Sunmart 50-Miler
As the days narrowed down to the start of the Sunmart 50 Mile race on December 13th, so did my goals for the race. I realized I had some real concern whether I would finish the race, and if so, if I would finish it while there was still sunlight.
Physically I did not want to repeat my performance at the Rocky Raccoon 50K a month or so previously when I experienced leg cramps after about 16 or 17 miles. To make sure I would have a greater chance of avoiding leg cramps I had done some research on the Internet and incorporated into my training, on long runs, consuming Hammer Gel, a non-flavored water and soy mixture (not suitable for Holiday guests) and electrolyte tablets. I also decided I need to slow down. I had completed two long training runs in excess of 6 hours, and had spent two days during the Thanksgiving Holidays doing some practice loops of the Sunmart course.
When race day arrived it was cold, probably in the low 50’s at the start, and throughout the day got gradually colder. It was like running in a meat locker, which for me was good. I figured I knew probably 20 people in the 50-mile field and started out with a group of my training partners from H-T Rex – we were toward the middle of the field of race participants. We had been training to go out slow, walk the hills and take a 2-minute walk break for every 10 minutes of running.
We all started out with that plan, and three of us, Kim, Rene and I, kept together, and to the plan, all of the way through. I did not stop at the aid stations other than to grab an occasional cup of Gatorade, as I carried a 20 oz. water bottle with the soy mixture in it the whole way and replenished it each time I came into the start/finish area – which we did every 12.5 miles. I would also grab a new bottle of Hammer Gel for the upcoming loop.
Our plan worked out well, my split times were: 2:15:01/2:23:56/2:29:29/2:28:35 for a finish time of 9:37:02 (chip time was 9:36:36). My running "style" was some where above a jog and somewhere just below a run, I guess it was more like a lope – keeping my eyes on the trail in front to avoid root and muddy areas. Unlike some previous races on this course, I did not fall this time. I told myself that I would keep up the "lope" as long as I could to get as far as a could. If I got far enough, even if I could not run any longer or my legs cramped, I could still possibly walk in the rest of the way and finish before 5:00 p.m. (which was two hours before cut off, and still daylight). I knew that the first two 12.5 mile loops would be o.k., and they were. I was told that starting the 3rd loop would be difficult, so I made sure to get out of the start/finish area and back out onto the trail in short order. When we finished the 3rd loop right around 7 hours or 2 p.m., I knew then that I would finish.
I had run the 50K at Sunmart 5 times before and always watched the 50 milers going out on their last loop in complete non-comprehension. I had even stopped my car once along side the trail on the way home just to marvel at the determination of the 50 milers going out for the last time. But when we did it, probably like all the runners I had gawked at in the past, we did it with a sense of adventure. Once out on the trail for the last loop it was kind of neat because now there was virtually no one else out there.
At the Start/Finish area the crowds had thinned, the aid stations were starting to pack up or consolidate their operations, and of course, we saw fewer and fewer runners. I was amazed that I could still maintain the pace I had been running all along. It was almost like it came naturally.
It helped us on the last loop that Clark Courtright, who had not run either race, was kind enough to "pace" us in. I am sure we were not very good company, but after hearing the same 3 voices for 9 plus hours, it was good to have another one added to the group. It was a thrill to be passing the various landmarks along the course for the last time and that helped boost our spirits.
It was great to cross the finish line, and it was then that I realized that the temperature was down into the upper 30’s and it was downright cold out! I quickly took off wet clothes and put on some dry ones and went in search of warmth and a cup of hot chocolate. I had accomplished my goal and felt a lot better than I had in several marathons I had run in the past.
I certainly could not of done it, or done it with the success I did without the help of my training partner, Larry Lindeen, or my race companions – Kimberly Pilcher and Rene Gonzalez, and a lot of help from all the runners with H-T Rex – especially Mariela Botella, Fred Ward, Sylvia and Homero Gonzalez and Evan Groutage.