic person that I can be at times, I shrugged it off, so to speak. I tell myself that by the morning, the neck will be fine. The neck will be fine.

At the final aid station before the finish, I’m wondering how in the world I’m going to get up the next climb. Even early on in the race, this hill is difficult to walk. I’m depleted and need to do something to feel better. I ask my pacer, Kelley, if she could please get me some crackers and ginger ale at this aid station. I’m really thinking that a couple of crackers will help me get up that next climb. I sit in the chair and Kelley hands me Mountain Dew and some saltine crackers. I’m finding it very challenging to place the crackers in my mouth. They are sticking to my lips and mouth so I decide that it’s critical to swallow Mountain Dew and eat the cracker simultaneously. This sort of works.

I remember the aid station volunteer chatting me up about KEYS100. He’s an ultra runner and was graciously volunteering the night shift at this aid station. I wanted to chat with him. I wanted to smile and be friendly. But swallowing crackers and getting up that hill were the only things on my mind. I had to let him know in a courteous and desperate sort of way, that talking to him was not an option at this point. I’m on mile 94.5. I have 5.5 miles left.

Every single bit of every part of me is going to be used up to get through the next 5.5 miles. I know that I can do this. I don’t question as to whether or not I can finish. My brain and body have to go beyond what they want to do. I have no choice but to finish and I ask God for him to continue to keep me strong. Not finishing the event was never an option in my mind. I had everything I needed: My pacer who has taken care of me from 50 miles on, two crackers and some Mountain Dew in my stomach, and just 5.5 miles left. 5.5 miles to the finish line of the Umstead 100 Endurance Run.

Getting up from that chair was not that difficult. I knew that the longer that I sit in the chair, the longer I’m out in the cold dark and the farther away I am from the finish line. On any other day of my life, even when I’m having a really bad running day, 5.5 miles would be fairly effortless. On this day, 5.5 miles is an infliction of pain on my body and I’m not looking forward to it.

Getting up the series of climbs that I was so concerned about was arduous, to say the least. My neck and shoulders were throbbing and plodding uphill felt like my quads were being crushed with every step. Even though I looked forward to the downhill because I could actually run, I needed to tiptoe and blurt out with every step, “Ouch, Ouch, Ouch…”. My feet were sore and tired. If they could talk, they would be telling me to sit my butt down and enough already.

Even though the temperature was around forty degrees, if felt like below zero. I already had on a tank top in addition to three long sleeve layers at this point, however, I was shivering uncontrollably. Kelley had a green hooded coat and generously gave it to me. I zipped it all the way up and pulled the hood over my head. Running with a heavy headlamp and hood was confining but getting my body warmer was a higher priority. Moreover, I discovered that picking up the pace would help warm the body so I forced to do this at times when we were on flatter sections of the course.

With just a few miles left, I kept asking Kelley if were getting closer. Even though this was my eighth time running this loop, I still could not recall how much longer we had until the finish line. Knowing that we were getting closer, I attempted to run rather than walk. If I only walk, it will take longer to get there. I needed to make myself run.

Everyone seeks some form of comfort upon finishing an extreme endurance effort such as this-perhaps gatorade, food, a bathroom, or a clothing change. I asked Kelley if she could please send me straight to the lodge by the fire upon finishing. I need to get warm. She reassured me that she would take care of me and not to worry. Her presence at this point put my mind to ease and the notion of being out on the course alone was a daunting one.

Running on the half mile rocky section to the finish was painful yet exhilerating. I kept asking Kelley, “Am I really finishing?, Are we really there?” Kelley responded with a resounding, “Yes! I’m so proud of you!”. On this final stretch, she screamed “Woohoo!!” to volunteers, crews, and other runners, letting everyone know that I am finishing 100 miles. As I crossed the finish line, I was filled with a variety of emotions. I looked at my watch and noticed that I finished in twenty hours and thirty-eight minutes. I felt overjoyed, wipped out, accomplished, thankful for Kelley, borderline hypothermic, and a a little delirious. I was overwhelmed yet quite calm and in need of warmth. I achieved what I set out to do and never gave up. I finished my second 100 mile foot race.

