I had a great time at the JFK 50 miler this past weekend. One of the reasons I enjoy running so much is the people I meet and the experiences I have during various events. The JFK 50 mile in 2008 was no different.
Before the Race-Getting Ready
My experience started at 2:45 a.m. on Saturday morning. As usual I had multiple backups just in case but did not need anything except my watch alarm and my sister (my sister shared our room since she was crewing for me alone). At 2:45, I heard Cindy say, "you're watch is going off". I got up and turned off my second and third watch alarm, reset the room alarm to wake Tristan up at 4:45 and ask Cindy to pick up the phone when the 3 a.m. wake up call came (seriously I am not joking, I always have multiple backups--this served me well early in the race when I had a glove tragedy).
I went into the bathroom to minimize disturbing anyone and started getting ready. I put glide everywhere (under arms, around area's that are near seams, around my waist, below my bra, along the sides of my legs and any other place I perceived there would be potential chafing). I then started putting on my layers.
The high temperature of the day was predicted to be 35 degrees. And the wind was going to be 20-30 miles per hours. I was not thrilled but figured my numerous layers would help. I had 8 layers on the top and 3 layers on the bottom. On top I had my lucky singlet, a tech t-shirt, a techwick turtleneck, a technical long sleeve shirt, a half zip shirt, a windbreaker and my Reston runners t-shirt. For bottoms I had my lucky marathon girl skirt, my thick hind winter running pants and windpants. And of course I had a pair of mittens, fleece gloves and an outer glove, a neck gaiter, a headband, and a hat. I was prepared for the subarctic experience. (Note: At the Gym someone noticed my headband and hat combination and started teasing me. I suppose that I was a bit overdressed, but I was warm, toasty and happy.)
After my top and bottom were on it was time to put on my shoes and socks. But of course to prep for this, it was time to apply some glide. Because it was so cold, I was wearing my Thorlo winter socks. Unfortunately, these socks have the tendency of giving me blisters so I had to really glide up my feet "old school". About half a container of glide later applied to my feet I felt ready to put on my socks, gaiters and shoes.
As I got ready, I drank my first Diet Mountain Dew of the day (the unofficial beverage of mediocre runners!). My last layers were my Hawaiian lei and a new Hawaiian lei that blinked (with a matching one for Cindy? I sure didn't want to lose my crew!). Cindy and I packed up our stuff and made our first trip to the car. As we walked out of the hotel the first time, I almost walked right back in'it was COLD! A second trip with my drop bag and Cindy's crew gear and we were ready to leave the hotel. It was a few minutes prior to our 3:45 a.m. "butt in seat? deadline, so I was happy.
Our drive to the gym was uneventful. Cindy and I talked about a variety of subjects and I pondered what my 50 mile journey would be like. I wasn't very nervous and my only concern was the Appalachian Trail. I really did not want to fall on it. Pretty soon we were pulling up to the gym. We got out of the car and I debated putting on a 9th layer. I ended up having Cindy carry a bag with my extra thick shirt but did not wear it. I like to think I was helping Cindy building upper body strength by making her carry massive quantities of stuff while barely using any of it (I'm a good sister, aren't I?).
We get into the gym and there are some Reston Runners starting to congregate. I continue pounding down Diet Mountain Dews and munch on a marathon bar. I chat with other runners and take and pose for pictures.
My first tragedy of the morning occurs. My sparkely fanny pack is set for summer weight Tammy. I have sewn the straps down to prevent it from expanding over races, but unfortunately, in November I am not wearing only a singlet. This is a disaster. There is no way I can lose about 20 lbs in 20 minutes and I can't get rid of layers as I nearly froze every time I was outside. I start sucking in my gut cursing myself out for my stupidity. I cannot run 50 miles without my security blanket. And I might need a lot of my stuff from my fanny pack. I squash myself and suck in stomach. Finally my fanny pack is on. I can barely intake a breath. This is not optimal for running a race but I will have to suck it up and deal. In fact it is 3 days later and I still have a slight indent and purple/green bruises on my stomach. Next year I think I will do a lot of sit ups to see if I can eliminate a few inches on my waist. Anyway others say core strength helps in running.
