Of Being Shattered By The Mountain and Hitch Hiking

El Vaquero Loco 50K
Aug 10, 2013

Total Ascent: 7,308
Total Decent: 7,931

The plan:
-Manage every step of the race.  Judsonia is at an elevation of 213 ft above sea level.  This race goes from 7,000 - 10,000 ft.  I knew this would be a problem, but thinking if the downhills and flats were perfectly managed maybe the climbs could be handled.
-Hydration:  double all amounts usually consumed at this altitude keeping the brand used on the course in my hydration pack.
-Fueling: mostly rely on the EFS in the hydration pack, supplement with Epic Bars, Jelly Belly Sports Beans, and Gu.

Reality:
When man (or woman) makes plans God laughs.

I was SCHOOLED by the mountain! 

 By the time I got to the top of the first big climb, knowing a 22 minute mile pace was needed to get to the turn around in time, I knew
this wasn't happening.  My big girl move was to keep going on to the turn around instead of just turn around and go back to the start. 

A painful realization at mile 3.63

The climbs were killer.  I would have to hike 10 steps rest, hike 20 steps, rest, hike 30 steps, rest, depending on the climb. 
Much mental struggle went into picking an attitude here.  During those breaks I would look for something beautiful (not hard out there) and take a picture.  This helped my mind keep from going to negative places.  I decided being shattered mentally by not finishing this wasn't worth the effort.  It would be like being upset that I will never qualify for the Olympic Trials Marathon.  I gave it everything.  The mountain just schooled me, that is all.  It wasn't a lack of will or a lack of try, it was a lack of air!  
The race had a 6 hour cut off to get to the turn around.  It took me 8 hours! 
The hitch hiking....... a runner told the turn around people she was the last runner.  They waited 1/2 hour and then packed it up and went home.  I didn't have a way out of the turn around.  Fortunately it is a popular hiking spot and I, at 47, hitched my first ride.  Thank you to the kind family who loaned me the back of your pick up truck to get me out of there.
This problem hasn't happened in the past.  The RD has been addressed about this issue and it will be taken care of to prevent it from happening again.

This race had three aid stations.  The first and the last aid station had supplies brought in by pack horse.  The supplies for the second aid station were brought in by backpack.  This race is very demanding of its volunteers.  They have to love being "out there".

Aid station #3 on the outbound

the other volunteers

My brother was here to run the race.  Rich didn't have the race of his plans either, but still had a grand finish! 

Rich crossing the finish line

Ty, the RD, greeted every runner as they crossed the finish line. Rich, Diana & Ty

Pre-race, So loved seeing ARies in Wyoming, Brad & Dulcinea

Will I be back?  How does one train for 10,000 ft when they live at 213 feet?  I don't have the option of spending weeks out there.  So..... work my butt off, be in the best shape of my life and go back for the 25K, getting an official finish.

The course was very well marked.  Every aid station was perfect with plenty of aid and helpful volunteers.  No fear of running out of water on a hot day either.  I'm confident the one issue, though a big one, will be addressed, so I would highly recommend this race so the altitude can shatter you too!! 

Happy Running!

El Vaquero Loco 50K 2013

El Vaquero Loco 50K 2013
11 days away!  YIKES

Here is the profile:

Here is a great video from last year's event.

It will be what it will be.  I hope the wildflowers got plenty of water so they are in bloom.

Full mOOn 50K

I didn't run this race, with an infected toenail and with very tender skin on the bottom of my feet it was smarter just to volunteer. 

I can always find someone to skip with me at a trail run!

Skipping helps one be happy (with RD Susy Phillips)

This race is so amazing.  It is powerful watching the new runners, those who chose this as their first "trail" race, their first 50K, their first 25K, their first night time race.  One volunteer commented to me that she loved how happy everyone was.  Pre-race everyone was laughing and joking and smiling.  This was her first race as a volunteer! 

Many firsts, many sweaty hugs, many celebrations as people crossed the finish line. 

What a grand time!

Between Races

Its been a week since Midnight Madness 50 Miler.
I have an infected toe, no running happening.

Stan Ferguson is running Hardrock 100 in CO with a 48 hour time limit.  I'm feeling very humbled by my abilities, and in awe of those who can do that!

Podog, Paul & Stan, Paul & Stan finished Hardrock 100 2013

I'm not back to running as I have an infection in the blister on my left big toe.  Otherwise I'm anxiously able to run, run, run.

Eating has been perfect, I'm 2 lbs below my pre-Midnight Madness 50 Miler weight. 

Cycling is helping with stress when I would normally run.

Susy Phillips Full mOOn 50K is this next weekend, 20 July 2013.  I don't know if I will be able to run or if volunteering will be the game plan.  Will just have to wait and see how it goes with the toe between now and then.

Happy running to all.

Midnight Madness 50 Miler, Tulsa OK July 5, 2013

Its done!

