Pulse Endurance 24 hour race

 First 24 hour loop race! 

To loop or not to loop?

One of many muddy paths to travel 

 

Go time was Friday at 6 PM at Eagle Island State Park in Idaho just outside Boise.  They had already change the course due to flooding on the old course. The loop is 2.62 miles long and you could only run clockwise unlike last year when we could change directions. A nice perk is that every time you finish a loop you can stop at the station for needed fluids and nourishment. But unfortunately it can also be the pit of despair because it enticed you with shelter from the wind, rain, had all sorts of food, chairs and heaters. The longer you stay in the aid station the more time that is sucked away. My goal was to try to make all my transitions as smooth as possible getting in and out fast. Any food that I was eating a took it to go forcing myself a mandatory minute or two walk. The Ding Dongs in the middle of the night rocked.

It had been raining off and on all day long.  The rain started again about a hour in to the race. It started easy but then pounded us for hours. It stopped about sunset and a rainbow shined bright, which made for some great pictures. I took the rainbow as a sign from God that he had answered my prays and gave thanks. The rest of the night we dealt with the effects of the rain. The weatherman foretasted it to continue raining till 1 AM. This is the one time I was glad the weatherman was wrong. The rain came down so hard at one point I found myself in a depressive hole wondering it I could last 15 hours more. Your mind can make or break you in an ultra. I am grateful for a friends text that showed up at the right time.  "Just keep making it fun and keep rocking out!" I put on some tunes and did just that. 

I led the race for the first loop at a relaxed easy 7:30 pace for fun.  Jose (a fellow competitor) passed me on the 2nd loop. I was fine to let him go and found my own pace. I didn't see him again for 35 miles. Looking at the tracking I could see how far I was behind him. At first 20 minutes and then 9. I was closing the gap. 

only Krash of the race

Parts of the course was better than others. I tried to find the perfect route around the puddles and mud pits. But failed again and again to keep my feet dry. One part of the course started as a small kiddie pool. Hours later it was a 50 meter lap pool mid-calf deep due to a nearby field draining onto the course. At first you could avoid it on the side but soon even that was flooded. Lap after lap my feet would get sopping wet. I had embraced the cold water. One time I even ran down the middle (note video below). Bad idea. Shortly after my dumb idea they changed to course cutting out the lap pool and many water crossings. I was mentally ready to go through that portion of the course but was thankful for the change. The volunteer who told me the news may have received a very big hug from me! What a relief to not have to deal with that! The course was now 2.1 miles long.

Throughout the night I changed my cloths for dry ones. Changing my shoes for dry ones was another blessing. My feet were in bad shape. Going to loose both big toe nails. I have a great picture of them....I will save you from it and not post it! The blisters underneath are so huge it has pooped up behind the nail and over the cuticle. Pretty impressive work (damn water).

Most of the time I ran by myself.  I enjoyed the times I ran with someone.  It was great change of pace and great company. One lady I ran with was Tess. She was doing the 100 miler as a relay with some friends.  I can't thank her enough for words of encouragement and comfort. Some people are just naturals at talking to others and calming them with out trying. 

Nanas' pre race game face

At noon on Saturday my daughter started the 6 hour race. It has been a blast training with her. She's a sneaky one. She asked me one day when she could run a marathon. I replied when you turn 18. Days or weeks later she asked if she could run the 6 hour loop race. I told her prove to me you want to do the race by running 3 times a week starting with 2 miles each time. She started with running 3 miles each run the first week by herself. At some point she unveiled her plan. "Do you think I can run a marathon in 6 hours?" She asked. I had been bamboozled. Props to her. We mentioned she doesn't get a medal with this race, but she did get a shirt with her name, race, and distance. She likes that better!

We ran the first loop together and then I picked up the pace leaving her to tackle the marathon on her own. She is amazing and determined. She finished the marathon with 5 mins to go. She paced it perfect.  Felt great the whole time and never hit the wall. Her longest run was 13.7 miles a month before the race.

What amazing weekend. I finished with 114 miles and finished in 1st place over all. That is the most miles I have run in one day. Natalie finished her first marathon and was 6th in the 6 hour race among females at least 10 years older older than her. The big question is "Will I do another 24 hour race?"  I think so but I don't know when.  I have a lot to learn about this kind of race and tweaking to do with my strategy.   

I have the best supporters.  My wife who volunteered and helped crew Natalie and I. I know she wants to be out racing with us.  She even walked a loop with me.  

Endurance Athletics has been my go to shop for some time now.  I can find every thing I need for training and racing.  The staff is awesome to work with and super friendly. 

Ice bath