JFK 50 Mile - RunUltra Marathon

For whatever reason, I slept like a log and didn't stir until the alarm went off at 5am. I got dressed and got my food together. Tony drove me to the high school and I ate breakfast (oatmeal and a bagel w/ pb) along the way. I was so stuffed by the time we got there but I had over an hour before the race start so I knew I would be in good shape at the start. I hit the port-a-potty then went instead to wait for the race briefing.

Apparantly that went a little long b/c I said goodbye to Tony, hit the restroom one more time then started the walk over to the start. About 1/2 mile away, we heard the gun go off. Oops!!! missed the start so my race started a little early. What's a 1/2m when you are doing 50 miles. Actually I'm not sure exactly where the start was b/c I didn't see any mats or banner or anything. At some point I said something to a gentlemen next to me about starting my watch and he said might as well since we are about 3 min / 0.25m into the race. Oh ok - second Oops!!! But again really no reason to panic - the day was just starting.

I did have a rough plan coming into the race and for the most part I did execute and things went as I thought they would. So I had broken the course into 3 sections: the AT trail (15.5m), C&O Canal (26.3m) and the last leg to home (8.2m). AT - stay injury free and save the legs approx. time 3 - 3 1/2 hrs., C&O - run a stready marathon pace approx. 4 1/2 to 5 hrs., and the last leg go with what's left approx. 2-3 hrs. My pie in the sky goal was to finish in the daylight roughly 10 to 10 1/2 hrs. My watch at the end said 10:12 but it was set on auto pause so it didn't get my break times or port-a-potty trips.

The race started on Main St in Boonsboro with lots of spectators cheering as the racers headed out of town towards the mountains. Around mile 1, I started climbing up this very long, steep hill. Lots of people were walking but I decided to chug along at a slow jog not b/c I'm too cool to walk but for me it's less effort. I don't have good walking muscles. Two
miles later we reach the top and turn off onto the AT trail. I was nervous b/c I had not gotten in enough trail running before the race. With the exception of another mile long paved road that was super steep (I walked plenty here), the next 12 miles were some serious trail running. Very stressful mentally. I had my eyes glued to the ground and the heavy leaf coverage did not make things any easier. I smashed my left big toe 3 times really hard and tripped a few times but did not go down. There were sections where you could actually run w/o killing yourself but they seemed few and far between. The trail was not particularly hilly just techincal. It was a shame to miss so much of the beauty of the run but I really kept my eyes glued to the ground. I sipped on my bottle of infinit throughout and ate 1/2 pack of sports beans at the 9.3m aid station. At mile 14.5 I had arrived at the top of the famed switchbacks. I could here the crowd yelling below and was looking forward to the first time I could see Tony. There was a time in the course's history where you had to go straight down the side. That would have been crazy b/c these things were hard enough. Rocky and steep it took the little group I was with about 15 min to get down to the bottom. I popped out of the woods. AT trail done - finished that section in about 3:15 / 3:20. Super happy with that portion. I began looking around for Tony. He flagged me down. I ditched some layers and my water bottle. He took a few pictures then I was off to the aid station on the other side of the road.

This was the first station that I stopped at to get some thing to eat and drink. I wasted time looking around at the food options and then stood there to eat. I really should have gotten something and walked while I ate it. I did not make that mistake again. This was the first stop where I saw pb&j sandwiches. They looked so yummy but I had already grabbed some cookies :-) so I didn't want too much in my tummy nor did I want to waste food. So I figured I would grab one at the next stop.

Now I was officially starting my marathon - 26.3 miles along the C&O Canal. I came off the AT trail in decent shape but the trail running had taken a toll on my legs. I decided to shoot for a 10:30 pace until the halfway point and next spot to see Tony. I picked up a nice pace and was pretty comfortable b/t 10 and 10:30 miles. The next aid station was
approaching and I was craving a pb&j. I got up to the table and looked around. DAMN - no sandwiches. Ok I thought a few pretzels and some water will tide me over for a few miles til the next station. Back to running and dreaming about my delicious sandwich. Next aid station is in sight - get there and DOUBLE DAMN - no pb&j. Internally I sigh and get some
chips. Back to it - although I was very disappointed by my lack of pb&j, I was halfway to the next spectator checkpoint.

The aid station at mile 25 appears and I make the biggest and only mistake of my race. After a quick potty break - good sign I needed to pee - I went to the food table. Still no pb&j and nothing really jumped out at me. I wanted to avoid synthetic food like power bars and gels and I decided the fat in chips might not be good. Chocolate M&Ms - no way but I
really needed some calories. I had gone long enough waiting for my sandwich so I didn't want to pass altogether on food.

So in a weak moment I grabbed 2 PowerBar Energy bites - the things that look like dried turds. I ate one while I walked and threw the other one away. It was gross. No kidding one mile (mile 27) later my intestines started gurgling. I knew where I was headed and it was not a good place.
I managed the pain til I got to the next aid station and saw Tony but it was slowing me down. I told him my tummy was a bit upset. I grabbed a salt tab and some more tylenol and got encouraging hugs and kisses.

