Hello folks, Wow I'm lucky to have made it through the race! For starters it was Hot, I mean really hot, I have no idea what the thermometer said. But I'm sure over 90 f. It makes it hard when you have climbed up over 4000 feet in the first loop and you are looking forward to another few thousand in the 2nd loop!
My strategy? Walk 100-200 feet break and repeat.Will the hills never end? finally I spied the aid station at 25 miles. I plopped down and said "I think I'm dropping,can I have a Coke? After a few Cokes (caffeine and sugar) I felt better. Then some pretzels and oranges.
I had plenty of water maybe even too much water. The bad mistake was I didn't have enough salt. This can be dangerous. Hyponatremia can kill you. Electrolytes make the world go around when it comes to body chemistry. Bottom line I felt better and thought- well I can walk the rest and still finish. Ok so I got up and walked, I even ran a bit, that is until the final insult, another hill. In another 45 minutes I reached the next aid.
10 minutes at the next aid station, coke,oranges, banana and I walked all the way to the finish.
It was a very slow time 9hrs and 50 minutes, 2 hours slower than my time the year before!. But I made it through the whole 31 miles!
This was also my 31st Ultra of my "career". Next weekend my birthday (50!) I am going to do a slow 6 miles and eat cake then Party with some friends for dinner and Sunday I am going to meet the running club for......... breakfast.
3 weeks until my next race the Wild Wild West 50K in the beautiful Eastern Sierras.
The race goes through the Alabama hills, where many a western Movie and car commercial has been shot. (Picture a macho truck driving through the desert with impressive mountains in the background thats it)
Comments (8)
Chris had a mild case of Hyponatremia after his last marathon - they gave him salt pills at the finish line aid station. I think he's trying out a different plan for Boston next week - whatever, he's been training for it for a while, so should be good.
Happy early Birthday!
Posted by Kim | April 15, 2008 5:26 AM
Posted on April 15, 2008 05:26
Great pictures, RR - and congrats on completing the Old Goat ultra!
Posted by colleen | April 15, 2008 12:13 PM
Posted on April 15, 2008 12:13
Robert, Good job on the 50K. Just finishing in that heat was an incredible feat. It was damn hot, 92 degrees. I too ran the race and finished 15th in 6:30. After drinking 140 ounces of liquid during the race, I still lost 8 pounds for a 5.09% dehydration factor (not good). Hopefully, it'll be a few degrees cooler next year.
Jim (who grew up a few miles out Old Woman Springs Highway back in the mid 50s and early 60s)
Once again, good job on the 50K!
Posted by jim Warren | April 16, 2008 10:08 AM
Posted on April 16, 2008 10:08
WOW. I don't even have words! Running/walking that far in one day is unimaginable to me, almost. I have skied 30 kilometers, and biked 20, but to do it on my own two feel... Congratulations! It's funny that 6 miles is a peaceful little run for you as I am still working on improving my 5K time! Oh well maybe by 50 I can do a ten miler.
Posted by Chiocciola | April 16, 2008 8:13 PM
Posted on April 16, 2008 20:13
Great job Robert! You stayed true to our DPH(Dollars per Hour) philosophy! The only bad part is I wasn't there to share the fun!! I wish you were doing Leona with us Saturday. The weather is supposed to cooperate. Have a great birthday and we'll see you at WWWest in two weeks. Pizza and beer on me!
Posted by Mike | April 17, 2008 1:50 PM
Posted on April 17, 2008 13:50
Congratulations, It was the hottest April 12th on record. I promise it will be cooler next year! The 50 miler will be run two weeks after the 50K and it has a 14 hour cutoff... Just the ticket for a slow but consistent pace.
Slow and consistent is what describes my strategy for the TransRockies in August.
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Posted on April 18, 2008 21:48
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