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.