The Race Report isn't working for me so I'm copying my report in here. Split Times: Lap 1: 1:15:00 Lap 2: 2:11:00 Lap 3: 3:06:00 Lap 4: 4:00:00 Lap 5: 4:55:00 Lap 6: 5:54:00 Lap 7: 6:57:00 Lap 8: 8:07:00 Lap 9: 9:11:35 Lap 10: 10:03:26 Pre Race Meal: 16 oz. of water and one Vanilla Crisp Power Bar. Travel: Stayed at a relative's house in Portland which was about a half-hour drive from the race start. Pre Race Prep: Went over the contents of my drop bag. Discussed when to use certain items. The red water bottle had a special post race mixture of Cytomax, Muscle Milk and L-Glutamine and I'd take it when I finished. Warm Up: I didn't have time to warm-up. We got there with only two minutes to spare. I dropped off my drop bag at the start tent and just had time to put on my NATHAN hydro pack, grab my Nano and flashlight before the 6 a.m. early start. I didn't feel unprepared or rushed, really, because I knew I'd be back after 5 miles and some change (the first loop had an out n' back added to it) since the course was a loop. Even though it was cold I started out with shorts because I knew it'd be more comfortable later on when the sun came up. I was also wearing a long sleeve tech shirt, a light running jacket and a vest. Layers that could easily be shed as the day went along. It was pitch black, cold and foggy. There were about 25 runners at the early start. Right after we started I realized I hadn't plugged the receiver into my Nano. I didn't want to stop so I decided to just pick it up after the first loop. Some runners didn't bring headlamps or flashlights! I had a small l.e.d. flashlight, which I held. It was incredibly dark and the runners bunched together naturally in groups. I found myself in a group with five other runners. Two of which didn't have any lights with them. I stayed in back and just listened. I wanted to find someone to pace with. Four of the runners knew each other and were members of the Marathon Maniacs club. Two of them had run this race previously and I absorbed all they had to say because they had a lot of experience and I didn't. We were at a very comfortable pace, probably close to an 11:00 min/mile. There was a small out n' back on the first loop and at one point we found ourselves off course. In the dark it was easy to get lost. We found the course again and I guessed that we'd added almost 1/4 mile to the first loop. At the end of the first loop I grabbed my receiver and started recording the run. I also put on my race number! I had forgotten it in my drop bag! ha ha ha! But it was okay because I yelled my number to the volunteer recording the split times on my way out. I raced to catch up with the group again but lost them and was pretty much on my own the second loop, still in total darkness. I caught up with a solo runner and together we got lost again in the same spot! Oh well. At the end of the second loop I ditched my flashlight because I could see that dawn was close. It paid off because by the time I ended the third loop the sun had risen. The fog lasted on the course until after 9:00, but you could tell it was going to be a beautiful crisp fall day. During the fourth loop the first aches started. Mostly my hip flexors. I think the cold air/no warm up was a factor. As far as nutrition I had been taking my Power Aid gel every 45 minutes and I was drinking from my Cytomax every 15. I started eating the PB & J finger sandwiches from the aid stations during the fourth lap. It is weird to say but the first 25 miles went by fairly quickly. I was looking forward to finishing my 7th lap because that would be uncharted territory for me. The longest distance I had run preparing for this race was around 32 miles. The 6th loop was satisfying since it meant I was halfway there. My pace was pretty consistent, too. At the start the split volunteer told me so. She said, '#3, Robyn, you are very consistent!' I gave a thumbs up because I was starting to feel the race, mostly in my legs, and didn't feel like talking. At the second aid station I grabbed some Hammer electrolyte pills to stave off the leg fatigue. The 7th and 8th loops were my slowest. It was more mental than physical. I mostly ran solo but during the 7th loop I walked with a really nice lady who was walking 40 miles for her 40th birthday. We laughed about how everyone went off course and that at the end of the day we'd probably all run over our goal. I also tried some chicken broth for the first time and I think it helped a lot. When I finished the 7th lap the 10k runners started at the same time! I was too tired to move out of their way so they had to run around me, it was funny. I was thinking how all those hares had to make way for the turtle. When I finished the 8th lap my morale was pretty low. My husband had planned on pacing me for the last lap but after he saw how low I was he was ready to run the last two laps with me when I finished the 8th loop. Pacing with my husband gave me a second wind. He forced me to widen my stride. After 40 miles I had gotten stuck in an ever slowing shuffle and he helped me open up again. My goal of finishing in 10 hours was in reach but my husband told me we'd have to skip the aid stations and really go for it on the last loop. With his help I finished the last two laps faster than any of the others. I actually sprinted to the finish line with him and when we crossed the finish we were laughing with pure joy. My Mom and younger sister were there, too, and it was truly a great moment. I got a hug from the split volunteer, too, which was cool. After I got my precious belt buckle and hand made finisher's medal I drank my special finisher drink mix. I felt great afterwards, no nausea at all during or after the race. That was a first for me. They had boxes of Glueclose energy drink and Hammer Gels and they were free to take so we took a whole box full of goodies home. I ate some cookies and stretched a little. Then we grabbed my drop bag and headed home. All in all a very satisfying day! I finished really strong thanks to my husband. Having a pacer push you is an amazing advantage. I thought the weather couldn't have been more perfect. Also, the loop course was beautiful and never boring. The volunteers were incredible and all the other runners very friendly. I was pretty consistent with my pacing but definitely slowed down during the 6-8th loops. If I had the energy to push a 10 min/mile for the last 10 miles then I should have had the energy to keep my pace more consistent. I need to work on not slowing down and keeping my attitude positive. I'd also like to be a little bit faster. In the end I'm only thirsty for more. My next ultra goal will be a trail point-to-point or out n' back 50 miler. I am seriously considering what race to choose for my first 100 miler, too. I absolutely love running. It has opened so many doors for me. |