A Reading of an Ultra Marathon - Niagara Falls 50k
The following post can be read in either the "sprint" version (listed first) or the "full" version (listed second).
Choose you're own adventure!
Sprint Ultra Course
1 - Crazy IDEA
31 - MILES in a 50k
12 - WEEKS of training
471.14 - MILES of training runs
2 - Number of SHOES I literally ran through
1 - AMAZINGLY supportive HUSBAND
3 - Adorable race support MEMBERS and cheerleaders
12 - Times that Justin STOPPED and got 3 kids out of the car to hand off water, give high fives, and cheer me on!
65-80 - DEGREES farenheit during my race
80-90 - Percent of HUMIDITY during my race
304 - Total feet of ELEVATION gain
200 -Feet of that total elevation gain in less than ONE MILE
1 of 7 - WONDERS of the WORLD - Running to Niagara Falls and back!
230,4854,194,182,002 - Number of TOURISTS I had to run through to get to the turn around point at the falls (ok slight exaggeration)
6 - PHONE conversations during the race
0 - RACES I've run that were more beautiful
3:56 - Hours:min to complete my LAST MARATHON in March
3:37 - Hours:min when I reached 26.2 MILES this race
3:40 - New BOSTON MARATHON qualifying time for females age 35-40
2 - Times I PEED my pants while running
27 - Miles that felt GREAT
4 - Miles at the end that were excruciatingly DIFFICULT
10 - What those last 4 miles FELT LIKE
1 - BLISTER
4:17 - TIME to run 31 miles
11 - OVERALL placement for this race
2 - Placement for OVERALL WOMEN
1 - Placement for my FEMALE AGE GROUP
The Full Ultra Course
Sometime just before I was about to run the National marathon in March I realized that I wasn't going to be able to back off of my training completely once the race was over. I knew I would need another major race within a few months to fulfill some "gypped" part of me that came into existence back when I got pregnant with Nouvelle while training for my first marathon. I originally thought that maybe I would just do another marathon in June this year. As I got to looking for races I came upon a marathon at Niagara Falls. There was however, a 50k race as well. As I jokingly mentioned this to Justin...well, somehow some non-serious comment turned into a crazy idea, which turned into a commitment. So there you have it. I began training for my first ultra marathon.
I was feeling really good about my training, but after giving my all during the Ragnar I felt a bit depleted and haven't bounced back as I would have liked to. I didn't know if it was the sudden rise in temperatures/humidity, or that I had over-trainined, or was just burning out. But come race-day eve I wasn't really "feeling it." My head was just not in it. I knew I could run 31 miles but I just didn't know how fast. I kept telling myself I really would be content to just complete the race.
Morning came and the race began and I set out nice and easy. I've learned my lesson more than once not to start out too fast. I had set some pace goals to keep me on track with what "so-and-so" and "this-and-that" had told me I "should" be able to do. But to tell you the truth I didn't know if they were realistic expectations. I figured "Hey if I crash and burn, well, then I'll go out in a beautiful flame." But I tried to stick to the pace goals I set for the first 10 miles. It was already warmer and more humid than I would have liked but the run along the Niagara River Rec. Trail was amazing! So beautiful! I was truly enjoying every step!
Ahead of me though,at around mile 7, was a one mile climb of about 200 feet that just loomed over me mentally. I was dreading it and didn't know what to expect. I hit it and just ran that hill to smithereens! I booked it up the hill (too fast? oh well!! ) and felt great! I actually gained 4 seconds per mile overall going up that hill! ooops there went the "keep to a certain pace" thing. After that hill, some mental barrier just broke free and I was feeling so good I started speeding up a few miles before my "scheduled" pick up time.
Justin was absolutely amazing the entire race (would you expect anything less?)! He kept surprising me every few miles with an adorable cheering section. He pulled those girls in and out of the car about a dozen times the entire race to replenish my water and sports drinks, and give me high fives and take pictures! One thing is for sure - Justin has learned what one of the most meaning things is to me - showing support.
Growing up I had arguably one of the most supportive mothers I know of. She was at virtually every possible dance performance, track meet, show, competition, audition, you name it! It was definitely one of her most impactful ways of showing love - and I think that principle has been instilled in me ever since! Justin has picked up on that and gotten better and better at showing his love through the form of supporting me in the things that I enjoy or find important. Every time I saw him there, chasing our typical 4 and 3 year olds around, it was the most powerful reminder of how much he loves me. I know it wasn't easy for him, or convenient, but he did it anyway because he just cares that much. Awww shucks, ok enough of the mushy stuff!
But it was just the oomph I needed every few miles or so. I looked forward to when I might see them again!
Oh and everyone else loved seeing them as well! Numerous people came up to me after the race and asked me if they could borrow him, or how I got so lucky, or how did I train him so well. The answers: For a substantial fee; certainly by nothing I did to deserve it, and he's very teachable!
Did I mention how amazingly beautiful this race was? Running towards one of the seven wonders of the world! How could it get any better? Well, not having to dodge all of the tourists visiting said wonder would have been a good start....but luckily I didn't mow any of them over!
