Hey All, 

I was able to complete my first ultra, 50k in 11:47~ pace with 4600'+ gain and equal loss... and had fun while doing so! I'm now taking a well deserved weeks rest and will swim and spin until like April 13th and then when I'm back in Calif I start running again. I'm already looking forward to some easy mileage building, hiking and getting ready for summer short races and maybe another ultra for fall.



This was my first ultra type run. I have covered the distance before a few times years ago during hikes but this was one I was trying to run. I still carried a backpack with clothing and stuff because I have fastpacked before, and plan to do so again and wanted to use this as a training run. Eventually I want to also do more ultra distance runs. My pack with food and water and extras probably weighed 7 lbs.

There was an aid station at mile 13 and mile 24. I rested maybe 3 minute at the first one while filling up bottles and eating and rested maybe 5 minutes and the last one. Maybe two minutes rest for pissing and a couple minutes at the end of the run before I remembered to stop the watch. I felt pretty out of it to be honest from the start. I slept poorly and used a lot of caffeine and my heart rate was pretty high all the time and I was pouring sweat.

At the finish the lady taking my time told me I was the sweatiest person all day. Around mile 18 is when I felt my energy levels go way down and my quads felt like crap and my toe had a really sharp pain. I honestly thought the toe pain was a popped blood blister but at the end in the car when I was brave enough to look at the damage it was a pine needle, 1/3" into my toe. Go, figure. It didn't hurt too much, the pain was in m quads.

Some times around mile 28+ I tried running fast after skipping and did so for short bursts but would always end in a slight calf cramp - electrolytes low. The last mile was on road and I tried to keep form and finish strong-ish. I always wonder how much fatigue at the end of a long run is mental? Maybe a lot.

Overall a great training run for me as I was walking semi normal again after 3 hours after the fat ass. Good things were - no chaffing, no stomach issues, had fun, good company, great dirt roads to run on, free low-key event with excellent organization and met my friend Amy from Maine for the first time after being Facebook friends for years. And the rain was never more than a drizzle and the temps were very ideal for running.

https://www.strava.com/activities/533982936

That's a nice area for a scenic run.  I always enjoyed getting up that way when I was driving truck. Delivered into quite a few dairy farms.

Very nice! And 7 lbs doesn't sound like a lot but sure could get to you if are running that distance.

Very nice Baggee pants, congratulations!

I might give you a run for the sweatiest runner.

Congrats!  I've run several ultras, but I don't think any were sub 12 minutes- that's pretty darn good for a trail run, with a pack and 4600' of gain.