4-50's

Rick Goris
22 November 2008

Well 2008 was a fantastic year I have to say! It all started on November 30th 2007 when I decided I needed to set some goals for the upcomming year. I was turning 50 years of age in 2008 and was looking to challenge myself to prove I wasn't getting old. I decided that along with turning 50 I would loose 50 pounds, run 50k and finally run 50 miles. I started my challenge out in March 2008 by running an 18 mile race which was a PB for me by 9 minutes over my last run 14 years earlier. After having overcome a few nasty injuries from a serious motorcycle accident, then severing my left achillies playing squash I knew it might not be an easy trek. I lost my 50 lbs. and completed my first ultra in July with my running the Creemore Verticle challenge. A very tough race with 60 % of the course being uphill.My goal was to complete this in 5:30 hours and I finished in 5:31:33. As a warm up run for the JFK I signed up for the Scotia BankToronto Marathon thinking I just might be able to qualify for Boston. This was not to be. My qualifying time of 3:35 elapsed at the 25 mile mark so I just powered down for the last 1.2 miles and used it as a training run. I had been and continue to fight a nasty achillies injury.
The JFK was just around the corner now and I was beginning to get nervous about being able to complete such a daunting task to attain my last goal for the year. I had joined the Reston runners team via the internet and I have to thank everyone from Anna Bradford to Jim Ashworth for all their valuable advice .
Well Saturday morning came early and it was time to head to the gym  in Boonsboro and get ready for the start. I enjoyed my talk with Michael another experienced JFK'er who provided good advice. With a short walk of about a mile to the starting line my pulse was quickening.
The early morning start from Boonsboro was crisp and refreshing. This worked well for me as I do not like running in the summer heat. I thought I had figured out my calorie and water needs from training runs but I had not experienced anything in my training like the lead up and  Appalachian Trail. I ended up burning 22,919 calories. I was doing well in the AP protion until about the 14 mile mark where I twisted my left knee. The rocks were really close together and you had to pay particular attention to footing. I guess I lost my focus momentarily... a penalty that would stay with me for days to come.
I managed to hook up with a young fellow Kevin at the beginning of the C&O until the 27 mile mark. He was running for 9:30 with :30 second  walks. This worked well at a rough pace of 9:20-9:40 /mile. My knee was just giving me too much grief so I let him go ahead at 27 and I ran with different groups and alone until mile 38 averaging about a minute / mile slower with my 8:2 pace. I did see the Jim's several times from running with them in the Ap and some on the C&O. It was a real honor for me to be in their company.
Things started to go bad for me around the 45 mile mark when I  wrongly decided to stop eating thinking I was so close. I had tried to get some power bars down but they were frozen and hard to break off. The bananas were semi frozen but very good all the same.My energy level decreased very quickly and it seemed to take forever to run/walk the last 8 miles. I guess I was also so elated to know that I was going to finish that I took it easier then I should have...after all it is a race. A lot of emotions come to the surface and you are so thankful for being able to compete in such a great event with wonderful people.
I am truly thankful for all the volunteers that gave their time  and resources unselfishly. Being in Canada and not able to run with the Reston group it was nice to be able to read all the letters from past runners of the JFK over the years. This helped me mentally prepare for the race.
It was great being able to be part of the Reston Runners team where they provided a "crew" to help me through the day. I am fortuneate to have had Lisa and Ryan as my crew. They were a great help in carrying my equipment bag to all the planned stops along with organizing my food and water intake . Also Lisa  ran the last 12 miles with me for which I am greatful.
Lastly I want to thank my wife Fran for all her support and encouragement throughout the year. Training for an ultra takes time away from your family but hopefully makes you a better and healthier person in the process .
I would recommend this run to anyone considering  a 50 mile ultra. It is very challenging and  equally rewarding.
Well you might ask what will you do for 51? Well ... shorter runs for sure, and more time with my family.
Good luck to all the runners who plan on doing this run in 2009 and years to come!