Mike Spinnelar, the race director gives his annual 5 a.m. speech and then it is time for our journey to the start line. This journey is not short and in fact, I would guess it is a half mile or so to the start line. We pass the bank that taunts us with a temperature reading that suggests it is 19 degrees. Then we pass the historic building that for at least the past 4 years has said "Boonsboro Welcomes JFK Runners". I get my picture taken with Cindy. Then I take a picture of Cindy and Helen, the Crew director from Reston Runners. The bank says it is 4:59; time to get to the start line. I still have no idea where the start line is but I move closer to the pack of runners. The start is announced and we all move forward slowly.
Going up the first massive hill I alternatively jog and walk. On the steep sections I walk but on the flats or the slight inclines I jog. My goal is to get into the top 25% of 5 a.m. runners. Last year I found this was a successful strategy. Essentially my goals is to get on the AT having 50 runners ahead of my and 200 runners behind me. I chat with runners as I go up the hill. I meet a few new runners and catch up briefly with some runners I know from a variety of races. I get to the top of the hill and have to retie both of my shoes. After tying my shoes I decide I also need to use the porta potties. Unfortunately I lose a lot of time with both of these pit stops; however, they are productive stops.
The first quarter/half mile of the AT is not too bad and pretty soon we are back on the fire road. In this section, I am able to regain my pre-shoe tying/pre-pee position. As I pass runners trying to regain my desired position I wish them luck. Some seem a bit surprised to see or hear me because I probably lost 10 minutes attending to my needs. I really need to figure out how to tie my shoes properly the first time. My Hawaiian lei that lights up, apparently makes me easy to spot. I suppose my willingness to chat also contributes to this. My advice to anyone who will listen is, "Stay back 4 steps from the runner who is ahead of you, put your foot where they put their foot, unless they fall. If they fall, don't step where they did!? As I move along, I run into my friend Mara from Atlanta who I met during the 2004 JFK. She is really nice and has run every year since then. She has not expanded her ultra running experience but really enjoys JFK. We chat and catch up briefly. I tell her of my strategy to get on the trail in appropriate group. Her time have been pretty consistently been in the low 12 hours and I tell her my second year was about 13:10 because I just got on the trail too far back. As I continue running up higher and higher I finally fall in behind the pack of runners who had abandoned me when I took my pit stop.
I continue jogging and walking on the road. It is dark and I am getting anxious about the AT. I really hate the AT. Flashbacks of falling, stumbling and struggling to keep my balance come back to me. I chat with runners and try to find runners who are happy on the Trail who I can draft off. We pass the fire tower and it is time for the AT. I hate the AT (seriously!). We run along the trail for a bit and dawn comes slowly. It is still pretty dark, but the sun is starting to illuminate the sky. At one point we run down a small incline and a nice volunteer at a turnpoint says something about staying left. Apparently I mishear. The volunteer says "up the hill then turn left". I question this volunteer and mention there is a sheer cliff if we turn left. He and the runners around me are amused by my confusion. There is a beautiful view of the sunrise from this viewpoint.
By this time on the AT I have found a few runners who are more technically competent trail runners than I and I take my own advice by stalking them. I do not know it at the time but I am stalking an ultrarunning legend (apparently I sort of do this a lot'this past summer I ran with Rob Apple who has run over 500 ultra's). There is a bit of jockeying in trying to get in the right place for one's pace. As we pass two runners one says "Nice job Anstr". Anstr is not a common name. And I know the Virginia Happy Trails (an organization that Tristan and I belong to) president is named Anstr. I know he is running this event so I hazard a guess I am drafting off him. I start a conversation and find out in fact it is him. We start chatting about random items including ultramarathons, my desire to volunteer at Bull Run Run and life in general. We run near each other until mile 27 Antietam.
The trail is a bit treacherous. There is a fine dusting of snow on it and some of the logs and rocks are bit slick. People do fall but so far I do not, keeping sight of my goal (no falls during the race!). Anstr and I keep a pretty steady conversation going. Most of it I don't remember (too early, brain frozen?), I do remember talking about our various 100 milers. He has run many more and much tougher 100?s than I, although we both have run Umstead 100 and Vermont 100. We also talk about the VHTRC (Virginia Happy Trails Running Club) runs. This club has on occasion stalked Tristan and I including several times we have run Maryland highlands. Anstr mentions there is a trail run at White Oak Canyon this coming weekend but I politely decline participating because I am preparing for a double marathon (Death Valley/Las Vegas) just 2 weeks after the JFK 50.
