First, allow me to say I may have reached the pinnacle of my ultramarathoning career. Having participated in the Fall 50, I have a new and profound respect for ultramarathoners, particularly those who complete extreme endurance events in the 100+ category. Fifty was quite enough for this body, and only time will tell if more events at this distance are likely.
Second, I have to say that going into a 50 mile event with three weeks that more closely resemble an off season than a taper is probably less than conducive to a successful race. Between my own head and chest cold, sick kids, and crazy schedules, I only managed one run of about 18 miles during the three weeks between my final long run and the actual race. For the first time since my very first marathon, I went into a race less than 100% confident in my overall training program. I accepted that finishing was less than guaranteed given the circumstances.
Finally, sleeping in a recliner with a sick 3-year old is probably a poor excuse for a good night's sleep prior to a race. Since my daughter takes precedence over any race, that's what we did, and I prayed that sleep was less important than actual rest.
Saturday morning, I woke up at 2:40 a.m. and had a banana while I toasted a bagel and loaded gear into the car. I grabbed a bottle of Gatorade and bagel and hit the road. I made it to the finish line about an hour before the planned shuttle departure, and spent that time talking with a couple of experienced ultramarathoners. They had some helpful information about the course, and I made some new friends.
The bus got us to the start line around 6:30, and the descriptions provided by a few other bloggers helped minimize the surprise. A table, a few runners, and some staff people trying to figure out the sound system while getting the start line banner erected was all there was to see. Packet pick-up was in an entryway for a small shop, and it only took a few runners to make it feel "crowded."
Due to struggles with getting music going, the runner who happened to be the very last person to register volunteered to sing the national anthem. I was impressed, mostly because I can't sing at all, and he did a pretty good job. Just before starting, we recited the Fall 50 motto. "Start at Gills Rock, face south, and don't stop running until somebody gives you a beer."
From the very beginning, I went with my 5/2 run/walk intervals. Despite watching the vast majority of the runners pull ahead and feeling I was going dreadfully slow, I maintained my pace, knowing it was a LONG race. Most bothersome was seeing my nemesis (a guy who seems to be at every race I run) disappear into the distance. The Galloway interval method had served me well on all past long runs, so I wasn't going to abandon it in the race.
The course starts out with a lot of rolling hills. The scenery was amazing due to the turning of the leaves, and cheerleading on the course was primarily from team and pairs runners heading north for their starts (teams started at 8, 9, and 10 a.m. based on expected finishing times). The route was well marked, and only occassionally did I worry that I might have missed a turn.
Aid stations were about every five miles, and stocked with standard fare of Gatorade and water, Clif Bars, and volunteers to provide some help. Certain stations also had oranges, bananas, and pretzels. The station about about mile 28 had chicken soup and broth, bagels, and a wide variety of candy.
For this race, the nutrition plan called for something every 56 minutes. In order, I used a Tri-berry Gu, a Kiwi Strawberry CarBoom, a second Gu, and a package of Lemon Lime Shot Bloks. I had enough on hand to run through that sequence twice. At the mile 28 aid station, I downed a 3 Musketeers bar and grabbed two small packs of M&Ms. For hydration I carried four bottles of Gatorade with Endurolytes powder on my Amphipod. I had a bag with more Endurolytes and refilled as needed.
My one concern with the race was that my nemesis was nowhere to be seen. I have yet to finish after him in a race, and was concerned that 50 miles would be the distance where he defeated me. As I hit 15, then 20 and 25 miles, I grew more and more concerned because not only didn't I pass him, but there was nobody in sight at all. Those concerns were allayed, though, at the "half-way buffet" and mile 28. My nemesis was already there when I ran in, and he was still there when I left. I didn't see him again until he came into the finisher's tent, about 40 minutes after me.
All in all, the race went very well. The primary goal of finishing was accomplished. I also managed to beat my best guesstimate time goal of 9 hours, finishing in 8:58:08 by my watch. I missed my "perfect day" goal of maintaining 10 minute miles (8:20), though that had always been a bit of a pipe dream. Between aid station stops and calls of nature, I knew that was going to be a tough mark to hit.
In the end, despite my best efforts, I did go out a bit too fast. At mile 25, I was seven minutes ahead of pace. That wasn't something I was unable to maintain.
This was a huge accomplishment, and my body tells me 50 miles is enough. Out on the race course, I knew that while recovery would probably go well, the general pain associated with this event was about the limit of what I wanted to endure. During the post race party, a fellow Tri Fox asked me which was more challenging, Ironman or the Fall 50.
I thought about it, and had to concede that the 50 mile run was more difficult. Ironman, though longer, offers a few things the 50 mile race does not. First, the variety of swim, bike, and run allows different muscle groups to be utilized. The "pain" changes.
