Screen Grab from the Weather Channel’s photo recap.
Click here to view 20 photos of race day and the course from Weather Channel.
This will give you a feel for the elements we faced.
Over the weekend, I finished my first 50-mile race. It was the North Face Endurance Challenge (shortened to 47 miles due to weather) and here are 20 things I learned over my 12 hour and 5 minute adventure:
- It was pouring rain and I was wearing gloves, so if I clenched my fists, water would pour out. Fun.
- For some reason, I love running trails in a beanie. It’s official. Makes me feel like a wild-wilderness-man.
- I may have looked like a fool in my red poncho, but my shirt (except for sweat) stayed dry all day. Boom.
- Having volunteers call you by name can be disorienting. My brain can’t process 30 miles in that my name is on my bib and that you can read.
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut in quarters are the perfect fuel.
- Skittles, although delicious, served in the cold are really difficult to eat. I powered through though, thank you.
- Drinking rain while you are running counts as hydrating, right?
- I still prefer Coke over Pepsi, but the latter still does the trick mid-race.
- Mountain Dew, even with the ideal name, was not a gamble I wanted to take.
- Referring to worms and lizards as “crazy wildlife” during a trail race can be humorous.
- The weather may be intense if when your shoe gets stuck in the mud, you’re thankful your foot didn’t come out.
- With 12 hours of running through wet shoes and soaked socks, only having one blister (that never affected the run) means the run gods were on your side, even if for only one day.
- Never thought I would be able to run for 12 hours without listening to a single song.
- Having a reminder (the First Lady’s bow) can really help during tough sections of a race. It will also bring a smile to your face.
- Your finger tips can prune outside of the bath tub.
- If you have too much — or leftover — laundry detergent in your shorts, it will make tiny suds when combined with the rain.
- If a social media nerd is nervous to bring out his phone to tweet or post something to Instagram, the elements might be intense.
- I now understand the story of the tortoise and the hare. I may have not been running fast, and I may have walked when I needed to, but I sure as hell finished that thing at my own pace.
- Social media and the running community has made me a better runner. FACT.
- After burning almost 6,000 calories, EVERYTHING looks delicious.
What it would have looked like on a clear day. (Click to enlarge)
Here are the questions from yesterday’s comments:
Michelle of NYCRunningMama
So what’s next for you?? 100 miler?!?
Already? I just finished my 50 this weekend. That’s like the “when are you having a baby?” question on your wedding day? I would expect nothing less from a rock star runner like yourself. 100 is on my list of things to do, but I have no time frame for that right now.
Angela of HappyFitMama
Could you eat a PB and J sandwich now or does it make you want to gag? :)
I was surprised at how great they tasted and worked. I don’t really eat them regularly, but I’m sure I could manage one. Over the 12 hours, I had 5-6 quarters, so that would be a 1.5 sandwiches.
Nancy of LittleFancyNancy
What are your plans for your shoes….frame them??
Here is the AFTER photo. Right now they are sitting outside. I need to clean them and try to get them dry. They have under 100 miles on them, so I’m hoping to still use them in the future. I could always nail them to the wall as an art installation.
Kat of SneakersAndFingerpaints
How were the feet after being wet and muddy?!
They feel really good. My feet and legs aren’t that sore. I was expecting to be a stumbling mess. People pay good money to have mud treatments… I guess I did the same and the running was a bonus.
Beth of ShutUpAndRun
A 50 miler is a long term goal for me, so yes I will have a million questions for you…eventually.
I’d be glad to help, but you are a much more accomplished runner than I am. I can definitely show you the fashionable benefits of a poncho and how to tie a nice bow at the end so it doesn’t flap around when it isn’t raining. You’re welcome.
Lindsay of CotterCrunch
Did you hear me cheering?
Absolutely! Did hubby think it was weird that you were shouting my name at 5 in the morning?
Meghan of LittleGirlInTheBigWorld
Will you do it again!?
I don’t know that I would do THIS particular race again. It was such an epic adventure that another round might fall short in comparison. Would I run another 50 mile race? See the next question.
Bonnie of BonnieLangFitness
Along with others, I’m wondering if there are more in the works for you!
I was looking at 50 milers the day after. LOL. I am in no rush to register for one immediately, but I am actively looking for one that will fit into the 2013 schedule. I’m trying to figure out my marathon schedule at the same time to see if they can work together.
What about you? Would you do a 50-miler?
Would you go any further?
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You are awesome. That is all. :)
I always appreciate your wit and humor. Great lessons learned. And only 1 blister? Yep, running gods were on your side even if the weather gods were not.
So impressive. And all good things to learn!
