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.
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