–Beth McCurdy
Umstead 100 Mile Ultra Marathon (2011)

2011 Umstead 100 Mile Ultra Marathon Race Results

Ultra trail marathoner Emily Conley, who contributes to Run It Fast from time to time, was featured in an article about her running in the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper this morning.

Conley told the CA, “Trail runs are primarily what I do,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to unplug from gadgets and from commitments. It’s a real release being out in nature. It’s almost therapeutic.”

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

Here are the results from the 33rd Annual Strolling Jim 40 Miler Ultra Marathon that took place on May 8, 2011 in Wartrace, TN.  Arkansas native Leah Thorvilson was the overall winner and set the female course record by nearly thirty minutes as well.

Owen Bradley was the first male across the finish line. He finished almost six minutes behind Leah.

Friends and readers of Run It Fast are listed in BOLD.

A strong core equals a strong, healthy runner

Serious Core

You may know that strengthening your core will most certainly help your efficiency as a runner, or this may be your first time hearing it. Regardless, doing exercises to strengthen your core on a regular basis is an element of your training that shouldn’t be overlooked, or you walk a fine line of risking injury.

I have spoken to a number of runners about the topic of strength-training, cross-training and incorporating some kind of core work into their regime. Most often it is met with “Yeah, I know I need to do that but I just don’t do it.”  The more research I do about common running injuries and about how the body functions under certain conditions, and the more runners I speak with about this topic, the more I understand that a serious emphasis should be placed on strengthening the core. As a runner, this shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Prevention and Efficiency

In addition to injury prevention, a strong core will support your running, racing, training and any other sport or physical activity that you participate in, as well as improve your everyday functioning. Core strength involves the supportive muscles in your trunk and hip/glute area. Strong core muscles provide you with a strong, solid base and are key in supporting a strong and enduring stride. Without strong core muscles your stride will be weak, lack endurance and be prone to imbalances leading to injuries.

Train Smarter, Not Harder

Unfortunately, many runners will take all the time they have during a given week to focus solely on their running thinking that in order to become a better runner, one should run more frequently, more miles, run faster, train harder. I cannot stress enough that one should train smarter, not harder. As with any sport, the overuse of certain muscles, tendons, joints and other body parts can cause severe stress leading to kinetic chain imbalance and eventual injury.

“The core of your body is where you derive your power; it provides the foundation for all arm and leg movements. Your core must be strong, flexible, and unimpeded in its movements to achieve maximum performance,” says Brian Abelson, a chiropractor who specializes in sports medicine/rehabilitation and biomechanics. “Training long hours does not guarantee that you have core stability.  In fact, spending too much time working within one plane of motion often creates core imbalances.  Add these imbalances to stresses caused by poor posture during running, and the repetitive motions of swimming (or other activities), and you have an equation for the development of a weak core.”

Experts Know

Don’t just take my word for it. Top athletes and other elite runners, as well as their coaches, know that in order to perform their best and be the most efficient runner and athlete possible, they must include core strengthening work on a weekly basis. Various top running sources, such as Runners World, CoolRunning.com and Active.com, have published numerous articles on this topic. Click here for a great article from Active.com about strength training for runners.

Do yourself a favor and take 20-30 minutes twice a week out of your schedule to dedicate to the very important activity of core strengthening exercises and stretches. It could literally save and enhance the life of your running. If you have any questions about specific core strengthening exercises, please contact me at runnernomi@gmail.com and I will try to help you.

My First 50K – Dirk’s Fat Ass 50K (Murfreesboro, TN)

To start… I’ll just say this was quite the event! I really had no clue what was in store when deciding to run 33 miles on New Years Day. I REALLY didn’t expect to have to swim part of the event!

