Retrospective Race Report
After DNFing Grasslands 50 Mile, I decided I needed better training before my next attempt at an ultramarathon at Rough Creek 40 Miler.
Hill Country State Natural Area Training Run - 7/29/2012
I wisely decided to preview the trails of Hill Country State Natural Area. I am pretty sure I bought my first pair of Hokas shortly after.
50k Training Run - Huntsville State Park - 8/12/2012
I ran a 50k training run 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.
2012 Rough Creek 40 Miler
At Rough Creek, the weather was cool, which it would not be in subsequent years. When I hit the Rusty Crown, a series of steep hills, it was my first time racing with real hills. But the hill training paid off and 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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