Ultra Mud Addiction

A flashback to my first "Ultra." The Dirty German 50K.

I like to encourage athletes to take some time post race to write down about their experience. When these memories come up several years later, it's a great way to see how far you have some. Here is one of my memories from my first 50K.

A Very Dirty German 50k Experience

Some distance running recovery plans suggest putting in writing the things that are still fresh in mind from the experience. So here it goes…

The last few weeks before the race, I was feeling really confident in my training that completing the 50K wasn’t going to be problem. My training plan was based on a few different plans I found – which I cobbled together to fit with my life. I had logged nearly 500 running miles plus 150 walking miles, managed several back to back runs – which is where you do a long distance run day and then the next day you run again on tired sore legs. Logging a few races in the mix.. but the main goal was to work my way up in miles with one week being high, then back off a little the next week, then amp up again the following and so on. All was to conclude with a 3-4 week taper. I didn’t taper quite as I had planned, I ended up doing a 16 mile trail run one week before the race on the actual course (or at least parts of it)– but I needed that to help me feel more confident about the speed I might want to go on the big day. The only immediate question I had nagging at me was, how fast I could do it? I struggled mentally trying to figure out what pace to hold.. running calculators suggest I could knock it out in under 5 hours based on recent races.. but I didn’t feel that was realistic considering the hills and trails I knew I’d be traversing without tons of real trail work in my training. I had mentally settled on trying to get in under 6 hours – and if I felt great out there I’d push myself to at least 5:30. However, mother nature was going to suggest a different plan for me!

About a week out, I began to stalk weather websites to help me pick out my clothing for race day. Forecasts were calling for upper 40’s and rain.. bleh! As the day approached.. the forecast refused to budge and I knew that rain was coming no matter what! I had done some of my training in the rain, including my longest training run of 26 miles was on a particularly cold soggy day. I held that thought close and kept reminding myself that I lived through that and while it was miserable at times it was sort of cool because I ended up seeing a lot of wildlife out that day – including a really cute Ginger Squirrel. Time to just suck it up cupcake and embrace whatever would be! So with the rain, my time goal changed to 6-6:20ish. And as my dear husband continued to remind me, just don’t hurt yourself!! Leaving for a vacation to Alaska in a few weeks – don’t want to be doing that in a cast! So goal #1 = Finish, #2=Finish unharmed, #3= Time goal maybe 6-6:20 ish.

Outside of the mental weather struggle, I focused on eating for the last few days – what fun! Occasionally it strikes me strange how I now really enjoy food. When I use to smoke, I barely ate anything. It was coffee and cigarettes and maybe Mountain Dew and more coffee. Not long after smoking, I think my taste buds began to change… and soon I was liking food a little too much! And I digress… So, I took the opportunity in the days leading up to embrace a variety of awesome carbs to round out my training: Deep dish Pizza, Beer, Sweet Potato waffles, Bagels, Mac & Cheese, Chocolate muffins… oh my! There was some healthier stuff mixed in there too… but these are the meals I remember most. Eating = check!

Next focus was getting everything ready. I had worked out with my running buddy (RB) who was also planning on running the 50K to meet at my house by 6:30. I didn’t want to be rushing around last minute that morning.. I wanted everything in place and packed to go. One important details was… “what do I wear?” Footwear was resolved, Altra Superior Trail shoes with gaiters and my awesome Injinji lightweight toe socks. As for the rest, I finally settled on CW-X Capri compression pants, my midweight techwick top and my EMS rainjacket, along with my trusty waistbelt water bottles. I knew that tighter clothes would be my best option on a cold day.. nothing worse than a cold shirt flapping against you! I was still not completely sure about the rain-jacket.. but figured that worst case I could drop it off mid-way through. Pack up some snacks for myself and my RB - ( a mix of sweet potato waffles with maple syrup, Honey stinger waffles, some banana chips and my weird blueberry-banana dehydrated things I made). Packing even more gear - change of clothes, towels, extra water, maybe a second change of clothes in case I decide to change at the half way point.. geez – you’d think I was packing for a vacation!

It’s funny to think that about all these little details in the days leading up to race day. I knew that I wasn’t going to be winning anything but to be honest.. I do have a competitive side and that side of me wanted to be as close as I could be to the upper end of my cohort group. Most importantly I wanted to come away from the day knowing I did my best and it was awesome! Scott reminded me how I really did put a lot of time and effort into my training – I had a vested interest in doing my best! Stay with me on this… but it’s like cooking (yup about food again). You put together this concoction of ingredients, effort, seasoning, time… you never know exactly how it’s going to come out (at least I don’t.. because I follow recipes very loosely)… but you want that meal to come out just right. You want it to be awesome. You want to be able to savor every last bite of it.. and when you are done eating it all.. you sit back and think DAMN that was Fracking good!

So all my ingredients were coming together nicely and the only thing left was to rest. Not always easy! That night I starting around 2.. I woke up about every hour making sure I didn’t miss my alarm. Before I knew it.. it was time to get up. Get up and let’s go! I could hear the rain outside already... but it was the day! I SO GOT THIS! Rain, mud.. whatever… I am getting this done! I felt really excited! Last minute items….