Upon arrival, two things went wrong right off the bat. First, I forgot my water bottles. Second, My Garmin would not turn on (although I know I charged it).

Lisa and I were the first to arrive, and rain was coming down hard! I became worried that we were the only two who were going to brave the storm, but much to my relief we were soon joined by about 20 other runners! I should have known better than to think a little monsoon would keep the “die-hards” away!

In fact… several well known Ultra Runners showed up as well. Among them were Naresh Kumar (who had just finished the Bartram Forrest 100 Miler a few weeks back) and David Jones (winner of the Badwater 135 in 97). Chris Estes who had completed a 50k the day before!

My friend Jay, who had not run longer than 12 miles since he ran a half marathon in October was keeping a great pace ahead of us. I thought he might be running too fast for an ultra. Heck… I thought WE were going too fast! Jay had planned on doing 20 miles (the run was made up of three 10 mile loops) but he found he had the legs to do 27 (21.1 in 3:37, which included time to change into dry clothes and then 6 miles of walking for a total time of 5:41). He is an amazing person who has helped me increase my speed!

The first 10 miles went great, but in some parts of the trail the water was several inches deep, covering our shoes. Joseph was still recovering from a bronchial virus infection, but soldiered on through grim determination. Lisa kept the conversation going. It amazes me that she can talk non-stop and still keep a great pace! Her tales are a great distraction and keeps the miles interesting.

On the second 10 loop, the rains had stopped… but the water from the river (that this trail borders) was rising, and at some points was over our knees! Our legs would freeze and our feet became numb! Now… this may have actually benefited us, as it was like taking an ice plunge to keep the swelling down of stiff legs.

On our third pass, Naresh warned us that the waters were still rising. I thought “No problem!” I was wrong. The water was waist high, and began moving rapidly. At one point the path dipped into a tunnel, and there the water was chest high!

We decided to climb the muddy hill that bordered the trail, which Joseph and Lisa made up with no problem. If you know me, however… my climbing skills aren’t the best. It was quite rocky and slick with mud. I kept envisioning what wonderful new scars I could bring home to show my family if I slid back down! Joseph dramatically reached down to grab my outstretched hand and hoisted me to the top, where I about landed on top of Lisa!

We completed 7 more miles for a total of 33 miles in honor of Joseph having turned 33 at Christmas! At the aid station, Dirk the race director told me and Lisa that we were the first women to complete this event!

And with the completion, my fears of the Strolling Jim 40 Miler that I have planned for May have been assuaged a bit, and I know that with continued training and good running partners… anything can be accomplished!

Congrats to John Dennis and Carol O’Hear for winning the 2011 Umstead 100 Mile Ultra Marathon.

Dennis finished the 100 mile course in 14:07:2.  O’Hear was the first woman across with a time of 18:00:0.

