http://www.coolrunning.com/results/13/ri/Nov10_RI6Hou_set1.shtml
28th of 93 finishers in the solo ultra! Not bad!
I arrived with a half hour to spare, and given my Nipmuck weather experience a few weeks ago, I was not at all pleased to see raindrops start hitting my windshield 20 minutes from the Park (thankfully, the rain held off til I was headed home). Got to the parking lot, where I was able to gear up, and stow my drop bag and cooler next to everyone else's, just past the start/finish. That's the beauty of a loop course - I had shirt and hat changes ready, gels and sports drink, and at a 2.7 mile loop, didn't have to carry anything more than a small handheld. Beautiful. Checked in with Bob Jackman, the race director, and photographer Scott Mason, as well as ultrarunner Kristina Folcik, who was running the relay and offering UltrAspire pack demos.
Race shirt and lucky #13, which I asked for, and Bob delivered!
Lining up at the start
At the start, with solo runners and relay teams mixed in, I opted to hang back and get my pace settled in. It's so different from a short distance race, because everyone goes out so much slower. My target was to go out at a 9:30-ish pace, knowing I'd slow down in the latter part of the race. I realized I was lower than that, but felt pretty comfortable and ended up "banking" extra time for most of the first 20 miles. I definitely spent more time than I should have at the aid station as each lap ended, but my fatal flaw at long distance races has always been not staying hydrated and fueled well enough, so I wanted to make sure it didn't happen...
And coming through at the end of lap 6, I hear someone yell "Go Crutch!", and there's Beth standing with Kristina cheering me on, awesome! She even stuck around long enough to snap a picture of me after lap seven and offer some words of encouragement, which was much needed and appreciated.
End of lap 7, photo by BLS!
I was surprised when I didn't hit "The Wall" at mile 20, and was thinking about the fact that I was going to set my road Marathon PR, and it was looking pretty good! Got it, and shot my wife a quick text that I got it, and that I'd be done soon. Ten laps equaled 27 miles and scored me a logo'd pint glass!
Post race goodness, I'll take a logo pint glass over a medal any day!
Around mile 28 I was praying for the end, but I wanted to hit 50K, so after lap 11, I headed out to get it. Ended up averaging a 10:12 pace overall, which was slightly faster than I was expecting, and earned my ultramarathon redemption after blowing up at the TARC 50K this past spring. Really happy with the results! Made some new friends in the process, including new ultra runner Leslie D., who I actually was able to see hitting the 50K mark as I was driving out of the park, and yelled congrats to her like a crazy person...
Very well run race by Bob and company, A Better Pace, the Tuesday Night Turtles, and all his volunteers. Couldn't have gone better, in my opinion!
Post race, I had a 40 minute drive, and getting out of the car is never pretty after these things - in fact, it's quite painful and comical at the same time. Washed my new pint glass, let it get frosty in the freezer, and enjoyed a delicious Lagunitas IPA...I'll obviously be taking a couple days off from running after this one, and our club will be hosting the 22nd annual Li'l Rhody Runaround trail race next weekend, which will also be the first race in the RI Triple Crown of Trail Racing. Good stuff!
Great race and sounds like you conquered your demon of ultra running - fuel and hydration. Figuring out what makes us crash is all part of the game of running?
ReplyDeleteI have spent a lot of time running races with no one cheering me on and well it sucks. You've been a huge support for me and I do what I can to pay you back and pay it forward. I know how much it lifted my spirits the first time a friend came to a race and cheered me on. She even said she enjoyed it too, which I figured she was just being nice, but no really it is fun to cheer people on and see that serious runner face break into a smile and know you may have made a teeny tiny difference to someone.
Enjoy recovering for a couple days, you have earned it!
Nice work out there! I'm not sure if I could handle loop after loop on the same 2+ mile course. Bravo for hitting 50k!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure about it myself, but it was actually pretty cool, and scenic, and I got to talk to a lot of people. You know I really wanted that 38, though, dammit!
ReplyDeleteAhh, Mike so happy for you! Great recap! Wish I could of been there for you. Enjoy your rest days, you so deserve them!
ReplyDeleteThanks! And take it easy this week, you're gonna love the race this weekend!
DeleteGreat job, Mike! From following your racing accomplishments over the last year, you have gotten so strong and so fast, and its such a inspiration! Now I'm thinking about running this race next year just for the pint glass....
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shira! You'd think a 2.7 mile loop would be really boring, but it's along the water, and there are lots of runners to talk to and people cheering, and you don't have to carry a ton of gear. Loved the course! And pint glasses!!! See you guys soon :)
DeleteCongrats Mike! That's a lot of miles. I probably would have dropped out long before then. Nice going.
ReplyDeleteExcellent job! Mind and muscle numbing....Cheers!
ReplyDelete