My name is Gary and I'm an Ultrarunner.

Saturday, January 24th I began and finished my first 50k.  The Mountain Mist 50k in Huntsville, AL, gave me all I wanted and made me work for that finish.  Here's the story:

Prerace

The gang and I (by gang I mean the group of ballers that allow me to run with them and learn from them) had a nice dinner at Buca di Beppo in Cool Springs.  I shared some spaghetti and chicken parm with some friends and had my fill.  Then it was off to Huntsville.  The ~2hr drive was easy down I-65.  A wonderful family of a VU friend graciously hosted me for the weekend.  After arriving at their house, I soon showered and hit the sack - a posh

 tempurpedic mattress for the best night sleep I got that week (I had a lot of HW that week and have a bad dorm mattress).

I woke up at 6am race day.  Then I got dressed in some casual clothes and ate the usual breakfast of oatmeal and juice.  After gathering my things, I headed up to Monte Sano State Park to check-in and pick up my race packet.  It was cold and windy, but the lodge was nice and cozy.  I had a hard time deciding what to wear.  It was mid thirties at the start with predicted temps in the low 40s but it was also overcast and windy.  Shorts?  Tights?  Which Shirt?  I finally opted with the Marmot DriClime Windshirt and tights.  Before the start I met my good friend who came down to crew for me.  I made up a course map and pace chart for her, so she could estimate my pace for herself and for me.  I also gave her a bag of clothes and food.

The Race

        The mass of runners was gathering in the lodge.  With just a couple mins left, we all scurried outside.  Suddenly, BANG, a woman shot a shotgun w/o warning and we began.  The first few mins are on a road before hitting singletrack.  Unwisely, I opted to start nice and slow.  That decision forced me behind a large pack of runners up to the first aid station at mile 6.  I did get to start with a friend and coworker, though, so that was good.  He went on to complete his 2nd 50k and set a PR, all with very little training due to injury (and possible lack of motivation).  

     

  Those first six miles were pretty slow and frustrating.  

I couldn't run my pace, felt crowded, 

and antsy.  I burst ahead right before the first aid station in hopes of getting to open trail.  At that first stop, I already had my jacket unzipped, flapping in the wind - no shirt.  I was burning up!  I stripped the jacket, my gloves, and my stocking cap to don a tshirt and a ball cap.  BAD DECISION! 

 I froze for the next six miles.  They were more open and very windy.  Those miles 

were not fun.  I generally did not feel great, probably due to the cold.  Maybe because I desperately needed warmth or because I felt like I was behind, I increased my speed significantly on that second stretch.  When I 

reached the 12mi aid station, my buddy had to put my gloves on for me.  I also swit

ched to a long sleeve and took the gloves.  I was running pretty well and feeling good between 12 and 17.  I was starting to feel the distance some in my legs and the course was just beginning to get rocky and difficult.  Much of the stretch to 17 is rock - just rock.  First you descend on big 

slabs of rock.  Then you get to a flat section with sharp jagged rocks.  It was not fun!  I felt like I was back in high school doing the tire drill, prancing through rocks, trying to not roll an ankle.  There were some more

 rocks and hills and aid statio

ns between 17

 and 25 but it all blends together into a glob of torturous memories.  The significant part came right before mile 25.  That is what is referred to as Waterline.  It is a hill running up the side of a gully.  A fairly tame trail, this straight section goes for about a mile or two all the way to a water fall.  I walked/shuffled most of it.  Once to the waterfall, runners cross across at a flat section and proceed to scramble up the side.  Really.  We grab at roots and trees, dig in toes.  Some handle it better than others.  After the hill, I was relieved to changed body positions and muscle groups for the scramble.  Once atop, there are some more hills before the trail flattens out into the aid station.  Two friends met me down the trail and ran with me into the aid station.  The whole posse of six was waiting and cheering.  I refilled my bottle, took a banana and some M&Ms and hit the trail.