Results from the 2011 Umstead 100 Ultra Marathon in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Pos Elapsed Time Name                           Age ST  Sex
  1     14:07:21 Dennis,  John                   30 PA   M
  2     14:33:59 Arbona,  Serge                  46 MD   M
  3     14:47:16 Redpath,  Glen                  45 NY   M
  4     14:53:21 Smithberger,  Jay A             41 OH   M
  5     15:38:37 Ayers Jr,  Bob                  50 VT   M
  6     16:12:38 Shellhamer,  Troy               30 KY   M
  7     16:45:02 Banas,  Vladimir                41 NC   M
  8     17:02:22 Peterson,  Garth D              48 GA   M
  9     17:30:52 Bedard,  Dan                    30 NC   M
 10     17:45:28 Fisher,  Chris                  36 CO   M
 11     18:00:07 O'Hear,  Carol                  36 MA   F
 12     18:06:18 Coury,  Jamil                   26 AZ   M
 13     18:12:36 Peek,  Tyler                    45 NC   M
 14     18:22:44 Jorgensen,  Will                51 TN   M
 15     18:29:05 Overbaugh,  Jason               34 GA   M
 16     18:29:54 Henderson,  Timothy             41 NY   M
 17     18:33:36 Kumeda,  Andy                   43 CA   M
 18     18:41:39 Ramsay,  John                   27 TN   M
 19     18:47:23 Carver,  Dave Ernest            49 ON   M
 20     18:53:48 Goldring,  Peter                26 ENG  M
 21     19:10:17 Price,  Shannon                 33 VA   M
 22     19:13:11 Burns,  William F               41 NC   M
 23     19:23:41 Blackford,  Darris              47 OH   M
 24     19:24:11 Blackford,  Starshine E         35 OH   F
 25     19:29:43 Portera,  Anthony               40 NY   M
 26     19:32:25 Coury,  Nick                    23 AZ   M
 27     19:45:27 French,  Rob                    52 NC   M
 28     20:16:26 Ginsburg,  Jeri                 52 CA   F
 29     20:18:38 Gelber,  Eric                   44 NY   M
 30     20:19:21 Schlereth,  Joe                 61 NC   M
 31     20:19:37 Hall,  Alexander                30 VA   M
 32     20:35:39 Pastore,  Mike                  55 SC   M
 33     20:38:42 McCurdy,  Beth                  41 GA   F
 34     21:02:29 Leftwich,  Debbie               57 AZ   F
 35     21:06:17 Randolph,  Chad                 45 NC   M
 36     21:17:35 Eitrheim,  David                53 WI   M
 37     21:33:05 Pieroni,  Stephen M             39 NC   M
 38     21:49:51 Fromm,  Anita Marie             39 CO   F
 39     21:57:30 Patton,  Michael                29 OH   M
 40     21:58:26 Lemke,  Terri                   50 OH   F
 41     22:03:31 Banks,  Darryl                  44 NC   M
 42     22:19:44 Hall,  Larry                    57 IL   M
 43     22:19:57 Holden,  Judy                   49 NC   F
 44     22:23:47 Smythe,  Matt                   30 VA   M
 45     22:30:56 Szoch,  Chris                   27 VA   M
 46     22:35:40 Yanek,  Cheryl                  31 NY   F
 47     22:39:07 McGonnell,  Jeff                50 NC   M
 48     22:39:31 Stocker,  Emmy                  52 CT   F
 49     22:41:59 Arnold,  Lisa                   41 NC   F
 50     22:44:04 Murray,  Jay                    49 NC   M
 51     22:46:22 Prescott,  Walt                 57 GA   M
 52     22:51:26 Tartick,  Karen                 49 NC   F
 53     22:57:32 Dummar,  Frederick C            42 NC   M
 54     22:58:20 Corbett,  Catra                 46 CA   F
 55     22:59:12 Mathison,  Charles              38 GA   M
 56     23:04:53 Lowery,  Chris                  49 GA   M
 57     23:07:13 Armstrong,  Jonathan            43 GA   M
 57     23:07:13 Hodell, JR,  Thomas             45 GA   M
 59     23:09:06 Farneski,  Ronald V             52 NJ   M
 60     23:11:37 Pifer,  Ryan James              23 NC   M
 61     23:11:47 Idlibi,  Mohammed               32 NC   M
 62     23:12:48 Glazner,  Allen                 56 NC   M
 63     23:18:34 Talbott,  Shawn                 43 UT   M
 64     23:25:08 Henderson,  Chad                36 SC   M
 65     23:27:35 Simpson-Hall,  Beth             52 IL   F
 66     23:27:52 Smith,  Mike J                  53 IN   M
 67     23:29:28 Drost,  Jeffrey                 42 IL   M
 68     23:47:43 Kepple,  Rich                   38 NC   M
 69     23:56:05 Pasquale,  Dana                 33 NC   F
 70     23:56:18 Martula,  Dave                  66 MA   M
 71     23:57:01 Roche,  Joe                     55 OH   M
