This post is from my husband John Jenkins. It is his NJ Ultra Festival race report, which details his first experience running 100 miles. The race was held at the NJ State Fairgrounds in Augusta, NJ, starting on Saturday, March 23, 2013. This post is a little on the long side but so was the race, so grab some snacks and enjoy.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
100 miles, 10 x 10 mile loops. This one is hard to put into words but I’ll give it my best.
“Go!” race director Rick McNulty exclaimed exactly at 7 a.m. And, with that, I started my first 100 mile run.
The first mile of the loop begins on asphalt until you reach the trail. It’s an old railroad bed on which you do about a mile out and back, and then another 3 mile out and back in the other direction. The trail was still frozen from the cold night, but this wouldn’t last for long.
I was 10 miles in at 1 hour, 32 minutes and 47 seconds. My parents and Maria created a Team U-Crazy set-up just steps from the finish line, where my gear and nutrition was stored. I grabbed a fresh bottle, and off I went to start my second loop.
90 Miles to Go
On the second loop, I talked to two guys and both had very different views of running 100s. The first guy was positive. He claimed it was no harder than a marathon, just a lot slower.
Hmmm? I hope you are right, I thought.
The second guy was also positive but cautious.
He said, “You might want to slow down.”
Hmmm. Was he right? I wondered.
My advice now that I’m finished? It’s great to talk to people during the race, but do not get sucked into their race. You are you. The last thing you need is someone sending you mental emails about how you are going to feel, introducing doubt or fear.
If you think you should slow down, then slow down. But don’t do it because someone else tells you to. If you feel good go with it, following the effort that you know you can sustain based on your training.
Pace. Pace. Pace.
Second loop: 1:30:03
80… 70… 60… Miles to Go
The next loop was uneventful, and I finished the third loop in 1:40:29. I was feeling the miles, but otherwise, I was okay. I was slowing a bit, but that seemed inevitable.
The fourth loop was 1:48:29, and at the end of this loop I did my first shoe change. It was at this point that I started to think a little about the magnitude of the day.
You just ran 40 miles and still have 60 miles to go. WTF am I doing?
The temperatures were warming to the upper 30s. The trail was starting to soften up and get very muddy. There were lots of puddles to navigate around and dry areas became high rent real estate, with all of the traffic of runners doing various distances on the same course. (There were also marathon, 50k, 50 mile, and 100k races on the same course.)
After a while I just ran through the mud, as it was taking a while for folks to use the edges around puddles. I avoided the traffic jam. It was just like home for an old clam digger like me.
50 Miles to Go
I came into the 50 mile mark in 8:28 total race time, making my fifth loop 1:56:36.
I stopped at the Team U-Crazy aid station and gassed up. The race director had two well-stocked aid stations positioned at the beginning and middle of each loop, and while I took advantage of those stations, I also had my specific nutrition that I trained with.
As I grabbed what I needed, Maria had the look on her face that indicated she did not like the way I looked. I notice that look every time she has it.
“Here. Eat some potatoes,” she said.
I felt okay but maybe I was a little low on calories. I stuffed my pie hole with some boiled potatoes and was off.
After I passed the 51 mile mark, my garmin beeped and I thought, I just ran the furthest I ever have. Way. Cool.
40 Miles to Go
I grinded it out to 60 miles and stopped at the U-Crazy Camp for fuel and fluid. The sixth loop was 2:05:29, and I remember saying to them, “My pace is starting to slow.”
My father and mother were like, “No! You’re doing fine. You’re great!”
I could feel the emotion of their body language and started to tear up. A few hugs and muddy kisses later, I was off.
As I ran across the timing mat, the race director Rick McNulty said, “Only 4 more,” as if it were only 4 miles. I laughed inside, finding humor in anything I could, like my key quotes from this loop:
- “I’m okay, I’m just stupid right now.”
- “I think I just shit myself. Oh no. I didn’t. Cool.”
As I ran from mile 60 into 70, it was starting to get dark, which would mean only 30 miles in the dark. I was actually looking forward to the darkness.
I completed the 7th loop in 2:05:29, total race time for 70 miles around 12 hours, 45 minutes.
30 Miles to Go – Meltdown Averted
After 70 miles, it was time for a change: shoes, socks and shirts. I sat down to change out both my shirts, shoes and socks. My feet were badly blistered, and I needed some dry socks. As I sat there, my dad cleaned the mud off my feet. That’s some love, there. Total stop time was maybe 3 minutes.
Freshly re-dressed, I crossed the timing mat, and my knee started to lock up big time.
Oh shit. I’m f#cked.
Maria saw what was happening and ran back to grab some Alieve. She said, “It will go away. Just keep moving.”