Finally I hear folks hooting and hollering. Or am I hallucinating? No, it is the Gathland Aid Station. I am so excited. I come out of the woods leaping excitedly. There are many cheering spectators. I take a few pictures of the crowd. My camera is not as responsive as it should be. I think the battery is freezing.
I finally spot Cindy. I am so happy to see her. I give her my hat and my half zip shirt. I also give her my flashlight and headlamp. This is all I will remove over the course of the day. We chat briefly and take a few pictures. My camera keeps turning off. The battery is freezing (so am I but you don't see me quitting mid-race do you?). After a few minutes of socializing I decide I better keep going. I walk to the aid station and grab a pretzel and a Gatorade. I eat and drink. The beverages all have a slushy top coat because it is so cold.
I then ask if there is any coke. I am pointed to the table. This young lady tries to hand me a cup but inadvertently pours the entire cup on my gloved hand. This is terrible. My hand is now wet and sticky. Luckily I had only my glove on and my thick mittens are in my jacket pocket. I take off my glove quickly and double back to Cindy. I give it to Cindy and ask if she can rinse and try to dry it out. I have a spare pair of glove liners in my fanny pack (and others mock me for having multiple back ups!) I wipe my hand on my pants and start to resume running. As I head out of the aid station, I see my friend from the Coast Guard who I ran quite a bit of my first JFK 50 miler with. I snag a spectator and get a picture of him. I then mention I have a race to run, so scurry on. I take a picture heading back onto the trail. I pretend I am happy in this picture but inside I am wishing it was over. Because of my glove disaster I have lost copious amounts of time. I think I am still in the top 35% but I feel like I have been passed by 20 or so runners.
Luckily, it seems that this impression is either false or we all were loitering at the aid station. I pass about 10 runners in the next mile and pretty soon I am right behind Anstr. We resume chatting. I am excited because we are more than halfway done with the AT. Have I mentioned how much I really hate the AT?
I keep my footing fairly well. Every so often I stumble a bit but it is not too bad and I am able to recover quickly. I jog on the flats, walk up the hills and walk the rocky sections. I move forward pretty quickly. Pretty soon, I get to the sign at the top of Weverton cliffs. I am so excited there are only 18 switchbacks between me and the end of my race (okay this is not true but in my world this is the end of the section I am most worried about). The rest of the race I just have to gut it out.
On the switchbacks 11 people pass me. I feel pretty bad because I am so slow, but each zig, zag or place where I can pull off trail, I try to allow faster runners to pass me. I keep a running count of the zig-zags knowing I only have to do 18. At some point I lose track, but sort of know I am getting close. I am excited!
Pretty soon I see the photographers at the base of the cliff. I bring out my camera and start taking pictures. I can hear the crowds and I am so thrilled to be done. I come bounding out of the Trail and skip down the road. I feel victorious. A bunch of "Wahoo's? later, I find Cindy. She walks me to my drop bag. But I don't need anything. Guess all cylinders are not firing. But I am doing better than my camera which keeps shutting down (what a slacker). Cindy asks how I am doing. I am doing GREAT. No falls, the majority of the AT section is over and I am happy!
I really don't need or want anything so after a few pictures I continue moving along. The last bit of the AT is a really easy 600 meter path. The only challenge is that about 1 foot to the right is a 30 foot drop off into a stream. I so far have not been passed by the elites nor am not passed on this section. Pretty soon I am in the JFK aid station. I grab some food and beverage. Everything is cold. I feel like I am going to "bust a cap? on an M&M. And the beverages continue to be slushy. I wish it was 90 degree's because then I could appreciate the slushy. Maybe the next time JFK is run in sub-freezing weather; the race director should consider adding vodka, rum, scotch or some other hard liquor to keep the beverages from freezing. At this aid station the first few elite runners pass me.
I continue my journey and am excited to start running on the C&O canal. I take a few pictures but my camera continues to try to DNF. I stick one of my batteries under my clothing to warm it up. Between Weverton and Harpers Ferry Mark Lundblad passes me. I cheer him on yelling, "Go Mark". He waves in acknowledgement. I take picture but my camera protests. Sadly the picture is out of focus (which I only realize after getting home). Finally as I approach Harpers Ferry my camera keeps turning on and off like it is possessed. I guess it is time to change out batteries. I realize at this time my Garmin is not operational (I cannot figure out if it is the battery or if it lost satellite signal early on). Everything is DNF-ing! I reset it and occasionally look at it to see what my pace is. Sometimes I think it is torturing me because on occasion it will suggest I am doing 20 minute miles when I am jogging. I think I walk 20 minute miles but jogging I tend to run 10-15 minute miles. My Garmin hassles me a lot. In fact in the training mode, there are two cartoons that will show you versus a competitor/trainer. As usual my competitor was well ahead of me (and I think it was taunting me but that's just my opinion).