 72     24:02:35 Powers,  John                   48 TX   M
 73     24:12:12 Aurilio,  Antonia               36 VA   F
 74     24:35:50 Gray,  Rick A                   50 TN   M
 75     24:52:04 Tao,  Ying C                    26 MA   F
 76     24:52:44 Spencer Jr,  Jack               40 NV   M
 77     25:03:51 Aistars,  Juli                  52 IL   F
 78     25:05:29 Saxon,  Randy M                 50 MS   M
 79     25:10:28 Munoz,  Ric                     53 CA   M
 80     25:20:36 Lieb,  Daniel                   36 NC   M
 81     25:24:06 Shelton,  Debbie                48 IN   F
 82     25:36:08 Wolf,  Kathy                    37 OH   F
 83     25:38:09 Massie,  Tammy                  39 MD   F
 84     25:49:34 Murolo,  Fred                   54 CT   M
 85     25:54:53 Vaughan,  Douglas A             52 IN   M
 86     25:58:01 Grochowski,  Chris              50 NC   M
 87     25:58:45 McKnight,  Richard              42 AZ   M
 88     26:04:02 Grant,  Susan                   44 NJ   F
 89     26:13:48 Sondermann,  John W             57 VA   M
 90     26:17:26 Warriner,  Rebecca              35 NC   F
 91     26:20:19 Davis, III,  Frederick F        63 OH   M
 92     26:25:07 Melton,  Sandra K               55 FL   F
 93     26:25:42 Curran,  Finian M               41 NC   M
 94     26:36:59 Hansen,  Rebecca L              49 FL   F
 95     26:50:12 Sullivan,  Jim                  59 FL   M
 96     27:03:00 Marsh,  John C                  36 MD   M
 97     27:04:11 Shipley,  Callie                30 NC   F
 98     27:05:43 Gentry,  Bill                   49 VA   M
 99     27:07:32 Krolewicz,  Ray                 56 SC   M
100     27:11:06 Reitzig,  James W               36 NY   M
101     27:20:33 Demoney,  Ellen                 51 CO   F
102     27:23:57 Nguyen,  Yen                    48 TX   F
103     27:27:22 Calabria,  Robert               70 NC   M
104     27:29:54 Weiss,  Tim                     52 NC   M
105     27:32:52 West,  Charles                  42 NC   M
106     27:35:52 Harrison,  James                53 VA   M
107     27:40:43 Tanksley,  Bruce                51 TN   M
108     27:40:51 Triumph,  Thomas C              53 FL   M
109     27:41:29 Pieroni,  Dan                   70 NC   M
110     27:42:55 Scott,  Sharon Green            50 VA   F
111     27:44:34 Murphy,  James M                42 NC   M
112     27:45:47 Hale,  Leslie                   58 TX   F
113     27:46:57 Swendsen,  Vincent              48 NC   M
114     27:49:56 Wargo,  Robert                  53 PA   M
115     27:51:24 Grinde,  Ingrid E               55 VA   F
116     27:52:22 Stinson,  Jenny                 51 ID   F
116     27:52:22 Filipowski,  Joan               56 IN   F
118     27:53:14 Keller,  Mike                   37 OH   M
119     28:01:40 Glassberg,  Abby                51 MD   F
120     28:03:20 Arbona,  Serge England          46 CT   M
120     28:03:20 Gargiulo, JR,  Edward J         39 CT   M
122     28:09:57 Vaessin,  Harald                55 OH   M
123     28:13:13 Shepherd,  Stephanie Britt      36 NC   F
124     28:19:44 Mutes,  Holly                   55 ID   F
124     28:19:44 Snyder,  Mary                   60 ID   F
126     28:23:05 Ray,  Ashby                     38 NC   M
127     28:25:39 Lefferts,  Peter C              55 FL   M
128     28:32:41 Clausen,  Chris D               52 NY   M
129     28:35:59 Morton,  Alex                   61 NC   M
130     28:44:40 Mason,  Louise                  58 IL   F
131     28:46:52 Marsh,  Ed                      64 NC   M
132     28:53:49 Gerowitz,  Mat                  35 NY   M
133     29:00:06 Kitchen,  Jim                   46 NC   M
134     29:10:34 Rozanski,  Susan                57 IL   F
135     29:13:39 McGruder,  James T              62 KY   M
136     29:17:24 Brokaw,  Lindsey M              26 OH   F
137     29:19:23 Kramer,  Karen E                52 OH   F
138     29:29:12 Murphy,  Meredith               32 PA   F
139     29:34:22 Dicus,  Jennifer                34 NV   F
139     29:34:22 Valdez,  Mary                   32 NC   F
141     29:41:35 O'Brien,  Wendy                 40 FL   F
142     29:44:55 Milne,  Cheri                   40 SC   F
143     29:45:41 Clinard,  Valerie               35 NC   F
144     29:53:24 Sergeant,  Kimberley Ann        52 TX   F
Umstead 100 Ultra Marathon Race Website
 
