I haven't got in all that much mileage in training, but I was medium healthy this year and that counts for a lot. I had done a lot of my running and races on trails and hoped that might help.
On the way up I dropped my dog off at my parent's who live medium close by. I had dinner there of eggs, potatoes and toast. I had had a big lunch before leaving. One concern was the early start and so I sort of had dinner at lunch and breakfast for dinner. I pulled into the race site just before 10 PM in the dark. Registration was still open until 11 so I got my kit. I walked around a bit around 10:30 but it was pretty quiet. Slept in the back of my car, it was plenty warm at least until morning.
Up round 4:30 then time seemed to fly. Coffee was on by 5 and I sat with the gang.
A bit rushed at the start but I just made it. It was a bit weird running in the near dark at 6 AM. Chatted a bit with a few people as we headed down the road. I took drop bag that I personally dropped t the aid station at 2 K. In it was a second bottle of Heed and some dry socks. We headed on at a good pace down the first 6 K on forest roads. By 7 K my average pace was 5:30/K, a little faster than I figured on but I felt relaxed. Onto the single track and that all changed, next split took 8:24. I'd heard there was some water on the course way out there but even here on Normac it quickly became tricky going. Rocks, mud and hills. Fun stuff though, and over soon enough. By 11 K we were back on the road and I dropped my long sleeve shirt in my drop bag at Aid 2, and switched bottles. The we hit the big out and back. Pretty technical going but I love that. I did trip and fall right at 13 K, that doesn't happen often. Just a little shaken up as I landed hard, but not hurt. The trail gets increasingly tough. Conditions are mucky in the low spots and its slow going. Some 9 minute then 10 minute splits. Often you could pick your way through the muck but it took longer. Even if you tried to go straight through, there were boulders and logs in the mud so it was tricky. It was sinking in that it would be a slow day. Besides the terrain I was mostly focused on the distance here to the turnaround. My knee had started hurting bit around 12 K and got a bit worse by 24. I took some Aleve, and never thought about it again. One less problem. I hit the turnaround, showing 24.5 K at 2 hour 58 minutes. I had counted 14 people coming back so ahead of me in the 50 K.
Heading back seemed slow at first, finally I was thinking about time. I knew I would be slower second half, and had little hope to hit my 6 hour time goal. I knew that's the way it goes, but it did get me down for a while. I now had to mentally prepare to be out there longer. Luckily the challenge of the terrain had taken my mind off of doing the distance for the first time. I started seeing the 100 milers as I headed back. Then it was the 26 K leaders flying out, sooner than I expected. I was eating 3 Clif Shot Blocks ( equivalent to 1 gel) every hour, and taken some zone caps electrolyte pills. Going so slow I felt, but I didn't see anyone for about a half hour at one point, but that means no-one passed me. Eventually I made it back to Aid 2 where my bag was. This was around 38 K and 5 hours. I had never ever run for over 4 hours before. Someone reminded me to turn right up the trail a ways and circle Lake McDonald. By the time I got to the turn, I caught up to a guy my age who was confused about where to go. I headed in first because I thought he was cooked. Shortly thereafter I got cramps in my hamstrings, and I stretched it out he repassed me. I followed him for most of Normac but passed him again at some point. I was feeling pretty good and strong here after 40 K. Then back on the road so there was just 6 easy K to go, that was a good feeling. Then ahead was another person in my age group. Slowly reeled him in and pulled beside. These splits, leading up to 6 hours, I went 6:00, 6:01, 5:50, and they seemed like mostly gently uphill. Effectively we were racing head to head with around 3 k to go. It was a good feeling until I cramped up again really bad, then I felt like a bit of an idiot. Both guys took off in the distance as I stretched out these most painful cramps ever, for over 3 minutes. I am dam fool oh yeah. I couldn't even walk there for a while. Getting going again I was beat for a while. Still it wasn't too long before I picked up my stuff at Aid 2 and headed down the home stretch. I picked it up again for the last bit at 6:06 pace. Done in 6:25:43. Probably around 15th out of ~57, I dunno.
That's me at 38-39 K, thanks Spaff for the picture.
I finished it in pretty good shape I think. My feet didn't hurt, no blisters, no GI issues, knee lasted fine. I was pretty happy. Maybe not with my time but it was tough going and that happens. I felt as much of an accomplishment conquering the course as the distance, if that makes any sense. I had a shower and the lunch. Grabbed a beer and hung out at the finish line for the next 4 hours. Good company and it was a beautiful warm sunny day now. After watching Mini-T, BJH and Strider come in I headed back to my folks around 4:30.
As for the race it gets good marks. You can tell the priority is the on course experience. It was well marked but still very confusing at the intersections, where you go different directions at different times. I was not impressed with the lunch provided. I ran my first ultra, and I get a brown bag with 2 stale bagels a a small packet of cream cheese? I've had way better at lesser races. It only made me feel as treated as unimportant when I heard that the 50 and 100 milers get better. Also I asked 3 times at the finish about results and was sent each time to the cabin 200 M away, that was always locked with nothing posted. Finally 3 hours after I had finished, they showed me my time but no standings. And now 3 1/2 days later they are not posted online. Still on course they were very professional and I felt safety conscious. It is a great course and beautiful country. I did not see any bears. I did see a wolf driving in Friday night.
All in all a very positive experience, tough but rewarding. It didn't hurt as much as I was expecting and I lasted well for such long time. I felt pretty good Saturday night but DOMS caught up with me Sunday afternoon and most of Monday. My outside hamstrings near the knee hurt most, then quads. Just stiff and sore. Tuesday now its gone and I ran 5 k trails no problem. I did it!
Next up is 10 K at Ottawa Fall Colours and Vulture Bait 25. I am considering doing the 6 hour ultra at Horror Hill, or maybe Hamilton Marathon if I feel like it.
