With the Sylamore 50k three weeks ago and still fresh in my mind and knowing that the course was going to be relatively the same. I knew that if I went out with a goal of being approximately one hour slower I would have plenty of energy and fresh legs the next day for the 50 mile race.
We started right off the bat with a big hill climb that was in the middle of the Sylamore 50k. I was fresh, happy, anxious, antsy and chatty, so I ended up running up the whole hill with a group of friends (new and old). After we reached the top the crowd had thinned pretty good and I was able to find myself in a comfortable groove. I spent most the day running with different people, bouncing back and forth between various groups.
The second aid station was the turn around for Sylamore, from this point on it was a new race for me. The weather was getting hot so I decided to take this opportunity to get some sun and try to tan my white hide. I left my shirt at the aid station and proceeded on shirtless. With the weather warming I wanted to drink my water faster but decided that I should rely on my reserves a bit and drink sparingly. This strategy worked for me pretty well.
Making my way along the trail this section of course was much more mountainous than I anticipated. I made my way over the top of this mountain, and started my decent. On the way down to the last aid station, I was concentrating hard on the trail ahead of me and didn't notice the leader of the race cruising up hill at me like a bolt of blue lightning.
The last aid station was an unmanned aid station with two jugs. One water and one gatorade. I had approx. 3/4 a bottle when I made it here, and briefly considered just continuing on and filling up on the way back. My thirst got the better of me, and I decided to fill up, have a large drink and fill up again.
I crossed the stream and continued on strong passing people all the way to the turn around. I wasn't sure where I was going. But at some point on the trail I heard someone mention that the turn around is supposed to be an orienteering card punch. Now at least I knew what I was looking for. I crossed paths with Abi Meadows who was running with PT they seemed to be having a good time. When I reached the turn around I punched my card, and was getting hot and thirsty. I drank a little more water thinking it wasn't too far back to the unmanned aid station and there I could get some more water.
I hit the turn around at my target goal time. I knew that the return trip was going to be just coasting the whole way back. On the way back I saw Sarah running with Coleen. I was a bit concerned that Laurie wasn't with em but I figured that she was probably just behind running with Deb and Debbie and Julie.
By the time I reached the unmanned aid station I was excited to get some more water. Turns out that the water jugs were empty. I wasn't really excited about this. I knew I didn't have enough water to make it back to the next aid station. So I trekked on ward. Hoping that I could make it back in time I decided I would push the pace just a tad to spend the least amount of time in the head with out water.
I started the big climb back up and shortly afterwards I ran into Laurie who was with Deb and Debbie. I told them (I think) that there was no more water and that they needed to be careful with their water supplies. Continuing on the trail I caught up with Abigail and we chatted for a bit. I told her that I was much happier knowing that she was way in front of me. Learning that she's running while testing an injury and getting ready for The Barkley I understood and soldired on.
Finally I ran out of water. I knew this moment would come. I also knew I was close to the aid station where I could get resupplied. I didn't know how far away it was, so I tried to pace myself at a good speed not too fast not too slow. Eventually I made it to the aid station filled up. Drank some coke, drank some water, some more coke. Ate some I can't remember what. And headed out. I knew I had less than 9 miles to go. Coasting that's all I needed to do.
Abi caught up with me on this section. I was feeling kinda burnt out from running out of water. Feeling the heat, the dehydration. I went at her pace for a while. Till we got passed by Julie (from Wisconson). After a few more minutes of running and talking with Abi I was starting to feel better and decided it was time to go. I caught up with Julie right around the top of the first big decent. Using my super awsome downhill running abilities I passed Julie and then promised myself I wouldn't stop running till I made the bend going up the second big hill.
Keeping my promise to myself I looked back and saw that Julie had caught up to me over the flats. Oh well she wasn't gonna pass me. I started my power hike up the hill. I knew it wasn't long till I reached the top. But of course it was longer than I anticipated. I reached a false summit, and I started my push too soon. Realizing my mistake I ate some stingers and drank some water and relaxed again. Before I knew it I was at the top of the hill and ready to start my decent to the finish line.
Cruising down I made my way to the finish line. Looking at my watch I was about 15 minutes ahead of schedule. I was a tad concerned that I was fast. I wasn't certain how this 15 min would come back to bite me (if it would) the next day.
After I reached the finish line I hung out with some of the Arkansas boys, eventually talked em all into joining me in the creek for a cold bath on the legs. I knew I needed to hurry it up a little bit cause Laurie and the rest of the girls would be coming in soon.