I ran 50 miles yesterday

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
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Just 4 short years ago I was finishing the Couch to 5K plan that I see a lot of people participating in on this board. Yesterday, 70 pounds lighter, and in much better shape, I completed a 50 mile trail run!

I remember those days not too long ago when I could run for approximately 40 seconds before my heart and lungs felt like they were going to explode and I had such pain in my knees and shins. But for some reason, I stuck with it.

I fell into a crazy crowd of “ultra runners” thanks to one of my co-workers. I never knew people like this existed or that there were people doing races longer than a marathon. Earlier this year I was out on a ‘fun little run’ of 23 miles with them. One of the guys mentioned there was a 50km (31 mile) race the next weekend and I should do it. I had done one marathon a while back and really hadn’t been training for long races, but what the heck, I’m young and stupid, so I decided to give it a try.

Having a veteran ultra runner with me through the entire race helped me figure out the strategy to finish without killing yourself – basically run a lot slower than you think you should be!

I finished the race and placed in the upper half of finishers, so the crazy group of runners I’ve been training with told me I should try this 50 mile race they would be doing the next month. So, I reluctantly signed up for it.

This race took place in Leadville, CO – the start was at 10,200ft and it only went up from there. Not only that, but there wasn’t a single stretch of flat land on the course. The elevation gain over the course was 8,000ft. We were rained on, there was lightning threatening me above treeline, the sky opened up and poured hail on me. The trail was treacherous and gorgeous.

But through it all, I felt surprisingly good. I kept my heart rate in the low to mid 140’s and once I hit the last aid station with only 7 miles to go, I took off and used up all the energy I amazingly still had left and made to the finish line, passing several runners that looked like death by that point.

I reached the finish line in 9 hours and 54 minutes, which was about 2 hours faster than what I had estimated I would do!

I almost felt like crying as I approached the finish line as the strangest mix of emotions welled up inside me. I thought about the trajectory my life had been on before I started running and how far I had come in a few short years, and how I could still have some energy left in the tank after such a brutal day. But mostly I was excited to be able to stop running for the day.

So, to the couch-to-5kers out there, stick with it! It’s hard at first. I don’t know how many times I wanted to give up, but I made it and I feel so good now. Find some friends that are into running, set some goals, and find some fun routes/trails to get out on. You won’t regret it – the pain is temporary.

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That’s incredible. This is inspirational and I hope more will follow your lead.

3

That is awesome. High five!!!

4

Holy shit! You’re insane! And I mean that in the best possible way! Congratulations on your accomplishments, there!

5

Nice one! whispers (It’s easier on a bike, y’know)

6

That is fantastic. I hope you’ve inspired someone else who reads this!

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Okay, I have to admit - I have recently been thinking about training toward somthing like this next summer. I did a half marathon this summer (injured myself, way to go), but would be much, much smarter about training this time.

Thank you so much for the inspiration, I was worried that i was getting too old to consider it, but maybe…

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Poysyn, there’s a fellow in the local running club who regularly runs 50 and 100 milers and he’s in his mid 60s.

I believe the oldest woman to finish an Ironman is 78.

You’re never too old.

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Especially if you get a bike with an engine :stuck_out_tongue:

That’s an awesome achievement. If I’m going 50 miles under my own power, I’m walking it over the course of several few days - especially at that elevation. I did a couple of ten mile hikes at 9,000-11,000 feet last week, and they flat wore me out. I can’t imagine running that.

10

Dude, I almost feel like crying with you! Way to be!!!

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And for those who are :confused:, this Enginerd is not the OP EnginNerd.

12

That’s crazy. I live over a mile up, but just walking around Leadville wears me out.

Were those crazy Mexicans running this year?

13

Holy cow. You are certifiably insane. <tips my hat to you, good sir>

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Oh yeah - should have mentioned that. :smack:

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Dude. Impressive.

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So, when are you going to do the Badwater 135?

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What do you do for hydration? Do you know where the stops are for water, do you plan your route around where water is known to be, or do you bring a whole bunch with you at the beginning?

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I consider that cheating :cool:

I agree! The guys I’ve been running with are mostly around my parents’ age (50’s). I’m not sure how old you are Poysyn, but it seems like the older guys (and gals!) do better at these long runs anyway.

I have a 2-liter hydration pack (that is surprisingly lightweight) because I tend to sweat a lot (and also take electrolyte tablets throughout). These races have aid stations set up to help out. This particular one had them approximately every 7 miles. This was good news for me because as I was getting my pack refilled at mile 25, it sprung a leak… I had to make sure to drink enough at each of the aid stations to get me through to the next one.

Most of the runners had packs of some type. Some just use a bottle, and I saw a few crazies with nothing!

I’m not sure I’m crazy enough for that. My goal is to some day do the Leadville 100 (maybe next year). This year I’m pacing a section of it for one of the guys I’ve been running with to get an idea what it’s really like.

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That is a seriously, seriously inspirational story. I’m one week out from finishing C25K, and I still can’t believe that I’m actually running.

Thanks for sharing that.

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I was working in Death Valley during the start of this year’s race. I can’t believe what those people put themselves through. I was in a more remote, higher elevation area of the park, and it was 116 degrees at 2000 feet - Badwater must have been around 125.