Squish, squish, squish, squish, whoa, squish, squish, whoa, this is my race recap for the first 12 and last 12 miles of the North Face Endurance Challenge 50K last Saturday morning. It had dumped rain the Friday night before the race and, well, it was mess out there come morning. First, let’s back up…
I left my house at 4:30 am to go pick up Alison for our 7 am start. We arrived at the wrong shuttle bus parking lot along with about 35-50 other runners and sat there for about 15 min. before we realized our mistake (The signage was non-existant, the only thing negative I will say about this race). We had given ourselves plenty of time so this did not present a problem. We eventually found our lot, hopped on the bus, and were off. The bus driver was blasting and jamming to his James Brown, we were relaxed and happy.
We arrived at the starting line and race festival and walked through the finish line…the next time I would do that would be after a 6+ hour grueling race.
We checked our bags and used the porta potties 200 hundred times before seeing Dean Karnazes. We introduced ourselves and chatted with him for awhile. He was very nice, telling us that he had been out on the trail that morning and it was a little muddy and to watch out for an over-abundance of stinging nettles. Unfortunately, neither Alison nor I had our cameras so we missed getting a picture with him.
The race started a few minutes after we spoke with Mr. Karnazes. It was very a relaxed start, the gun went off and I stepped into the unknown world of ultra trail racing for the first time. The pace in was obviously slow, we had 31+ miles to go so really no hurry at all.
The first few miles everyone was trying to avoid the mud and water puddles and after about 5 miles of ballet dancing and leaping, you just surrendered and tromped right through those big mud puddles. It was “slip and slide” the for the next 6 miles and my legs felt it. All of that sliding around used up a bunch of those tiny little stabilizing muscles all over my body, it wasn’t long until I was sore all over.
At mile 12 the trail lead into Great Falls Park…there were spectators and a big aid station. I ate some real food (Fritos) soaked in the sound of all those cheering people… it really gave us a boost. There was a loop around Great Falls that the 50 milers had to do 3 times (it’s difficult for me to imagine going that distance). We were mixed in with some of them and tried to give them as much motivation as possible: “Good job!” “Come on, just keep at it!” Lots of encouraging words to those awe-inspiring 50 mile runners. This picture was taken at the tail end of the loop..
And right after this picture you head toward this.. My favorite part, so beautiful..
Heading back, we went through the Great Falls spectator section for more real food and drink (Nuun- yeah!) and wonderful volunteers.
I tried not to look at my Garmin but knew we had about 12 miles to go. Since we were heading back the way we came, I knew the dreaded mud was up ahead. It wasn’t the most motivating thought… My legs were tired and this race was far from over. I took a Gu, drank some water, and carried on. I tried to get let go of my thoughts and let the miles tick away, not focusing on finishing but rather just being in the moment.
I got into a rhythm and let myself go at a pace that felt very comfortable. Even though my legs were like heavy logs, I was OK… and then there was mud. By this time hundreds of runners had trampled over it and the sun had come out and dried up much of the water. You would think this was a good thing, but the combination ended just transformed all those mud puddles into patches of thick, sticky, paste like goo, about ankle deep. It was a bit of a downer, but I tried not to think about it. I said to myself “There is only one way out, no one is going to save you, it’s up to you, this is it”, and my legs pressed on.
Toward the end I approached a guy walking who was praying out loud. At this point I was in a bit of trance and it took me off guard. I asked him if he was OK. “Yes” he said, “the only way I’m going to get through this is with His help.” “Of course, yes” I said. He said he would pray for me too. I thanked him, as I definitely needed those prayers at that point, and I soldiered on. This picture was taken about mile 30…
As I turned the corner, I could hear the crowd from the Finish festival and picked up my step. There was one humongous puddle in the grass as you approached the end, I was NOT happy about that one and just as I waded through that final mud pond, I looked up and saw my family!
My husband and three children were right there to surprise me! I had told them not to come because the race was so difficult to get to, and they made it anyway. I almost fell to the ground, I started hyperventalating, and a had a huge lump in my throat. I still do as I write this. I had no idea how important that moment was going to be. I had just run 31.49 miles, I had been on my legs for six hours and six minutes. I had just pushed myself beyond what I ever thought possible, and I had done it well. This is a moment I will never forget..a moment when I realized that anything is possible, that no dream is too big and that the only person stopping me from achieving greatness is me. This is the moment I became an Ultra Marathoner.
