Notes
MTA: So the other day, Allycia says she has a gift for me. She had a special 1s place medal made just for me for this race. I now have a medal on the wall with all the others, so sweet.
MTA: OK, the results with placement are now in. They didn't show the DNF's which kinda sucks cause it makes it look slightly smaller in field size then it really was, there was maybe 12 in the 50K at the start. Placing 1st in gender with only 2 people doesn't say to much. :-) None the less, had fun and enjoyed it till the stomach issues.
Toed the start line at 0830 this morning in a light rain and some breeze. Gu's check, water check, electrolyte drink check, stinger bars check. Off we go, there was maybe 12 on the line some of which where 50K relay folks. The first mile or so out from the farm is a dirt road and then the it was about 5-6 miles of pavement out to the other farm where you turned into there property and ran mostly single track or double track trail runs till you returned to the road for the leg back out to the start line. You completed 2 out and backs. The first out and back went really well. I had my hydration pack filled with plenty of gels, stingers and chews. When I hit the 3/4 point I started to get a little upset in the stomach but managed to keep going. I got through the whole thing while keeping running. I was really pleased to see that even feeling sick at the stomach I could force myself to keep the feet moving and not give up. I can proudly say that I have never fully run 31m non-stop till today. The Pineland Ultra was hilly enough that I had to walk on occasions. At the 1/2 way turn around Allycia told me that she was pretty sure I was in 2nd place, this was a huge motivation to keep the feet moving. It turns out when I came through the finish line that I had actually come in first place. The guy was that in front of me DNF. This was the first ever and probably only time that I will actually place first in a race. Turns out my award, a pumpkin. I actually kinda had hoped for a medal or something to show off but this is ultra running, it is not about the swag.
I have to dedicate a whole paragraph to my biggest supporter. I told her she could have the day off and not go tot his race but when she heard 50K, she went with me. This course, due to being so much on the road she was able to leap frog me every few miles, yell encouragement, hand me gels, food, etc. It was totally great to have her there. She even ran the last 100yds or so with to the finish line just to support me and keep me going. What a great team member she is. I love you.
In closing, the true lesson learned this morning. The mind is weaker then the body, it is always the mind that wants to quit but if you can be strong, stick with it, push through, you can get your body to do so much more then you ever thought imaginable.