| Author |
Topic: 100 K Race Report |
arf 1
Cool Runner |
 posted May-28-2007 11:21 AM
  
First off, I have to say thanks to all of you for your interest and support in my distance running...I am so lucky to have found this wonderful running community of friends.Quick Stats: 100 Km Trail Race
Time ....12 hours, 43 minutes
Place OA ....28/99
Place in AG.....5th (ages 34 - 49)
Terrain...dirt trails ...hills and more hills This is a race in an Ultra Series that I compete in every year. You have your choice of running either 25 K, 50 K, 80 K, or 100 K distances. Last year I finished the 80 K in just over 10 hours. We had been recieving rain and snow for the week before the race and I was really worried about how wet and muddy this was going to make the trail, but as it turned out, the race, (which was a 3 hour drive north), didn't get any of the foul weather and the conditions were perfect. I drove up with my local running club and we had a great time together discussing race strategies as we ate dinner and then headed to our hotel. Those of us entered in the 100 K distance, got up at 3:30 a.m. the next morning and headed to the race start. It was cool, about 4 degrees celcius and still dark at 5 a.m. . I was wearing shorts, a sports bra, a long sleeved tech shirt, light jacket, hat, sunglasses and gloves. It is mandatory to carry a water bottle in this event so I carried a belt with 4 small bottles. Two, I filled with gatorade and two I left empty to fill at an aid station. I also had 3 gels with me and a pouch full of 12 E-load electrolyte caps. We had to run 4 loops of 25 Km . There were 3 aid stations on the loop with fruit, chips, cookies, gels, cheese, sports bars and some other food that I can't remember, and of course sports drinks and water. I just want to mention here that I did take one electrolyte cap every 2 hours throughout this race and I think it made a huge difference in how I felt during the final 25 K. I also made sure that I drank some electrolyte containing drink at every aid station and ate more fruit at this ultra than I have at any other. I was really happy that I didn't have any problems with my knees during the race. I did, however have to stop at the 75 Km mark to get some scissors to jab open a few blisters on both my little toes....taped them up and went on my way to finish the last loop. Almost forgot to mention the weather at this time, (approx. 2 p.m.), temps had climbed to 24 degrees celcius and I heard that many runners were now having trouble with cramps and vomiting. I think the the reasons why this race went so well for me was the fact that I made sure I was taking in the electrolyte caps regularly, also lots of electrolyte containing drinks and gels...ten, I think. Also at every aid station I ate handfulls of strawberries and oranges. At around 90 km I began feeling very dizzy and was having trouble running in a straight line. I walked for a little while, thinking it was the heat or maybe it was a fueling issue? I took 2 gels at that point and within minutes was back to running and continued to the finish. I did my best to make sure I took care of my needs physically. Mentally, I think many of you know how badly I wanted this...it was just a matter of convincing myself that I had what it takes. Shortly before the race director yelled "Go" to us at the start line, I grabbed a pen and hastily scratched into the inside of my left forearm "Live Your Dream" . Many times during the final stages of the race I looked down and was filled with emotion knowing that I was so lucky to be given the chance to try. arf
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perchcreek
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 11:33 AM
Oh Arf! Congratulations on 100 km ran really, really well! Us mere mortals can't even imaging running for 12+ hrs and living to tell about it! It sounds like your fueling, hydration electrolyte strategy paid off big time. So proud of you! Well done!
Steve
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ptbrown
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 11:34 AM
Awesome! What a heroic story. I can't imagine doing it.
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Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 11:36 AM
Amazing! What a fantastic race that is Arf! I am so happy for you, especially that you had no issues with the knee. In all of the successful reports I read about ultras, those who are successful seem to be the ones who are also super careful about nutrition. It looks like you handled this with knowledge and skill. Great job. BTW, you got gypped on those age groups; a bit narrower and I imagine you would have been well in the money, but your OA placement is quite good. Thanks for this. Spareribs
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Dark Horse
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 12:07 PM
Wow, arf, what an achievement! I would love to run an ultra, but my body could never take the punishment. I'm surprised I could even finish my marathon last month.Dark Horse ------------------
I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course
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breger1
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 12:14 PM
Arf, you are truly an inspiration to us mere mortal runners. I am super happy that this race went so well for you knowing how badly you wanted it. I learned much about nutrition from reading this.Bill ------------------
Bill's Profile
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Tramps
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 12:14 PM
What can I say? Stunning achievement. Hard work, good planning, and a little luck (with the weather) and you did it! You obviously do have what it takes. Congratulations.