Finish time: 6:06
Place in AG 35-45 female- 7/47
Place overall female- 17/142
At the finish festival I was able to wash the thick mud off of my legs and shoes and then sit in an ice bath.
They gave us a delicious meal: bbq pulled pork, quinoa, salad and a roll!
The swag included a custom North face race T-shirt with your distance silk-screened on the front, NF Arm Warmers, NF socks, and a finisher’s medal.
Would I do this race again? In a New York second! It was a beautiful course (except the mud, but would take that over extreme heat any day). The course was expertly marked (you do not have to worry about getting lost). The start and finish were perfectly executed, the volunteers were plentiful and knowledgable, and the aid stations were first class with plenty of provisions.
Amazing how quick the pain of racing vanishes and I am left with euphoria. Sign me up for the next 50K, I am so ready!
Have you ever run an ultra?
Would you want to?
Do you know of any really great 50K’s?
About Lisa
loving this!! i’m teary eyed for you – you’re such an inspiration Lisa!!!! hope you’re recovering well, so happy that you’re already thinking ahead to the next one!
Thank you Natalie! I recovered so much quicker than I thought I would.. even did a 7.5 mile run on Wednesday. How are you and the baby? xoxo
Congratulations! It sounds like a great race. I get a little jealous reading about ultras like this. My ultra was much smaller and there were less than 75 people total. I really want to do a bigger race and experience crowds and swag etc.
Great job!
Thank you so much and congratulations on your ultra! No matter how small you ran those same miles…impressive!! I highly recommend the North Face ECS. I have nothing to compare it too, but when I look around at 50K’s it seems to be the biggest. It is expertly organized and the swag was obviously stellar. Thank you again for your kind words.
This is SO awesome! Way to go. So proud of you…PS you are amazingly photogenic, even after so many miles!!
Thank you Heidi! you are so awesome.. love you lady.. have fun in Sedona, I have always wanted to go, I’ve heard it’s magical. xoxo
That’s an incredible recap! I am in awe of you. Right now I do not have any desire to complete an ultra, but who knows! Some day I’ll probably take the plunge!
Jen, Thank you, Thank you!!! It was in some ways easier than a marathon. The trails force you to slow down and the surrounds are so beautiful they distract you from thinking about the finish. I can’t wait to hear about when you take the plunge… Thank you again for your kind words. xoxo
So incredible!!!! WOW! I loved reading your recap. You look gorgeous from beginning to end! What a lovely surprise from your family! Congrats! xo
Kierston, Thank you so much. It was so great to see them. I was so tired and practically fell into their arms. It was a moment I will never forget. Great Day! xoxo
Check out http://www.ultrarunning.com you will see more 50ks than you can imagine and they are all good! Great run!
Andrew, I will for sure check out that site. I am hooked on this distance! Thank you so much for your comment!
You are a total rock star! So awesome–you just crushed it! So cool that your family came out to see it.
I had three friends running this and you guys were all near each other–heck, you probably chatted out there!
Thank you Amanda! Our running community is such a small group. I love that I run with your friends. Didn’t I finish with some of your girls at Cherry Blossom 10 miler as well? It was a great race, one where you could easily speak to others, very intimate. xoxo
What a great race report! I too, was overcome with emotion when I crossed the finish line last weekend. I was so relieved and happy that I made it- across all of those muddy miles! I am already signed up with my husband for our first 50K together in November. Endurance running is so addictive!
Congrats on an amazing race. You should be very very proud!
Oh Melissa, I am so proud and excited for you. What an achievement. Your husband was so supportive, what a great couple you guys are. Wish I were staying on the east coast longer to get to know you and Matt and to run more ultras together. Thank you for your very kind words and congratulations on a super crazy fantastic race. xoxo
Congratulations! Loved reading your recap! There are lots of great ultras out there, sounds like this was a good one too!
Thank you very much Abbi! I am searching as we speak for the next.. I’m hooked!
What an awesome post! Congrats on finishing an ultra. That’s pretty darn amazing. I have no doubts that you can accomplish what others think is impossible. Keep on going!
Thank you Karen!! xoxo
Wow…I cannot imagine being on my feet for six hours and looking so together at the end of it. You are fierce!