In my race, the C&O Canal is pretty uneventful. I run sporadically with a bunch of people. The 7 a.m. starters pass me with regularity but they are all nice and friendly. I run a bit with Anstr and several other folks but find my desired run/walk is just different enough to make it hard to keep with others for an extended period of time. The path winds back and forth following the contours of the Potomac River. It is really cold and frequently we are facing a strong headwind.
The course is very scenic as we run from Weverton to past Harpers Ferry. Here there are class II rapids on the Potomac River (I know this because we have tubed this section-which is great fun!). The cliffs by Harpers Ferry are very pretty and the town of Harpers Ferry is very pretty. The views are spectacular and I thoroughly enjoy this section. After the aid station right after Harpers Ferry, the views are not as interesting but are still very pretty. At this aid station I decided I wanted to have some warm M&M's. I got out my empty sandwich Ziploc and put in a scoopful of M&M's. I put this baggie in my pocket in hopes of warming it up a bit. Sadly this plan did not pan out and other than soup (and at mile 46 hot chocolate), nothing I ate was warm. After a few minutes of chatting, it was time to get back to running.
Along the C&O Canal, it is also nice to be able to see runners 400 or so meters ahead along the course. While others find this section boring and monotonous, I really like this section. I am able to chat with others, take pictures, attend to my needs and keep moving forward without fearing taking a spill.
Pretty soon I am approaching mile 27 Antietam. I take out my camera that seems to have decided to get on board with working (I spoke to it sharply and threatened to toss it in the river'not sure if this was what contributed to working but it was now working consistently). I took a picture of the spectators then had someone take a picture of Cindy and me. She asked if I needed anything, but I did not. I had expected to really only need her at Gathland, maybe Weverton and sometime late in the race to get some additional layers. Regardless it was nice to see her. At the aid station, she refilled my bottle and I ate and drank some. Most of the items were frozen. Pretzels were fine but anything with liquid was frozen solid. This was a bummer. I asked my sister if she could warm up a marathon bar. I blurted out that she should stick it in her sports bra, but apparently she did not take this suggestion (although others around us might have been amused by my suggestion). In fact at mile 38 she mentioned it was still in her pocket and was still hard as a rock. I was having no better luck with trying to thaw out some M&M's in my pocket. At this aid station I took a cup of soup requesting extra noodles. It really hit the spot. After grabbing a few cookies for the road, I continued on. Cindy said she would run with me for a bit, which was nice. As we jogged together we passed my stuff. She had a chair and a poster board that said "Go Tammy? she took a picture of me sitting next to it. We continued on and she paced me for about 800 meters. As we ran together I pondered using the bathroom but the line was too long. Cindy said they would let me cut but I felt bad about doing this. Cindy said she had to go as well so now I became fixated on it. The only thing that got my mind off my moderately full bladder was the cold. Cindy suggested it was a lot warmer running then being a spectator but I disagreed. I was still pretty chilly but my three gloves, two pairs of pants, 7 layers, headband and my neck gaiter (which I occasionally put over my face) seemed to keep me comfortable enough.
At this point I was run/walking using some random strategy that felt right. Sometimes I would walk to be with people, sometimes I would walk at mile markers and sometimes I would just walk because I was lazy. During this time I enjoyed being with the other runners and just appreciated the fact that I can run ultras. There is a lot of time to reflect and think which I really enjoy. As I continued on more of the 7 a.m. starters passed me. A runner who I knew of vaguely passed me, Greg Loomis as we approached the small 31 mile aid station. We chatted briefly. He was running with his brother which I thought was really cool. At the aid station their dad joined them for a bit. I think their father was a bit disturbed by my picture taking and loitering at the aid station and he mentioned I could probably cut off an hour or so from my time if I would focus, maybe, maybe not.
