JFK 50 ... Who is this girl?

There was a time in my life that I couldn't run a block. And to this day, I would utter the words: I hate running! And I do! But to me, ultra marathon isn't so much about the running. It is the mental toughness, it's about endurance and about if you have got what it takes. I never enjoy 5k or 10k, I tend to run too fast for those and feel sick at the end. (Too fast for me that is, I never break any world record)

At the beginning of 2021, after my divorce, I started walking every day. I would walk at all odd hours of the evening. Averaging 7 miles a day, which I think was my gateway into long distance running. When I started training for my 50k in August, I realized how much lighter I felt after each run mentally. Just so much easier for me to think through matters during a long run than overthinking and getting anxious sitting at home. 

I think we are supposed to blame Jason for making us sign up for this. Or was it Adam?! I forget. Regardless, I am thankful for whoever talked me into this as it has changed me. Maybe for better, or for worse. I am not the same girl I was the day before this race.

Race Day:

The morning was cold, I didn't really consider the layers I would need for the run. I was slightly preoccupied before the race. Scott gave me the Ironman hat to wear. And I am so happy that I had that hat. Because at my lowest and loneliest moments another runner would strike a conversation because they saw the hat. Sometimes I would forget what I was wearing, and would say, "Wait! How do you know that I did IM?!" 

We got to the race start at 6:10 AM, and posed for the camera, as you would. Here is the proof. 

Left to Right: Adam, Jason, Scott, Moi, Deb

Let me tell you about our Sherpas. Mark and Clare, they were the best. I do believe their jobs were harder than ours. Meeting us at crew stops, remembering each one of our needs and pampering us. I don't think we could've done it without them! They had chairs for us! CHAIRS!

Okay, so maybe we did waste more time at the start! We didn't realize that our time started with the gun, we thought it was once we crossed the start. So we posed more ...

After this, we started climbing hills. And my friends, we were indeed climbing. At first I kept up with  the guys with our 4/1 regiment, but then I remembered Nicolas' words. "Walk every single hill! And if you think you are going slow at the start, go slower!" I dropped back and started fast walking up the never ending hill. I am not sure when the hill stopped. I think it went away for a minute at mile 2 and then we had a bigger hill. On that hill I thought I was about to eat some asphalt! I got the chance to meet some nice people, some of the legends, who told me about the course. Once we hit the Adirondack Trail, I thought "Yes! Here is my moment to shine!". Little did I know that I would be in traffic jam. There were long lines of walkers. Since it was single track, I had to stay put. I became agitated at some point and started passing people. Once I passed a group of walkers, I would hit another. Finally I came to peace with it, and with the flow. During this time, I met a guy who lived close to the trail and knew it well. His voice was like Matthew McConaughey, and if you know me, you know I didn't mind him talking to me at all! haha 

If you know me, you know I have a foul mouth. At the start of the race I promised that for every curse that came out of my mouth, I would donate $1 to a charity. This kept my mind engaged, and dear god, do I have a limited vocabulary without those colorful words! It was easier to keep the number of the F Bombs down while I ran alone! Though I did curse in my head too, and those counted too! 30 total! Not bad!

 I think it was mile 9 when I found the gang. We stayed together and that made the time go by faster for me. My shoes were old and I didn't find the same model to replace them in time before the race. So I felt every rock, every root on that trail. And I fell twice, my knees took the hit both times. Once we got to the switch backs to go down the mountain, things got sketchy! We all made it down. There is a photo of me somewhere, crying and running to get a hug from Clare. It was an emotional moment to be out of that trail after 17-ish miles. Hardest 17 miles that I have ran to this date. 

Our Crew Stop was like a little spa! We even had the Theragun! Wow! Thank you, Scott!

After the first Crew stop we started running on flatter path and eventually was started running on C&O Canal Tow Path. Just a tiny Marathon on C&O. The easiest part! Here is when I decided to stay back and have so much needed "Newsha Time". I listened to some tunes on the speaker of my phone, but then shut it down. It was ruining the experience. I kept the 4 Min Run and 1 Min Walk through the whole marathon length on the tow path. 

