I came to know about this race during a runners meet organized by Jeff at Pizza Perfect. Met the RD for Fat Ass 50K - Dirk Hayes and thought it would be a kewl race to run since I didn’t run any race after my Bartram Forest 100 Miler. New year’s eve was so much fun with my friends from Church. Welcoming the New year with praise and thanksgiving at Church followed by some yummy Kerala style dinner. The food too tempting to avoid. Hit the bed at 3am only to get 4 hours of sleep.
It was pouring rain by the time I hit the road. I had some difficulty in getting to the race start. It was already 8am. The race must have started by now. Let’s just drive back home, you couldn’t run because you couldn’t find the start line, let’s jus catch some more sleep and enjoy the New Year, why struggle in this horrific rain – my mind was talking me through making excuses not to run. That’s when I saw a group of runners standing under a shelter crossing the rail road. Before I was about yield to the temptation, I pulled over, wore my Vibrams and headed towards the shelter. Just got in time but still missed the start line photo.
This was the fourth race in the list of races that I signed up for, at one shot, couple of weeks back. After successfully completing the Frost bite half marathon, Mercedes Benz Marathon and Black Warrior 50K, it was time to conqueror the last one which was a mighty giant by itself and it appeared as if it’s just waiting to devour me. It's a good thing sometimes to commit yourself to something without much planning.
On our way to LBL:
Amanda, Taylor, Diane, Kim, Jeff, Harrah and I headed towards Kentucky after work on Friday evening. The drive was really pleasant with occasional showers. I was so tired that I slept through the whole drive. The cabin that Diane got for us was really gorgeous.
(View from our cabin)
We dropped our stuff and headed to collect our race packets and then to Pattis 1880s Settlement, a local restaurant. The food was really delicious but I really liked their “Flower Pot Bread”.
Diane and I had signed up for 50 miles while the rest decided to run 60k, Marathon and Half Marathon. I still wasn’t sure about the massive task that was waiting for me the next day. We headed to our cabin and called it a night. Race day morning:
I hate race day mornings. That’s when you get, “what the hell am I doing here, wish I could just get more sleep”, such thoughts. Hastily I pulled myself from bed and grabbed a bagel and coffee. It was still cold outside but being just a few yards from the start line, we took our own to time to get there. Little did I knew about the the pain that I was about to go through and that I won’t be returning to the cabin until evening for sure.
Off we started:
Jeff’s advice was constantly ringing on my head, “Keep up the pace, have a constant steady pace”. 50 miles, 80.5 kms, a 4 loop course, elevation change of about 4000’ and the course filled with sections containing exposed roots and rocks. It was single track trail and the first loop was pretty much crowded with half marathon runners. The first loop of the race went great and also the density of runners started reducing. This particular race being a 4 loop course, the mile markers had three different distances, one for each loop. It’s bliss to not have the mile markers sometimes.
Cut-off:
This race also had a cut off where I had to start the fourth loop by 1:45PM. It was 1:15PM already and I still had about 4 miles to the start of the 4th loop. I better meet the cut off else I am out of the race. Either I can push myself and make the cut off or choose to go home by running the 60K. I wasn’t ready to settle down for the 60K for sure. I ran an 8 min/mile pace. 60K runners on my were really co-operative and let way for me on the trail. Pushed myself really hard for the last few yards and made the cut-off with still about 3 mins left. By this time I was lying down flat on the paved road looking at the sky. The volunteers were really helpful and got me some supplies.
The last loop:
Now that I have met the cut-off the volunteers mentioned that I am good to start the final loop and finish the race. Pain unbearable and was so very sore. Lying down for long wasn’t a good option. After devouring two bananas, picked up a can of Coke and started the fourth loop. 7 hours into the race and still to go. The trail and mile markers started looking familiar, of course I ran though them three times by now. My Achilles and Ham strings were having some trouble. I could see an evident swelling near the arch of my left feet. A pain as if someone is piercing with a needle.
I haven't seen a single runner in a long time. It was just silence. It started getting cloudy and the wind was really chill. The worst I expected, rain! It poured out. I would have enjoyed running in the rain any other day but definitely not today. The trails started getting slippery and I fell probably a dozen times. Every step that I took either got me to slide or to fall down face off. I was completely covered in mud from head to toe. Every step felt like I was stepping on pieces of broken glass. I kept pushing myself until the road came to my view which means I am just 4-5 miles away from the finish line.
