With my 50 mile race being just 3 short days away, I guess I'll try to face reality and address it in this blog.
Some preparations: I spent some time Sunday researching ultra marathon tips for running and for what to pack, and made a detailed spreadsheet with all sorts of things I need to do, bring, wear, and put in my drop bags. The race offers two drop bag locations, which seems pretty generous, at miles 23 and 39. Drop bags mean you put things you will need later on in the race in a bag, and the volunteers will have it ready for you at those points. Which is extremely nice and helpful of them, but I have no idea what I might need or want at mile 23, and especially not at mile 39. Hopefully it will be whatever the people who wrote the ultra marathon websites I looked it wanted at those miles, because that's what I'm packing.
Kari helpfully suggested yesterday that I pre-write a post in the event of my untimely death, schedule it to publish Sunday morning, and just cancel it if I do actually survive. I said I would be too busy packing drop bags and watching vampire births, so she said to give my login information to my mother, who would inform my faithful readers why there would be no recap post. So, Mom, keep an eye out for that email.
She also said that the lead woman ran JFK last year in something like 10:28, so there's some idea of how long the race will take.
I have demanded that all my friends who will be seeing Breaking Dawn with me Friday night carb load while we watch, and I think that will help.
I have no real specific hydration or nutrition plan, other than to drink a lot and eat a lot at every aid station. I am also bringing some food of my own and Gus just in case I get hungry in between stations.
I also have no pacing plan, other than to avoid going out too fast, and to walk the hills. I think the dark at the beginning will help to prevent that.
So, all in all, I pretty much have no plan, except to try to run/walk/crawl 50 miles. I'm a little sad that crossing the finish line will be so anticlimactic - no medal, no finishers area, no cheering spectators, just cross, find Eric, and go home. I'm sure I'll do enough bragging to make up for that though. Cross your fingers for me.
Here is where I used to document my attempts to train for marathons, ultramarathons, and triathlons. Now I chase my two toddlers, and occasionally fit in a run around working and sleeping.
Correction: the first 28 year old woman ran in that time. The fast chicks run it under 8 hours.
ReplyDeleteWe get medals and some people cheering. My race is cooler than Stone Mill. I also don't have to get my feet wet. :)
Just go with my marathon plan: Step 1, start running. There is no step 2. It worked.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, and HAVE FUN! You have trained for this thing like crazy and you'll have crazy fun.
Ahh you are crazy to do 50 but mad props to you. I will never be as amazing as you!
ReplyDeleteHey, that's my hydration and nutrition plan. Enjoy your weird vampire night.
ReplyDeleteIf there's no post on Sunday I honestly would be worried. I still can't believe you're doing this. About the cheering spectators at the end - would you really want to stick around and eat/chat with people? Or just go home and sleep? Maybe it's better this way! Plus you can brag on here nonstop and whatever your time, people like me will be AMAZED that you just ran 50 miles!
ReplyDeleteYou almost gave me a heart attack when you wrote that the first woman didn't cross the finish at JFK until 10:28! LOL! We don't have the drop bag option which I am bummed about, but lotsa aid stations and hopefully my parents find me.
ReplyDeleteGirl,you're going to do great. Sorry you wont get a medal, but your fanfare will be here waiting for the results!! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's going to be such an awesome/insane race! Also, I think that no matter how big or small a race is, if the distance is fifty freaking miles, there should be a medal at the end. Even if you made it yourself out of tin foil.
ReplyDeletei also wrote this on kara's blog but i am so excited for you! i think it's great that you are seeing breaking dawn on fri night. why the hell not? it'll take your mind off the race.
ReplyDeletei can't wait to read all about it. think of all the dessert you can eat on thanksgiving!!!
oh my goodness, I cant believe that is in 3 days!!! how awesome, I cant wait to hear about it and I know you will rock it..what is next for you and Kara leadville :)
ReplyDeletekara's comment is hilarious and ya you'd better run a sub 8 hour Alyssa!!!! j/k you are gonna rock it :)
ReplyDeleteYou're going to do great and I can't wait to read all about it from you on Sunday! Good luck and enjoy Twilight!
ReplyDeleteyea! good luck alyssa - you are going to kick major booty on saturday and i'm super excited for you!!!!! can't wait to hear all about it!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that Kara is just super jealous of your dropbags. I can't wait to see Breaking Dawn (and I can't believe I admitted that in public). Good luck this weekend!
ReplyDeleteI could be convinced of running a marathon at some point but never 50 miles. You're amazing!
ReplyDeleteWell, look at it this way. If it turns out to be too difficult, you can always wimp out, and just do that easy-ass JFK thing instead next year as a confidence booster, then come back to this again later.
ReplyDeleteyou forgot to mention part of the non-plan
ReplyDelete1- you are running with one of thee BEST running buddies - ME
2- our index card topics
I'm glad I was able to help so much with your prep. I think I will see breaking dawn (probably by myself) this weekend too to prep for the marathon. If it works for an ultra, it's got to work for a measly marathon, right?
ReplyDeleteDid you check out Stone Mills 2010 results? It won't matter because they changed the course this year so who's to say how fast we can do it, right?!
ReplyDeleteI think your plan will result in an immediate 50 miler PR and a happy finishing line crossing!
I promise if I finish before you to be cheering like 10 people for you as you finish, if you promise to do the same for me if I need up crawling across. Oh and I'll have some of the family there too so we'll make up for the smaller crowd.