From there it was a struggle to the mile 29 aid station.  The marathon distance brought much suffering.  In addition to having already completed a marathon distance, the trail gets harder.  First, we descend down a very technical and rocky trail.  Then we go alo

ng a nice flat trail.  Then we get to go all the way back up!  I was being very cautious on the descents and was just trying to muster any strength on the last climb up McKay Hollow.  In fact, I walked nearly every step up the switchbacking hill to the final aid station.  I was very glad to see the old folks manning it.  Upon arrival, I had them refill my water bottle.  Then I reached for a banana slice which I couldn't peal with my gloves on.  The woman offered to peal one, but I was out of it and said no.  Then she knocked a couple on the ground.  I then decided it was worth it and ate two chunks.  Delicious.  The final two miles are flat right into the finish.  I ran the whole way at a good clip, listening to the increasing cheering at the finish.  My friends were all there to greet me with congratulations and hugs.  YEAH!

Post Race

After soaking in the finish, and snapping some photos, we all headed inside.  It was nice to take off the shoes.  I quickly went to grab pizza and water.  I ate 4 slices and just hung out waiting for other friends to finish.  As we came in, we exchanged our experiences.  The consensus: it was hard!  Many Congrats to all my friends who ran!  All of us finished and two took 2nd overall and 1st woman, respectively.  

Back at the house, I took an ice bath, showered, ate, slept, ate, sat in the hot tub, and slept.  

It was a great experience and produced a great feeling of accomplishment.  I am kind of at a loss concerning what to do now.  I've worked toward this goal since the summer.  Now that it's here I am not sure what to do.  I may run some shorter distances, may train for the Country Music Half (or full).  Or maybe I will just run for fun, do whatever comes up and rock climb a lot.  I don't see any ultras in the near future.  I have a pretty full plate this semester, will be going to the Grand Canyon in March and then end school in April.  We'll see.

I learned several things about clothing, fueling, and pacing.  Next time I will save more energy for the end.  I hydrated and fueled well.  My clothing was not very good.  If it weren't for my friend and crew, I would have been very poorly prepared clothing-wise.

Thanks for reading.

Race Week

In approximately 58 hrs I will begin my first ultramarathon.  I am feeling pretty well.  I've been resting a lot.  Actually, since the marathon on Nov 23rd, I've only gone over 30mi/wk once.  That occurred two weeks ago, and the total was 45mi - my highest to date.  I was feeling undertrained and nervous several weeks ago, but that week gave me a huge mental boost.  I know I am in good shape and am capable of finishing this race.  Barring physical catastrophe, I will finish.  

One factor come race day will be my footwear.  I have been running in Brooks Cascadias since the summer.  They are the only pair of trail shoes I have owned/worn.  I have been pretty satisfied with them and they have given me no problems until recently.  The last several times I have worn the shoes, my feet have developed great hot spots and gotten blistered.  It occurs right on the inside edge of my forefoot.  The big toe gets irritated as well.  I realized quickly that this was not acceptable for this weekend.  My feet would certainly be mincemeat by the finish if I did not act.  After consulting some veterans, I decided to do two things.  (1)  I bought some new insoles - Superfeet Green.  They are pretty thick, pretty firm, and have considerable arch support.  Basically, they are a lot more substantial than the stock insoles.  Good thing?  I think so.  However, the change in insoles might be risky without a substantial break-in period (for my feet that is).  I have been wearing the insoles all week in order to get used to them.  They feel and I think they will work.  (2) I am going to apply a lot of SportSlic junk to my feet, wear a thin synthetic sock and a thin wool sock.  I tried the combo today with the insoles in my trail shoes and it felt fine.  Hopefully things will work out fine.  It will certainly be better than the alternative of running through blisters and burning feet.

I'll head down to Huntsville Friday after eating here.  Mountain Mist 50k, here I come!

I've Had Better Weeks

This week started okay but ended very poorly.  I was feeling pretty pumped after last week's big effort.  I took Monday off to rest from the big weekend and got in a nice run with a friend Tuesday morning.  Wednesday turned out to be real busy, but I got in a few miles late that afternoon with another good friend.  Thursday was completely open but crazy cold (like 18) so I stayed inside, did homework, and pulled a double shift on the Vandy climbing wall.  Friday - nothing.  Saturday I met some experienced runners and friends to get in one more long run before Mist.  I am not as concerned (maybe naively/unwisely) about taper with this race as I was with the marathon.  Plus, these late big runs give me confidence which will most likely turn out to be more value than rest when I am struggling along on the course at mile 25.  It was a cold, overcast, and windy afternoon.  The route was kind of a hodge podge collection and connection of the Warner Parks and left more to be desired.  That's all okay though.  What got me was the terrible iritation and rubbing I am getting on my feet.  The inside of both big toes and ball of the foot are blistering from my shoes.  I plan on getting some insoles and really lubing up for the big day.  Maybe the insoles are a risk, but if I don't do something, I will end up with nasty feet after about 15miles.  So as you can see, it was a lackluster week of running.  Actually, ever since the marathon my running has been inconsistent.  It has been pretty enjoyable though, especially the trail days.