The final stretch:
The pain was uncontrollable and my body was screaming to stop but my mind was constantly pushing. I can’t give up now. The goal is within reach and in fact it’s almost there. The last few miles during a marathon or ultra definitely break any runner and it my case and it shattered me to million pieces. Almost 10 hours in to the race and still going. I could hardly feel my lower body. Couple of tears rolled down my cheeks when I hit the road but the heavy downpour didn’t make it evident for those who were supporting me. Kim, Amanda and Diane drove by to cheer me up.
A long stretch of road to run and 2 miles seemed like an eternity. I tried to forcing myself to think of the moment of crossing the finish line, for having a 50 mile ultra, buckle being handed over to me, bragging about my finish with my friends, etc. As much as I was trying to motivate myself, on the other side, my body was waging a war, to put me to a full stop. I was crawling by now but when I ran through the bridge, I knew that the finish line isn’t too far. Finally the intersection came in sight and I could vaguely see the finish time clock. Diane accompanied me the last few yards. My friends, runners and volunteers were cheering me up. Pain? what pain, I felt nothing, absolutely nothing. A few long leaps and I crossed the finish line. The RD awarded me the Belt Buckle. My first ultra buckle, my first 50 Mile run.
I was totally out of control the new few minutes and I never thought this would happen to me. While Diane hugged me to wish for my success, tears started flooding my eyes to the point that I started crying almost like a baby. Why, I don’t know. Something that just happened involuntarily and I just couldn’t control it, not a bit. This has never happened before. I was really proud of my success. You’ll know whether you can accomplish a feat or not only if you attempt to try in the first place and I was glad to know that it was something I could do and something I did.
Time to recover:
Uncle Jeff congratulated me with his warm hugs as soon as I entered the cabin and handed me a glass Chardonnay to celebrate. Hot shower felt heaven. My wounds started surfacing which was hiding under the dirt all day. After shower it was more food, more wine and of course, more Tylenol. Next day, taking every step was pain unbearable but it comes with the territory and I have no eternity left to recover, why because I’ll have to get ready for my ‘Oak Mountain 50K’ Ultra marathon.
Recovery is all in the head at times. I have no choice. I need to recover because I have committed to run an Ultra the weekend after my Mercedes marathon. This one's very special as it's going to be my first Ultra, the "Black Warrior 50K". Name sounds too cool isn't it? Black Warrior, like a Ninja or Samurai or Gladiator. It sure is going to be a battle more on top rather than physical.
Monday morning, this is how I am at work now. Off my work shoes and an ice pack stuffed into my sock to ease of the soreness.
Funny as it may look, but like I said I have no choice but to recover as early as possible. Do anything to remove the lactic acid from my muscles. Felt much better by Tue though. Hit the gym and biked for a good one hour. Felt much better. I ran on the tread mill and biked 5 miles for the next couple of days until Friday.
TGIF, managed to get off from work a bit early. Diane, Kim and I rode together. Little did I know about a great runner whom I was about to meet that night. Ultra Jeff. We decided to crash at Decatur, AL. While we were on our way, Jeff and Amanda picked our race packets. After settling down in our rooms we decided to hit the Red Lobster for dinner. We exchanged our running resume while carbo loading. We all shared one thing in common, Passion for running. That's all. Jeff whose goal is to run 50 Ultras in all the 50 states and he has already completed 30 of them by now, if I am not wrong. It was exciting to be amidst my running friends who started running marathons even before I was born and still continuing their journey. I was getting my motivation from the enthusiasm they had for running. I am truly blessed. When Diane told Jeff about my blog, Jeff asked "Why do you blog" for which I had no answer. I'll address that in a separate post later but honestly I don't have an answer and that left me pondering!! We called it a night and decided to meet at 6:30 the next day for breakfast.
6:00 am...it was cold. Pinned up my BIB and got ready for my first ultra. While everyone was eating bagels and stuff I deiced to just have coffee. Kim and Diane insisted that I better eat something for the long race, but I didn't listen to them. A costly mistake. :)
We reached the race spot on time. The weather was still freaking cold. 50K on muddy horse trails. Sweet. Met Phil at the start line. Only a handful of runners unlike Mercedes Marathon. Everyone knows everyone like its one big family event. That's the best part about running Ultras.
