It was chilly day, in the high 30s at the start. The sun never appeared, so it didn't warm up. There was some mud on the trails, but not enough to dramatically affect your pace. Basically, it was as close to perfect running conditions as you could get.
I had taken the day before totally off running, and felt great on the first loop, coming through the main aid station in an hour. Quicker than planned, but I was mostly letting the trail do the work for me by cutting loose on the downhills and moving steadily on the uphills. Heading out on the first short loop, which is a lollipop, I nearly collided with the first place female, more than 2 miles ahead of me. It actually made me feel relieved: No point stressing about trying to win this thing. I just hoped she wouldn't lap me. I finished the first short loop at 1:37, then the next longer loop around 2:40. At this point I thought, "Wow, I'm still at 6 hour pace. I hope I don't blow up."
After another 8.6 miles, I was leaving on a short loop at 4:17, but definitely feeling more tired. I told myself that if I came back through the aid station before 5 hours, I would have to give a good effort to break 6 hours (something I hadn't done in a 50k since my first ultra 8 years ago). I came through in 4:55 and heard Geoff Peterson telling another man (Marcus) to get moving so he could break 6 hours. Within 10 steps of the aid station we had made a pact to shoot for this goal together. I set the pace and he distracted us by telling me his ultrarunning life story (I don't think I would have had the breath to do the same).
Whew, those Stone Steps were tough the 4th time. Luckily, there were still downhills so gravity could move me forward quickly. Marcus fell behind 3 miles into the loop, leaving me to navigate the obstacles (specifically lots of unleashed dogs) of the last 2 miles alone. I hadn't seen another woman since the first mile, but I came close enough to high five the second place female (Randi) as I started up Gummi Bear hill in the last mile. She was friendly and talkative, but I really could only huff and puff. I knew I was going to be cutting it VERY close to break 6 hours since it was all uphill from here. I let Randi go ahead and despite the very gentle grade of the incline that followed Gummi Bear Hill, I still had to allow myself two 10 second walking breaks, one when I was within sight of the finish. BUT, I finished in 5:59:44 for 3rd female (14th overall). 4th was right behind me (who knew?)
I am super pleased with this race because I often run too conservatively in races and feel I cheat myself from discovering what I am capable of. Once I tried to go out hard (Broken Toe 50K last year), and while I DNF'ed for a different reason, I would have slowed considerably if I had continued. Here, I ran close to even splits and it took everything I had to finish in the time I did. It was a "Sweet Spot" of effort.
There were a couple more positives from this race: 1) It was my first long run in the cold for awhile, with some lessons to keep in mind for Blood work: specifically that Honey Stinger waffles get hard in the cold and it is really hard to keep yourself warm after a hard effort. 2) Between participants, volunteers, and spectators, most of my Cincinnati/Dayton ultrarunning family was at the race today, making the race even more special.
Next up is Blood Rock!
-Jordan