#19 – I agree completely. And, Mountain Dew? I took the gamble during my first 50K and AMAZING rocket fuel. Seriously. I hadn’t had it years and haven’t had it since (none of the other ultras I’ve done have had it) but it was wonderful!
Wow, you are amazing! Seriously such an inspiration! Congrats! I can’t believe you ran that race without any music, good for you! What was going through your mind for the entire 12 hours? I would of been thinking of all the meals I could eat after the race ha!
I love this! Describe how it felt when you crossed the finish line? I want to live through you. I am at a loss for words, because congratulations doesn’t seem like quite enough… let me say that, I am an extremely empathetic person and I can imagine the euphoria that you felt achieving something this huge. You’re amazing seems like not enough either… so proud of you! xoxo
CONGRATS! What an epic day!
I haven’t done any ultras yet, but they’re on my list! In fact, the other day I actually said “When I run my FIRST 100 miler,” not “When I run A 100 miler.”
Strap it down, folks. Sh!tz gonna get real up in here!
You are amazing and no. No. NO – never. :-)
Great job on #12! I can run for an hour and get 3 blisters!
50 miles will never be in my future but I am SOO proud of you! Seriously, way to make your dreams a reality!
Seriously? Only one blister?? Amazing! You make it seem like it was no big deal to run almost 50 miles. Maybe I’m interested now… hahaha!
Loved this post… great stuff! great job again!
Loved your list of lessons learned! – especially the one about pruning fingers outside the tub. ;) So true!
I would actually love to do a 50 mile race or run. I read “Born to Run” (assuming many runners/distance runners have – you too?) and loved it; I know my body enjoys going long and I’d LOVE that challenge of learning how to fuel and train for such an event. So yes, at some point, I’m in! :D Runners like you and Aron from Runner’s Rambles inspire me!
I loved reading this post. I definitely don’t see a 50-miler in my future and I commend you for your incredible accomplishment. (I wanted to count the Marine Corps’ 26.5 course as an ultra *wink*). I don’t know if I could run for 12 hours without any music. Well, let’s be honest. I don’t know if I could run for 12 hours period. I really loved #18 and #19. So true! Enjoy the continuing high of your race accomplishment.
Congratulations!
I plan on doing more trail running this summer. Eventually I’ll start some trail races, maybe 50 miles-someday.
Even though those pics definitely show rainy it looks beautiful!
You’re awesome. I learned a trick about how to avoid blisters via a ultra runner, luckily you only had one, but if ever in the situation again I know that diaper rash creame, plus udder balm (or bagbalm) is magic against blister in the wet conditions! Can’t wait to see what you choose to do next! You’re inspiring me to think longer (like North Face CCC in the Alps…) I need to see how my 25K in the trails goes in January.
AHHHHHH!!! BEYOND PROUD OF YOU! Words cannot express how amazingly badass this whole thing is!! You rock!! WEEEEEEEEE!! 50 miles! CRAZY and AWESOME!
HAHAHA. I love your responses to everyone’s questions…esp to Lindsay =)
You are amazing. The. End.
ahh, so witty. LOve it!
No, never ever ever for me. Lessons 6, 11, 15 and 16 are true gems.
Caught this on my way out the door from work. My boss just asked if everything was ok because apparently I was laughing louder than I thought. Love the answers to the questions, especially Lindsay’s. Priceless.
Yep, even after your 20 lessons, I think I still want to run one. Someday. Maybe 50miles when I turn 50. :)
Gah! My big adventure was walking a half-marathon. The thought of running 50 miles would only cross my mind If I were being chased by either A: a bad guy, or B: a huge dinosaur. The good news is that you won’t have to share the road with me. I’m glad you had fun. It sounds awful. Except for the lizard humor.
Congrats! Great post too! I learned 20 things, and it didn’t cost me quite as much sweat. ;)
#2, 6, and 10 are tops, but carrying the first lady’s bow is my favorite. So glad you had a great experience out there. You rock!
Holy crap! You are amazing! 6,000 calories!!! You must have been famished!!
LOVE THIS POST. Sharing now. ;)
Seriously rockstar! And hilarious!
I’ll do anything once. But I should probably conquer 26.2 first. Baby steps and all…
You are amazing. And peanut butter jelly sandwiches sound AWESOME during a run! Also, you totally rocked that red poncho! Way to stay fashionably fit ;)
I love #16! Great job!!!
haha. i enjoy posts like these. the random things people think of during and after a big race/run are always entertaining. & I completely agree.. social media is such a big reason I am the runner I am today
Laundry suds while running … I will have to note this, info stored in my brain now :)
A race like this one would be a dream! Definitely a goal I think I can work up to :) The suds in your shorts is pretty funny!
Amazing! Seriously dude, congratulations!