Lube , Get dressed, Coffee, Eat, More hydration (but stop drinking by 6:30), Tape ankle (my rolled ankle from a few weeks ago was good.. but better with some taping) ,Lube more! Lube every crevice that could rub! , Kiss pups and husband and thank him again for all his support! Thankfully he reminded me about towels – ooops pack towels! Set out Tequila and shot glass as friendly reminder to hubby to bring to finish line for me, Okay let’s go!!

My running buddy was going to meet at my house at 6:25 am.. Race starting at 8, that should be enough time to get there, pick up bibs, get situated, pee. She was prompt and we loaded everything up and off we went! As we chatted on our way to the race.. I could feel my excitement continue to build. As it turned out, my running buddy who came out with me that day, decided that this day wasn’t going to be her day. As for me, I don’t know that there is anything that could have changed my mind about me getting this done. It was in pen on my calendar - this was going down!

Looking at my phone, it was almost 8 - almost time to start the race. Last minute potty stop complete, time to shed the last layers, pin on the bib and get to the start line. A quick hug to my RB before she headed on her way and I made my way to the start line with a nice woman from Reading PA who was also doing her first 50K today as well.

It wasn’t much longer before we were headed off on the adventure! As we headed out .. I don’t think I made it more than 100 feet before I changed my time goal from about 6 hours.. to ‘whatever’.. finish and have fun playing in the mud!

Over the next 6 hours and 50 minutes.. I had a fantastic time. I had always heard how trail runs and the ultra running environment was very different from road races. Well.. it is totally true. Everyone was incredibly nice and supportive. If you were passed by anyone.. they always communicated with you and gave you “great job” as they ran passed. And when you passed someone else.. they’d say “have a great race!”.... everyone was so nice.. it was rather cool but also slightly unsettling at the same time. These people are all so damn nice! I won’t go mile by mile.. but here are some of the main things I currently recall about the experience:

#1. For the first few miles I was chuckling to myself as several people tried to avoid the mud puddles. I found it much easier to just splash right through them from the start. In fact the footing was easier to deal with in the puddles straight on rather than wasting energy darting back and forth.

#2. The “creek” which wasn’t really a creek anymore when we crossed it... I was very thankful that on the second loop we didn’t have to go through it again! That was a little sketchy the first time! By the second time there was just no way!

#3. Races like this are definitely not about a steady consistent pace. Intervals! You go hard when the terrain allows and then ease off in the sucking mud parts where you could lose your shoes!

#4. DO NOT forget to look up and ahead. While you need to pay attention to the ground.. there are low hanging trees and the girl in front of me found out. WHACK! Poor girl hit her head hard! She was okay.. but wow that had to hurt!

#5. Not sure if all Ultra races are like this one.. but the aid stations on the Dirty German were amazing. Delicious grilled cheese sandwiches, potatoes, hashbrowns, M&Ms, PBJ’s, mountain dew,... the list goes on! and the people were awesome too. You couldn’t help but stop and chat for a little! I really didn’t need to bring any food with me... they seriously had it covered!

#6. I thought it strange how the portajohns didn’t have long long lines like they do at road races.. well.. I think it’s because everyone has no issue going in the woods along the race course!

#7. There are some seriously impressive athletes out there that range in age. I spent some time with a gentleman who was doing the 50-miler and he was in his 60’s! Downright amazing! He pointed out that it felt like we were escaping from prison and the dogs should be chasing us.. the race really did have that feel to it - especially with the rain.. sort of felt like Shawshank!

#8. It sort of sucks to get lost on a trail race and accidentally add some steps to your race..oops! There were a few of us.. but we did figure it out within about a quarter mile.. what’s an extra half mile in the grand scheme anyway?

#9. By mile 27, I remember thinking.. wow I can’t believe I am actually feeling better right now than I did when I finished my marathon. This is a good sign.. since I still have 4 miles to go. However, at mile 30 I could hear the music... but was tuck in a maze of mud that did seem to go on forever! I was cursing that extra half mile then.

#10. At approximately mile 3, I tweaked my un-taped ankle. Yet, 31 miles in cold mud can actually be a blessing in disguise:) It felt great to dip my ankles into those deep waters and mud! Speaking of taped ankle.. it held up for about 15 miles before it began to fall apart. It did it’s job..and I stuck the falling tape pieces into my gaiter for the rest of the run. And gaiters are also extremely helpful at not only keeping rocks out of your shoes.. but they keep your shoes on in deep mud!

#11. People pay good money for mud baths.. here we were getting that AND an exercise regimen at the same time. I call that multitasking.

When it was all over.. I have to say I still felt pretty damn good. I did it! And adding to my joy on finishing it was great to see my husband Scott, my Mom and Andy waiting for me at the finish line. I knew I could do it.. but it’s really cool to actually have done it. The elements didn’t exactly cooperate in the manner I had originally hoped. However, as I reflect upon it... I think that it worked out just fine... The mud slowed me down and made me take in the day and really embrace it and have fun with it. It really was an adventure.

I will end my reflections by stating how truly grateful I am to have an amazing husband who supports me on some of my crazy endeavors.