Race Report...My first 50 miler!

[Kathy G]

Well, this is a year of firsts for me. I finally completed a 50k last month and this weekend I did a 24 hour run for the first time. I went in with the goal of 50 miles and did it! I didn't care about time or any of that other stuff...my only thought was get 50 miles under my feet.

I hope you all don't mind me tootin' my horn again. But I feel you all understand the commitment it took (we all get up everyday and train together in spirit).

Here's my race report from my YaYa's journal again.

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I got up about 5:00 am to finish packing my stuff. DH drove me to Philly because I wasn't sure if I could find parking (plus I didn't know what kind of driving shape I'd be in after being awake 24 hours). We got there about 7:30 am for checkin where they weighed me and took my blood pressure for a starting point. If at anytime during the race you fluctuate too much or they feel it's dangerous (retaining or losing too much water weight) you get pulled. Anyway, blood pressure was excellent and the weight was actually lower with shoes, clothing, etc. than I though it would be.... I got a T-Shirt and goodie bag with a water bottle and nice running cap.

I said good-bye to hubby and settled in the Lone Ranger/Relay area they had set up for us. I saw a guy from the last 50k I did and went over and talked to him. He was like "I thought that was you but I wasn't sure because you didn't have that drowned rat look"... We talked for awhile and he suggested some great "starter" 50 mile trailraces that are within driving distance for me. I chatted with a few other runners around me and we were all so excited and just happy to be there. The pre-race briefing took place about 9:30 am and then we were at the starting line by 9:55 am for the anthem and the start at 10:00 am.

Loop 1 & 2: I felt really good the first loop, the breeze was in my face and the lone ranger group pulled back and some were actually running at my slow pace, lol. The fast relay teams shot out of there and were doing 7-8 minute miles, geez I'd love to be young again sometimes, lol. We had several water stops and replenishing stations. The volunteers were excellent and even anticipated what you'd need. I carried my cool little 12 oz. ergonomic water bottle (http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpage-AHHL.html) which didn't bother me at all. I "topped" it off at all the stations to make sure I stayed hydrated. After each loop we came into the "start/finish" area and they'd call out our bib numbers and "log us" for the loop. We had the option of continuing another loop or taking a break. We just had to tell them what we were doing so they'd know if we were out on the race course (for safety reasons). I felt good after one so continued on to the second loop. I took a little break from the sun and went in to the boat house after the second. I looked around for a PB sandwich but couldn't find one so had a handful of pretzels. I checked my feet and cooled off a bit.

Loop 3: I went out to do the third loop before the highest heat of the day. Man, it was still hot! I started dragging and feeling queasy but kept moving. I decided to take a longer rest break after this loop and wait for the sun to start going down. I had a couple of pieces of cold cheese pizza and a full sugar soda. I needed the energy and actually started to feel better.

Loop 4: I started in the early evening and it was starting to cool off a little. I was feeling it though and ran/walked most of this loop. I enjoyed all the scenery, crew teams were on the river and lots of people were riding bikes and sitting on the scenic parts of the park. It was starting to get dark when I got back. I was drenched and feeling a little icky so I decided to change sports bra and top. My gosh I looked a fright when I looked in the mirror!!!

Loop 5: This loop I started about 10:30 at night and it was pitch dark by that time. I pulled out my little headlamp and reflective vest. Halfway around this loop it was so dark that even with my headlamp I couldn't see a foot in front of me. One of the bike volunteers (who were riding loops around to check on us) said he wanted to "escort" me through the really dark section. I was grateful for the chat and light! I was feeling pretty tired and achy and was doing a horrible shuffle by then (kind of a cross between a slog and lurch, lol). I was about a 1.5 miles from the finish when the Midnight Madness loop started (a group that signed up to do one loop at 12:00 am). There were about 500 energetic and fired up people coming at me (they were going counter clockwise on the loop while we were going clockwise). When we Lone Rangers saw them I swear we all straightened up, picked up the pace, and tried to look alive! They were super.....hollering good job, awesome, proud of you....all that good stuff. But I was secretly wondering when I was going to get past them so I could go back to my "death slog"....

Loop 6: After a couple of hours of trying to get some rest and relief I decided to just get the last loop over and done with so I could just stop! I had called DH before the 5th loop and told him to come for me ASAP in the morning because I would definitely be ready. I took off after 2:30 am and felt good for the first portion. I ended up walking and talking to a young girl about my daughter's age. I felt so bad because she was hobbling and limping along and I was afraid to leave her alone in the dark! She was telling me about how she already did 7 loops and didn't want to give up...her hamstrings were cramping on her. She was near tears because the group of friends she came with had left (they were tired and she said they gave up). I tried to cheer her up and felt my "motherly" instincts kick in. After about a half mile or so she urged me to get going and promised me she would check in at the medical tent. I got to "slogging" again but by mid loop it was ugly. I felt every muscle in my legs and my feet were on fire from running on the asphalt for so long! I couldn't wait to get back to the start/finish so I could be done with it! DH called me when I was 1.5 miles out (I had my cell phone on me). He was leaving to come get me and I was so relieved. I was hoping to get back before the Pajama Loop started (similar to the Midnight Madness loop I described earlier). I almost made it....I was about a quarter to a half a mile out when they were coming at me. I had ZERO energy to pick it up like I did the last time, lol. I shuffled past them but they were all still so supportive. They were all yelling at me and saying nice stuff but at that point I felt like just putting an "L" on my forehead for loser. I crossed the finish line and they were super when I said "I met my goal, I'm done." They confirmed I'd done the 50 miles and gave me the cool plaque then I shuffled in to change and wait for DH to come get me.

I'm so glad I did this....I wasn't sure I could! My cardio endurance was excellent, I just wished my "body parts" like my feet and legs were able to take more. I had to dig deep the last loop but I felt on top of the world after I cleaned up and had something to eat.

Kathy

[ronnee]

WOW! Good for you -- you're an inspiration!

Ronnee

[wlorrie]

I don't know how you did it, but Congrats!. That is very impressive!
Lorrie

[LovetoFirm]

Wow, you are amazing! Congratulations!

[laurajhawk]

YAY Kathy! You're an inspiration!

[bolieikl]

Congratulations! What an accomplishment!

Linda

[Dawn]

Thanks so much for sharing your story, I really enjoyed it. You did an awesome job and you are such an inspiration!

Dawn

[Kathryn]

Kathy,
I'm impressed! 50 miles on your feet, all at once? That is amazing, woman!

[Clarissa]

Well done! I'm just beyond impressed. Thanks for posting this--it's inspiring.

[leslie w]

Wow! I'm in awe!

How many miles are in a loop?