Fort Clinch 50 and 100 - Run

Was really nervous coming into this run. Having trained properly I knew I could do the distance but I have a hard time slowing myself down sometimes and feared I'd go out too fast and pay severely later for it. Luckily as soon as we started I got in with an experienced few that were running the 100. I paced myself off them for 15 miles. At the 15 mile AS they stopped to get stuff from their crew and were going to be a bit so I took off on my own. Everything stayed pretty uneventful. At mile 25 I started walking the uphill portions on the trails. Still managed to keep pace while walking short segments. During the third lap I started lapping people. I knew I was near the front of the 50 milers but wasn't sure. To start the 3rd lap I thought I was in 4th. Near the end of the third lap I passed two of the people I thought were in front of me, now putting me in what I thought was 2nd. To end each lap you had to go on an out and back down a fishing pier about .75 mile long. As I was heading out on the pier I saw who I thought was the leader heading back. Roughly 30 miles in and I thought I was about 1.25 mile behind the leader. People were slowing and I was holding strong. This is where I made a mistake. I picked up my pace starting my 4th lap in hopes I could catch the leader. 4th lap was uneventful until the end. I started really hurting finishing up my 4th lap. I checked in and went out for my last lap. My last lap I got real liberal with what was uphill and found myself walking more than normal. About a mile into the last lap I was really struggling and heading towards that "dark place". Luckily I caught a friend of mine on his 4th lap. I ran with him for awhile and chatted about the day. This literally saved me. My pace had slowed but I was still moving forward, and kept my mind off the massive pain I was in. The pier on the last lap was torture. Knowing the finish was there but I had to head out for another 1.5 miles. Never saw the guy I thought was in the lead. Got to the finish and checked in. Was told I finished 2nd, like I thought. However the guy I thought won didn't. I guess he dropped? The guy that won did so by an hour.

I crewed myself out of my trunk. I had Salt and Vinegar chips, Coke, Gummi Bears, and 400 cal pre packaged Infinit packs. All I needed was my Infinit and the Coke.

This went much better than I could have expected. If I were to change anything it would be going after who I thought was the leader.

Hobbled around and talked to the RD for a minute. Picked up my finishers belt and headlamp I won for second. Then hopped in my car, took the most painful shower of my life, and headed to a wedding.


I ran 50 miles.


This was my first ultra. It's a different atmosphere. So much more laid back than triathlons or road races.