So I ended up getting my first DNF at the Georgia Death
Race. It was pretty embarrassing since I had built this race up so much by telling
everyone I knew and posting a lot about my training/race countdown on social
media. Multiple reasons led me to this DNF, mostly just not wanting it bad
enough on race day. Oh well, I’ll be back!
After GDR I was in a running rut as I had trained for
this race for about 5-6 months and didn’t have any races in the near future.
After scanning ultrasignup.com I saw the Run for the Kids 12hr over in
Birmingham. I signed up.
Run for the Kids 12hr.(5/2/15)
Going into this race my training was very minimal. I tried to have a "normal" social life again after GDR, so lots of late nights. I ran a few 20 something
mile weeks then two 30 something mile weeks with a 19 mile road long run the
week prior to event. I was banking on my GDR training to carry me through this.
For some reason I felt pretty confident I could get top 3 male. I knew I could
run over 50 miles in 12hrs, but I wasn’t sure how the 3 mile looped course
would play out.
A very well known local runner in the Birmingham area, Suman, was
running miles to help raise money for the Nepal earthquake victims.
Through Facebook we connected and I said I would donate $2 for every
mile I ran. This was so cool. I have always had a deep love for Mount
Everest and Nepal (still haven't gone, but it's #1 on my bucket list). I
know the people in Nepal are some of the most kind in the entire world.
I wish I could have done more, but it felt great being able to help as
much as I could at the time.
It was surprisingly a little chilly at race start. This race was a combo 12hr, 50k, and 10k. I started near the back as I do with most ultras and slowly worked my way to the front. All day I had no idea how I was doing place wise. After about 18-20 miles I was pretty much by myself the remainder of the day. I felt great all day and the short loops were awesome so I never had to deal with lack of calories or water. Long story short I ended up running 50.9 (per ultrasignup) and placing 5th overall and 3rd male. Great race and I came away injury free! I love going to Birmingham for races. I've met many great friends there in my short time in this sport. Shot out to BUTS (Birmingham Ultra Trail Society), I just became a member this year (I live in MS at the moment).
It was surprisingly a little chilly at race start. This race was a combo 12hr, 50k, and 10k. I started near the back as I do with most ultras and slowly worked my way to the front. All day I had no idea how I was doing place wise. After about 18-20 miles I was pretty much by myself the remainder of the day. I felt great all day and the short loops were awesome so I never had to deal with lack of calories or water. Long story short I ended up running 50.9 (per ultrasignup) and placing 5th overall and 3rd male. Great race and I came away injury free! I love going to Birmingham for races. I've met many great friends there in my short time in this sport. Shot out to BUTS (Birmingham Ultra Trail Society), I just became a member this year (I live in MS at the moment).
Best way to celebrate an ultra finish:
First time placing in an ultra, super cool award:
Cruel Jewel 50 (5/16/15)
By far craziest/favorite race I’ve ever done so far. A local runner
from Jackson that I saw at Run for the kids, John, joked about me signing up
for Cruel Jewel 50 that was coming up in 2 wks. I just laughed and didn’t even
consider this at the moment. The next day after a few brews I signed up on impulse without
looking into it much. All I knew was that it was supposed to be CRAZY hard and
that it went over the DRT (Duncan Ridge Trail). I wanted to get my revenge on
the GA mountains from my GDR DNF.
My training going into this race was Run for the Kids 12hr…yep
that’s about all I had. I had not vert. training as I’m a flatlander and didn’t
really have time to train/recover much between these two races (2wks apart).
This race is a point to point 56 miles with approx. 34k elevation change.
I camped out for this race, which was new to me. My campsite
was pretty nice and was only about a half mile walk to the finish. I was to
arrive at the finish to catch the shuttle to the start at about 430-5am ish. I
absolutely love mountains as do most ultra runners. I was in awe during the drive
over to the start, so many beautiful mountains in all directions. Loved it!
Few hours later race was off. Within about 5 miles or so I
met my new running buddy, Kat. As in most races I usually pair up with someone
and we end up running hours together and usually keep in touch after races. I’ve
met many great friends at the few races I’ve done in the past year. Kat was
awesome and pushed me when I wanted to take unnecessary breaks. Eventually the
heat and constant climbing got to me so I took a nice long break and told her
to keep going. She ended up finishing top 3 female, go Kat!
The climbs did not seem to be super hard on my legs, but my
heart rate felt crazy high on the climbs. Pretty much every big climb I would
stop halfway up just to let my heart rate slow down. I finally made it to the
DRT and made it before dark! It was beautiful. I legit tried to drop from this
race at mile 40, but Susan (whom many know in the Georgia area) pretty much
talked me out of it. I sat at this aid station for a good 40 minutes. This was
the AS right before the 15-17 mile “Dragon Spine”, and if I continued if would
be all at night and alone..
After a few cups of soup/coke/whatever I could grab and some encouragement from Susan I
was off into the night on the Dragon Spine. The rest of the race I only ran
into 100 mile racers. Most of these guys were pretty trashed at this point as
they were deep into the race (I secretly want to do the 100 next yr). Running
through the night was very cool. We would run to the bottom of the mountain
where it would be super hot/humid, then run to the top where it would be
chilly/windy. I ended up finishing around 3:45am! It took me almost 19hrs to
finish, but I did finish..which was my only goal. I will for sure be back for
this one and encourage anyone else looking for a TOUGH 50 to as well. It has to
be one of the top 3 toughest 50s out there.
Start in Blue Ridge (turnaround point for 100 milers!):
Me and Kat during the early miles:
Swag:
Rogue Dusk til Dawn 12hr.(5/29/15)
Another running buddy of mine, Rebecca (whom a lot of people
in the GA area know), was going to be RD for her first race. I wanted to be
there to support and it was a night race so figured that would be cool. This
one started on Friday night at 8 pm and finished at 8 am Saturday morning. I
met one of my ultra runner Facebook friends, Aaron, for the first time. Super
cool. We ended up running/competing most of the race. Going in this one I felt
good physically, but mentally was feeling burned out from my other 2 races this
month. After 18 miles I sat at the start/finish area for about an hour and just
ate and talked to other runners. I finally got my butt up and ran 24 more miles
(thanks to my ipod and coke) I ended up finishing in a 3 way tie for 2nd
place (Aaron and the 1st place female). Great race, great people,
great time.
May was a fun month for races. I’m very thankful that I came
out of this injury free, got to hang out with some really cool people, and got in some great runs. This for sure built my confidence
up going into my first 100 miler coming up in November (Pinhoti 100). I’m sure
I’ll do some more 50ks and 50s this year, but my focus will be on finishing
Pinhoti.
Happy trails, peace!
