ETA-my pictures...that were lost and found by CVS-special thanks going out to the head of the photo dept in Enfield!!
I decided to do this race when I thought we had nothing happening with the kids on Sunday...so I sent my application via 'ACTIVE' on Thursday...followed by a rainout for DS2's LL baseball game and my father deciding to visit the kids and take them to lunch-sigh...This meant my main support crew, DW, would be with the kids. Such is life. I am lucky to be supported by a terrific family who embraces my running craze. The revised plan was to drive up early by myself and not worry about a crew as the race was well supported with many aid stations. Here's a self photo of me prerace...note the smile, after all it is pre-race.
It is beautiful course! A loop around a nice lake on paved roads with slight rolling segments and some nice soft grass/dirt to run on if the road gets too tough. I loved the design and would reccomend the course to anyone considering an ultra in the NE area. They offer50K, 50M and 100K. They advertise as the 'oldest 100K' in the nation, which is cool.
It was not cool on race day, however. I believe it was 88 degrees when I finished. And I have melted in previous races that were warm-think Boston '04, my marathon PW-ug. I got up early-setting the alarm for 5:00am and quickly showered and got my stuff together. A quick stop for gas and coffee and I was off. Breakfast for me on race days includes a bowl of cereal and a Rice Krispies treat. (I am a sugar fanatic). Today I added a salt tab, a bottle of gatorade (20oz) and a package of Shot Bloks. It was going to be hot and I wanted to be hydrated...
The lake is beautiful! There was a little problem with me getting a little lost and I needed to make up some time but very few speeding laws were broken for too prolonged a time. I was fortunate to get a nice parking spot directly across from the start and went to pick up my race packet-meeting the RD who was very nice. The entire park is beautiful. Just setting up shop...
I confessed my 'ultra' virginity and he was thrilled with the choice of his race to run my first. There were at least a dozen others who were running their first ultra by a show of hands during the pre-race talk. We were told that it would start on time and before I could even get back to the line, I heard someone say 'the race will start in 30 seconds, everyone report to the starting line'.
I was only 30 feet down the road and I jogged to the start and got there just as everyone was starting off.
-----------------------------------------
The RACE
I knew it was very hot already and wanted to be very, very conservative. I let a lot of people just go. I didn't care about placing-my goal was to finish. My longest run of 2009 has been only 16 miles, but I did do a double of 15.5 miles x2 for a total of 31 miles during one day by running to/from work. I decided to go 'by feel' and keep my breathing easy and controlled for the first loop. The race starts by going out and back for 2.2 miles. I did not see how many people passed me at this part but it was a lot. It seemed like almost everybody, so I really had no idea how many people were ahead of me. We all settled into a nice pace. I talked with a guy who had run 3 prior ultras. As a matter of fact, I talked to at least 5 or 6 different people while running the first lap. Ultras are done a more aerobic pace and aren't as close to LT, so you have enough energy to carry on a conversation. Everyone was super nice and seemed to have a story to tell. I wanted to take a lot of salt tabs and use S-Caps, but my 'rush' order placed online with 2-3 business days shipping did not get there in time. I went to CVS and bought NaCl/salt tabs-which were 1 gram of sodium-just like the old days when we used to take them in soccer
practice in the heat of summer while still in high school...ah memories...
There were lots of goodies to choose from at the aid stations and I brought a cache of stuff myself...
A picture of all my stuff in my truck...
-----------------------------
The first Out/Back= 4.4 miles
These were very consistent-19:19/19:21 (av HR ~131/peak 135) for ~8:43 pace. I was hoping for ~9minute pace but when the goal is to finish, the plan should be to do the work and then see what the pace is. I was happy, but it was very early.
LOOP #1-7.6 miles
I began this loop with the goal to hit every aid station and drink a full cup of water or gatorade. The plan would include eating something anytime I felt hungry or if 1/2 hour went by. I'd try to eat as many salt tablets as I could stomach to stave off cramping. I've cramped badly in every hot weather race and believed my new plan would work, if I kept up with the salt supplements. I took one gel/drank lots of water and was surprised to see that the third (of 4 total) aid station had S-Caps! Excellent. The first aid station had smiling faces and the theme was tropical.
I thought I'd take one/hour and continue with the salt tabs. This loop was comfortable and easy. I was locked in listening to my son's ipod.
He made me a playlist the night before the race and left me a long letter explaining how to use the ipod (I don't have one). He put on many songs that he knows I like and I was smiling a lot as they came on-thinking of his gesture. My DW's note was simple, sweet and straight from the heart-so I was lucky to have my crew with me-even though they weren't there in person.
I passed 4 people during this loop.
Finished lap/loop 1 in 1:04:36 (8:30 pace) with an av HR of 136/peak 147.
LOOP #2-7.6 miles
Still felt like I was holding back so I tried to push the pace this time around the lake. I coasted on the downs and kept the feet moving on the mini-uphills.
Still no walking, but I resigned myself to walk whenever the time came and it would come...Still pushing the supplements, nutrients and salt tabs. I did not finish either of the 2 I took and I only took 1 S-Cap, but the popsicle from Aid Station 2 was grand.