The race started on time and we ran on dirt road for about 3 miles until we took a turn to hit the trails.
(Right in the middle. Bib 53)
Slushy mud as soon as we hit the trails. While some runners were trying to avoid getting their shoes wet by going around the trail, I had no problems running through them in my Five Fingers. It looked medieval. A primal feel. I loved it. Reached a small waterfall and I could see icicles.
Came to the point where 23K runners take the diversion. No turning back after this point. My "This is the moment". Took a right turn and headed into the trail. Steep, muddy, roots, slippery trails. Found a runner whose pace was just perfect for me. Ran along with the pack until I hit an aid station. Guess what, I was hungry and starving. Met Kim and Jeff. Took their advice and had PBJ sandwich. Felt good. From here on I ran pretty much alone.
Horse trails are very difficult to run. At times you have to share the trail with the horses; after all it’s their trail. Some of the horses were so majestic. The trails are not so wide but filled with slushy mud. On my way I met a runner trying to pull something out of the mud. Guess what, it was his shoe. The mud just sucks your shoes when you run through them, so you can imagine. I had no such problems though when you run through them, your shoes lose the traction and you will end up kissing the ground like it's your beloved.
I kissed the ground to glory for may be a half a dozen times. If you resist then the roots will ensure that you do. Escaped narrowly from bruising my face though my knees and arms graciously took some. After all what's there to trail running if there are no bruises and dirt on your face. Exhaustion was creeping in. Steep hills were punishing. Legs were sore. Stood in the ice cold creek on the way for a couple of minutes and it felt good, more like a natural ice pack. Pace was falling down. Reached the 21 mile mark and 10 more miles to go but the next few miles were all uphill. Sweet! Walked the hills and ran the downhill at a good pace. Guess what my next big problem was, tadaa, I couldn't pee. Drinking Gatorade and electrolytes all the way was a big mistake. At one aid station thought I asked the volunteer to fill my bottle with water he refilled it with Gatorade and I didn't realize until I got a mile away from the aid station. My kidneys were struggling and I was getting cramped up near my waist. Found a stream and drank out of it. That felt better but still couldn't pee. I was praying hard, He didn't help either. It was getting warm. I was hungry again. The last aid station, supposedly 4 miles before the finish line, was nowhere to be seen. When I found it, it was like finding an oasis in the desert. Did no mistake this time. Drank water and ate PBJ sandwich and some oranges.
No more trails, 4 miles on the road to the finish line. Wanted to get it under 7:00 but crossed the finish line at 7:10. w00t. My first Ultra marathon accomplished. It felt great. All that pain and soreness vanishes the moment you cross that finish line. Just the sense of accomplishment. My first ever Ultra and I wanted to finish it at any cost and I did it. Finish time: 7:10:05
Rice, beans, hot burgers and mountain dew was waiting for me but above all my happiness knew no bounds when I got the urge to pee. Huh, what a relief after 7 hours of struggle. It was starting to get cold again and hot rice and beans and burgers tasted heaven. We picked our bags and headed to the hotel. What a wonderful day and what a great race!! Had dinner at Logans. Jeff would be leaving early in the morning. We called it a night and would soon be meeting in our next big race. "Land Between the Lakes 50 Miles". Huh, call me nuts!
After Flying Monkey I have been looking for my next marathon. That’s when one of my colleagues introduced to Diane Taylor. What a breath of fresh air she turned out to be! 75 Marathons and Ultra marathons so far. Amazing. She was there for Flying Monkey Marathon as well. Gosh, wish I had met her during that time. She managed to complete Flying marathon in spite of her stress fracture. I found her to be very humble and cheerful. It was very encouraging and inspiring talking to her. The outcome of getting inspired! I signed up for four races. Yeah Four races! Thanks Diane! You rock.
Right after our conversation she sent me the list of races that she has signed up for the coming months and I was lucky enough to enroll in four of those races well before the registration cut-off. As the title of the post says, the race distance is going to be in incremental order. Starts with Half Marathon and will end with an Ultra Marathon.
I have never done anything crazy like this before, so it's going to be fun. Here's my race schedule.
