Nick Lang
LunarTrek 50k
Posted by Nick Lang on Jul 17Since Laurie has been training for so long wrt to the Leadville Trail 100. I've kinda taken a back seat to training. Not saying that I've stopped training. I've just been lacking in enthusiasm and not really having anything to train for.
I've gone out on some long runs with Laurie and Sarah and had good times. I haven't felt like I've lost that much speed since earlier in the year. So I figured what the hell I'll do the LunarTrek 50k. It's a short race. It's a good distance and the course is relatively flat. I thought what better purpose for this race than to try and PR my 50k time and not only PR but finally get that sub 5 hour finish!
Laurie and Sarah were both signed up for the 100k so they needed to leave Lawrence early. Justin was making a trek out to KC to drop off Nate as his parents house. So, since we all couldn't go together, Laurie and Sarah took my FJ and I waited till Justin got back to Lawrence to take off in chase!
As Justin and I were approaching Scandia, the sunset decided it was going to give us a show. Thankfully I brought my camera with me!
Shortly after some shots of this great sunset, we continued our march to Scandia, where the thunderstorm took hold. This storm was very intense, and shortly after the lightning got bad, I got a call from Laurie saying that the 100k start has been delayed an hour. The good news is I was going to see her off. The bad news was the 100k was starting an hour later.
Justin and I made it to Scandi, I grabbed my stuff went in the school to register. As soon as I walked in the door I made a loud obvious statement: "Did you guys know there's a storm outside?!" I got a couple chuckles and mostly groans in response.
Ok enough pre-reace talk what happend on the course!
They launch a firework to signal the start of the race. I took off with mostly the lead pack. There were a ton of kids who were doing the 10k and 11mile run. Who were just out running as fast as possible and goofing off. I chuckled remember that I too was once that obnoxious!
The first 5 miles were really nice. The ground was soft, but not too slippery. I was able to run without my light. Mainly cause there were so many people with lights. The next half a mile I needed my light, the trail was really muddy, rocky, and descended into a pool. Deeper-than-my-ankle deep water and mud made for slow going. Luckily though my legs were fresh so I could maneuver this section pretty easily.
Trudging through the first aid station, I checked in, topped off my water, and headed out into the darkness. This part had the first big (and really only big) hill. It wasn't too bad. I walked some of the steeper sections ran the rest. Cresting the top of the hill I ran down, crossed the highway, then the train tracks, then turned left and headed down the next section.
I could see some sort of beacon flashing in the distance, I thought perfect someone to chase! My alarm went off, I had a hammer gel, and then I went into chase mode. As I got closer I started to realize that this person was REALLY tall, and for whatever reason this person was running in the corn field! Turns out it was just the light on the top of one of those giant watering machines. Oh well. Shortly after the beacon was another left hand turn and it was about a mile to the next aid station. This was the "girls aid station". As I entered some girl said "Nice beard!". Laurie, who happened to be in this aid station at the same time, piped up "No it's not shut up!". I laughed, checked in and checked right out. No need to fill up since my bottle was still 3/4 full. I thought to myself I should've drank more water on that last section.
Starting the last section before the turn around I quickly caught up to Nathan from Lincoln. Nathan and I ran together to the turn around. I looked at my watch, 2:14 and change. I thought to myself, "Perfect, well on time to finish in under 5 hours". At the turn around I had to get new socks. The mud before had caused some weird balling and collection of mud under my toes. I filled my bottle, restocked my shorts with hammer gel and we were off. Leaving the aid station I looked at my watch again to find out how long I was in there. 2:14. I thought to myself, "WTF, somewhere I hit stop on my watch and I have no idea how long it's said 2:14." Not a mile into the return trip my stomach started to act up. I told Nathan to go on without me. I had to sneak off the road find a private spot and take care of some business. Afterwards I put a ginger candy in my mouth and sucked on that. Started running again and feeling better. Glad it was a short fit. Not sure if i was going to be able to catch up to Nathan I just got in to my groove.
The weather was starting to get warm and I was drinking my water faster now. I was feeling myself starting to overheat, so I squirted some water on my head and the back of my neck. Helped out. Especially when the breeze picked up. I was a bit hesitant to use my precious water outside my mouth, cause I would also need to keep from dehydrating! Luckily at the very moment I took the last drink of water I could see the aid station, it was about a quater mile away. No big deal. Running into the aid-station I drank a cup of coke, a whole bottle of water, and refilled my bottle again, took some Pringles and left. Nathan showed up just as I was leaving. Turns out he had a stomach issue as well and I passed him in the dark.
I had less than 10 miles to go now. Single digits I was still feeling good, albit a little hot. The lightning started picking up and the breeze came in larger gusts. I said yes, bring the rain! Soon it started raining. The rain felt amazing. It really cooled me off and I was able to pick up the pace a little bit here. Not really thinking about what lay ahead of me. This rain storm made the hill I had to climb really slippery, especially since I was running in my Inov-8 F-Lite 230's (flats). I had to walk, slowly. up this long climb. Every step slid out from under me it seemed. I really wish I brought my X-Talons. They would have been perfect for this section. Eventually I saw Laurie again, she was running with Adam. It was nice to see her though we both had our goals, so she head-butted me with her headlamp and took off. I think we were trying to kiss but it just ended up with a headlamp in my face!
Finally I reached the aid station, I knew I had about a half a mile of this shitty ass mud! I asked the people there what place I was in. They said either 2nd or 3rd. I laughed, "Really?" They said "Yep". I couldn't believe it. Me in the top 3. Well that being said I should take off and not let anyone pass me! I left the aid station and again it was slow going. The pool of water, the deep mud, really slow going. Really wish I had the right shoes for the terrain!
After leaving the muddy section I had to stop and take the mud out from between my socks and my shoes. I had accumulated about 2mm high mounds of mud under my toes. This process took longer than I would have liked but well worth it cause the mud under my socks was incredibly uncomfortable. Nathan caught me at this part and it was nice ot have someone to run with and talk to for the remainder of the race. These last 5 miles were pretty much a game of chicken "Are you gonna walk?", "If you walk I'll walk." We didn't walk except for one hill, at which Nathan stopped to pee so I took that as a chance to walk and let him catch up. We finally saw the school. Excellent. Almost done.
When we reached the turn that takes us up into the parking lot I said, "Alright, time to finish strong!" We picked up the pace raced up the hill and rounded the back of the school towards the finish line. Crossing the finish line a second or 2 before Nathan the time keeper shouts "5 hours 38 minutes". I replied with an "Aw shit, really?" I knew I wasn't going to be 5 hours today, but I was still hoping that I could beat my 50k pr time. Turns out I did neither. I laid down on the ground, relaxing, breathing. Happy to be done when the RD walks over to Nathan and gives him his finishers award. Then walks over to me and hands me a first place age group award! Well that's cool at least I got an award right? Turns out I also finished 3rd overall. So I didn't beat either of my goals, but I still placed 3rd overall. So I'll take it!!!
Waiting for our drop bags to return to the start so we can go home!