Race Report: 50s for yo momma 50M

This last weekend (mother's day weekend) I had the pleasure of running another 50 mile event in Circleville, OH. And the best part is.... my mom and oldest sister, Jamie, came along and joined in on the fun!

 I'll try to keep this report as concise as possible, but bear with me as I try to fully describe the experience of "yo momma!"

The race was set to begin at 6:30 with the pre-race meeting at 6:15. With it being a low key event we were able to get the the park with just a little time to hang out. I got my gear in place so there would be minimal time waisted between loops. My brain was already thinking strategy for staying motivated with a multi looped course. My mom and sister were running the 25k while I was in for the full 50m. I was thankful to have their company for the beginning of the day (except for the 1/2 mile section the 50 milers split from the rest) The full distance was a total of 6 loops with a "14 hour cutoff"

Due to the continual change of course throughout the day, I've separated the post into loop sections :)

Gear: 

brooks cascadia
garmin 310xt (froze loop one and died loop 6)
Pro compression socks
Road runner compression shorts
5 shirts
Nathan quickshot handheld water
Nathan hydration vest (loops 5/6)

Loops 1 & 2

Mom, Jamie, and I headed out for loop one right at 6:30. The plan was to stick together as long as possible and keep moving. It was great to get on course and see what we were going to be working with. We crossed a dam and went into a section of prairie grass. There were several runners since all three distances started out together. Once we made a little loop in the grass we crossed some decking and headed into the woods. Lots of roots, rocks, and turns. There were many sights, sounds, and hills. Within the first couple of miles (no watch made it difficult to keep track of distance/time) we came to a bouncy bridge and the split off that separated 50 milers from 25/50kers. They were going to walk this section and I would run on and catch back up to them. This worked out well and we met up after climbing set 1(of 3) of stairs on course. Once together again mom gave us her blessing to continue on at my pace and she would travel on her merry way. She is strong and brave and conquered this tough event on her own.

I was thankful to have Jamie with me.

Loop one was pretty uneventful but I will say I had an eerie feeling that this day was going to be much harder than I expected.

hill with ropes

Jamie and I came back into the start/finish, checked in to have our lap counted, grabbed food and walked back out to start the second loop (eating on the move). We were right on track for how I wanted to pace the day. And my watch was finally working! This loop we did a good amount of chitchatting and planned the split off strategy (Jamie would walk until I caught back up to her). It was fun to start to know the major landmarks on the course: new decking, bouncy bridge, stairs #1, hills with the ropes, stairs #2, the "big ass hole" , down, down, down section, up, up, up section, stairs #3, the big step down stairs, etc (not in order!)
(Time on clock: 4hours 14min)

Loops 3 & 4

After 2 loops with company it was hard to head out knowing the rest of my day would be alone. The great thing about looped courses is less drop bag worry and a lot of family support.... the bad thing about looped courses: the car is right there! Ha!

 I tried to push through without music for as long as possible. My legs were starting to really feel the fatigue. The mud was making things difficult on the ankles but I was maintaining pace pretty well. I lived for the unmanned water stop and the campground aid station. These were great mental checkpoints on the course and helped me stay motivated.

Things really started to get interesting at loop 4 when the rain hit, including  rumbling thunder! I continued on soaked but enjoying the new smells and sounds (add in ipod). The rain only made the course conditions exponentially sloppier. There were several spots on course where the footing was fairly narrow with steep drop offs just past the trail. I began walking sections due to mud, causing these previously runnable areas to slant more than my comfort level. You could see where others tried certain paths and failed. I was constantly planning, re-adjusting, and recovering which took a mental toll. All the while, the heart was happy knowing I was giving it my best.

These loops brought special gifts from nature. I know that sounds weird but it is something that keeps me motivated for so many hours in a run.
*The section by the dam was filled with beautiful yellow finches.
*I love the understated beauty of the female cardinal and the splash of vibrant red from its male counterpart.
*Of course the encouragement and camaraderie of fellow runners were welcomed distractions from the TOUGH course/run.