The rest stops were fun! And they had different themes. When I got to the Christmas one, I was also very dizzy and things were blurry. I grabbed a cup of chicken broth for the first time that day. My stomach was acting up all day, and I didn't want to add anything new to my calorie intake. I met up with the guys again at Mile 28-ish, the second Crew stop. We got separated after this, or I think at least Deb and Jason caught up with each other. 

I was starting to become irritated by the loud talkers. So my goal was to get away faster ... I know this is me being ugly and not kind. 

Our third and last crew stop was around mile 39. I was totally fading at this point. Here is me trying to smile for the camera!

Scott and I stuck together from this point on. Did we argue like brother and sister?! You bet! But thank god he didn't leave me, I don't think I would make it without him. My head was all wobbly and I wasn't seeing straight. We climbed the long hill on mile 42 together. That thing went on for a mile. One of the legends had a table with home made broth! he gave us two big cups. Yummm! We did take a photo to send to Clare, it never made it to her, because we didn't have reception. Here we are all friendly! 

They gave us these little yellow covers at mile 42 and we weren't sure why! It took us about 30 minutes to find out! We were on country roads in pitch black! I told Scott he could leave me and run faster if he wanted. He said, "If I leave you on this dark road, you will end up dead in a ditch!" hahah! 

So around where it should've been "7 miles to finish" we saw a sign that said "8 miles to finish". We thought that was wrong, cause everyone's watch matched ours. It turned out that we had an extra mile to run to finish. An extra mile when you run 50 miles is ALOT! even a 0.1 is too much! I think at mile 45 is when we came to peace with it, because it was what it was.

Around the same time, I realized an extra sound with every step of mine. I kept checking around. It turned out that the bottom of my right shoe towards the back was coming off. OKAY! So it wasn't as dramatic as you would imagine, but it was hanging! Yes! I can afford shoes, but I couldn't find the exact model before the race. And it was too late to try new shoes. These shoes had been through two 50ks, a 50 miler and all the training for all. hahah. I did throw them away before taking a photo! I should've framed them!

Regardless, I didn't have the energy to worry about it. 2 miles left to finish as we got closer to town, I was able to convince Scott to run ahead. I was on empty tank and was going to walk until I could see the finish.

The JFK 50 Finish is as pumped as Ironman Finish. Once I saw the lights, I started running and crying. I didn't realize there was a runner next to me. I said out loud "F***K yeah! I did it!" while crying! He then asked me if it was my first finish. That's when I saw him, and I told him it was. He stopped running and told me to go ahead and enjoy it! And I did! 

I still cannot believe that I did it! Was it a dream!? Did it actually happen?! 

I am going back! And this time I will add hiking up mountains to my training plan. I am also looking for more Ultras for Winter/Spring! I am totally in love with Ultra Marathons.

Here is me and Scott at Finish. I don't look like I could run another 50 at that point, but nothing is stopping me from dreaming about a 100 Miler.

If you are on the edge, I hope this post convinces you to push your limit. To have fun and go on that adventure and never stop dreaming!

Accidentally In Love With Ultra Marathons

Back Story:

Back in Feb 2021, I remember I was sitting on the couch looking at my race calendar. It was blank and sad! I wasn’t sure what would happen with COVID and the races. Trail running seemed like the safest option. I could always do it virtually and away from the crowd. And if you know me, you know that I couldn’t settle for a 5K or 10K on the trail! It had to be an ultra marathon. It was either an ultra or learning Salsa dancing! It was a close call people!

I did some research, okay, I just looked online for a couple hours and signed up for the DHRT 50K in August. It is true that I hate the heat and was terrified of being over heated at the race, but it was the only flat option and seemed reasonable!

