RACE RECAP: OMG what a day!!!

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I learned so much from this race, and it was really great experience for my 50k! The start of the race I was feeling really good — mentally and physically. I started in the back of the group and wanted to take the first 10 miles easier, since I knew I would need my energy for the last half.

I stopped at the first aid station to see my friend Amanda (she’s the best crew) and loaded up on nutrition. My goal was to have 400 calories/1 bottle of water per hour at least. After leaving the first aid station, I wasn’t going to see Amanda for another 8.5 miles. I made the stupid mistake of taking a smaller water bottle. 😩I ran out of water and no electrolytes until about mile 13.

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At mile 13 I was still in good spirits and chugged some tea eletrolyte crap at the aid station and filled up my water. My stomach was feeling pretty off. I was burping up my nutrition, but I kept telling myself I was fine and that my stomach was totally fine. Apparently, we had been through the hardest part of the race known as “the meat grinder” and I didn’t even realize it. During that part, we had to climb a lot and it was really rocky. I was actually really enjoying it!

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I felt really strong and hiked as quickly as I needed to conserve my energy for later. After mile 13, my tummy felt terrible I felt like I was either going to throw up or 💩 myself. I really had to have a coming to Jesus moment and tried really hard to stay positive and just breathe. I kept forcing myself to eat, even though it sounded terrible and my stomach was very upset. I kept trotting along and stayed strong.

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Once I got to mile 16 and saw Amanda again, she knew I needed to eat. I took an electrlyte pill and had a waffle. I felt like a new woman after that! I was mainly running alone, which was the hardest part for me. Being completely alone in my thoughts, with no one to talk to. lol I’m such a talker while I run, and I was having to talk to myself out there.

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Mile 21, was the hardest. I literally had ask Jesus for help. 🤣 I didn’t think I was going to make it! I had to hike some parts because my energy was so low. My tummy continued to feel bad. I started to force feed myself again and just tell myself one foot in front of the other. It was really muddy around this part and my legs were working extra hard. Once I got the final and last aid station, I knew I was going to have a climb for the rest of the race.

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The last 5 miles were basically ALL up hill. I drank loads of water, took more electrolytes and even ventured off my norm, and ate fritos! They tasted amazing!! The last two and half miles were all road/rocky road. You have no idea how happy I was!!! I was like, this is just like the workout you did weeks ago. I told myself I couldn’t stop. I never stopped running once. I just kept pushing and pushing. I felt really mentally strong at this point, mainly because I knew it was about to be over. I was also very emotional. I couldn’t contain my tears. I had never in a million years thought I could run this distance on trail. I use to be the kind of person who said they would NEVER run trail. I use to hate getting dirty. This experience was incredible and one I will always remember. I learned so much! I really can’t wait to get back to training and find better ways to improve for the 50k!