I started this blog to document my attempt at my first 100 miler more than a few years ago. I was finally successful in 2016, and for some reason (and regrettably), have not been back to add the multitude of races I have done since then. The idea that only 100 milers are worthy of a blog post is unfortunate for me, since some of the races I have done since have been pretty epic, including my DNFs of this past year, when I went WAY outside of my comfort zone to try hard things!
Now its 2019, and I am determined to capture at least some of my runs, since my memory is not all that great, and I really enjoy sharing these runs!
Long Haul 100 was an impulsive registration, as are many of my races. Pay the money before I have too much time to think about it! A few of my friends were doing it, and encouraged me to join. That FOMO is a powerful thing! In addition, since the RDs were hoping to get 100 finishers to make this a WS qualifier, the price was only $75! Can't beat that for a 100 miler!
So, that is how I found myself sitting in my family room with half of what I own spread on the floor wondering how to get it on an airplane from Dulles to Tampa.
Lucky for me, my husband is a McGyver type guy who can figure out a solution to pretty much anything, so we were locked and loaded in no time.
Once we arrived in Tampa, we immediately went to packet pickup, which was at the race site, Cypress Creek Preserve in Land-o-Lakes, Florida. It was a beautiful day - 76 degrees, sunny...and with the website saying that this is pretty typical January weather, I was so excited to finally get a break after an entire year of snow, mud, and record rainfall. HA! The first hint of trouble came when the weather forecast dramatically changed about 12 hours before the race start. True, Saturday would be fairly pleasant, even a little warm, at 75-77, but then thunderstorms were predicted overnight with strong winds and an approaching cold front. Considering my luck with long races, I should have expected that the "average 3 days of rain per month" would all occur during THIS weekend!
I had prepared for rain, because, well, I was running, so no issues with clothing. However, since we would be camping during the race, and since we had traveled by air, we were somewhat limited in our supplies. No fear though, McGyver (and Walmart) to the rescue, with a mini pop-up, tarps, bags, and even a collapsible wagon to hold everything. Our campsite looked pretty sweet.
This race was a one mile run from the parking area to the "hub" and then eight 12.5 mile loops through the preserve. I have had luck on loop courses before (well, except Umstead), so I took great comfort in knowing that all the things were available multiple times. Since we were camping at the hub, we actually ran past our site 3 times during each loop. I even stopped carrying anything besides a bottle of water after about 25 miles. Getting rid of my pack really helped cool me off in the heat of the day Saturday.
There were three "trails" within the 12.5 mile loop. The first was a pretty exposed out and back that ran along swampy areas, grasses, and short wooded areas. This was by far the longest trail, and would prove the most challenging after the rain. There was an aid station along this trail, where one of the volunteers was giving runners hugs - which to me, felt like an instant charge of energy late in the race. The second trail began with a jog up a paved road, then turned into a beautiful pine forest. It was pretty cool running along the pines, and then into a white sandy area. Aid Station 3 was here, and the volunteers were outstanding. By the 3rd or 4th time through, they had my electrolyte capsule and food ready for me! (gotta love small races). The third trail was short, but included a lot of sand and tricky footing, with many mounds and holes that necessitated walking a lot if you valued your ankles. Then back the hub, and Aid Station 1, which had a pretty extensive set up with everything imaginable to eat.
I was running with Jackie, a fellow ultra runner from D.C. We have very similar paces, and I really enjoy her company. In fact, the early miles really went by quickly, alternating conversation and quiet, just enjoying the day. At some point, we became separated, as she got ahead of me on one of my stops, but we were soon together again, and ran together until about 60 miles in. At that point, many in the race were developing blisters, and in the end, this is what ended many of their races, including Jackie.While we stopped a few times to tape feet and change shoes, this course was not really foot friendly. I was so sad to lose Jackie, and panicked a bit thinking of continuing through the night without her. She is so bad ass, with all her finishes, I was looking to her for guidance to make it to the end.