Most of the reason for not running much at the end of the week is that I am battling sickness.  I am pretty congested, have a runny nose, and have not slept well.  Just now I am starting to feel better.  Hopefully it gets through me before the race.

Sickness not only makes me weaker physically but also emotionally.  I was already mopey this week, but some really bad news came Thursday.  Backstory - my parents own quite a few miniature horses to breed and show (but mostly to pet and enjoy).  We also have some other animals, including 4 dogs - a black lab, a weimaraner, her pup which is probably 1/2 pitbull, and a mini schnauzer.  Well, Thursday my dad got a call on the cell while he was working that the 3 large dogs were attacking one of the minis.  The neighbor's son broke it up fortunately but not before substantial damage was done to the horse.  The vet was called and the horse cared for.  The vet recommended that all 3 dogs be put down lest they attack again.  My parents agreed.  Gandalf, the black lab, was really old and had problems walking.  He was very sweet and spent much of his time indoors now.  Dana, the weimaraner, was probably the most gentle and affectionate dog I know.  The insisted on always being near you and had adorable long ears.  Bernie Mac was her son.  He was black with a white chest, had her long ears but a more square face.  He was a handful, loved to dig out, and always required monitoring.  Dana and Bernie spent most hours in the garage to control his insatiable urge to get out and fight with the neighbor dogs.  By fight I mean he would run along the fence and bark while they attempted to rip his face open.  On more than one occasion he had to have medical treatment after they bit him - he was a lover, not a fighter.  Bernie was my dog.  My mom and I rescued him and Dana from a home when I was in high school.  She was tied to a lawnmower in a dirt yard with food strewn on the ground.  I insisted on taking him along with his mama when we got there.  He was adorable.  Gandalf was also an adoptee, from a teacher at the school.  Of course, we cannot be certain of exactly what happened.  It perplexes me because they were so sweet to us and had never caused trouble with the horses before.  It was very sad and affected all of my family members.  My older sister delivered the news Thursday morning to me via phone.

Finally, the week was unsuccessful in regards to dating.  I finally got the nerve to ask out a good friend of mine of whom I am especially fond.  Unfortunately, though, things did not work out.  That's all I will say.  

All in all, I've had better weeks.  Hopefully next week will be one of those.

Biggest Week to Date

yeah, I'm serious.  This past week I ran a total of 45.5 miles.  Twenty-seven of those came on Saturday and Sunday - 13.3 mi on Saturday in Fairview, TN, and 14 mi on Sunday on the Natchez Trace trail outside of town.  

Saturday's run came on a rainy day yielding very soggy shoes.  Four of us headed out to Fairview in hopes of two 7.5mi loops.  We did the first in about 1hr, and I was the only one feeling half decent.  All my buddies were somewhat ailing.  Three of us continued on for another lap but got mixed up and only did about 6mi or so.  I got in an extra mile at a faster pace and we called it a day.  That rainy weather actually kind of gets me in the zone.  I had my classic "Jimmy Carter, peanut farmer" trucker hat on - my designated trail running hat.

Sunday was another good day.  The trail runs pretty much parallel to the scenic and historic Natchez Trace Parkway.  It is a single trail which is not very well maintained.  That means it is fairly technical with lots of loose rocks and some stream crossings.  One buddy rolled an ankle, but he toughed it out.  We did a nice 14mi out and back on a cool day.  

That made for a tough weekend.  That was my first double long weekend.  I was pretty darn tired Sunday afternoon and my left achilles/ankle was pretty sore.  I plan on hittin it hard again this week, going back-to-back long again this weekend before takin it easy the week before Mountain Mist.  It's comin quick...