In ultramarathons, the same body parts get abused for the duration of the event. That probably applies to ultra distance swim and bike events, too. Of course, Ironman is much more painful to the wallet, so it I'd say I'm more likely to run the Fall 50, again, before I do another Ironman.
If there is any advice I would give to somebody considering an ultramarathon, it would be this. Train the way you will race. Most importantly, that means train alone. Unless training with someone with whom you intend to run the race, long runs should be accomplished solo. If this race was any indication of ultras in general, that is how you will race. While I saw runners on the road, the vast majority of the race was spent alone. Only on long stretches of straight road was I likely to see more than one or two runners at a time, and more rare were the times I ran with anyone within speaking distance.
So, I added ultramarathon to the list of accomplishments. And now, it's time for the off season. I'm taking a well deserved couple days off. Then, it's on to the off season swim program, starting with 30 days of swimming in November. I've had a lot of time off from swimming, and will start from "scratch" and see if I can put together a more effective and efficient stroke for the 2009 season.
And then, it's time to start thinking in Ironman terms, again.
WARNING: Inherently political post to follow. Those interested in triathlon specific content, there is none in this post.
Anyone who knows me with any amount of clarity can confidently state my political beliefs. I am a conservative. Note that I didn't say I am a Republican. It is an important distinction. Being a conservative means one holds a specific set of beliefs on social and economic issues. Being a Republican implies membership in a specific political party.
Over the past several months, there has been a great deal of discussion about the "failure" of conservative principles. As a true conservative, allow me to point out that it is really the abandoning of those principles that has put us where we are, today. And given the current state of things, it appears we may get to take a ride similar to what my parents experienced when President Carter was in office. I believe that to be likely regardless of who assumes the presidency in 2009.
While Senator McCain has supported many policies that go against deeply held conservative beliefs, Senator Obama voices opinions that are far more disturbing. Unfortunately, far too many people want to focus on Senator Obama's past, when there is so much of the present to discuss. Though I believe Obama's connections to frighteningly anti-American individuals show an incredible lack of judgment, I will take him at his word. When he says he can separate those beliefs from his service to the country, I see no underlying deceit.
I will also, however, accept him at his word regarding other things. Obama reveals most about himself when speaking in unscripted moments. Months back, speaking at a private event in California, Obama commented about bitter people who "cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them..." My question for Senator Obama would be, "Does that apply to everyone who owns a gun and believes in God, just the ones who don't vote for you, or some specific group?" It is interesting that Obama chose to pick those specific issues. Most of the issues he cited are issues important to the conservative voter.
Last Sunday, at a rally in Ohio, Senator Obama responded to a plumber's question about taxes stating, "It's not that I want to punish your succes. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance at success, too. My attitude is that if the economy's good for folks from the bottom up, it's gonna be good for everybody... I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."
Senator Obama made Karl Marx very proud with that statement. It was Karl Marx who stated, "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." He was referencing communism. What Obama proposes with his "spread the wealth" comment is increased socialism.
His comment begs the question about success in this country. He presumes to state that if Joe the Plumber is succeeding, it is because someone else is somehow missing the opportunity to succeed. It's a flawed argument. Joe's success has no impact on somebody else's ability to succeed. Everyone has a shot at the dream job in this country. Just look at Senator Obama. From apparently humble beginnings he is in a very small group of people positioned to become President of the United States.
He says he doesn't want to "punish your success," then indicates that is exactly what he is going to do. If Joe builds a successful company, Obama will force him meet Joe Biden's definition of patriotism, pay more taxes. That money will then be "spread around" to those who didn't earn it (please note, there is no discussion of who may or may not deserve the money, that's irrelevant).
Here is another simple question for Senator Obama (and those who still think his plans are brilliant). How many jobs have you held where the employer was a lower or middle class individual? Now, how many jobs have you held where they employer was a very successful (and yes, wealthy) individual, or a corporation? Personally, other than mowing lawns as a youngster, I've never had a job provided by someone of modest means. And even as a youngster, lawn mowing jobs came from the more successful members of the neighborhood. Those of more modest means cut their own lawns.
Senator Obama asks that we take him at his word. I do. I take him at his word that he doesn't harbor some dark, hidden belief about the United States. And I take him at his word that he views a large majority of the US population as people, "clinging to guns and religion," and that he wants to, "spread the wealth around."
That's not what I want in a president.
Warning Two: Please feel free to respond. There are two things to keep in mind. First, I will take no offense at any respectfully offered rebuttal, and little offense at the rest. Second, I love debate, and may respond with passion. At no time will I mean to give any offense, and regardless of any disagreement, I place more value on friendship than political affiliation. Just ask my best friend, the die-hard liberal.
