I officially completed my FIRST ULTRA MARATHON! This may have been one of the roughest races I have ever done. I am currently in the best shape of my life so the endurance for this race was not a problem. For the past week I have had some pain bi-lateral hip pain, which is what I think caused my knee pain during the run. I need to make sure I am stretching and rolling out more frequently, Anyways back to the race...it sucked but I will do more ultras!
I was lucky to have Terry with me for the first couple of miles and then I had to go to the bathroom so we got separated. Around mile 12 Tricia jumped in and ran with me for about 10 miles. :) It was awesome to have someone to talk to for a couple of hours! I cannot thank her enough!
During the race: The little baby hills during this run were brutal and took a toll the second time through. Anytime possible I was sure to walk the hills and save energy and my legs. The course was marked well and the volunteers were on point! All my fears of getting lost went away, though I did save 3 people from going the wrong way, they tried to go over a bridge but I got them back on track!! It was pretty cool to help other people not get lost (thanks to Terry showing me the course the weekend before haha)
Nutrition: Generation UCAN, Tart Cherry Juice, Stinger Waffles, Homeostasis, Skittles, Pretzels, PB&J's, and H2O!!
Time: 6 Hours and 10 minutes!
It is awesome to have such a strong support system...my MOM, coach Dennis, and all my running friends who were out there running, volunteering, and doing some miles with me! :)
Things I learned during my first ultra
1. Doing a training run a week before is smart :)
2. Ultra snack tables are the Sh*t
3. Trails are not the same as roads
4. Watch out for roots
5. It always seems like a better idea when you register for the race
6. The encouragement of the volunteers and spectators is awesome
7. You don't have to take a ton of stuff with you, the aid stations are great!
8. Having great friends that are willing to jump in and run some miles with you is fantastic!
9. It is encouraging knowing other running friends are out there killing themselves as well
10. Having your number one supporter and fan out there is awesome!
11. Make a bigger playlist...or at least one with more songs that I really like. I had 3 songs on repeat the whole time.
I was lucky to have Terry with me for the first couple of miles and then I had to go to the bathroom so we got separated. Around mile 12 Tricia jumped in and ran with me for about 10 miles. :) It was awesome to have someone to talk to for a couple of hours! I cannot thank her enough!
During the race: The little baby hills during this run were brutal and took a toll the second time through. Anytime possible I was sure to walk the hills and save energy and my legs. The course was marked well and the volunteers were on point! All my fears of getting lost went away, though I did save 3 people from going the wrong way, they tried to go over a bridge but I got them back on track!! It was pretty cool to help other people not get lost (thanks to Terry showing me the course the weekend before haha)
Nutrition: Generation UCAN, Tart Cherry Juice, Stinger Waffles, Homeostasis, Skittles, Pretzels, PB&J's, and H2O!!
Time: 6 Hours and 10 minutes!
It is awesome to have such a strong support system...my MOM, coach Dennis, and all my running friends who were out there running, volunteering, and doing some miles with me! :)
Things I learned during my first ultra
1. Doing a training run a week before is smart :)
2. Ultra snack tables are the Sh*t
3. Trails are not the same as roads
4. Watch out for roots
5. It always seems like a better idea when you register for the race
6. The encouragement of the volunteers and spectators is awesome
7. You don't have to take a ton of stuff with you, the aid stations are great!
8. Having great friends that are willing to jump in and run some miles with you is fantastic!
9. It is encouraging knowing other running friends are out there killing themselves as well
10. Having your number one supporter and fan out there is awesome!
11. Make a bigger playlist...or at least one with more songs that I really like. I had 3 songs on repeat the whole time.