Dave Y was the first Reston Runner I recognized. We chatted briefly about upcoming events. During this section I noticed more and more people taking advantages of LatTree's. I was kind of jealous of men. It seems they have an easier time dealing with whizzing and in the cold I really did not want to expose my hiney to the wind for long (how embarrassing would it be to be seen having a peesicle?) I tried not to think about all the beverage I had been consuming. Pretty soon Diane L, my e-mentor my first JFK passed me. She was really moving and looking really strong. Next Jim A caught up to me. He seemed to be having some issues. Usually he and Jim B pass me together and pass me pretty quickly. But this time we hopscotched leading for a bit. I finally stumbled on a latrine which I was really excited. I scurried forward in excitement. It was nice to take a few moments to sit and get out of the wind. But alas as happy as I was in the latrine, I had a race to finish. I slowly caught up with Jim A who was struggling with stomach issues. He was walk/running at a pace that I could keep. We chatted about life and running. I offered up some Pepto or other meds. I took 2 to show him they were easily accessible. Unfortunately I also took them because I was having some stomach pains. Now some of my pains were related to my tight fanny pack and part was related to being 35+ miles into an endurance event. About mile 37, we started jogging and Jim abandoned me like yesterdays trash;-)
38 special is a great aid station. There is lots of energy, every product a runner could want and the distance left in the race is manageable to think about. As I approached I took my requisite picture. I then caught up with Cindy who gave me an update on Tristan (he may have thought he barely made the cutoff but seemed to be doing okay). She also refilled my water bottle. She asked if it was okay if she just met me at the finish line. This was fine with me. All I needed to finish this race was my thick half zip shirt. She said she could get this for me. I foraged at the aid station including some tums (as a pepto chaser). I asked about my warmed marathon bar but found out it was still icy cold. Oh well. I grabbed a cup of soup and ate some bananas and some pretzels. I drank several cups of Gatorade, and Mountain Dew (with my sister asking if the Mountain Dew was a good idea). I also ate some nutter butters and then headed out of the aid station. At the Montgomery Country Road Runners Club aid station I mentioned I was a Montgomery country resident and hoped that it was okay if I helped myself to some salty potatoes. As we headed out of the aid station we passed her chair and the "Go Tammy? sign. I was unsure about my stability so suggested I could just hold the sign while she took the picture. As we continued on, Cindy agreed to pace me for a bit after she retrieved my shirt from the car. She ran to the car then caught up to me. We chatted a bit and again she mentioned it was a lot warmer running. She did not know about the terrible headwind we would occasionally face.
Pretty soon the mile markers along the canal were getting close to 84 (where we get off the towpath). I was excited. In the last mile I knew there was a porta potty so I was able to make use of it. It was again nice to get out of the wind. I was a bit nervous about using it because I knew I had about 15 minutes to get off the C&O canal before the 3 p.m. cutoff to not get a reflective vest. It became my goal to not get a vest. During this mile I ran with a gentleman who I had sporadically been near. It was his first and he had started at 7 a.m. I mentioned that we had less than 15 minutes to beat the vests and encouraged him to keep up with me. As we approached the dam, I saw the vests were getting laid out but NOT handed out. I told him it was really close but we had made it. I was so excited. I took a quick picture, grabbed a handful of pretzels and some Gatorade and made my way off the C&O canal (with NO reflective vest!).
The first hill after leaving the C&O canal is challenging. I simply walked it. It is a brutal way to end the towpath but in my opinion is the hardest hill on the roads. Once I got onto the rolling hills I would jog the flats and the downhills and even jog some of the easier hills. I was slowly passing people. But I was also being passed by many 7 a.m. starters. I was unsure if I could break 12 hours but decided to try to do my best. My watch says the first 4 miles I was averaging 17 minute miles. Based on pure mathematical calculations I was running 15 minute miles. This was not giving me a great buffer for finishing before 5 p.m. but if I could keep it up I would.
The rolling hills and asphalt were challenging. Runners were really struggling including me. Eight miles seems like such a short and manageable distance. But after 42 miles it is really long! I chatted with runners but was really not near anyone. I was about 300 feet behind a couple for several miles. They were essentially were running the same pace as I but I just couldn't catch up. Also my bizarre run/walk strategy just didn't mesh with any other runners. There was a lot of emotion during this section. It was easy to see the pain, the joy, and the excitement of the runners. I was passed by a few 7 a.m. starters and was slowly passing 5 a.m. starters. I was pretty pleased with my overall pace. I felt like I was jogging at the same pace most of the last 20 or so miles.