So I started training for it. I would park my Car at C&O Lock 7 and go for runs. Why at that specific spot?! Because my cousin lives 5 minutes from it and I would go over there to eat and pass out on their couch. I wasn’t following any particular training plan. I picked up what we had for Challenge Roth and just continued off of that.

I knew it was 50K, which is TEN 5Ks. SOMEHOW I had it in my head that it equaled 36 miles! Thanks to some very good friends, who did the math for me and showed me that I had over trained! Is this really a shock though?!!! Haha…

Aug 6^th, Day Before:

I told everyone that I knew that the race was in Fredericksburg! Where do I drive to when I leave the house to head down? BALTIMORE!!! No further comments on this one!

I sent a photo of the email that race director sent us to some friends. Saying “Look! They are setting me up for failure”. Friend: “I would be more concerned about what they wrote two paragraphs above that – the electrified fence!!!” And that is the first time that I actually saw the note about the fences!

Driving up to Baltimore was hectic, since there was traffic. I took the time to make a shopping list 😐

Once I got to my hotel, I was set for a quiet evening 😊

Aug 7^th, Race Day!

I woke up at 4 AM, made coffee and did some art work on my arm. That is the cutoff time for turn around point and the locations of aid stations and Porta Johns.

I got to the race start at 6 AM, and had 30 minutes to chat with some cool people! I do really like the Ultra Crowd. I might’ve accidentally terrified another girl, talking about the electrified fence with a touch of Final Destination. Sorry!

It was a gorgeous day! At least it was for me. When we started the temperature was in the 60s with overcast! So lucky.

I had been training with 4 minute run and 1 minute walks, but at the race start I decided to run a little more. So I did the 1 Mile, 1 minute for the first hour and half. Then I met Jodi, who was struggling. I was starting to feel it too. So we started chatting and she did the 4/1s with me.

I had only half of my nutrition in my bag and the second half in my drop bag at mile 15.5. Right around mile 15 is when my body decided to do the weirdest thing that it has never done. I have done a few marathons, and have never felt this way. This is sort of like a Reel video from Hayley Morris, I love her videos on Instagram. We will keep it PG for the purpose of this post …

My Stomach: I am going to act like you are about to puke every time you think about eating anything.

My Bladder: I am going to make you feel like you are about to explode, even though I am empty. And I will not stop until you squat somewhere.

Legs: We are going to cramp no matter what you do, because we need electrolytes!!

Brain: I am going to make you want to run fast and also think that you are about to pee yourself!

Mother Nature: sky! Open up and dump rain all over them!

Mile 24: Mother Nature: Oh look! That fool is still running! Here are thunders and a bunch of Deer flies for you! Enjoy!

At that point I put my headphones in and ignored everything around me. The problem was that the race director announced they would start the race with rain, but if there was thunder or lightening, we had to seek shelter. And only continue at our own risk. I had come too far to quit! So I decided to ignore everything unless someone pushed me in to the race van!

The rain didn’t stop! My shoes were filled with water. I loved every minute of it. The rain made it cool and also was a great distraction for me. I was tired of counting how many miles I had left and how long it would take me!

The volunteers treated us like kings and queens. At the turn around someone was standing holding my drop bag for me and he would hand me what I needed! How cool is that?!

As I was running the last few miles, the volunteers would ask if I needed anything and I kept saying, “My Pajamas!”

If you are a triathlete and even better an Ironman, you know how high energy the finish line is at those races! It is a big party, you hear it from miles away. The Ultra Finish however ... I had to do a double take and make sure it was the finish! haha I did get my medal though :)

Writing this while sitting on the couch in my pajama. I realize this is not a race report. It is an entry in my  blog that has the memories of all my epic experiences. I am not sure what I will do next for it to be epic enough to make it here. I will think about it and I am sure it won’t disappoint. Definitely, not a one and done. I will pickup another ultra for later this year.

Note to self: Never sit in a salt bath after a long run! 😱😱😱 Well at least the pain came at once and was gone fast.