I am ULTRA!

I awoke at 4:00am to have my coffee and initiate peristalsis. I packed my cooler and ate some oats and was driving to my first ultra at 6:00am. Jessica and Liam were with me at the start.

Number 1 crew member.

 It was a decent morning. Not cool but comfortable at the start. At 7ish the race was on. There was a 200 yard parking lot for the runners to sort out based on pace and after that we entered the Blue Trail at Nesbit Park in Bartlett, TN. 

And we're off!

The blue trail is a short 1.6 mile loop that that is necessary for the mileage to be right at the end. We ran back through the parking lot toward the starting line and entered the forest again on the White Trail for four 7.4 mile loops. 

I ran the first loop fairly conservatively and met some interesting people. The ultra marathoners I met were gracious, humble, and helpful. They have checked their egos. They are also tremendously motivating. It was a good change to talk with people who could actually understand my motivation unlike most days when I'm told its just crazy. I talked to a woman who finished her first 100 miler. I asked her "how do you even get your mind around that." She said, Thats just it, its all in your head. Your body can do it. If you can run 50k you can run 50M, if you can run 50M you can run 100M."

The second and third loop I was all by myself. There is comfort in solitude, value in suffering. I was comfortable. I cranked up my pace and ran the numerous hills. At the mid-lap aid station, another dude followed me in. When asked about his distance for today. "I'm doing 40." My new motivation was to beat this guy so at least I wouldn't be last. 

On my fourth loop, at the mid-lap aid station, the workers said, "what can I get you?" "...muhh" I couldn't form words and I have no idea why. Maybe running silently by myself for 3 hours. Luckily she has obviously heard this lack of response and immediately began offering me things. Do you want water, gatorade, ice? Do you need salt? When was the last time you took in calories?  I really felt taken care of. I moved on and on my way out I saw the guy I had to beat. I was a half mile ahead.

I emerged from the woods on the white trail at 12:30ish and I saw Jessica, Liam and Tripper. I muscled my way to the 50k finish and the race director asked, "Are you finished or are you going on?" I muttered, I am going 40. I was then told that only 2 runners ahead of me had continued past the 50k point. "That means your in at least 3rd place." I was stoked, but suffering a great deal. I was significantly chaffed in several sensitive areas. 

Applying diaper rash ointment and snacking on some pretzels at 35.6.

The last 8.6 miles consited of 2 loops of the combined Blue and Yellow Trail. It was 92 degrees and humid. The first loops was ok. Tripper was there prompting me to keep running when I wanted to walk. The second loop, when I was at 35.6 miles, was excruciating. I sincerely could have wept. Tripper and I hit the pavement for 200 of the most poignantly painful yet satisfying yards. 

Final Stretch

ULTRA banana

Feet after 40 miles of trails.

Countdown to Ultra.

Its  been a couple weeks since my last entry. I finished up my extern in Senatobia and went home for break. I skipped all my runs the 5 days I was home because I was working all day at my dad's farm. It was great to shed the white coat and sweat for a change. Anyway, this week was back to business as usual. Several short runs through the week and a 3:00am 21 mile long run on Saturday. I am ready. My legs don't tire. I don't breath any harder than while watching TV. My feet still start hurting at 19-20 but my shoes are in desperate need of replacement. This pair has 450-500 miles on them.

I am back at school for my last internship before graduation. The schedule sucks and makes it hard to get the medium length runs in. I have to get up between 4-4:30am if I am to get to clinic on time. One early day is manageable but multiple early days SUCKS. The end justifies the means.

Next weekend, Sept., 11th, I run the Bartlett Park Ultra-Marathon. http://www.runacrossamericaontrail.com/Bartlett_Park_Ultras.html . I hear "good luck" a lot from people who hear about my goal. I graciously thank them but covertly I know I don't need luck. The training, 3 months of 20-30 milers each weekend, says luck is not needed. "The harder you work, the luckier you get." There is a heavy message in that simple saying.

A couple friends and I ran out at Bartlett Parks where the event is to be held this morning. I have crossed the finish line a million times in my head but being there makes it more real. The trails are almost completely shaded which should help with the predicted 91 degree high predicted for Saturday. The terrain is a bit hillier than the website lead me to believe but its very run-able. The good thing is this trip dispelled many of the "unknowns" that keep me awake nights before races. I now have a realistic expectation of the race day atmosphere.