I passed 6 people on this loop. Time=1:03:55 (8:25 pace!) av HR 147/peak 153.
LOOP #3-7.6 miles
It is getting very hot. My feet hurt and are getting early blisters/hot spots. I am running on the grass whenever I can. Decided to pull back on pace and force some walks to stay strong.
Took only 1 S-Cap and 1 salt tab (Big mistake) because my mouth was getting very dry. I drank 2 cups of fluid now at each aid station. My concentration was beginning to fail and I couldn't do the math very well now on estimated times/splits etc.
Walk breaks were usually only for 15-45 seconds not to full recovery. I figured this is only a marathon with a long warm-up or cool-down...ha. I passed 10 people and one of the women screamed 'Yes! This is the
second time you passed me!!'
She was more excited than me. Anytime I passed someone, I made sure I had something positive to say. I complimented every volunteer and thanked them all. 'What goes around comes around' is something I believe in. Expected slowing brought me in at 1:07:13 (8:51 pace) and av HR of 152/peak 157. I'm still pretty happy about the results so far.
Last out/back 3.8 miles
Forgot to take any drinks or salt. I wanted to push this last little bit. I had visions of negative splitting this part of the race. It would be great! ...yeah, right...The thing is you have to execute this strategy and my body was starting to betray me. The cramps started around mile 28-all new territory for me. A little cramp in the quad or groin wasn't going to stop me. I adjusted my stride-took a mini walk break and soldiered on. The cramps were worsening but I still passed a total of 3 people on this stretch and NO ONE has passed me since the beginning of the loops.
My pace has fallen to ~10minute/mile but I cannot run when so
many muscles are spasming. At one point, I had 8 cramps all at the same time. When my right toe went into complete flexion, I had to stop and stretch. It was about this point that the only guy passed me back. I smiled and he smiled back knowing the feeling. When I had passed him earlier he was stretching out his cramped calf-his own fate was 'coming
around' now. I hobbled down to the finish, a twisted mess of a pseudo-runner. Last splits were 18:30/17:54 (a little bit of a 'kick'...ha). Av HR=153/max 158.
Total time= 4:30:51 (8:44 pace)
Just a supported LR. New distance, therefore an automatic PR.
The timer told me that I was 6th OA, and I just beamed.
Dipped my feet/legs in the lake. Was told that they were ice-fishing last week, so the temp of ~35 degrees wasn't too surprising, but it was shocking to the system anyway. After several dips, I drove back took a shower and went to DS2's game.
All is good.
thanks for reading
Dale
---------------------------
I decided to do this race when I thought we had nothing happening with the kids on Sunday...so I sent my application via 'ACTIVE' on Thursday...followed by a rainout for DS2's LL baseball game and my father deciding to visit the kids and take them to lunch-sigh...This meant my main support crew, DW, would be with the kids. Such is life. I am lucky to be supported by a terrific family who embraces my running craze. The revised plan was to drive up early by myself and not worry about a crew as the race was well supported with many aid stations. Here's a self photo of me prerace...note the smile, after all it is pre-race.
It is beautiful course! A loop around a nice lake on paved roads with slight rolling segments and some nice soft grass/dirt to run on if the road gets too tough. I loved the design and would reccomend the course to anyone considering an ultra in the NE area. They offer50K, 50M and 100K. They advertise as the 'oldest 100K' in the nation, which is cool.
It was not cool on race day, however. I believe it was 88 degrees when I finished. And I have melted in previous races that were warm-think Boston '04, my marathon PW-ug. I got up early-setting the alarm for 5:00am and quickly showered and got my stuff together. A quick stop for gas and coffee and I was off. Breakfast for me on race days includes a bowl of cereal and a Rice Krispies treat. (I am a sugar fanatic). Today I added a salt tab, a bottle of gatorade (20oz) and a package of Shot Bloks. It was going to be hot and I wanted to be hydrated...
The lake is beautiful! There was a little problem with me getting a little lost and I needed to make up some time but very few speeding laws were broken for too prolonged a time. I was fortunate to get a nice parking spot directly across from the start and went to pick up my race packet-meeting the RD who was very nice. The entire park is beautiful. Just setting up shop...
I confessed my 'ultra' virginity and he was thrilled with the choice of his race to run my first. There were at least a dozen others who were running their first ultra by a show of hands during the pre-race talk. We were told that it would start on time and before I could even get back to the line, I heard someone say 'the race will start in 30 seconds, everyone report to the starting line'.
I was only 30 feet down the road and I jogged to the start and got there just as everyone was starting off.