 5 laps
 51.5  Miles
14:35:27 Hours
Start time 11:59pm 5 July 2013
Have to be done by  3PM 6 July 2013 to be an official finisher


Lap splits:
                Miles  Split        Total

 1:    10.30 2:27:25 2:27:25
 2:    20.60 2:34:53 5:02:18
 3:    30.90 2:48:59 7:51:16
 4:    41.20 3:03:28 10:54:44

 5:    51.50 3:40:43 14:35:27

The best part of racing is meeting up with the AR trail family. 

 I do go for the hugs! 

The plan:

Finish the damn race, this was unfinished business as last time only 4 laps were completed.

Keep TailWind in my hydration pack, count on that alone for electrolytes and hydration.  No over-hydrating allowed. 

Never go too fast, I know my pace, don't let excitement of the moment push me

too fast, too soon.

As soon as the sun comes up, cover up, hat and arm sleeves.

Keep mantras in mind:
 

 "I can always unbonk"
"Of course 50 miles is going to hurt"

"DNF hurts worse than hurting hurts"

Mark, Me, Elizabeth, Susan, Heather, David

Cliff, Tammy, me, Stacey, Jen, Deb, Tina

5 loops, opposite direction each loop staring counter-clockwise

 I ran the first 2 laps with David Whitmore from NW AR.  I hadn't met him before this event.  We
were traveling at about the same pace so decided to keep each other company.  I'm grateful because
those dark, nightime hours weren't so dark in my head!  By the end of lap two my hip flexor was really hurting, so David went on at his pace.  I could no longer walk that pace.

My toes had been doing fine on my last few training runs/walks, heat training.  I really didn't expect troubles, but oh, trouble happened.

By mid loop 3 I knew the hot spots were getting serious.  I kept splaying my toes trying to keep them from rubbing against each other, and kept moving.  By the end of loop 4 I knew I had to do something about them.  I took my shoes off to an awful mess.  The toes that weren't blistered on the top end were blistered on the bottom.

Blisters on the bottom too, and on feet, Oh The Prize

 I popped the blisters, re-wrapped the toes, changed shoes and headed out. 
Before making it to Turkey Mountain Aid Station 6 miles into the loop the friction between my socks and the bottom of my feet were making their own nasty mess (never had this problem before).  The area between the balls of my feet and my toes were on fire, felt like ground meat!  Getting to the aid station confirmed my suspicions.  I popped those blisters, gooped up the feet and set out for the last 4 miles at a nice hobble. 
My plan was to run 30 steps/walk 30 steps.  By the time I ran the whole downhill I was done with that.  UGH, The time remained to walk it in so that became the new plan.
Elizabeth Kimble and I had worked out a plan, if she felt like it, after she finished her race she would come back out and walk me in.  There she was 2 miles from the finish line, waiting for me with an encouraging smile.  I was so happy to have her company. 
I started talking about everything that has pissed me off in the last few weeks.  I apologized for being so negative, but noticed I was walking faster!  LOL  Before long we saw the finish line.  We saw Chris waiting for me not too far from the finish line. 
Normally I try to run in.  No  way, I didn't care!  walking it in was fine with me.

Elizabeth Kimble came out and got me.  Thank you!

I don't remember this!  LOL

I'm not going back.  Pavement sucks, heat sucks.  This unfinished business is now finished!
18 Arkansans went to this race, all 18 finished!
I love the direction of each loop changing that way we can see and interact with others as the race goes on.  The encouragement really helps.
If one does proper heat training, if one is looking for a 50 miler, or a first 50 miler this is a good pick, make sure you love pavement! 

I need to work on the blister issue!  UGH, I don't know what to do.  Someone suggested a mixture of petroleum jelly, aloe jell and Desinex.  I'm going to try that along with Injinji socks.  I have used the Injinji toe socks and blistered before, but maybe with the toes of my shoes filled clear full of this goop I won't blister. 

Not pictured, nor running, but very much a part of the adventure was Nicholas Norfolk.  He updated the world on everyone's progress with social media.  He was so encouraging and supportive after each loop.  Thank you Nicholas!  Hugs to you!

Nicholas and me before the Little Rock Marathon March 2013

Pre-Race Jitters

This is the prize:

This is the challenge:

Oh, and 50 miles

The mantra:

Midnight Madness 50 Mile - Tulsa OK July 5 2013

In two days my second attempt at this 50 miler will be underway.

First attempt was in 2010.  I didn't know what I didn't know and my DNF is because of lack of knowledge.  I have learned so much since then.
Last year I entered this race, then was injured so didn't run in the event. 

I'm 3 days from owning this race instead of having it own me.
Lessons Learned:

hydration/electrolyte balance
never go faster than your goal pace
long sleeves cause when the sun comes up sunscreen isn't strong enough
heat training - practice running in the hottest part of the day

I will update after this race.

Happy Running!