Ok, so here’s my RR.  Dizzy Fifties 50K (3 times around the North and South loops passing through the central and only aid station after each loop)

Started off with bad news, something came up and Immer had to back out two days before the race.  Left work early on Friday and went over to Fleet Feet to pick up my race packet.  Ending up spending a boat load of money, (no wonder why I don’t go that often).  I purchased some full length CRX compression pants, a case of Gu’s and a few of the Honey stinger gels.  I used them on my race and by far the most palatable gel’s I’ve tasted, a must try.

My wife and kids are out of town visiting family and so my daughter can go to the movie “New Moon” with our cool Aunt up in Lynchburg, VA so I was a bachelor for the weekend.  Came home Friday, rented Pelham 123 and ate a nice big bowl of pasta and still got o bed early.  As anyone knows, a good night’s rest before a big race is non-existent.  Got up at 4 am, fed the dogs and chickens, checked on the puppies and left for Monte Sano Mountain in Huntsville and got there about an hour before the race.  No warm up run, I figured that since this is my first Ultra and the furthest distance I’ve ever ran I didn’t need the warm up, plus this was a trail race so I raced to finish, not time.

6:30 am, we started.  I hung in the middle.  First up was a 2.3 mile pre-loop.  No problem, perfect weather (wish it was a bit colder [40’s to 50’s]).  Next loop was the dreaded North Loop (4 miles), all the horror stories I heard about it were ALL TRUE.  It was true trail running.  I actually think my time was slower down the steep hills because of the rocks and grade of the hills.  The back side was no picnic either, ended up walking just a portion of the hill due to the grade.  I was thinking that I have to run this loop 3 times today.  By this time I was starting to get passed by the more experienced runners so I kindly stepped to the side as they passed.  (I’m a rookie at trails).  Next up was the South loop, 5.6 miles of semi-flat trails.  I made up some time and tried to keep my pace.  My goal was to try and match my co-workers time of 5 hours (9.39 pace).  Reached the Aid station/start line/finish/line and on pace with a few minutes in the back to use later.  Wow I though, I can actually do run this thing in five hours.

North Loop again, this time the hills seamed steeper and longer, walked about a total of .5 miles.  Legs still felt great but the bottom of my feet were starting to hurt.  It was here where I gave up hopes on finishing in 5 hours.  So what if my co-worker can smoke me, this was my first ultra and I was going to enjoy it.  Reached the aid station and grabbed a handful of M&M’s.  They lasted about 15 seconds then I spat them out and grabbed a PB and banana sandwich I packed for the run.  Started on the South loop with sandwich in hand and water in the other.  At this time was when I was passed by the race leader, I just stepped out of his way and honored his speed.  He finished in 2 hrs 31 min., wow.  ¾ of the way into this loop I hit a tree root and took my first and only fall.  Got up and brushed off the dirt and leaves and kept going.

Last time through the North loop, I thought of quitting and wondered why I wanted to run an ultra, shoot, I even registered for 2 more over the next two months.  Am I crazy, I should get checked out, what was I thinking?  Hooked up with some of the local runners and was talking to them on the South loop.  (I may be crazy but they were insane)  They ran the first loop of this race, then drove to the Krispy Kreme race in town (run 2 miles, eat a dozen donuts then run 2 miles back) and were now back on the course finishing the race.  I heard all the horror stories and they regretted it but still trucking along.  I came across the finish line in 5 hours 30 minutes 25 seconds.  My first ultra!  Finished 23rd of 69 runners.  I thought this was pretty good because these were all true runners, who else would spend their Saturday morning running 31 miles up and down a mountain.  Since I am trying to do the Fleet Feet Grand Slam my next race is Huntsville Marathon on 12/12 then another 50K on 12/31 and end up with Mountain Midst on 1/23.  It is labeled as the toughest trail race in Alabama with some pretty strict cut-off times.  I just hope I can make it.