And here we were on race morning! Mark & I left Red Deer bright and early at 5:30 a.m. I was driving so I wanted plenty of time in case I got lost. We arrived just before 8 a.m. so we had plenty of time to shake off our nerves and get ready to rock!
I happy to see Dalton straight away. He was only parked a few cars away. You will remember Dalton from our 13 Mile and Higher Club in Grande Prairie. I was sad to hear our club is dwindling in numbers.
Look at all the happy fit people! There were about 137 people giving the 50K a go. I was so nervous looking at all these racers. They looked so hardcore. So a few minutes earlier I realized my camelbak would be a no-show for the race. A strap went missing. It would be just me and my handheld.
Race strategy
Run my own race. Power walk the big hills & stop at every aid station to refill my bottle and eat. Ignore the negative thoughts in my head. Finish strong.
First 25 kilometres
Dalton and I took off slowly together. Mark was close behind. It was so nice to talk to Dalton. I miss my peeps from Grande Prairie. Dalton told me he has been running on average 600 kilometres a month. Holy crap! I thought he’s going to leave me in the dust. Sure enough he left me right around the 6 or 7K mark. I didn’t mind because I didn’t want to slow anyone down and I wanted to conserve my energy.
We quickly learned we were overdressed. Despite the cold and dampness, I was bloody hot. It was super uncomfortable. I simply ignored my discomfort. Mark was still behind me until we reached the second aid station around 10K. I stopped while Mark ran through the station again. That was pretty much the last I saw of him until I was finishing up 25K.
After this station, I caught up with a man from Victoria named Mo who seemed to be an ultra vet. One of his first questions to me was whether or not I was Italian. I thought that was weird and then he misheard my name and kept calling me Michelle. I ran with him for awhile until I had to excuse myself to go potty.
Then I ran alone for a bit and I chatted with a lady from Edmonton. I was having a good time chatting and running at a comfortable pace. The course was muddy and yucky but there was nothing any of us could do about it so I kept on.
The 50K route was two loops of 25K so I saw Mark when he was turning around and he hollered to me to catch up. I wasn’t going to rush through the turn around because I wanted to change and eat some pretzels. One of my biggest fears is being hungry on the run.
I stopped for a few minutes to strip down and to stuff some more food in my face. It was nice to see Jeff and Toni-Lee from Red Deer at the finish waiting for their partners! I finished the first lap in 2:55. I was pretty happy with the time because I was taking it easy.
Final 25 kilometres
Just before I set out on the course again I saw the lady from Edmonton who I was chatting with resume her second lap. I called for her to wait up for me. I should have waited because I hadn’t finished eating my pretzels. I told her to go on a few minutes later. That’s when the rain started to come down in buckets. It was a bloody mess! I didn’t have a jacket. I was quickly soaked to the bone. I considered turning around and grabbing a jacket. Nah so I kept on. I knew I would be miserable so I sucked it up.
That didn’t last long because soon I needed someone to kick me in the butt. The course was getting muddier and muddier as the rain continued. It wasn’t too bad because I stayed on the grass when possible. I had slowed down to the point where I felt I was the sweeper. I was so happy to have hot soup at one of the aid stations. There were times where I simply walked while I tried to get my mojo back. I felt strong still but out of sorts. I needed a firm kick in the butt or for Amber to yell “get running.” I chatted with a gal from Holland too. This was also her first 50K.
Between the 35th kilometre and the 46th kilometre, I lost all will to live let alone run. I don’t know if it was the rain or that I was simply lazy. Suddenly I was just strolling along and taking in nature.
After the final aid station, I stretched my poor right hip and leg. (It was complaining loudly over the final 10 kilometres or so). The volunteer assured me I wasn’t the last runner before I set off for my final 4 kilometres. (I wasn’t completely convinced since he told me there’s not much food left)
It was then it dawned on me that I was actually going to finish. I actually started to tear up a bit. Then I checked myself and ran hard for the final 4 kilometres. I had to finish strong and running.
When I crossed the “finish line” there were cheers and I heard my name called. I was so happy to be finished. Mark was waiting with his wife and kids. (Dalton had already left for his 6 hour drive back to Grande Prairie). Mark had finished about 15 minutes before me.
Final Thoughts
My final time was 6:49 (It took me 2:55 for the first 25K) You do the math … my second lap was nearly an hour longer than my first 25K. Oops! Yup there’s definite room for improvement in my transition of becoming an ultra runner. Technically you could say I am one now. I have to remind myself my goal was to finish. And I did so I am overjoyed. I can’t wait to do another ultra! Next year I am eyeing Lost Souls in Lethbridge. I am crossing my fingers Amber runs with me!
I loved the ultra community. Everyone was super nice & friendly. There didn’t seem to be this crazy competitive nature as is seen in road races. (I was so glad not to hear about someone’s pace or marathon time. If you know me, you will know number crunching is a pet peeve.) I am so hooked.