Going long....

All was well.  Everything packed, on time arrival, feeling good.  Everything that is, besides the training.  Not just ANY training.  FIFTY MILE training!!!  I didn't do it.  The previous 12 weeks I'd had long runs of 17, 19 and 25 miles.  REALLY, for a 50 mile trail run?

That's what was hanging over my head as I began the 6 loop course.  If Vincent and I had not been planning this for 6 months I would have dropped down to the 50k, no question.  Letting him down was not an option.  I had to suck it up and somehow figure out a way to get to the finish line in under 14hrs.  I'm being a bit dramatic about the 14hr cutoff.  The course is not too difficult and I could make that cutoff without a lot of problems but I'd just as soon not drag it out the entire 14hrs.

And so we get started on a 3 mile loop and then proceed on the first regular loop. I focus on staying within myself getting warmed up the first few miles and after the single track start mixing in some walking.

First loop done and I'm at 11 miles in 2:20.  My neuroma is acting up with the new shoes so I ask Misty to find some tape so I can adjust the lift in my shoe when I come back around.  I'm not feeling very good.  Not bad just out of sync.  So, the real race begins now that I just have the 7.8 mile loops and can track my loop times, or at least try too.

Now the pressure is on to keep my loops under 2hrs and I'm not sure I can do this.  In my handbottle the first loop I had a watered down 350cal Boost.  At the end of the first loop I had Misty load my bottle up with another Boost and I also had gels to eat on the 2nd loop.  One of the things I knew I'd have to be careful of is staying fueled properly.  With my lack of fitness I had very little room for error concerning fuel, hydration or anything else for that matter.  I'm able to knock out the first 3+ mile section in 40 or so minutes, hit the aid station where Henry fills my bottle with water and I chat with Mark for a minute while I eat a gel. 

I'm still not feeling like I'm in any kind of rhythm at all and I feel like I'm having to push a bit more than I'd like to.  The clock is continually looming over my shoulder.

2nd loop done and I'm feeling queasy from too many calories.  Misty gives me a ginger pill to calm my stomach and she fills my bottle with straight water.  I take 2 Ibuprofen and head out on loop 3.  All I can think about is push, push, push.  Just keep on pushing and get this damn thing over with.

Still not feeling real good finishing loop 3 but now I know I've only got one more solo loop.  Help and renewed energy is on the way.  I'm actually able to stay under my goal of 2hr loops so far.  I've got 3 more left though. No telling what can happen with that many miles left.  Misty takes care of me again and I head out.  More push, push, push.   Just keep pushing through and running scared is all I can do.  Almost immediately upon leaving the first aid station my old pal Sam V is at my shoulder.  We exchange, "whatup Mr's"?  Sam is on his last loop of the 50k.  We live in the same neighborhood and have been buds for as long as I've been running ultra's, some 13 years.  We've run many miles together over the years and here we are again.  We hit the backside of the course together and enjoy our usual light banter. Sam is in the same boat as me with his level of training.  He had wrist surgery several months ago and has just gotten clearance to run on trails so all he's really done is some road running with his crazy dog in the neighborhood.  He encourages me in his own way to stay with him on the trail and I do a pretty good job of it for most of the back half but he gets out in front of me.  With several hundred yards to go we have to pass through a barn.  Well, there is Sam.  He turned around and waited for me so he and I could come through the start/ finish together.  AMAZING!!

Runners who have already finished the 25k are sitting in chairs relaxing, drinking beer and cheering runners as they come through, always a huge lift.  And there stand Erin and Vincent.  Misty asks me if I want to sit and I tell her no, if I sit down I may not get back up.  At the time I didn't realize that Erin and Vincent had only just arrived.  I asked Vincent if he was ready and he said no, he wasn't quite yet.  Oh well, it would all be good doing the first section my myself, besides 12+ miles would probably be better for Vincent anyway.  I hit the road again and did some more push, push, push on the first section finishing it in about 45 minutes.  Not too shabby considering I had been on my feet almost 38 miles.  Misty, Erin and Vincent were there waiting for me and he and I hit the trail.  I immediately told him I was whipped and may not feel much like talking.  I usually don't do much talking to other runners on the trail unless it's someone like Sam that I know well.  Vincent said that he was good with that.  We did end up talking a fair amount around to the main  start/ finish area.  I couldn't believe it when we got there and my watch was at 9:45.  Here I was after running scared all day long I was going to be under 12hrs if I could just maintain my current pace.  I immediately knew that I could as Vincent and I headed out on the last loop.

At this point with less than 8 miles to go I could relax and bask in the unbelievable feeling that is finishing a run this long.   It had been a while.  The Bandera 100k was 22 months in the past and a lot of stuff has gone down since then but here I was still out here doing my thing.  It couldn't have been done without the help and energy from Misty, Erin and Vincent. The thing I've dreamed about since I was a young teen.  Going long.....