Wild Hare 50k

My plan was use Wild Hare as a test run prior to Bandera.  However, thanks to a bit of fortuitous timing, I signed up for the Dorset Ultra so now Wild Hare was 2 weeks before Dorset so I thought to use it as a gear check and last long run.  The required gear list for Dorset includes wind jacket, first aid, foil blanket, mobile phone, hat, gloves, whistle, water for the 7 to 10 miles between aid stations, and whatever food you may need for the full 34 mile run.  So I loaded up the pack and headed out to Warda.

Lap 1 

Went out a bit too fast but nothing new there.  The lead group of 6 or so jetted off.  I had never run here before so spent the first loop becoming familiar with the course and plotting it against the course map I had looked over.   One of the great things about joining up with a running group is seeing your training friends on the course.  They are always good for a smile and a word of encouragement.

Came through at about 73 minutes for first 8.5 miles.

Lap 2

Since this was practice for 7 mile apart aid stations, my plan was to only use the main start / stop aid station to refill on water.  I also was carrying the food and other supplies I’d need.  Stopped briefly to grab some more water and then walked for about a minute while eating a Stinger Waffle before heading out again.  From here to the next aid station, ran about on my target pace (10 min miles).

Half way through each loop as steep decline through a set of switchbacks.  A couple other 50k runners and I approached the drop in only to run right up the backs of some 25k runners who pretty much stopped and then tiptoed down the path.  This was one of the narrowest sections of the course and there was pretty much no way around them.  After a couple requests, we got them to stand aside.  I loved those downhill sections since it is a nice time to stretch the legs out and fly so I was disappointed to not to be able to run them on that loop through.

It was during the back section (the fields) that some warning signs started to arise.  First my feet started with the hot spots.  I had been struggling with various foot pains for the past 2 months so that wasn’t unexpected but new was a hot spot on my left foot.  The bigger issue was that I was starting to labor with my running more than I expected.   I had the same thought that David did about training patterns being one of the possible causes.

Worked my way back to the start / stop aid station and came through at about 2:23 for 16 miles which was just about exactly on pace.

I spent about 8 minutes at the aid stations changing into a different pair of shoes and re-filling on water.  I wasn’t feeling good and I believe it was here I informed Joe that wasn’t all that fond of him.  Good natured, of course. Mostly.

Lap 3

There is always something new or unexpected when running for a long time on the trails.  The Wild Hare course isn’t really that technical, hilly, or difficult on the surface.  But for this race, we had a warmer weather and lots of humidity.

Lap 3 quickly became a struggle and by the time I reached the mid-point aid station I was cramping up.  I thought I was drinking enough so I loaded up some s-caps and had a banana + some gatorade and then headed back out.

The course plays a some mind games with you at this point.  Line of sight, you are never very far from the aid stations but on the course you may have 3 miles to go.  It is so easy to just walk off the course and be back at the start / finish line to be done with it all.  With about half the loop left, my main goal became not to get lapped by the leaders.  I expected them to come in around 4 hours.   I made it, but not my much.

On the plus side, the change of shoes seemed to help with some pains but the MT101s seem to collect little rocks and twigs.  It was here where I decided to let my wife order up some dirty girl gaiters.  I can only imagine what pattern she will inflict on me.

Lap 4

Simply a struggle at this point to stay running.  I looked forward to the uphill sections since it was an excuse to walk.  I was walking elsewhere but at least I didn’t feel bad about walking the uphill.  Stops here and there to empty the shoes (discovered later that what I was imagining as a twig in my left shoe was actually a very large blister).  Played leap frog with a few 50k runners but mostly lost places.

Crossed the line at 5:33.  By nature, I am disappointed with the result.  I always want to do better.  Lots of should of, could of, would of that run through your head.  But this was my first 50k and the basic goals were:  complete this distance so in my upcoming races I can focus on running and not question whether I can simply finish the distance, test out some gear, and learn new lessens (or re-enforce what you already know but sometimes fail to do).  All accomplished.

Post race

Beer, burgers and hanging out with other runners is pretty much why we run ourselves into the ground.   After a few hours of recovery disguised as hanging out and helping with medals, I got in the car and headed home.

“If it was easy, Oprah would do it.” — Joe Prusaitis, Race Director, coach, all run trail bad-ass.

I didn’t expect to struggle so much the last two laps.  For all the various reason I thought up, it was the most obvious:  dehydration.  Even after several beers, burgers, chips, coconut water, etc, I was down 5 pounds when I got on the scale upon returning home.  Ouch.  I know better and I really thought I was drinking enough.  It is pretty apparent what was happening in hindsight and this serves as brutal reminder about staying on top of hydration.