I volunteered at this race several times and I love how laid back it is. There were 84 participants in the 50K and 50 mile: 18 in the 50 miles and 66 in the 50k. Also, it is advertised to Gulf Winds Track Club and others that anyone who wants to come do their miles here, simply come and pay $5 to have full support at the aid stations. So there are lots of people coming out at various times to spend time with friends and family. It's just a great atmosphere where everyone is so supportive.

My plan was 11 min/mile which, with aid breaks/etc. would have me doing each loop in about 1 hour 15 min. First loop was spot on. Second loop, Garmin lost signal but I think I was a little faster on that loop. Third loop, I was right on schedule; walked about 3 min toward the end of loop to take a gel and drink water. Fourth loop, I was thrilled to have Sarah run with me for a couple of miles but then she began manning the aid station at 2.7 again. I began tiring on this loop and walked multiple times but tried to limit walk breaks to about a minute each. (I fully support walking but I didn't want to walk much because my legs would begin stiffening up on me.)

For the fifth loop, my precious husband said he would run it with me. I was really looking forward to seeing him but I was afraid we might clash. I should not have worried because Karl was awesome!!! He was so sweet and kind. He suggested stretching when I got tight and stretched me out cuz I'd fall over on my own. He said all of the right things and let me walk when I needed to. But because he was there, I didn't dissolve and die like I wanted to. He was the best!

We were also so blessed with the weather! It was predicted to be 76. Thankfully it was overcast almost all day and I don't think it ever reached the low 70s. I was even cold for much of the first 3 loops but I consciously didn't overdress like I normally do.

Medals were great; they had an alligator on them. I'll keep mine a little while before sending to Medals4Mettle.

Oh, my brain goes out too dang much and I forget to follow the plan. I meant to take my dried apricots with me beginning the second loop and I meant to take a gel after each loop. Apricots didn't go with me until the 5th loop and I forgot to take the gel after 1st loop. Neither were diasterous because I was keeping up with hydration and food at the stations but it does make me angry to just forget.

Also, Karl suggested I stretch when I got tight. Duh, what a difference it made!!!! Need to remember that for the future. I'm big on post-race stretching and also believe in pre-race light stretching and warmups. But the only other times that I had stretched during a race was the pendulum swing when I was having hip issues. Dang it, stretch next time - downward dog and a few knee pulls.

Stretch, stretch, stretch. More chips, fig newtons, and potatoes. I drank my remaining Dr. Pepper's. Afterwards I had some of the spicy vegetarian chili.


Several things need to be recorded just so I can learn from them; they are not excuses. I was out 2 weeks in August due to an infection and 2 weeks in Sept due to back issues. My training had been going well but I was having trouble getting my long runs up safely. Instead of hitting long days per a schedule, I felt it was too soon because of my downtime. I began doing a long one day and then a sorta long two days later. Worked ok but it wasn't the typical prep.

Also I had issues with PF two weeks before the race. I had to rest many days instead of tapering per my schedule. And of course it messed with my head. But the PF didn't materialize that day so I refuse to blame PF for anything. The main thing was I was not as mentally there because of fear. Fear: can make you better or make you worse.


I love this race! I love the RDs and the volunteers were helpful and enthusiastic. This is a low key race in a beautiful place with stunning weather and fun participants. I love how we have race participants but then we have other people that are in and out during the day getting their own miles; it's like have racers and spectators intermingled. Because it's a T-shape instead of a loop, you see everyone all the time - going and coming.