If races are measured by how much you learn, then the 2008 JFK 50 was an amazing race for me. Through the previous 3 JFKs, I've been moving my time closer to 9 hours, so the goal this year was to break that 9 hour barrier. The short version is I didn't make it. Not even close.

Weather was lovely: 19 degrees at the start with a good breeze. I wore more than usual - shorts, tights, short sleeve shirt, long sleeve shirt, windbreaker, light gloves, and ear band. We started up and joined the Appalachian Trail shortly after sunrise. I was feeling great and pulled off the ear band and windbreaker after about 4 miles. During my last fifty miler last spring, the Bull Run Run, I realized I hadn't been eating enough and fell apart about mile 30. This year I focused on an eating plan with 200 - 250 calories an hour and about 20 oz of water and hour. That went well. The AT was great since the wind had blown most of the leaves off the rocks and you could see where to put your feet. I've never been good on technical trails, so had been trying to run the Manassas Battlefield more this year plus do stairs and spinning for leg strength. I had read about focusing your eyesight further in front of you, assuming your brain would remember where to put your feet. Worked wonderfully! By concentrating further ahead I could smooth out the running. I was actually surprised when I could hear the cheering, knowing I was hitting the switchbacks and the AT was behind us. At mile 16, I was right on target for 9 hours.

Leaving the AT I hit the aid station after a quick change from trail shoes to road shoes, and I dropped the tights and left the windbreaker behind. As I grabbed by Gatorade and pretzels, the volunteers shouted that the train was coming, and if I hurried I could beat it! I was finally on pavement, so I took that as a challenge and took off, looking for the train. Trouble was, the pavement wasn't flat. I fell, losing my food, skin from knee, elbow, and palms, and my pride. Train-boy (as the volunteers called him) pointed out that since the train was here now, I could take my time trying to get myself back together. So much for that focus lesson I learned on the AT!

The C&O Towpath went smoothly, mostly. 9 minutes of running, then 1 walking. I love the Towpath, watching the river on the left as it changes character, watching small patches of civilization over the. I kept to my eating plan and felt great. I discovered the PB&J sandwiches that settled my stomach and worked perfectly. At mile 25 (half-way) I was still on target for 9 hours. At mile 35 I was a minute or 2 behind, but confidant that I could make it up on the road on the finish at the school.

At this point, I think reality set in and the wheels started coming off. Last weekend I was a chaperone for my son's Fri-Sat chorus field trip to Richmond. We had a great time, but I came down with a cold/cough. The week leading up to JFK I was busy trying to get healthy again. By the time I hit 38 miles it was becoming obvious that I was now behind schedule. My crew did a great job of encouraging me and providing mental stimulation. (Bruce later told me he was faking the optimism....) Since it was going to be getting cold before I saw him again, I got my windbreaker and ear band back, but decided I wouldn't need the tights since I would be finishing before dark, I wouldn't need as much warmth as at the start of the race. Big mistake there. Since I didn't have nearly as much energy to generate heat, I should have put on the tights and switched to warmer gloves. Today (Tuesday), I still have minor numbness in two fingers of each hand from the cold.

My 9/1 run/walk ratio had changed to 8:45/1:15 then 8:30/1:30. I hit the road at mile 42, walked up the monster hill everyone walks, then kept walking. I would run bits, mostly the downhills, but I was toast. At one point I realized I couldn't walk straight, had started coughing more, and felt like I was freezing. I moved a couple feet away from the edge of the road so I wouldn't fall into the ditch. I decided that running a lot would not help me walk better, so I just pushed on as fast as I could. It wasn't until about 1.5 miles to go as you head into town that I though I could run to the finish without risking falling over. I actually re-passed a handful of people that had recently passed me.

I finished in 9:52, quite a bit off my target, but I confirmed some previous lessons, and I think I learned a new one - try to start your races healthy. Special thanks to all the volunteers, especially Bruce my crew, and Cliff's massage tables.

Postscript - After the race, the finish line volunteers thought I should have an escort to the building, but I convinced them I knew my way. I found the Reston Runner massage tables, found there was no wait, and blissfully laid down to be taken care of. The masseuse realized the shaking was shivering, not cramping, so got a couple of blankets to keep me warm while she worked on my legs, another came over and started working on my neck and shoulders to warm me up. I began to wonder how long I could stay there without overstaying my welcome, but reports filtered back about hot water still in the showers, so I headed over to get cleaned up. Now to start planning next year!