Antelope Island - Buffalo Run 50 Miler -3/22/14

Being my first 50 miler I didn't know what to expect.  50 miles is a LONG way!  The farthest I had previously run was 33 miles (Moab Red Hot 55k) so I knew adding 17 more miles was going to be a challenge.  My goal in any race is to make it to the finish line, but I always have that underlying time goal - the goal I shoot for, but don't want to say out loud just in case I don't reach it.  I came up with my target goal time by looking at the results from last year's race.  The female winner came in just over 8 hours.  Why not shoot for 8 hours and see how it goes!?  Yes, a little crazy to expect 8 hours since I had never ran 50 miles before I had no idea what to expect or how my body was going to feel after hours on end of running, but I decided to go for it.

 The race started at 6 a.m.  It was dark and the wind started to pick up.  The race director yelled, "run, you fools!" and we were off. I ran with a small flashlight that I planned on ditching at an aid station as soon as it was light out.  I decided right from the start to run behind the lead female and if the pace felt right then I would stay with her and let her set the pace.  I tucked in behind and followed her lead up the initial climb until

"Run, you fools"

we reached the first aid station - Elephant Head (about 5.5 miles from the start).  At this point, there were 2 trails that we had to run:  the Elephant Head trail and the Split Rock loop.  You could choose which trail you wanted to run first.  The runner I had been following decided to run the Split Rock loop and I decided that I probably shouldn't get sucked into someone else's pace and run my own race and so I headed off on the Elephant Head trail which was a short out and back (3.6 miles).  After completing the Elephant Head trail, there was enough light out so I pitched my flashlight at the aid station and started out on the Split Rock loop.  At this point, I decided to turn on my i-Pod.  I love running to music!  It always gives me that added spring to my step.

photo by Lori  Burlison

So far, so good!  But I knew it was only going to get harder.  While running the loop, I encountered a herd of bison about 10 yards away off to the side of the trail.  It was pretty sweet to see, but I am sure glad they kept their distance.  After finishing the loop, the course led down a dirt road to the Mountain View trail.  I don't know if it was the wind or my nutrition, but as I hit mile 20 I just was not feeling it and I still had 30 miles left to go!!!   At one of the aid stations, one of the volunteers yelled out that I was the first female to pass by.  As I headed back out on the trail, I looked over my shoulder and could see that 2nd and 3rd were not too far behind.  Around mile 25, one of the girls passed me.  Usually I would try to see if I could pick up my pace and stick with her, but I was not feeling it.  At this point, I didn't care about placing I just wanted to finish.  I looked at my watch I had been running for just under 4 hours and was at the halfway point.  I knew at mile 33, I had my family and Heidi, my AWESOME running partner/pacer waiting for me.  Just hold on for 8 more miles!  My stomach was getting more upset by the minute.  I knew I needed to keep taking in nutrition or else I would bonk, but my stomach didn't want anything.  At one of the aid stations they had a bowl of potatoes and a bowl of salt.  I decided to give a potato a try.  I picked up it up and unsuccessfully rolled it in the salt.  One of the volunteers said, "you have to lick it."  So I licked the potato and then rolled it in the salt and popped it in my mouth.  As I was finishing off my potato I started to wonder how many people before me licked and dipped, but then I was too tired to even care at this point.  I slowly chipped away at the miles, prayed for the strength to keep moving forward, and finally reached mile 33. 

Mile 33

Yep!  This is how I felt!

   It was soooo good to see my family and my sweet kids cheering me on.  And YES, I could have Heidi join me!  I was afraid that I was going to disappoint her and we would have to walk the 17 miles to the finish - I was really feeling sick.   Heidi offered words of encouragement, which gave me the an extra boost, and then we headed out.  At first, we talked a bit and then I decided to run behind her and listen to my music.  I just focused on her shoes and tried to keep putting one foot in front of the other.  It was inspiring to see the 100 milers out on the course.  They had started on Friday at noon.  They were tackling 100 - I was only doing half that.  I knew I just had to dig deep, even though I felt wiped, and I could make it.  Running is definitely a mental state of mind.

The last 17 miles were a rollercoaster.

Photo by Lori Burlison

At one moment, I would start to feel better and could pick up the pace and then the next moment it took all that was in me to keep moving forward.  As the miles passed, I became determined to hold onto my position of 2nd place.  I could do it!  Just follow Heidi!  It didn't matter that my legs were tired, my stomach was upset, and that with every step I could feel the painful blisters forming underneath my toenails, it was the finish line that I was headed for. 

That final mile eventually came and I could see the finish in the distance, so I picked up my pace.
As I got closer to the finish, I could see my family and two of my running friends, Liz and Jenn.  It was AWESOME having them there cheering me into the finish.  I made it!  8 hours 4 minutes 12 seconds (9:41 min/mile)  2nd place female!  I am so grateful to Heidi!!  She was my tender mercy, pushing me to the finish line!  I am blessed with the GREATEST friends!

 The Monday after the race, in my post-race delirium, I signed up for the Pony Express 100 miler in October.  Yes, I am crazy! :)