But, I carried on. Round one of the rain started, and it poured. I was wearing a poncho, which did a good job keeping me dry. It was still so hot and humid, even with the rain. Then the wind started, so I used my waist light as a belt to keep my poncho semi-still, but it still blew everywhere, especially the hood. The next time through camp, I grabbed my hat, so I could use that to keep the rain out of my face. Trail one was becoming pretty messy, and in the dark, with the mud and swamps, it was pretty creepy out there. Luckily there were other runners, and seeing lights in the distance coming the other way felt comforting (not like being on the Massanuttens in the dark all alone!) The sand actually got better with the rain - in fact, in some areas, it felt like concrete!
Funny, I was never tired - not once. I did see things though - at one point I swore a pick-up truck was parked near the trail, and it wasn't until I did the last loop in the daylight that I realized it was just a fallen tree! Even though this was a preserve with armadillos and wild boars roaming, I did not see the eerie eyes in the night. But then again, my eyes were pretty focused on the little beam of light in front of me. Each time I came back to the campsite, I would just let my husband know I was coming through, but let him get some rest. I did envy him sleeping in the tent with the pouring rain and thunder, as that is one of my favorite things! He earned his sleep though, and I am glad he was rested so he could do the final 5 miles with me.
As the sun came up, I was definitely on a mission. While a lot of folks were walking pretty slowly, I was picking up time. Once I get to know I will finish, that is just what I want to do - as quickly as possible! I ran/walked with John from Vermont, and he commented on how fast I walked and how that was definitely a strength for these distances. I was trying to keep a 14-15 minute per mile pace from 85 miles on, which was tough, since that first trail had turned into a boggy, swampy mess with thick, thick mud. More than once, I thought I would lose a shoe!
I think my 7th loop was pretty quick, and then I took my time on the 8th, mentally saying "goodbye" to all I had passed and experienced. I also used this loop (since it was light and no longer raining) to take some pictures of the course. It really was a pretty course.
As I came through our camp for the last time before the finish, Steve joined me for the last 5 miles. I am so glad he got to see the the Pines and Armadillo Ally, but more importantly, he kept my mind off the now very strong and cold wind that was blowing and the sideways rain, which had started again. I was also just starting to feel a very deep and painful blister and on the bottom of my foot. We were moving, and so close to the end! As I started the very last short trail, Steve took a short cut to the end so he could be at the finish line. Past Aid Station 1, up the hill, and over the mat! I finished in 29:33:04.
After getting a great hug from Steve and my buckle from the race director, I got a very sweet ride back to our campsite complete with a blanket (even though I insisted I could walk). I am not a crier, but that almost did it, as the driver made me feel like a rock star!
This race was an amazing experience. Up until 2 weeks before, I was thinking of canceling. A good 50 K two weeks before, followed by a 12 mile run the next day helped my confidence, but it was a strange sense of calm that really helped me. I remember reading "If you think you can, or if you think you can't, you are right." This is exactly what happened here. I knew I could do it, and I did!
Other than blisters, I felt pretty good after. After sleeping from 4 pm Sunday to about 4 am Monday, and a VERY hot shower, I was able to do a lot of walking on the Tampa River Walk and through the Tampa Aquarium (very cool btw). That was followed by the best chicken salad wrap and fries I have ever eaten in my life, and then a drive to Clearwater to watch the sunset (and eat more food). It was cold and windy but beautiful. Packed up Tuesday (Steve again using his Mcgyver skills to get all the stuff he bought home) and headed to the airport. Overall , an amazingly great experience. Worth resurrecting the blog for...LOL.
What worked:
Road Shoes until mile 50, then Altras
Lots of Sunblock
Cheap Poncho
Waist Light
Oatmeal Cookies
Oranges
Electrolytes every 12 miles
Protein Shakes and Coffee
Body Glide
Compression socks for the night
Charging Garmin on the run
Diluted Sweet Tea
Lots and Lots of Ice in my bottle
What didn't:
Gatorade (electrolytes instead)
Pack (really didn't need it with on a loop)
Running the Armadillo circle (up and down was fine)
Music (never used it)
PortaPot (so much easier to go in the woods)