I was excited to get to the mile 46 aid station. There were the horses. After visiting the aid station, I went over to pet them. I think there was one brown horse (with a white stripe on his nose) that bit me last year. I gave him a wide berth. After a picture, I continued my journey.
At this point I had a very distressing experience. Pretty soon after this aid station I came upon a runner who had passed me at back around mile 27 or so (I only remembered her because she had a pumpkin orange jacket on). At that time she was not moving very fast but she was moving fast than I. Unfortunately right after we passed the mile 46 aid station, I ran up behind her and observed her gait was really bad (staggering a bit all over the road with completely straight legs...it was not good). The first year I ran JFK I had a similar issue and was very cold. But this year with high temperatures in the mid-30's at best was not a good year to be slowing down.
At this point the temperature was dropping precipitously as the sun was slowly setting. I asked the runner if she was okay but the poor young lady was just crying. She said she was in alot of pain. Other than to offer her an Advil, there was nothing I could do about that. But she was shivering. I said I would go get help and started running ahead. But after about 50 meters I realized I would probably warm up, so I turned around and jogged back to her. I took off my half zip shirt and gave it to her and started running to get help.
I finally got to the next aid station (they were spaced about 1.5 miles apart) and found someone to help me. I told the first spectator I saw that there was a girl was in really bad shape about 800 meters back. It was easy to describe her because my jacket and the shirt I just gave away were an ensemble and thus the same color. By the time I made it to the aid station about 200 meters further on, the volunteers were able to confirm medical help was on the way to help her. By this time I realized I needed to keep moving to make sure I did not get chilled.
I had less then 3 miles to go. I put the pedal to the medal and started running in earnest. I passed my friend who I had started running the C&O Canal with. It was his first 50 miler and he had planned to run 10 minutes walk 4. I offered him words of encouragement and stated he would make it to the finish. I continued on. When I first got on the road it was 4 minutes before 3 p.m. I had passed the 6 miles to go marker after nearly half an hour. But in my last several miles I was running 10 minute miles. I was on fire (okay, really I was on ice but trying to get on fire). Pretty soon I was passing the 1 mile to go marker. I could see the water tower for the second year in the row (my first two years it was just a rumor). I got to the gas station and it was time to turn. Up one hill, down it and then there was the Finish line. I was so excited. I passed my friend Don (although I only recognized him by his voice? this year he had no bright spandex pants on). A quick picture then it was time to finish this race. I looked around for Cindy but she was not here.
I am starting to get used to having crew abandon me at the finish of races. I would guess Tristan has missed me in over 10 marathons. I guess I typically maintain my pace or speed up at the end of races and this may confuse my crew (it shouldn't considering my history). Unfortunately for some reason there was no power, so my name was not announced because my sister thinks she was lurking around during the time of my finish.
After finishing I went inside quickly to get a piece of pizza and some beverages. I saw the end of the award ceremonies and was able to take a picture of Mark Lundblad getting his medal. Apparently my camera has some vendetta against him as this picture did not come out because the lens was getting fogged. After the award ceremony was over, I congratulated him, and then asked his wife, Anne who is really sweet if I could have a picture with her. I think the men are amazing athletes but I am really impressed by female athletes (Girl Power, yeah!) Her mother took our picture and we chatted briefly. I mentioned that my husband was on the course and I had no idea when he would be coming in so had to go outside. I think they had to head out quickly as well.
I then went outside and cheered on runners. I was a bit cold so tried to keep moving. I was doing jumping jacks, running in place and hoping around. Finally my sister gets to the finish line. I give her a hug and suggest she is about 20 minutes too late. I try to recreate my finish in slow motion which amuses the spectators near us. She gives me my post race bag and I put on my jacket. A few minutes later she helps me put on my ski pants. I am now pretty warm and toasty. My toes are a bit cold but the rest of me is okay.
We now wait for Tristan. As per Cindy, he made the 38 special cutoff with half an hour or so to spare. That means we may be waiting for a while. We walk back and forth near the finish cheering on runners. It is amazing to see everyone coming across the finish line. There are so many emotions so visible. Some folks are smiling, some are sobbing. The emotions are so amazing. I can relate. During my ultra's I actually tend to feel most emotional about 1-2 miles before the finish line. My eyes tend to tear up and I usually need a tissue. By this point in a race I know I am going to finish. I think in the final miles I tend to spend some time thinking and reflecting about the journey that has gotten me so close to the finish. I think about all my friends, my crew, my pacers, people who have supported me in a variety of ways. I know I am incredible blessed to be able to do this. At the finish line I am finished reflecting and am ready to celebrate. I always am so happy! The crowds really make the finish special. They are the exclamation point at the end of a great time!