I was on the cliff in my head, thinking, I might be done. I might have to walk 30 miles.
“My knee is f#cked!” I yelled.
“Just keep moving,” she repeated.
After walking about a quarter mile, my knee loosened up and I started to run again. I couldn’t believe how much my knee had just hurt, and then it was gone. Just. Like. That.
Whew! That was scary!
But the fresh sneakers and clothing felt great. It was worth stopping. Happiness factor: 10 (thanks to @EpicBillBradley for this quote!)
I made some fueling changes that helped as well: I started using caffeinated nutrition. I popped a few chocolate covered espresso beans and drank cola at the end of each loop. Over 7 loops in and I was feeling good again.
At some point during this loop, I passed another guy in the 100 mile race.
He asked, “What loop are you in?”
I said, “My eighth.”
I asked him the same question. His response?
“My eighth.”
At that point, I realized the race was on. I calculated that we were in the top 5 at that point, I just didn’t know exactly where in that top 5 we might be.
So I pushed my pace to pass him, and I finished the 8th loop in 1:55:36, total race time around 14:40ish. I had 5 hours and 20 minutes to go sub-20 hours. That was my “secret” race goal. I hoped to achieve it.
After my knee gave out during the last aid station stop, I had decided that I wouldn’t stop at all.
About 50 yards away, I saw Maria and my parents ahead and yelled out, “I’m not stopping.”
Maria yelled back, “What do you need?”
“Two double caffeinated gels, alieve and a fresh bottle.”
My dad handed me the bottle, and Maria ran around to bring me the rest.
I cross the mat, with 2 more loops to go. I thought, A 20 mile run and I’m done!
At this point the course was getting lonely. But, I had my Road Noise vest cranking out Pandora and as crazy as it might sound, I felt good.
Most people were walking at this point. Some were talking to themselves, having full conversations. The demons were coming out and trying to make them quit. It seemed to me that the race really started at mile 80.
I finished my 9th loop in 1:49:51. 10 more miles, and I’m home.
As with the last loop, I ran right by the family, just slowing enough to grab a bottle, my gels, and some cola.
10 Miles to Go
As I was running the start of the final loop, Maria asked, “Do you want to know what place you are in?”
I said, “Not really, but…”
She told me 4th or 5th place. Then, as I ran into the darkness, I heard her yell, “JOHN! You are in SECOND place! YOU ARE SECOND!”
What had happened is that she thought I was in fourth based on the last loop, but I had passed two guys during the 9th loop. So, the race director ran out to correct it.
At this point, I knew I was going to finish, and hoped I’d maintain my lead. I saw the few guys behind me on the second out and back. I estimated that my lead was about 30 minutes or so.
As I approached the last part of this final loop, I looked at the sky and thanked the creator. I learned a lot about myself in the last 18 hours.
I crossed the finish line in 18 hours and 22 minutes, and nabbed second place overall. It was almost too good to be true!
I hugged everyone that would hug me. I fought the tears, but maybe a few slipped out.
Things I Have Learned
In any longer race you are so very vulnerable, at the edge. In one second you may cramp, tighten, lock up, get sick, or just lose it mentally. You can be so close to your goal, but in one second it can be taken away. Such is life.
First, the support of family and friends was important for my success, both on the course and in the lead up to the race. I am grateful to be blessed with such a strong support system. The running community is great – take advantage of the advice and support of others whenever you can.
Second, be present. As the race progresses your mind will want to wander. Stay focused on the present moment.
Third, stay positive. Your mind can go to some negative places. This is where you decide the outcome. Empty your mind of negative thoughts. No matter what happens you are going to finish. Don’t allow stop, quit, drop or anything like that to be an option in your thoughts.
Fourth, eat the demons to fight the low points. A local ultra runner and friend, AJ Johnson, told me a few days before the race, “Don’t forget to eat the little demons that will try to land on your shoulders; they will tell you nothing but lies.” This advice stuck with me, and helped me power through the tough moments.
Running a 100 mile race can teach you these lessons and more. It’s a painful way to learn a lesson, but the temporary discomfort is worth the understanding of how your mind is in control. When you take this control, the body can do amazing things.
As a practical matter, I highly recommend this race. The race directors are organized and well-prepared to handle the needs of ultra runners. They are friendly and very community-oriented.
The course is flat, but brings with it some challenges, which on this particular day included the mud, puddles, wind and cold temperatures (high of about 40).
Next up: The Vermont 100, July 20, 2013.
Follow John on twitter, @saltyrunr.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
What big goals have you set for yourself and met? Have you run an ultra? Do you want to? We’d love to hear your questions, comments or ideas! Please leave your thoughts in the comments.
