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Notes

Technically, 31.1 miles according to my watch (across two runs - and I didn't realize I hadn't started it right away on the fourth lap). So it's a solid 50 kms. Ow. "Gun" time is 5:02 or 5:03 approximately, so 30-ish minutes in refueling and waiting for Maria at stops. And about 30 seconds of hemming and hawing about actually finishing this at mile 24.

Lessons Learned:

1) Fueling is important and one food stop per hour isn't quite enough. I ended up having two clif bars, half a GU chews stick, ~20 oz of water, 5-10 oz of powerade, and a packet of fruit snacks. In total, that should be about 750 calories, which isn't enough.

2) Ultras in the cold require additional layers. I was wearing shorts, pants, the blue under armor, gloves (lab 1, 3, 4), a light singlet (1, 2, 3), the orange pullover (4), and a hat (4). I probably should have swapped shirts or shorts after lap 2, but I also needed to keep moving after lap 3.

3) Lots of standing time is not ideal. This was a reasonable amount of time for refueling, but I probably could have used a little bit more.

4) This is a pretty flat loop, but the hills are noticeable. The loop has a brief out and back on Bridle Path to get the length correct.

5) A 50k two weeks after a marathon isn't quite enough time.

Other random thoughts:

Three days after running this, I think I kind of enjoyed it. The last lap was awful, but that was kind of expected. It's a good note that I can run 18 to 20 miles (about 3 hours) without cracking at 8-ish minute pace. The run/walk combo isn't too bad and I probably should have started earlier with that. I think 8:30-9 minute pace is doable with run/walk combo. Even with my legs completely shot, I was still moving okay in progressively worsening weather.

The real sticking point that I have right now is I want to go sub 3. But I also want to try new races and run relays and explore more ultras and do more long easy running, since I'm not a huge fan of running workouts. But now is the time to go for sub 3. So I'm conflicted.

Nutrition is something that I need to consider again for any race longer than a half marathon. I've cracked on the last three marathons that I've run in the last two miles, so there's something missing on nutrition. Happily, I suspect it's just that I'm not eating enough late in races. Unhappily, it's challenging to test that out since it's hard to get the fatigue to the point where I'd like it to be. That said, morning long runs would be a potential test bed, assuming I can get the time and logistics hammered out.

Running with Maria for the first two was helpful, even if the last two were where I needed the motivation. Maria and I are very, very bad at running long runs (over 8) together. I'm not sure what it is, but it makes me sad.

Anywho, this was a fun-ish experiment. I liked the road running, even if it was hard on my feet. The Kinvaras are good, but I had a callus on the outside of my left foot that was hurting during lap two. I might need more cushion in my shoes for these long runs over 20. Alternately, my feet will just be chewed up for these, which is a possibility.

So what comes next?

EDIT: Discounting the time while my watch was stopped, this was faster per mile than 2015 Madison Mini.