Finally at the food table my beautiful PB&Js. Even though my gut was unhappy, I was hungry and knew I needed calories. I grabbed one and ate as I walked. I can honestly say eating that sandwich even when my gut was doing somersaults was a wise decision. I didn't need to compound the problem. However, miles 28-33 were pure hell. It was my only low point and time that I thought I can't finish the race like this. The gas pains almost brought tears to my eyes and made me double over. I made it to the
next aid station and went straight to the port-a-potty. I was in there a long time trying not to barf and pass out at the same time. Passed on food at this stop but drank some water. I felt a little better but I knew it wasn't all of out of my system. The next 3 miles were much of the same hell until mile 33 when I reached a point where I needed a bathroom and
NOW. Then a miracle, a lone port-a-potty appeared by the side of the trail. Bless those organizers! I did have to wait for another poor woman experiencing the same issues. I got in just in time and was in there for another prolonged period.

But when I emerged, I was a new woman. I felt great and got right back to running. A bit of a bummer that I lost so much time walking and sitting but live and learn. I certainly learned a VALUABLE lesson.

So only 5 more miles until I saw Tony again but I had lost more than 1/2 hr. of my planned time. The aid station at mile 34 was one of the winners from best aid station last year. They had an awesome theme this year. Christmas - tons of homemade cookies and pictures with Santa. As much as I wanted some of those cookies I decided not a good idea. I did however grab ANOTHER PB&J sandwich. So yummy!

4 miles later, I saw this NCVC bike kit walking towards me. :-) Tony walked and jogged beside me while I got a few things for the last leg of my journey. I would not see him until the finish. I got a big hug and he gave me lots of updates from my wonderful family and MG friends. I was getting tired but hanging in there. At mile 38 aid station, I got more pb&j and water. Only three more miles on the tow path then part 3 of the run. I'm not sure how fast I did my marathon section since I screwed my watch up from the very beginning and had auto pause going. But I do know that I had 43 minutes of stoppage time and the majority of that was on the C&O.

The canal was beautiful and peaceful to run along. The Potomac River was right next to the canal and the leaves wer still showing bold colors. But after 20 or so miles, I was ready for a change. During the last few miles on the towpath, I did meet up w/ a mom whose kid went to the same preschool as my daughter. I thought she looked familiar standing in one of the bathroom lines but I was too preoccupied to put the pieces together. We chatted as we jogged/walked the last few miles of the towpath.

Finally the brigade of vest issuers appeared at the end of the path. If you weren't off the trail by 3pm, you got a vest for the home stretch. It was at this aid station that I looked down and realized I had lost my chip. Crap it happened somewhere in the 30 something miles. I freaked a bit but figured that this kind of thing happens and nobody was going to
tell me I didn't do the race. At this point I was done with sandwiches and got a handful of pretzels. C&O section done - good run except for the GI issues in the middle. About 5 1/2 hrs. on the towpath.

And now I was back on the roads heading home. I chatted with another mom for a few miles before we split at another aid station. I made one more little mistake and grabbed some chicken noodle soup. Remember dummy - no protein for you but it was warm and it looked good. Well 2 miles later I was ducking behind a stone wall for an emergency pitstop. Oh well lesson definitely learned now.

Now I was less than 5 miles from home. Holy Cow - I'm really going to get it done. After the mile 46 aid station, I decided to keep jogging and walk only when absolutely necessary. I was ready to be done. It was dark by now and people were few and far between. It was the loneliest stretch of the race until the last mile. I passed the 1 mile to go sign and tears welled up in my eyes. I was 1 mile and 10/12 minutes from being done. I checked the time on my watch to make sure I was going to be under 11 hours. I passed through 2 intersections and a really nice cop told me the finish was just up ahead. He was so cheerful and I wanted to hug him. A few people along the road shouted encouragement and congratulations.

Then again in the darkness I saw a blue jacket coming towards me. It was Tony. :-) He ran along side me for a few hundred yards and pointed out where to go. He said he was proud of me then let me run in by myself. I raised my arms at the finish so happy and relieved to be done. I told the lady at the finish right away that I lost my chip and she got things squared away. I got my medal then found Tony.


- More trail running to get the legs ready for the jarring, unstable footing.
- Get in that 7 hr. / 40m run
- remember no protein (doesn't work for me)

We went inside for some food. Great spread again - Moe's mexican (burritos) and pizza. I got both. Surprising I was able to eat a good bit and have it not upset my tummy. We walked the 1/2m back to the van and drove home after a brief stop at Starbucks. :-) I wore my compression tights home and soaked in a hot bath using some nice scented bath salts that Tony got for me. Aaahhh - that felt so good.

All in all I came through the race in good shape. My arch was ok - the tape really helped. No blisters on my feet and very little chafing. It was a great day. I had wonderful support and the weather could not have been better.


Experience at this distance. It is very hard to predict how your body will react to this type of stress. I feel like I had a good plan and executed to the best of my ability. I had a solid training plan and got in a lot of good miles before the race. I think the next time I try to tackle this type of race, I will be better prepared.


This is a fabulous race with a lot of great history. The race staff and volunteers are fantastic and so passionate. It was truly a wonderful and memorable experience. It was amazing to see the number of local people who participate in this race and only this race. Not to mention the great military tradition that is carried on and how the military runners are celebrated.

However the race is in danger because of a bureaucrat who is in charge of granting AT permits. She refused 500 and those people were shut out. By 2013, she has told the race committee they are off the trail. This would be a tragedy to the race. However, congressional legislation has been introduced to give the decision to another group.