					

Location: 50k Nationals. Caumsett Park, Long Island.  March 6, 2011

So who’s up for some repeats?  10 x  5k?  In the rain?  I am!

2010 Recap:   My 2010 had been plagued with negativity.  My health was a mystery.  Hives attacked at random from February on.  I felt weak all the time.  I failed a Pulmonary Function Test (what?!) and needed a Nebulizer.   My thyroid was erroneously blamed.  I was possibly anemic.  Specialists started pointing fingers at each other.  I was allergic to “something”.  After 250 needles, I was declared allergic to myself.  I was given antihistamines, three inhalers, steroids, and some “emergency” pills.  I have huge zip-lock bag full of medications that served mostly to make be bloated, fat, tired, and anxious.  Eventually I just got better.

During all that, my training took a back seat.  When the hives calmed down, I jumped back in where I left off and I ended up with fibromas (marble-sized lumps of painful scar tissue) on my plantar fascias.  I had a hard time walking.  I got the fibromas removed with cortisone.  I felt so good I ran over 65 miles in 12 hours during a 24 hour race and strained my undertrained ACL.  I spent most of 2010 running less, gaining weight, and just feeling cruddy.

The first of my very many DNF’s of 2010 happened at Caumsett 50k.  I finished 2009 by crushing my PRs in every distance from 5k through 24 hours.  By February 2010, I was cruising through 24 mile runs on my treadmill during blizzards and racing marathons all around 3:25 or less as training.  I felt ready for a great Caumsett, until the week before when I ended up in the ER covered in hives.

Heavily medicated, I still arrived.  I started fast and felt horrible.  By loop 2, I ditched my arm warmers and saw the red welts surfacing.  By loop 3, my abdomen was itchy and I found them on my stomach.  By loop 4 I called it a day.  In about 150 races since my cancer treatment, I had only DNF’d once (at my first ultra in a snow storm).  This was #2 and it unfortunately set the tone for the rest of that disappointing year.

2011: I started 2011 with a “come back plan” that involved returning to my roots.  I started again with low mileage and weekly short races.  I was found driving up the highway by a small dog sitting roadside in the cold sleeting rain.  I named him Enzo (like Enzo Ferrari, like Enzo the dog from The Art of Racing in the Rain) and as it turns out he loves running fast and far.   He got me out the door when the weather was miserable.  He pushed (er… pulled) our pace.  My mileage finally made it back up to 80 miles per week and then hovered around 60.  My fastest long effort was only a 1:41 half marathon at the end of January (7 minutes off my best).

Looking at those numbers, I was not ready for a great 50k so I ran a slow 20 miles the day before.  Two nights before that I had a dream I ran a 4:33.  I decided that would be my goal.