While waiting for Tristan, Cindy and I cheer everyone on. Some folks Cindy seems to know (I guess she probably saw some of these folks 3 or 4 times). She also knows many of the folks standing around. It is like a reunion. We walk back and forth trying to keep warm, and then I finally decide I need to sit. It is past 6 p.m. and Tristan has less than an hour to finish. The announcer mentions this and it makes me nervous. The last 8 miles are tough. They are undulating hills that can be a doozy. My friend Leo Lightener who is 80 years old finishes in just over 13 hours. He is an amazing athlete and so nice. My first JFK we ran a significant portion of the AT together. I learned he was a statistician so we have two things in common. Other friends finish. Anstr crosses the finish line. So do various friends I made along the course. "Gaiter Girl? finishes (I met her on the AT and she referred to me as Sparkely Girl and I referred to her as Gaither Girl). A bunch of Reston Runners finish but still not Tristan. Finally I detect a gait that looks familiar. It is dark but I think it might be Tristan. As he comes closer I realize it is. Cindy and I go wild, cheering him on and encouraging him. I run along side him for a bit. I already have finished so I have to get out of the finishing shoot. But I get as close to him as possible and take his picture. He finished in just over 11 hours and 20 minutes. It is great that he is finishing no worse for the wear.
After he finishes, Cindy and I go give him a hug. He heads into the gym but I want to keep cheering on runners. I live for this energy (it is better than any drug) and for the emotion (better then any drama). Finally, I know how hard it can be to finish a 50 miler. I stay outside cheering on runners. About 20 minutes before 7 I get up and start cheering each runner louder and louder. For those folks who started at 5 a.m. they have now been out for nearly 14 hours! Even the 7 a.m. starters are appreciating the course longer than I did. With 10 minutes to go I am cheering at the tops of my lungs. The announcer (who is quite a colorful character) is encouraging every runner. Music is playing and the crowd is behind every runner. I start dancing and jumping up and down a bit. Apparently I may be embarrassing my sister but I don't care. These runners deserve my energy, enthusiasm and encouragement. They are 50 milers today! At about 2 minutes prior to 7, the announcer suggests that the last runners are coming in. The crowd goes wild. They make it in with about a minute to spare.
Sadly about a minute past 7, two additional runners come in but do not beat the 7 p.m. cut point. They still cross the finish line. I suspect with chip timing they would have made it. But alas ultra's can be cruel.
I learned a bit about myself during this race. I learned that if I am highly motivated that I can run a lot faster for a lot further than I thought. I also confirmed that there is nothing wrong with having too many layers or too many back ups. Finally I remembered that as tough as the AT section is, the final 34 miles are just amazing and well worth facing and overcoming the challenge trail. I will definitely be back next year to claim my place in the 250 mile club!
For pictures and other stories you can visit my blog. JFK 50 miler related items and commentary will be in late Nov 2008 posts
www.tammymassie.blogpot.com
In closing running 50 miles is a challenging but fulfilling experience.
But I could not do it without the support and encouragement of my friends, family, Reston Runners and of course my #1 crew: Cindy. She is a GREAT sister and a WONDERFUL crew and for that I am very grateful. I am a bit bummed to learn my sister is planning to run JFK 50 next year. Perhaps I need to look alot less happy during this event to stop hemorrhaging crew left and right.
Without the Reston Runners including (but certainly not limited to): Anna B. and Jim A. I would never have been able to do my first JFK 50 miler four years ago. With your support, encouragement and guidance I now consider myself a seasoned ultramarathoner. I will be forever indebted to you all!
Finally to all the crew who suffered through the 20-30 degree's along the course (including in particular Helen who keeps the Reston Runner crews running like a well oiled machine, you go girl!) and the runners on the course, THANK YOU!
Thank you so much for your support, good wishes and positive energy. I am proud to be a part of the ultra-running community. All of you are such kind, inspirational, generous runners and spectators; please know every kind gesture, word of encouragement, shared joke,? mean so much to me.
Now get out and there and start training for JFK 50 in 2009!