Race
Report from Greg McDowell:
It's official. I'm an ultramarathon-er.
I completed my first (more than 26.2 mile) race this morning, after
starting the Bethel Hill Moonlight Boogie in Ellerbe, NC Saturday
night at 6pm. Twelve hours later (exactly), I was a changed man. Eight
hours later, including a 3 hour nap, I'm still changed...in that I
can barely stand, let alone walk.
My 10 mile "lap" times were about 2:00; 2:08; 2:24; 2:39
and 2:49. One way to look at this, my rate was 5 mph for the first
lap and averaged 4 mph after that (3.6 mph for the last 10 miles).
Some 4 and 6-mile sections were completed at 3.3-3.4 mph. I easily
met the 10-hour cutoff which is required at 40 miles in order to be
given permission to do the last 10 miles, accomplishing that milestone
in 9:11 (average 4.3 mph).
The temperature at the start was in the high 80s, if not over 90.
During the 90 minute run-up to the start, I retreated to my auto's
air-conditioning 3-4 times. Compared to last year however, when I
DNF'd after 30 miles in 7:14, I thought it was a little milder. Opinions
varied. Some felt last night's heat and humidity were oppressive,
and rivaled or exceeded 2009. (Yes, folks return for repeat performances!)
My running shorts felt like swim trunks after 10 miles and stayed
soaked through 40, when they started drying a bit. After last year,
I thought I had attempted a crazy feat and would never be so silly-stupid...for
about a week.
Then, I got 'the itch' and began considering how I might improve.
Despite running the NYC marathon 11/1/09, I had training setbacks
and found that certain pains would set in, preventing me from getting
in the long runs. So my approach was to run no more than 2 minutes
consecutively, and absolutley none uphill, until the final 2 mile
push. I trained over 130 miles in May and 90% was walking. Three weeks
ago, I mostly walked 30 miles through Elmwood Cemetery in about 7.5
hours. That turned out to be exceedingly helpful. Veteran ultra-folk
commented that I was a good walker. During the first 30 miles, I could
easily maintain a 4 mph walk speed, except during the steepest uphill
portions. During the last 20 miles, I could only run briefly during
downhill portions, and my walking was labored, dropping to 3 mph or
less. Despite thinking at 40 mi. that I could easily, though very
slowly complete the final lap, my determination waned throughout.
I was so slow, and tired, I was concerned that I would sit down (not
having done that for 4 laps) and not get up. I was forced to sit at
the 43.5 water stop because my headlamp was out, and it was very dark
at 4am, with no other competitors in sight. In fact, I went long long
stretches during the last two loops without seeing a soul. Sometimes,
I could hear a distant voice which eerily mixed with the night critters
and sounds of movement in the woods. Despite the race's name, there
was no moonlight. The only times I sat were 4 minutes at 43.5 and
2 minutes at 46. Despite my concern, those respites turned out to
be good things. I was able to crank it up in the last 2 miles (uphill)
when I calculated that I had a chance for a 12 hour finish. I would
have been happy with 12:30 or more, but 12:00 sounded better than
12:05 or any other number. So I gave it a shot.
Compared to last year when I was a loner, I had tons of support. I
set up camp with Ricky and Sharon Scott, and their friends, including
former City employee Marc DeLuca. Each time I approached our camp,
I shouted out "DeLuca - it's McDowell!" Marc would spring
to action, helping me re-supply and asking me vital questions to check
my coherency. Ricky, Sharon and I encouraged each other each time
we crossed paths. I caught Ricky at 25, same as last year. But once
again, he recovered strenght and finished a strong 11:38. The Boogie
is a somewhat intimate affair, with about 80 50-milers and 80 26.2
runners. Doug "Boogie" Dawkins gives a pre-race briefing,
which includes the admonition - "this isn't Disney World."
After the marathoners complete their efforts, the spacing of runners
stretches out even more, especially as the elites finish in 8-9 hours.
I started with a determined plan to keep up my nutrition and fluids.
Most of the time, I carried two bottles. I'm sure I consumed 65-70
oz. during each of the first three laps, after that I lost track.
Total had to reach 2.5 gallons, including a few G3 (with protein),
80 oz flat Dr. Pepper (with sugar and caffeine) starting at mile 20,
G2, G and water. At first, I consumed 2-3 GU and 2 Zone bars per lap.
I quit eating Zone bars after 20 or 26 miles. The stomach becomes
a sensitive thing under duress. Nutrition management, or the lack
thereof, is often a rookie's downfall. We think it's just a hydration
issue, but it's hard to drink your way through more than 20-25 miles.
And yes, the whole thing is a bit mental. (And for early-to-bed folks,
there is the additional challenge of running throught the night, and
staying awake close to 36 hours, all told.) My number one goal was
to complete 40 miles, after dropping out at 30 last year. But it would
have been disappointing to DNF after going so far and getting so close.
The problem was - 10 miles is a very long way to be considered "close"
when you're slowing down so much. While trying to focus only on specific
sections of the race (6 miles, 4 miles, 3.5 till the water stop, 2
miles down, 2 up), the brain starts calculating and sometimes won't
stop. Twelve minute miles creep toward 20 minute ones and the agony
of trudging uphill when each step hurts...sense the drama? A large
blister on my left heel burst at 25 miles, despite my best preventive
efforts. A similar one burst on the right heel at 31 miles. Three
weeks ago, I almost quit walking in Elmwood Cemetery under similar
duress, but I found that the burning pain subsided after a few minutes.
I suspected this might happen again. And since I had a much longer
distance left to cover, I was afraid to look. So I didn't. I never
changed shoes, socks or bandaids. After 20-30 miles, I considered
re-applying Glide and Vaseline to counter the chafing one can expect.
However, my body was so wet I figured that would be a losing battle.
I should have undertaken that battle. Ouch. Also, a few toes remain
numb.
When it was over, there was joy. And celebrating. And cheering the
remaining finishers. And falling off a chair while changing shoes
and socks (hey, there's a slope on the roadside). However, the next
concern was how to load up and drive back 2 hours to Charlotte. Again,
Marc was chief support numero one. I didn't have to lift my cooler
into the trunk. Half way back, I made a pit stop and attracted suspicious
glances - why the 52 y.o. guy looked like a struggling 90 y.o....who
just got off a horse?! I've since showered and napped, but two-thirds
of my gear remains in the car. Some things can wait. But regaling
you with my tale could not. Thanks for your interest and support.
I'll let you know what's next.
Greg
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