who is doing an ultra this weekend? (Page 4)

yeats - 2011-12-16 2:42 PM For the latter half of this year I've been wanting to post on this thread, and now it's finally my turn Huff 50k trail race tomorrow. My first ultra! Time for some fun in the woods.

Awesome... how did it go?

yeats - 2012-01-02 1:24 PM

velasqu7 - 2012-01-02 1:45 PM

yeats - 2011-12-16 2:42 PM For the latter half of this year I've been wanting to post on this thread, and now it's finally my turn Huff 50k trail race tomorrow. My first ultra! Time for some fun in the woods.

 

Awesome... how did it go?

Uhh, not so good. Long story short, it was 28 degrees and snowing at the start and the trails were completely flooded, with half a dozen sections that had 12" - 36" of deep freezing cold water for 50+ yards at a time that you had to wade through on a 2 loop course. And nowhere on their site or on their FB page did they accurately describe the trail conditions that existed throughout the week leading up to the race, so I was totally unprepared for that. I dropped after one loop because I couldn't feel my feet for the last 1.5 hours, I was shaking uncontrollably from the cold, and I thought I'd either end up with frostbite or hypothermia or both. Two words: it sucked. The following Monday, I ran a self-supported 50k on these amazing trails in Delaware and had a bazillion times more fun, and I'm doing a 50k trail race this coming Saturday in Grand Rapids, so that should be cool. This is the 50k female winner. Her face says it all:

Whoa!!  that looks nasty indeed...    I can only imagine and you were right to drop.  No race is worth putting your health or legs in danger..  hypothermia is very nasty business.. 

Hopefully the GrandRapids 50K has better footing and weather too..     good luck, let us know how you do.

It's only 6 more miles than a Marathon; you'll do well.

Jungle Jenn - 2012-01-05 6:07 PM starting to get a little anxious...dont feel nervous just anxious of the "unknown"  I have 3 pairs of running shoes packed just in case case.  Weather is calling for upper 40's now so unsure what to even wear! Packed a short sleeve tech shirt with a loose fitting long sleeve then a light weight water resistant jacket that I may not even use in the am depending on how it feels at 8am. Its 2 loops so after 15 ish miles you can have access to your car to drop off and get supplies or you can put a drop bag at the same location....Im thinking about using the car as a drop bag.  Any last minute advice? Oh this is gonna hurt LOL  but i have a massage scheduled for Monday at 2:30

Remember to HAVE FUN out there! It might not "hurt" as much as you think. I don't want you to feel "cheated" if it's not quite as bad as you thought . Take the opportunity to revel in how lucky we are to be able to run. As far as clothes, I think the short sleeve tech with long sleeve on top sounds good and you can always tie it around your waist if needed and I'd only use the jacket if there's any chance of rain and you can carry it easily (camelbak etc.). And that's from someone who hates to get cold.

All I can say is WOW.  I just had the best time of my life at Bandera.  I'm totally hooked on ultras now.  I may even put triathlon on the back burner, or at least not as much of an emphasis.  Trail running is where its at!

I'm pretty sore today, but I can't wait to get back out there.  Bandera was beautiful, and the hills were KILLER.  Which makes me feel even that more bad!

Welcome to the dark side.. it is awesome over here..  I did my first ultra and I was hooked,  since then I only do ONE triathlon a year just to get it out of my system, this year I will do IM Arizona,  but the rest of the time is ULTRAS and trail running baby.   It is easier, and a lot cheaper..   I got selected to run Western States 100 this year so I am STOKED....    Don't hang the cleats, but definitely give your running shoes a chance to make yourself awesomer!!

Congrats Jenn!  The best part is...every ultra after your first there is an equally awesome feeling afterwards....  well.  usually  

Jim I can't wait to read the RR!

Enjoy!! I think i'm gonna take off a month of racing and come back in early april with another ultra.  Gotta start getting on the bike for tri's though!

I have been waiting to post in this thread since the Ultra forum was created. Now it's my turn! 

My first 50K is Sunday - The Cowtown in Ft. Worth. I've had some slight issues with IT Band/glute pain on almost all of my long runs, but have got them all in (save for a 10miler following a 20miler a few weekends ago) - with 24miles being my longest at one time. 

Enormous thanks to InnerAthlete (Amber) for accompanying me on nearly every long run for the past 3 months. It really made the difference in my attitude and motivation. It also helped that we had the most fabulous and mild winter in the history of Kansas.

Race week is finally here. I'm ready.