As I approached the turn around point at mile 15.5 a fellow runner commented on how he couldn't believe I had just taken a call and chatted with a friend in the middle of my race without even losing my breath (Thanks for the company Amy!!! ). Ha! I told him I got a lot of practice running and chasing after my kids and yelling at them all day! This led to him remarking that "most of you leading female runners have kids." HU? Most of us what? I'm no leading female runner! A few moments later a female runner passed us on her way back after the turn-around. His comment, "There's your competition!" My reply, "I didn't realize I was competing!" It soon became apparent that I was actually in 5th place for all the women! Wow! That thought started to sink in and I concluded, "Hey! I guess I can compete. Sure. Why not? I guess I'm competing now!" So I headed back on the second half of my race with the hopes of passing at least one of those four women in front on me. Two would be nice! Three amazing -but not likely.
Unfortunately, I didn't pass any of them before I hit all the marathon women who had now made their turn around point and were headed back. I really didn't have much way of knowing if the lady I was passing was a marathoner or an ultra. But I just kept on keeping on, feeling magnificent!
Then right around here, with about 7.5 miles to go,
I caught a glimpse of a woman's bib as I passed her and knew she was an ultra lady! Hey! Cool! That puts me in 4th! I'll take that! Then I proceed to FLY down that 200 foot hill!
As I got closer to 26.2 miles, I started wondering if I was going to beat my last marathon time, or...what would I need to run to have a Boston Marathon qualifying time? That was probably out of reach. But as I hit 26.2 and looked at my watch to see 3 hours 37 minutes, I realized I had done both! Wow! Could this race get any better!?
Peeing my pants? Well why not? Hey when you're running a race and trying to get a great time or pass people, stopping for a potty break is not ideal. So out it came (I know TMI - but just grin and bear it)! Come on! It makes me hard core and I take pride in that (yes I know some may actually consider this obsessive or crazy).
It was about a mile or so later that things started to deteriorate quickly. I hit my wall with about 4 miles left. Those 4 felt like 10. Justin called about at this point asking if I'd passed the lady in the yellow shirt. Apparently she was an ultra runner and, only 30 seconds ahead of me or so. "Only" 30 seconds? Ah that's nothing! Tell that to the woman who is battling the infamous wall! I couldn't even try. I just kept running as hard as I could. If I saw her, I saw her.....well, I saw her. If I could pass her, I'd pass her....well, I passed her. And prayed for the last 3 miles that she didn't have more left in her than me!
I SLAMMED into that wall with 2 miles left. I wanted to quit. Really I did. I think the only thing that kept me going was a Crossfade song, "No Giving Up" which fortuitously came on with about 1.75 miles left. I kept playing it over and over and over again...all the way to the finish line!
Finishing time - 4hrs 17 min. The severe and almost immediate cramping in my legs was made glorious as Justin informed me that I actually had placed 2nd over ALL the females....and first in my age division!
I do have to admit I was so proud of myself that if I could, I would have made-out with myself! What euphoria!
As a stay-at-home mom there aren't very many opportunities to really feel profound pride in yourself, and very few ways to really SEE success or achievement. Even motherhood achievements are hard to recognize on a daily basis. There aren't very many things that mom's get to do just for them. So much of our life as mothers is about sacrificing ourselves for our children. Sometimes there isn't much left just for us. Running has been one of those things that I've allowed myself to have. Something just for me. I have made countless sacrifices for this (sleep being one of my most difficult sacrifice). The daily pay off of health, energy, happier frame of mind, weight control, etc. are actually enough for me to make the effort of running worth it; but after a race like this - completing 31 miles, faster than I even thought possible, and placing in the top one and two is like an amazing extra shot of positive juice!!
Those kids look more tired than I do! Poor gals! And yes, when I landed from jumping up like that I thought my legs would fall off!
I have never felt such a high after a run/race. The endorphins lasted all day! I couldn't even take a nap!
Is it possible to O.D. on endorphins, 'cause I think I just may have!
Totally amazing Kristin! I am so behind on blogs! I think it's so great that you have become an amazing runner. I makes me think that one day I can be more devoted and good at something. I remember in Denver you and I went for a run once. A couple miles maybe?? Now you are running 30+ and running fast, and you look great and sound very happy. I'm really happy for you! Great work! You are hard core! I run my first Ragnar in September...
Posted by: Lindsey | June 25, 2011 at 12:15 AM
I don't even know if I can put the congratulations into words. What a remarkable woman and runner!!!!
Posted by: Deidre | June 23, 2011 at 07:06 PM
Holy freaking crap Kristin...are you a machine?? That is pretty much amazing. It's all those slow twitch muscle fibers you were blessed with. So I told a bunch of runners here at TOSH your time and they were seriously impressed! Congrats on placing so well...so what's the next challenge? :)
Posted by: Wendy | June 21, 2011 at 08:11 PM
S U P E R B ! ! ! Everything about this accomplishment is that and more. Everything about this blog entry is that and more. So amazing. C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ! ! !
I LOVED the Sprint Ultra Course play by play. You get an "A" from the English Teacher - me. And I loved the entire essay. You get an A+ from the English Teacher. And your assistant gets an "A" on the photography! Every photo is wonderful. And You get an "A" on how AMAZING you look in EVERY photo! What an adorable pit crew. I'm SURE all the runners loved them. Qualifying for the Boston (the raised requirements) - Fabulous. You deserve to be so happy and proud of yourself and your family for all of the above.
P.S. "Motherhood achievements are hard to recognize on a daily basis" you said. Well, thank you so very much for helping me to know again your awareness and appreciation of my own motherhood achievement so many decades hence. I loved every supportive minute!
Posted by: Grandmere | June 21, 2011 at 12:35 PM
WAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOO! Read both adventures and loved every minute. Rock on girl! I am so proud of you!
Posted by: Amy | June 21, 2011 at 12:53 AM