Rocky Raccoon 100 Miler (Feb 3, 2007)

Huntsville, Texas
Temps 26 to 53

The strategy for this year was to take it
easy and walk the hills (5500 feet elevation gain).
I burned out my quads last year in the first
loop of five 20.15 mile loops by running up the hills.
Besides, I am tapering for the "reverse Goofy"
in 2 weeks - which involves a 100 miler at 6am Saturday in Jax followed by
a marathon at 6am Sunday in Tampa.
I am more worried about the logistics/sleep than the running.

I hit the wall at mile 38 just as I did at the JFK50.
I switched from gels and Ensure Plus to solid food at the aid station--
including pizza, macaroni & cheese, spaghetti
(I spit out the beef meatballs), chicken noodle soup, ramen noodles and
potato soup. No donuts were offered.
The 100 dollar entry fee is a bargain for 30 meals
for up to 30 hours; it costs $100 for the Disney marathon.

The volunteers were great and some of them
remembered me from last year. I saw a few runners
I knew from the Reston group. One guy said he had tried
to keep up with me the last 25 miles at the JFK50.
I guess the bright orange singlets stood out well.

I picked up my cell phone after mile 60 but I decided
I should concentrate on running in the dark instead.
Maybe if I had a Bluetooth headset...

Last year I quit at mile 80.6 -- the end of loop 4,
because I was running too slow according to my plan.
This year, I actually arrived at the 80.6 five minutes
later. I planned on finishing my first 100 miler since I did not book
a hotel room for Saturday night.

Maybe I was running slower because I am a few lbs heavier
than this time last year.
I gained 11 lbs in the past 3 months --- too many healthy carbs -
oatmeal, whole grains, high fiber bread and beans,

It had rained during the week and sections of the course
were flooded or quite muddy. Fortunately, my trail shoes had a Goretex liner--
so stepping in water felt wet but it did not soak through.
I ran extra mileage navigating around the flooded
areas.

I had a gash on my leg from walking through thorny bushes
to pee. I decided to go on the trail when no one is
nearby. With the chicken noodle soup, ramen noodles and
Coke -- I went quite frequently. Dehydration was not an
issue this year.

Ultra runners like trail races because the varying terrain gives
their muscles a rest. I think the varying terrain ensures
that all your muscles get beat up eventually.
I could still feel my bruised toe from my first 50 in 2004.
I didn't fall and roll this year but I tripped over tree roots
at least a dozen times.
I have one purple toenail and one red toenail from stubbing
my foot against roots.
First my left achilles hurt, then the left heel, then the
left inner quad tightened up.
I must of pulled something while breaking one of many
falls.
It feel better to shuffle on my toes than to walk --
so I did that in the last 30 miles.
Other than that, I felt better than I did last year.
I had a limited range of motion of my left leg but I wasn't sore.
At 4am, I got sleepy and had 2nd thoughts about attempting a 48 hour race.
One baby step at time: 26.2 -> 50 -> 80 -> 100 -> 126? -> 165?

It was so cold that the batteries drained down quickly.
Fortunately I brought 4 flashlights; 2 of them still worked.
The flashlights worked when I got home; it could be the metal
contracts at cold temperatures and did not make good contat.
I got lost in the woods last year -- I wanted to make sure
I didn't miss the same turn this year --- the newer 3W LED
lights helped. One guy complained that my lights were shining
into his eyes. Oh well.

It was so cold that each time I drank a can of Red Bull,
I shivered vigorously for 5 minutes. I brought 6 cans
and drank only 2. Maybe I should have added more layers sooner?

The drop bags at the 2nd/4th aid station was not due to be
transported back to the finish area until 11am. I wanted an early
flight so I picked up my drop bag (backpack) at mile 93 and carried to the
finish.

My lap times were 3:50, 3:55, 4:00, 4:55, 5:56I finished in 22 hours 36 min, 40th place out of 242 starters.
30% failed to finish.
I received a sub 24 hour Texas belt buckle;
Breaking 24 hours is considered an accomplishment in the
ultra world.

There were fewer spectators at 4am --- but those that were
camped out -- did cheer. Some runners still have another 20
mile loop to finish when I was done. The course closed at 30 hours.

I planned to sleep in the car until daylight before catching an
early flight. But it was too cold. I didn't think to pack a CO detector
so I ran the engine for 5 minutes and turned it off to take
a nap. After 10 minutes, the cold woke up me up.
I repeated this till 6am and decided to pack and try to get on
the 8:45 flight. I got on but had no time to change or wash up.
It was too cold to change in the car. But I did switch out the muddy
trail shoes and gators and put on a pair of sweats.

Today, my left achilles is still swollen -- I should ice it.
But other than that I am walking fine and feel better than I have
in some marathons. I could have done better but I'm not sure
if I want to do another bruising trail run.
I'll take asphalt any day!