Erin, Thank you so much, it was difficult but in the best possible way. I am so excited to try another one. I love being on the trails! Thank you for you encouraging comments, really means so muh to me, so grateful! xo
you are a BADASS. seriously! such and inspiration. and so adorable!
You are the best. Thank you so much for the RT and your super kind words. You have just lifted me up like you can’t imagine. love ya girlie! xoxo
You are my hero, Lisa! What an accomplishment! The mud sounds brutal. You did such an amazing job. What a sweet surprise to see your family! And I can’t believe you already want to do it again- I didn’t even feel that way about the marathon until a few weeks later!
Thank you so much Laura!! It was incredible. xoxo
Awesome story, big congrats on your first ultra! I’m planning to run my first ultra soon as well – a 50 miler here in July!
Thank you Brandon, I remember when you signed up for your 50 miler and I have watched you train. I really can’t imagine going that distance, but someday I know I will. I look forward to hearing all about your experience. Thank you for your kind comments. Happy Running!
Loved reading about your 50K, congratulations! I’ve run two of them (actually the same one twice), in the Columbia Gorge. It’s called the Bunker to Bonneville, and it is on the Pacific Crest Trail. This race is absolutely stunning, and is put on by the Columbia River Gorge Running Club. It is a small event, around 75 runners total, I highly recommend this run! http://columbiagorgerunningclub.com/b2b/index.html
Ivan, Congratulations you are a badass for running not one but two! I would LOVE to try out Bunker to Bonneville. I just checked our their site. I am IN! I’ll be on the west coast so it will be more within my reach than living here. Thank you for mentioning it. Have a great day.
You totally rock!! I’m so inspired by you! Congrats on a GREAT run. I think there are many more (and faster) ultra’s in your future
xoxo
PS – you look gorgeous in all of the race photos. wish i looked that pretty!
Melody, Thank you very much! Thank you, Thank you.. You are that pretty and then some, and then some, etc,
What a great recap! I have never run more than 5-6 miles in my neighborhood but reading this makes me want to suit up and ultra!
Tears in my eyes! What an accomplishment!
Thank you so much Paige.. it was a difficult in the best possible way.. a little like giving birth to a child.
Congratulations, Lisa! What a great recap! I did the 50-miler again, and we didn’t have any mud last year! The mud was crazy, huh?!? You did awesome and I am sure you will do many more ultras! I know the feeling of having your family surprise you at a race…it is so wonderful and overwhelming!
Oh Karna,Thank you and congratulations! you amaze me in every way. I was in awe of the fifty milers. The mud was demoralizing at the very end and then on the other hand it made this race that much more of an achievement, you know what mean? Thank you so much for your kind comments.. Happy Running!
Excellent!. I love the last part of your post, “.a moment when I realized that anything is possible, that no dream is too big…” says it all. Inspiring. And nice placement in the race too! Congrats.
Christine, Thank you so much, I can’t tell you how much your words mean to me. They remind me that people are kind and encouraging. I am going through a time in my life where it feels like the most difficult section of an ultra and your generosity has just given me the boost I need to move forward. Thank you.
Great race report, I really start thinking if I should do it next year. I always said, no ultra, I don’t like going for so long. But I also said that with marathons and I’m currently training for marathon #3. Ooopppss!
Thanks, Lisa! Yes, the mud made it so much more difficult…made the legs get tired, quickly!! Working a lot of muscles!!! Good luck to you and happy running to you, too!!!
Wow! Sounds like an amazing experience that I hope to do one day. I love reading recaps of athletic achievement – I get chills and teary eyed thinking of how determination can power us through anything!
Great job!
First off what an achievement to do a 50K race. Second you did so well. So glad to hear your family was there to see you cross the finish line; sounds like an overwhemingly emotional finish. Congrats!
New reader! Came over from AMR website!
Congrats on your first 50k! Sounds tough but you rocked it! And so awesome your family was there at the end.
I am hopefully running my first 50k this October in Idaho. Can’t wait!
http://foothills50kfrenzy.com/
Cynthia, Thank you so much! and thank you for stopping by. I loved the 50K, nothing beats crossing that finish line. Idaho sounds like a gorgeous place to run. I have heard the trails there are some of the most beautiful in the world. -Lisa