Notes
Friday: Left Cambridge later than planned (around 3:15), ran into some traffic as expected leaving the city. Then ran into a ton of traffic as not expected throughout MA and CT due to huge accidents. Stopped for Panera dinner around New Haven area when it was clear we were getting in very late. Made it to Brooklyn at something like 10:45 pm with a really stiff back and right hip from sitting in the car for so long. That and the forecast of rain and having no sleep nevermind minimal training had me pretty stressed out pre-race. Made it to sleep around midnight and set the alarm for 4:30 am with a 5 am departure planned.
Pre-Race: Had an egg and cheese sandwich in the morning before leaving Brooklyn just before 5 am. Packed about 3 days worth of clothes because I was worried about the rain. Decided on wearing my lightest capris instead of shorts becuase I figured with the rain it could be a bit cold, my lightest tank, and then my super light running rain jacket. Forgot my visor in brooklyn so face was just going to get wet. Drove out to Long Island and found the lot pretty easily (although there were a few minutes of confusion when we couldn't see that there was a race there from the lot). Got my number and stood under a tent trying to stay out of the rain until the start. When we arrived it was dark and I had no lights with me since I didn't think about that being a city runner. Luckily the sun started to come up just before my start and I didn't need one. The start was really laid back and after we were sent off everyone kind of paused waiting for someone to take the lead.
Loop 1: I really had no pacing plan, which at the start I started to question being a good idea, but just went out so I felt completely comfortable and maybe slightly unnaturally slow. There was a bit of a hill right near the start that I worried I would eventually end up walking up. The course description said it was very flat so I got nervous this was what ultra people called flat. Luckily it was just one of the few rollers and it really was pretty flat. The trail wasn't rocky at all and even with the water flooding the trail it was really easy for someone like myself with very little trail experience to get footing. The trail was easy, but interesting and extremely well-marked to even the winding was not a problem as far as getting lost. Arrived at the whiskey girl aid station and grabbed a new water bottle from Joe ( I was using the 7 oz water bottles that go in fuel belts with no strap but they fit nicely in your hand). I also had him open the clif shot blocks I was carrying as my hands were cold and wet and I couldn't get the package open myself. Then I quickly took off again. Ate some shot blocks along the way. Trail was more of the same and then I ran into the dreaded "big hill". Turns out it was very steep and the only rocky part of the trail, but that made it a very easy decision to walk up and down it (running down I would have wiped out). I did see a more experienced trial runner basically surf down it to my right. The end of the loop I started to gain on some other 50 mile folks but once I caught up I hung out behind them to keep from picking up the pace too much. Went straight for a pee break after I got into the aid station at the end of loop 1.
Loop 2: Grabbed some more water - tried out the bigger bottle with the strap thing - and took off. It was really wet at this point and my hands were cold although the rest of me was fine. Turns out the new bottle made my hand colder (couldn't switch hands) and for some reason I found it really hard to drink out of. Continued to eat shot blocks. At whiskey girl I traded for a new water and asked Joe not to give me the one with the strap again because it sucked. Also grabbed a new package of shot blocks and took off after a few potato chips. At this point I had passed the two people I was running with at the end of loop one and found somewhat of a rhythm. Took off again and things were pretty uneventful. Another pee break at the end of loop 2.
Loop 3: Decided to switch away from the sugar for a bit after some more chips at the main aid station and took some toasted onion ciabatta bread with me for road (sounds and looks weird, but its kind of salty and I'd practiced it) The rain was going through waves of heavier and lighter and in between bouts my jacket was drying some. Got into the aid station at whiskey girl and just grabbed a new bottle. Was already feeling a bit tired at that point (only half way but it was ok). Had some rotating pains (turf toe, achilles, knee, hip) but they always had passed without causing much concerned. Took off into the woods again to realize that my "water" was actually some weird chalky water that was all bubbly and tasted not great called heed. I didn't care enough to go back by the time I noticed so I just didn't eat as much so I wouldn't have to drink as much.
Loop 4: Got into main aid station starting to feel tired, but wanted to get a little more desperate before headphones so I waited on it. I did ditch my rain jacket though as it had mostly stopped and I was getting warm (had put it on my waist a few miles earlier). Got some more ciabatta bread drank some water plus got a new bottle (of actual water) and took off to start lap 4. The next 5 mile stretch was terrible. Everything from the waist down was in horrible aching pain and I thought well crap, this is too early I'm not going to make it. I'll just have to keep going until I have to walk and give up, but until then you just keep going. I don't think running pace was much different but probably slowed a bit with a long aid station break at the start of the loop and then again getting into whiskey girl. I saw Joe at whiskey girl and told him "it was getting kind of hard" in my head kind of hard equaled oh crap this is impossible. I took headphones, drank a lot of water again and switched back to shot blocks. Headed off to the trail again with Michael Franti singing to me, and apparently he cured me because it all lifted and suddenly I stopped hurting. It was so amazing. At this point each lap I looked forward to the "big hill" as my only allowed walking time which also served the purposed of stretching out my but muscles because it was the only time I was taking big steps. It actually felt really nice. Got into the main aid station at the end of the loop feeling completely refreshed and with renewed optimism.
Loop 5: Joe was waiting with skittles, which I was really excited about. Ate some potato chips and skittles, and headed back out after telling him how much better I felt. At this point I knew one way or another I was going to make it. I knew I could run through 5 miles of misery already as I had done it and if I had to walk the last 5 after that I would. It never got worse though and I got to whiskey girl for the last time in a great mood. I was eating shot blocks on the way there. Traded them for skittles to finish out the course. The last "big hill" I was able to run/shuffle down (not up) as all those experienced folks surfing down the right side had cleared off a lot of the rocks making it a bit easier. I noticed in some of the very windy sections my hip muscles were really getting used to make the sharp turns but given how close I was it didn't bother me. I even did airplane arms on some of the fun turns. I lapped some other folks who cheered me along the way as I was clearly picking up the pace.
Finish: I came in a bit of shock finishing things up quicker than I had run through the rest of it. Put my head into Joe's chest without really being able to stand up straight. At the end of every loop folks were cheering, but after a minute or two of not moving off of Joe the volunteers realized I had actually finished and got me my great wood finisher medal and an awesome pottery mug made by one of the 100 milers for the win (to be fair only one other woman finished the distance so "win" is a bit strong). I immediately started pounding a cider which was the only thing I wanted for a while. I was cold so I put on some clothes and asked for a cup of broth just to hold to warm my hands... but then I ended up drinking it and it was so delicious I had another. After thanking folks we headed out to the planet fitness down the street that Joe had discovered where it was 100% worth the $20 dollar day pass just for the long hot shower I took before having to sit in the car for a while. Even if we were only going an hr away this would have been worth it, nevermind since we headed back to MA from there. Ate a delicious diner meal a few hours later. Great and filling but considering the day I didn't really eat as much as I would. My stomach took a few days to really be ready for it.
Overall this was a great experience. Couldn't have asked for anything more aside from no rain. The race directors were so helpful before and during the race and there were great volunteers. The loop was just long enough to have plenty of support for a first timer without getting boring or repetitive. Also great trails for a newbie with little/no trail training. So glad I picked this race, even as I finished I knew I'd want to do it again.