-----------------------------------------
The RACE
I knew it was very hot already and wanted to be very, very conservative. I let a lot of people just go. I didn't care about placing-my goal was to finish. My longest run of 2009 has been only 16 miles, but I did do a double of 15.5 miles x2 for a total of 31 miles during one day by running to/from work. I decided to go 'by feel' and keep my breathing easy and controlled for the first loop. The race starts by going out and back for 2.2 miles. I did not see how many people passed me at this part but it was a lot. It seemed like almost everybody, so I really had no idea how many people were ahead of me. We all settled into a nice pace. I talked with a guy who had run 3 prior ultras. As a matter of fact, I talked to at least 5 or 6 different people while running the first lap. Ultras are done a more aerobic pace and aren't as close to LT, so you have enough energy to carry on a conversation. Everyone was super nice and seemed to have a story to tell. I wanted to take a lot of salt tabs and use S-Caps, but my 'rush' order placed online with 2-3 business days shipping did not get there in time. I went to CVS and bought NaCl/salt tabs-which were 1 gram of sodium-just like the old days when we used to take them in soccer
practice in the heat of summer while still in high school...ah memories...
There were lots of goodies to choose from at the aid stations and I brought a cache of stuff myself...
A picture of all my stuff in my truck...
-----------------------------
The first Out/Back= 4.4 miles
These were very consistent-19:19/19:21 (av HR ~131/peak 135) for ~8:43 pace. I was hoping for ~9minute pace but when the goal is to finish, the plan should be to do the work and then see what the pace is. I was happy, but it was very early.
LOOP #1-7.6 miles
I began this loop with the goal to hit every aid station and drink a full cup of water or gatorade. The plan would include eating something anytime I felt hungry or if 1/2 hour went by. I'd try to eat as many salt tablets as I could stomach to stave off cramping. I've cramped badly in every hot weather race and believed my new plan would work, if I kept up with the salt supplements. I took one gel/drank lots of water and was surprised to see that the third (of 4 total) aid station had S-Caps! Excellent. The first aid station had smiling faces and the theme was tropical.
I thought I'd take one/hour and continue with the salt tabs. This loop was comfortable and easy. I was locked in listening to my son's ipod.
He made me a playlist the night before the race and left me a long letter explaining how to use the ipod (I don't have one). He put on many songs that he knows I like and I was smiling a lot as they came on-thinking of his gesture. My DW's note was simple, sweet and straight from the heart-so I was lucky to have my crew with me-even though they weren't there in person.
I passed 4 people during this loop.
Finished lap/loop 1 in 1:04:36 (8:30 pace) with an av HR of 136/peak 147.
LOOP #2-7.6 miles
Still felt like I was holding back so I tried to push the pace this time around the lake. I coasted on the downs and kept the feet moving on the mini-uphills.
Still no walking, but I resigned myself to walk whenever the time came and it would come...Still pushing the supplements, nutrients and salt tabs. I did not finish either of the 2 I took and I only took 1 S-Cap, but the popsicle from Aid Station 2 was grand.
I passed 6 people on this loop. Time=1:03:55 (8:25 pace!) av HR 147/peak 153.
LOOP #3-7.6 miles
It is getting very hot. My feet hurt and are getting early blisters/hot spots. I am running on the grass whenever I can. Decided to pull back on pace and force some walks to stay strong.
Took only 1 S-Cap and 1 salt tab (Big mistake) because my mouth was getting very dry. I drank 2 cups of fluid now at each aid station. My concentration was beginning to fail and I couldn't do the math very well now on estimated times/splits etc.
Walk breaks were usually only for 15-45 seconds not to full recovery. I figured this is only a marathon with a long warm-up or cool-down...ha. I passed 10 people and one of the women screamed 'Yes! This is the
second time you passed me!!'
She was more excited than me. Anytime I passed someone, I made sure I had something positive to say. I complimented every volunteer and thanked them all. 'What goes around comes around' is something I believe in. Expected slowing brought me in at 1:07:13 (8:51 pace) and av HR of 152/peak 157. I'm still pretty happy about the results so far.
Last out/back 3.8 miles
Forgot to take any drinks or salt. I wanted to push this last little bit. I had visions of negative splitting this part of the race. It would be great! ...yeah, right...The thing is you have to execute this strategy and my body was starting to betray me. The cramps started around mile 28-all new territory for me. A little cramp in the quad or groin wasn't going to stop me. I adjusted my stride-took a mini walk break and soldiered on. The cramps were worsening but I still passed a total of 3 people on this stretch and NO ONE has passed me since the beginning of the loops.
My pace has fallen to ~10minute/mile but I cannot run when so
many muscles are spasming. At one point, I had 8 cramps all at the same time. When my right toe went into complete flexion, I had to stop and stretch. It was about this point that the only guy passed me back. I smiled and he smiled back knowing the feeling. When I had passed him earlier he was stretching out his cramped calf-his own fate was 'coming
around' now. I hobbled down to the finish, a twisted mess of a pseudo-runner. Last splits were 18:30/17:54 (a little bit of a 'kick'...ha). Av HR=153/max 158.
Total time= 4:30:51 (8:44 pace)
Just a supported LR. New distance, therefore an automatic PR.
The timer told me that I was 6th OA, and I just beamed.
Dipped my feet/legs in the lake. Was told that they were ice-fishing last week, so the temp of ~35 degrees wasn't too surprising, but it was shocking to the system anyway. After several dips, I drove back took a shower and went to DS2's game.
All is good.
thanks for reading
Dale
---------------------------
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