The Race: My friend Ray came up to run.  We decided to spend some time together since I missed racing with him at the end of 2010.   Ray has had faith in me, most often when I have the least in myself.  Having him around always brings out my best.

A rainy road 50k with water stops twice per loops is pretty easy to pack for:  8 Endurolytes, a few gels, a pack of shot bloks, a 20 oz bottle of Gatorade and some dry clothes.  I took 4 Endurolytes and drank the Gatorade on the ride to the race.   At 8:25 am, I put one (1) Roctane pomegranate gel in one pocket and the 4 Endurolytes in the other.  I ate one pack of black cherry bloks and walked off to the start.

Oh no, Ray is not there!  I feel a pang of disappointment as the gun is fired.  But as the crowd lurches forward, Ray makes his fashionably late entrance and off we go!   First split 8:14.

I pass up the AS on the first loop and then wonder if I should have grabbed something.  On the back stretch of loop 2, I grab a few ounces of Gatorade. I am very comfortable and wonder when I should take that gel.

Loop 1: 25:45
Loop 2: 25:36
Loop 3: 25:15

Halfway through loop 4, I feel a surge of confidence. I’ve made it further than I did last year and I feel GREAT!  One more loop and we start the countdown!   I look at my legs and I think, “Ok. You are strong. We can do this!”  I stop looking at splits.  As long as I am happy I will finish.

At the end of loop 4, I take that gel.  I decide to take the 4 Endurolytes too. Why wait?  I feel good.  Nothing hurts.  I’m still grabbing about  6 oz of Gatorade total per loop.  My legs are steady.   I feel strong.  Then they run out of Gatorade on the back half during my 7^th loop.

Loop 4: 25:47
Loop 5: 25:29 (2:07:52 – first 25k)
Loop 6: 24:55
Loop 7: 25:27

Since I missed  those crucial 3 oz of blue Gatorade on the back stretch, I grab another gel at the start of  loop 8.  It takes me two full laps to sip that down.

As I approach the end of loop 9, I first start to feel a little wobbly.  I can feel my form weakening just a bit and I catch my self grunting a little.  I laugh out loud as I feel like a Mac truck barreling down a highway making a bunch of noise.

With so little consumed, I know I am running off momentum and awe that I am really almost done.  I see that one mile mark, smile and think “I will see you next year!”   I pass the 2 mile mark and reflect on how I am glad to be done with that hilly mile and realize there is just 1 mile left!  “I got this!  Caumsett Park, I have beaten you this year.”

There is no one to catch and I am not being chased.  It is a relaxing finish.  My legs are heavy and I could cruise in but I don’t and instead give once last push as I see that finish.  I almost fall over from a head rush once I finally allow myself to stop running for the first time in 4 hours and 15 minutes.

Loop 8:  25:52
Loop 9:  26:03
Loop10:  25:30 (2:07:48 – 2nd 25k)

Caumsett volunteers print you a receipt within minutes of your finish.  It contains your lap splits, final time, pace, place, etc…  I show my friend Mike who immediately says, “Oh Wow, look at how even you were! And your last 5k was faster than you first!”  I look at the pace and see that it is 8:14 per mile.  I remember Ray calling out our Mile 1 split as 8:14 and I knew immediately that he had something to do with this!  I suspect that he was out there with me just to help me find my rhythm and beat this demon.  I see Ray after and show him my receipt.  Like the human calculator that he is, he quickly adds up my splits and declares “You negative split this!”   Holy crap, I just negative split a 50k!  Sure by only 5 seconds, but it counts.  I tell Ray how much I needed this to be a good race and why.  He tells me that he knew..

Stats:
4:15:32 for 50k (negative split by 5 seconds)
27th place OA
8th Female OA

What a great day for Racing a 50k in the Rain!

Caumsett Park, I can’t wait to see you next year!

Thank you so much for reading.