Retrospective Race Report
After DNFing Grasslands 50 Mile, I decided to run a 50k training run in preparation for the Rough Creek 40 Mile, my 2nd attempt at an ultramarathon. I ran that 50k at Huntsville State Park, fueled by red Gatorade in a hydration pack. I remember getting past marathon and counting down the trail markers to make it to 50k.
At Rough Creek, the weather was cool, which it would not be in subsequent years. I believe I had visited Hill Country State Natural Area by that point, but when I hit the Rusty Crown, a series of steep hills, it was my first time racing with real hills. My fitness was strong, so I did alright. I went up The Beast for the first time, a steep hill you have to finish by using your hands near the top.
I chatted with a guy named Bill I would later see at subsequent races, like Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile in 2014.
I remember, maybe on the 2nd or 3rd loop, encountering a strong runner coming out of the Rusty Crown as I was entering. He said, "Dude! I'm hammered! This thing is a bitch! !" He said I was killing it for my first ultra.
I remember toward the end I was on a trail in a field, running very slowly but still running.
When I finished the last loop, my ex-wife thought I had another to go, but I told her no, that is the finish.
James ran across the finish line with me.
My time was pretty good 8:36, 70% compared to the winner, and 11th of 21 finishers. Not bad for my first ultra!
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