Have you ever seen dead people? I can't say for sure but it was so hot at this race that I think I saw my dead grandpa. I carbo-loaded with bread and potatoes the day before and got my favorite gels at REI but as much as I wanted to go to sleep early it just didn't happen. I moved around under the covers, counted sheep and listened to an audiobook with no success. I finally fell asleep at 2 am., one hour before my alarm started going off.
The race started at 5 a.m. and I was already tired from lack of sleep but I was excited to run my first 50 mile race. There was a 13 hour limit so there was little pressure at going over 15:30 minute mile. The temperature at the start was 70 degrees and forecast called for 90+ degree weather by noon. I declined having my bag taken to the midpoint because I thought I had everything I needed, something I won't do again.
The first 21 miles was uneventful with lots of stretches of flat trails. Of course there were hills that had to be walked and risky downhills that had to be taken seriously (I've learned my lesson). I thought there was a lot more competitive runners at this race than at the previous 50K two weeks ago. After mile 21, there were 3 loops to be completed of about 4 miles each. As easy as that sounds, each mile had tough hills and the temperature was already in the 90s by 10 (at least it felt like it).
After reaching Great Falls (mile 21) there were three loops to be completed. The loops took you on nicer dirt trails and near the potomac river rocky side. A rocky area I won't forget since I went down twice around there, fortunately never hitting my head. The temperature at this point was already high and the humidity made you think about quitting. While I twisted my ankle twice during this time, it wasn't bad enough to stop and I just "walked it off" as someone behind me told me to do. After completing the third loop it was time to go back to the Algonkian Park, the start/finish line. I took some water and loaded my water belt with gatorade.
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I tried walking for two minutes and then running for 10 minutes. It worked initially but then I was feeling the effects of the oppressing heat. I got myself together and reached mile 39 with no gas left in the tank and no liquids. I was just walking at this point but I was not alone. I went by a lot of people just sitting on the side of the trail or just waiting for the medical team to arrive. We all had ran out of water and we were just walking to mile 42, the next water station. I knew something was up with my feet because they felt like they were burning. I haven't had blisters in two years so it's hard to remember them but it was either that or rocks inside my shoes. I reached the water station and I just sat there for 5 minutes, got liquids, and got offered to be taken to the finish line. Of course I declined but I was a bit tired of the race already, I wanted it to be over. I put myself together and made a determination to just run the whole thing until the end. "No walking, just run, " I told myself. Fortunately, I had the energy in me and I managed to run until I reached the next water station, mile 45.5. I stopped for a minute and got more liquids and gels, I knew the finish line was just a few miles away. I continued running and my body was already used to the heat, I found myself focus - in my zone. I kept running until I reached mile 49.75 where I saw one of my running friend, Rohan, from the gym. He asked me to stop for a pic so I had to do it! God knows I needed proof that I had reached 49.75 miles. I kept running and I started hearing music so I thought okay, I know you are tired and I just want to sit on the side of the trail but how many times have I felt like this today and before. Many! I went by a few strugglers and we just waved at each other, I knew I wanted to finish in under 11 hours and I thought that was possible. I finished my first 50 mile race in 10:42 minutes, sweaty, smelly, hungry, and most importantly proud! Another race in the books, next up....100 miles this coming July!
Having had my worse marathon ever (4:00:07) I had planned to return in 2014. Those 7 seconds had tormented me for months! I knew it was a challenging race but I thought I could have done much better. Yes, there was the humongous hill at mile 19 that just kept growing at every step I took but I had climbed higher. I was traveling alone and I stayed at a B&B about a mile away from the start of the race. I got there on Friday afternoon and walked downtown for dinner at this place called "Beasley's Chicken and Honey." This was by far one of the most delicious chickens I've ever heard had. I highly recommend this place if you are ever in Raleigh. After all one of the benefits of being in Raleigh is enjoying southern food and refreshments.
Saturday Morning I met my friend Mike and his kid for breakfast before I went for some swimming at a Lifetime in Raleigh. Later on I went to pick up my number at the expo. Packet pick-up was uneventful, except for the people asking for a sample of my blood for research. Were they nuts? Take my blood after the race if you must. I managed to get some GU and got out there in a hurry. Later on I met my friend Nancy for lunch at this chicken wings place before meeting my friend Melody and Jenn for drinks and dinner. I got to the B&B still early and went to sleep right away. I woke up at 5:30 a.m., got ready, and was out the door by 6 a.m. I really should had left earlier as walking to the start, checking in my bag, and finding a free port-a-porty took a long while. 
I started in the 4 hour corral which allowed me to start slow. At least I felt slow, my first mile was 8:03 - way too fast. I saw my friend Melody at mile 2 and she was going even faster. I tried to keep up but the first 3 miles of this race I didn't feel that great. I actually thought about dropping out but I know myself, even if I was dying I wouldn't drop out. Perhaps it was the food I had the night before, who knows. I was keeping an even pace for most of the first half. There were some rolling hills but I knew biggers ones were coming in the second half. The first half course was pretty much like the year before and I knew I did not need to work as hard. Well, maybe I went out a little fast that I should had, I was averaging mid 8s per mile.
Beginning the second half I felt fresh, I was getting into the race and I hit the gas a little way too early and got some low 8s at miles 15-17. Before mile 20 the course took you to this very scenic lake and a somewhat flat area. I was begining to see people hitting the wall and slowing down. I went by with no problems until I hit the wall myself at mule 21. The last 5 miles were full of steep rolling hill. This guy next to me started skipping, passing me and then letting me pass him. I just let him do his thing, I had to energy to play around at this point. I started to go a little faster and faster until I got to mile 24 and I slowed down again. A guy passed me and asked me if I was in the 3:45 pace group. I nooded and he said, well, they pace group felt apart I'm the only one who survived. I tried to keep up with him and we ran together for about two miles. At mile 26, I saw that guy who was skipping and he kept trying to pass me. I was tired and eventually he passed me. I had gotten what I had come here to get an under 4 hour marathon and I was at 3:45 at this point. I finished the race with no injuries but I needed to stretch a bit. I crossed the finish line at 3:47:35. As I walked to get some water, the skipping guy approached me and said, "you're a bad mf. I tried to pass you and I couldn't." I said, "thanks, I'll take that as a compliment" and just walked to get water. The heat was not a factor like last year. The temperature was about mid 60s at the start and low 70s by the time I finished. 
I walked over to the finish area and I got to enjoy the Smash Mouth show. Yes, they are old and their songs aren't as hip as back in the days but I still like their music. They played Walkin' on the Sun, I'm a believer, and All Star, and Why can't we be friends. I sat there on the lawn for a long while but I knew I needed to get up soon and start planning my exit. I wanted to try going to the same restaurant I had gone with my friend Carl last year, The Pit. My friends bailed on me so I slowly walked over and enjoy the best BBQ ever. How could I not come to Raleigh and not enjoy this? Couldn't and wouldn't! I had met my goal and there was nothing better than to enjoy at least a nice meal.