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Twocat
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 12:19 PM
Oh my gosh! (Falls down in an faint.) I cannot even begin to imagine running a 100K. Congratulations.
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choover
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 12:21 PM
Incredible.Arf, you have obviously worked very hard to get where you are. A hearty and sincere congratulations to you for realizing your dream! Sounds like your attention to nutritional needs really paid off. I am very happy for you.
------------------
choover
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glidegal
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 01:25 PM
arf--what an amazing feat and i love your scrawled inspiration. when I read your training conditions over the winter and how you earn your daily mileage, that alone is inspiring to me. what wonderful thoughts must go through your mind over a 12 hour timespan. glidegal
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MustangSally
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 01:59 PM
quote:
Originally posted by arf 1:
At around 90 km I began feeling very dizzy and was having trouble running in a straight line.
I think this deserves to be pulled out: Our friend Arf writes this, with a perfectly straight face, as if it is an unexpected thing. Then, stunningly, she gets over it and runs another 10. Holy doodle. You are Da Woman! ------------------
Mustang Sally
Boomers and Beyond wiki
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piejones
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 02:41 PM
Hearty congrats. A business-like approach to your report, just as it appears you ran the race Nice planning and execution.
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tomwhite
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 02:45 PM
.........wow..........races that long are un-imagineable for most of us......(and enough time to write a Small Novel on the inside of your arm),,,,,,,............very impressive........
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millbot
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 02:51 PM
Arf, this is so cool. You nailed the nutrition and hydration, and I love the way you inspired yourself. What a great accomplishment. Congratulations!
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 04:04 PM
I am speechless!  You are so amazing. Congratulations!
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WillRunForBeer
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 04:10 PM
arf - I am totally in awe of this achievement -- I cannot imagine running more than 42K, much less doing it twice and then some. I think it must be even harder to do it in a loop like this race, when you can see the finish three times before you can actually can stop. Wow!Lou
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Fortunate One
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 04:30 PM
Gyped by the AG range, for sure. Still, you accomplished your goal and can be very proud. I'm afraid to ask what's next.------------------
Fortunate--a volleyballer with a running problem
Profile
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SherieRanier
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 04:33 PM
I'm in awe, that's for sure. All I can say is you deserve one heckva' massage and day off of all chores! Sherie
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FlyingFinn
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 05:36 PM
Wow. Not much more to say about this. You are amazing.
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tallrunner
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 06:18 PM
Arf,You are amazing. I am truly an awe of your achievement and even a little (little) tempted to try it one day. Your strength, (ouch) at busting those blisters shows your character. I have to ask about eating all that fruit. Hmm..no issues having to stop along the trail....I would think all that fruit would make you have to take a lot of pit stops and potential cause other discomforts. You are very impressive.
Congrats
Tall
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rasmussenmp
Cool Runner |
posted May-28-2007 07:11 PM
Great job Arf1. I'm in awe of anyone who can run that far. I have the desire to but, not the training. Can't wait to meet you at a race. Congrats on beating the 100k distance in style.------------------
Good running!!!
Mike's Profile
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arf 1
Cool Runner |
posted May-29-2007 03:01 AM
Thanks for the kind replies all and I am not so amazing...you are making me blush.Fortunate - thanks! - next up is a marathon in 3 weeks and then an 80 K and a 50 K after that....I race about once every 3 or 4 weeks. Tall - Good question about the fruit. In the late stages of an ultra it gets harder and harder to swallow dry food, I think that is why fruit and soups are so popular. Fruit goes down really easy, is sweet and juicy and easy to digest. I had no "# 2" pit-stops...just stopped to pee on 3 occasions...and when I say stopped to pee, I mean it...just stop, pee, and keep running...just like you big boys do. (I was alone on the trail). arf
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hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted May-29-2007 05:03 AM
Arf - Yes, you are amazing! That is an incredible feat! How many people on the planet could even come close to finishing that distance, let alone finishing in style, as you did? Well done!------------------
Holly
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maryt
Cool Runner |
posted May-29-2007 05:56 AM
What a great race report! Great job, arf!It sounds like you have really figured out how to prepare and fuel as well for this distance, but all you ultrarunners still amaze me.
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bigapplepie
Cool Runner |
posted May-29-2007 06:07 AM
62 miles. I could do that in my sleep. Unfortunately I can only dream of running that far. Congratulations Arf. Terrific achievement!
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