Aid stations were placed every five miles with any drop bags a runner may have brought along at miles 10, 20 and 30. I was nervous about this run because I had been sick for the previous two and a half weeks and only two days prior to the race was still feeling low. However, I had a plan and followed it like clockwork. I placed a fresh pair of socks, gels and fresh drink in each drop bag. In my mile 10 drop bag, I included a fresh pair of running shoes. Out of every 10 minutes I ran eight and walked and stretched two keeping myself strictly to a 12-minute pace. My plan was unfolding perfectly. I was exactly on time at mile 10, four minutes early at mile 20 and three minutes early at mile 25. At the 30-mile drop bag station while changing socks I noticed a large blood-blister had developed at the tip of my toe and had spread up under my nail bed and my toenail was being separated from my toe from the increasing pressure.

As well, because I was running continuously into a strong headwind, because I was running continuously uphill and because of the cardiac drift caused by 30 miles of running, I could not keep my heart-rate down without moving slowly. You all know that body mechanics are much less efficient at a very slow jog as opposed to a brisk walk or run so I ended up having to speed-walk most of the last eight and a half miles. Whenever I ran my heart rate would quickly bounce up into a zone where I was anaerobic. Even at a brisk walk, my heart rate was a solid 150 to 155. So there I was, surprisingly still in possession of the will and the leg-strength to continue running but the old ticker was not going to let it happen. Regardless, I did finish running. I pulled into Kingston at eight hours, 40 minutes and turned on the afterburners, covering the last bit of distance in two minutes.

My plan was rock solid. I do not know if I would have had less trouble with cardiac drift if I would not have been sick the couple weeks prior to the race. However, if I do another ultramarathon I will probably try and get more time in on my feet.

Immediatly into the hotel room and a tub of ice-water. Alternated between warm water soak and ice water soak for about 30 minutes while downing a recovery drink and started taking solid foods. After getting in some good recovery foods and a light rubdown from my wife I took a nice long nap.


I need more time and experience at running long distances.