(Time on clock: 9hours 4 min.... loop 4 killed the pace)




hill/bridge/hill combo

Loop 5

stairs #1

After coming in from loop 4 well past when I wanted, I immediately asked the RD "can I go out for more?" His quick response was of course! So I grabbed a new shirt (The 4th of the day) and snacks, a sip of Mountain Dew and hit the road.... ummmm trail for loop 5. By this point the trail was really quite sloppy. Areas that were the easy parts previous loops were SCARY! :) The ropes were necessary and where there weren't ropes, I found myself grabbing for branches, roots, and sometimes just digging my hands into the mud to stay upright.  I think the pixie sticks I grabbed from my gear box gave me a little sugar boost during this loop too. I had bananas at the campground aid station to stave off the twinge of cramps in the legs.  I was thankful to find some others on trail still working on loop 5 too. I was tired, but not completely discouraged. I set out to accomplish this run and I kept sticking to plan.

(Time on clock: 11hours 45min)

Loop 6

"So if I go out for loop 6 but come in after 14 hours will I still be considered a finisher?" This was a legit question knowing I'd be heading out into an extremely difficult final loop. "Yes! we want all that can to finish" was the RDs' answer. No change of shirt or shoes, not enough time, banana to go and another swig of pop. With my headlamp in tow I left home base for the final loop. Cheers from the pop up tents gave me a new spurt of energy. My plan was to run anywhere that was "runnable" even if it was an uphill. The places that were so muddy it felt dangerous would be my walk breaks. I was surprised with how much I was able to push and run, even with the conditions. Each person I came across gave a quick wave, good job, or "wow you look too fresh to be on loop 6!" I love to chat with others on course so I gave my cheerful responses and kept moving. I made it to the campground before needing my headlamp. I saw my mom and sister at this stop! I loved that they made the trip over to see me on course. My sister said get through the dangerous hill/bridge/hill section before dark! That was the plan but I knew the next mile and half were what I was most nervous about.

I found myself running along the edge of the path in the leaves to get more traction. At the bottom of several hills I spend a moment planning the best route knowing the wrong path would send me sliding back to the bottom only to have to climb again. Trees and ropes became my best friends in regards to climbing hills and even "skied" down a few declines in the grooves of previous sliding runners. I felt relieved after pulling myself up the worst of the inclines and made it through the creek. There was still course left, but it felt safe!

Dusk was upon me and I was thankful for my headlamp. The woods kind of took on a spooky element with the sounds of animals rusting in the dark (Was that a coyote yip???). "Get through the pines and near the lake.... parking lot with geese.... down the hill by the boat docks.... through the grassy area".... before the finish I could see my mom and sister (what a beautiful sight)! The checkered flag chute was mine! Rob (RD) was waiting for me at the finish ready to place the well-earned medal on my neck. I did it!! Definitely not a PR for time, but a new farthest distance: 52.2 miles.

(Time on clock: 14 hours 31 min.)

Reflection

This was the hardest event I've taken on and I am so glad I did it. I'm proud of my mom and sister! They both kicked butt on a tough course! They are strong women and were a wonderful support team for me. (I think they both proved more than capable at becoming my crew/pacers for longer events in the future) The run was also my mom's first trail race!

Lucy, my I Run 4 buddy gave me such inspiration all day! I run because she can't. I am so blessed to get to know this strong family that handles challenges like bosses! Awesome examples for me and my need for control!

Rob and Angie put on an awesome event. They cared for each person out there. Rob's energy was so fun and he wanted to all succeed and have a fun day.

Not only do I want to do this event again.... I don't see myself taking a break from ultras anytime soon.

I run ultras for me: to get away, to destress, to push myself past the comfort zone, to be better than I was yesterday....

But I also run these things for others. To encourage, to connect, to reflect and meditate for those in need, to inspire.

How about you???? What keeps you pushing and striving to be more of what this world needs?















Fun Extras:
* Food consumed on run: potato chips, 3 bananas, 4 pixie sticks, 1 oreo cookie, 1 chocolate chip cookie, 2 packages of fruit snacks, 1 jolly rancher, a few pretzel sticks, peanutbutter pretzels, and a couple doritos.
* 1 bathroom break at the campground aid station during loop 1
* 0 falls...... several close calls! :)
* 1 cheezy smile for several hours.