 While looking at options for a new clothes dryer (long story, don't ask), I took the time to dig up pictures from the Fox Cities Marathon. As usual, I got a couple decent shots in the midst of lots of brutal pictures. This first ones is actually near the end of the race. For me, it was about 38 miles into the day.
As I came down the bridge and saw the photographer, I decided to kill two birds with one stone. By "throwing the deuce," I avoided the limp armed pose that plagues me in endurance events AND paid tribute to George Schweitzer. Incidentally, George paid a return visit to his blog. He's been gone a while, with good reason. Something about training for and racing two Ironman events all while working on his PHD. And I thought racing while raising kids was a juggle! To top it off, he finished IM Lake Placid in an amazing 10:18.
I think this was a pretty good picture, and that's one more "lesson" learned from George (though he admits he needs help after an entire summer of peace sign pictures).
 As I neared the finish, I was thinking how it would be nice to show some energy rather than my usual dull plod down the chute. I had "One Step Beyond" by Madness playing, and considered doing the Madness Shuffle across the finish line. Figuring that would look pretty odd WITHOUT the music, I just ran back and forth encouraging the crowd to cheer. There were a lot of people coming after me, and the spectators were pretty lifeless. I'm amazed anyone was able to get a picture of me as I was running back and forth.
I'm also amazed that I look as decent as I do in this picture. This was just over 40 miles, and I was beat. Don't believe me? I have proof. And just enough humility to laugh at myself. So, one of the "brutal" pictures.
No, wait. That's "BRUTAL!"
 Allow me to present "Death Warmed Over." I love the snarl. Oddly enough, this is also in the finish chute. I went from cheerleading the crowd to an apparently whiny "Are we there, yet?" in just a few feet. Oh well, it keeps me humble.
The series of pictures I have from this race help demonstrate one thing very well. People go through a wide range of emotions and outward appearances during extreme endurance events. Well, that and the fact that I'm just never going to "smile" when I'm racing.
Somebody's just going to have to find a way to snap a picture of me when I'm laughing about something.
About 10 days ago, my kids started coming down with colds. They had slight fevers followed by lots of congestion and coughing. We spent several days wiping noses, pushing fluids, and occassionally disregarding alarmist warnings by providing medicine. Having two sick kids meant a lot of nights sleeping on one floor or another trying to comfort them, or at least keeping them company when they couldn't sleep.
Even so, I managed to fight off what was making them sick. Well, for a while, at least. I consider it good timing, as I'm in the first week of my taper heading into the Fall 50 race on October 25th. It's good that it's taper so taking some time off is a minor deal. It's good that it's the first week of taper as that gives me a couple weeks to fully recover before running 50 miles.
I did manage to get my final long run of 30 miles done on Sunday. And there are a couple of "lessons learned" from that run.
The run went fairly well, though it started a bit late in the day for my liking. When I headed out just after two in the afternoon, it was about 60F. I spent some time debating what to wear, since it was currently warm but likely to get cooler before I finished. In the end, I went with my wool tights, a tri-top for carrying nutrition, and a long sleeve technical shirt over that.
After about 60 minutes, I was regretting that decision. I was getting hot, and I forgot to add Endurolytes to my Gatorade, and figured dehydration might become an issue. That all changed about two hours into the run.
That's when the temperature dropped to between 50F and 55F. And the rain started. And that's how it stayed for the remaining three hours of the run. In the end, I lucked out with my choices, and stayed comfortable despite the deteriorating conditions.
For this run, I tried two "new" products. And I must say, I have a new BFF. By "BFF," I mean Best Flavor Forever. Remember last week's post talking about the sickly sweet taste CarBoom's Kiwi Strawberry gel? After consulting a few people at my local running store, I tested the Apple Cinnamon flavor. In a word, YUM! It's nowhere near as sweet (though still sweeter than Gu), and actually tastes like apple-cinnamon. I'd almost put this stuff on pancakes. While I won't switch from Gu to CarBoom, I will certainly use the two for variety.
I also picked up another pack of Clif Shot Bloks. Last week, I used a sample pack of the cola flavor. I liked the concept, but the flavor was sort of "blah." This week, I tested their black cherry Bloks. They were awesome.
So, after years of testing different products, I'm narrowing down to a "menu" that will work for extreme distance races. Mixing TriBerry Gu, Apple Cinnamon CarBoom, and Black Cherry Shot Bloks I will have a good variety of flavors with a combination of textures. Add to that any flavor Gatorade with Endurolytes powder, and I have a plan that has been quite successful over the past several months.
And now, I'm going to wait and see what happens first. Will I run out of tissue, or will my head explode from sinus pressure? The suspense is killing me.
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