Going
into the NJ Ultrafest 50K this past weekend, I knew that I would have a slow
time. The questions were how slow and how much was it going to hurt? My
training was sub-optimal at best. I was sick the first week of January and this
semester I was teaching 3 classes and 1 lab at 3 different community colleges, which
proved to be stressful and tiring even though I had taught the courses before.
Which also meant that I wasn’t running nearly enough and my two longest runs
were 12.6 and 12.7 miles. And then there was the weather (cold!) and the trail
conditions (snow, water, and mud!).
I showed
up to the race site on Friday around 5 PM. Saw that Jen was working solo at the
registration table with a long line of runners waiting to pick up their race
packet, so I jumped in and helped. I continued to help with registration and
anywhere else until dinner – sushi! Thanks to Jessi for bringing in a huge
platter of sushi. This has become a regular meal pre-ultra/marathon for a couple
of years now. In the past I shied away from sushi – from the thought of eating
raw fish, to the taste of the seaweed in the rolls. But I’ve found much to my surprise that I
like sushi and it’s a nice relaxing meal with friends. Sushi and beer was good but it
was COLD! I was not relishing the thought of sleeping in a tent the night
before a big race with the temps dropping into the 20s. Thankfully Jessi
decided to drive home and let me sleep on her futon. A little warmer and more
comfortable than a tent! But I know I hadn’t gotten enough sleep the past two
nights (average 5 hrs) with the 5 AM wake-up on Saturday! Ugh!
A stop
at QuikChek for some coffee! and back to the race. Once back at the
fairgrounds, I quickly set up my stuff at the start-finish – extra shoes &
socks, clothes, food, beverages, etc. –
got some more coffee and a muffin from Jessi (definitely less calories and
protein than my usual pre-race meal). Then wandered around chatting with people
and helping out where needed. Soon it was race time – a very reasonable 7:45 AM
start for the 50K. I started a few seconds late (was staying in the barn away
from the wind) which was fine, it allowed me to pass a few people and run some
with Mirna who was running her first 50K. My goal for the first 11 miles was to
use a run/walk approach (8 min running/1 min walking) and to eat on a regular
basis given that in my last 50k race I felt I hadn’t eaten enough prior to and
during the second 10 mile loop. But based on how I felt on Saturday, it looks
like I still have some learning to do. I also wanted to keep my time at the aid
stations to a minimum. No need to add to my time in what is already going to be
a slow race!
For
the first loop I kept to my run/walk pattern, walking some when it got really
wet or when I needed to eat. Quickly got some food at the far aid station and
back to the start-finish. Time: 2:22:43 for 11 miles (12:58 pace); not bad. I
wore my Mizuno Wave Rider 15s with wool socks for the first loop. Shoes &
feet got wet and my feet started to feel sore. So I switched to my Sauconys and
new socks, a quick stop in the bathroom, and a bit of food from the aid station
and I started my second loop. Spent about 9 min taking care of things. Not bad.
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| View of part of the course. Many of us tried to stick to the left side to keep our shoes dry. |
I started
the second loop and was just not feeling it. I was tired, my legs were sore
(about 2 miles into this loop I was running more than I had in 2013), and I
just did not want to run. So I ended up walking most of the first out and back
all the way to the far aid station where I picked up some cup-o-noodles and
orange soda and had renewed energy. Definitely need to eat more! I tried to get
back to a run-walk routine as much as I could. The second loop wasn’t nearly as
slow as I expected. Time: 2:57:30 (17:45 pace).
 |
| Obviously trying to keep my shoes clean and dry did not work! |
I
really wanted to stop after the second loop but I was determined to finish and
get my sweet finisher’s jacket! This time I needed to spend a little more time
at the aid station. Added a few more layers, had another bathroom break, and
food! Time at aid station: ~20 min. I grabbed a hotdog and some gummy bears and
continued walking while eating. The extra food certainly helped as I was able
to run more, though definitely at a slower pace and at most for 1-2 minutes at
a time. I made it to the far aid station for more food – noodles and Mountain Dew
(never thought I’d like it but I do) – which gave me some more energy. But my
legs were definitely taking a beating from my lack of training. As I made my
way back to the start I caught up with Elaine who was attempting the 50 miler
at Melissa’s urging. Elaine had never run more than a marathon and was moving
slowly so I encouraged her to run more so she would finish her 3rd
loop as quickly as possible. (Note: Never listen to crazy younger runners that
encourage you to run a distance much greater than you’ve run before. They think
they are invincible). I kept up running and walking till I made it to the
fairgrounds and the only visible hill on the course. At this point, I pretty
much walked the rest of the way. I was tired and my legs and knees were sore! I
ran a bit of the downhill but even that hurt! I made it to the finish for my
jacket and medal and to the sounds of cheers from a group there for another
runner. Clearly when I finished I was not looking happy as Rick, the RD, asked
if I was pissed or sore. Not pissed. Just sore and tired! Time: 3:05:07 (18:30 pace)
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| Finisher's jacket and medal! |
Total
time: 8:52:22 (17:11 pace). I definitely
need to get more focused on training. I really would like to break 7 hrs for a
50k and I think I can. A few days after the race my legs are feeling good and I
will be back to running this week. Next event: 3 Days at the Fair.
