My first 50 miler

[chw57]

So first of all, this course is INSANE. We started in a valley and ran up about 3000ft on one side, then came down and ran up about 3000 ft on the other side. I've never done 6-8 miles of sustained climbing before, so I knew I would be hiking those, which is exactly what I did.

Anyway, here's how the day went down!
The race starts in a campground next to the white river, and the first three-four miles were flat and beautiful. I started drinking tailwind right away and was feeling strong and relaxed.

At mile four, i start climbing. There were switchbacks and an incredibly steep staircase at one point. The pack was still super bunched up and everyone was happy and chatting with each other. Around mile nine we got to a ridge line with amazing views of mt rainier and the valley. There was a water only aid station at mile 11.7 which was a pleasant surprise because my Garmin was reading 10. I took water and we kept climbing, with only a few downhill spots, until the next aid station at 16.7.

This aid station was a PARTY. All the runners were still in a great mood, they were blasting lady Gaga, and they had cups of Mt. Dew (which I normally hate, but it tasted amazing). I refilled my handheld, grabbed a Payday, and kept moving. DH reminded me before the race that I needed to make sure I was peeing, and I'm happy to report I peed three times, the first right after this aid station.

The course then looped back to the water-only aid station at mile 21. I was a little nervous about the miles after that because downhills have always been a problem for my IT band, but I FLEW down the switchbacks to mile 27, where my family was waiting. I hugged my kids, picked up a bottle of cold Tailwind, and filled my hydration pack with ice. I told DH I felt like a million bucks and was ready for the next climb.

We looped around the campground, and at mile 28ish started on the 8.3 mile trail up to Suntop. I started hiking, chatting with a couple guys until one went ahead and one fell behind. This was a long, hot, dusty, lonely climb, and I was just focused on getting to the next aid station at mile 31. I finally made it, had more mt dew and another payday, and peed again. Still 5 miles up to the next aid station, so I started hiking slowly.

it took FOREVER but I finally reached suntop (mile 36.7) which is at 5280', and I could feel the elevation. They had a shave ice machine! I rubbed Vaseline all over my back because I was staring to chafe really badly, had more mt. Dew and another payday, and started the 6 mile descent on a dusty gravel road. The road winds all the way down to the next aid station at mile 43.3.

I felt good for this whole descent, stopped to pee, and got to mike 43.3. I thought my family would be there but it turned out DH took a wrong turn and missed me by about 2 minutes. I'm actually relieved though, because I was going to hand off my hydration vest, which had a bag of toilet paper in it, and I needed that later!

Miles 44-47 were the low point of the race. The trail is fairly flat, but super windy and full of roots and rocks. My stomach didn't feel great, my blisters were really hurting, and I felt like someone was squeezing my chest. I walked a lot of this part, and stopped to go #2 around mile 46 and that seemed to help. The trail got softer at mile 47 and I started running. Finally we popped back up onto a gravel road, which meant 1/4 of a mile to go. I saw my family, crossed the finish line in 11:25, and immediately sat down for a very long time.

I am so relieved my IT band had no issues at all! I think I might do another 50 again someday, but maaaaybe an easier one

[al320]

Congrats!! You are amazing, this sounds so incredibly difficult, but you were strong till the end!!

[jreeds]

Bad ass! Congratulations, amazing job!

[luckystar2]

Wow! Amazing! You are such a badass!!

[mysticmuffin]

Freaking incredible. That elevation over that distance is making me dizzy over here. Congratulations!

[kams]

I'm just amazed at how nothing seems to hold you back. 50 incredibly challenging miles with IT band issues. And, oh yeah, working mother of 2. You are truly amazing!

[cinco]

Amazing! Nice work!

[coconutbug]

You are awesome. Congrats!!

[gt7301b]

Congrats, you are freaking AMAZING!!

[farfalla2011]

That's amazing! I can't even imagine. Great job.

[hannahb]

You are amazing. That is all

[ilovecandy]

You are a rockstar congrats

[labbie]

Holy crap, you're amazing. Congrats!!
p.s. I've never heard of paydays at aid stations but that sounds genius, and delicious :-)

[taratru]

You ran almost as far as I rode my bike. That's crazy, and you're so awesome.

[G22]

Way to go! Amazing job! Congrats!

[juliabug]

Incredible! 50 miles is awesome without all the elevation. Fantastic job!

[sadlebred]

Wow! Sounds like you had an amazing first 50 miler! Congratulations!

How many feet of climbing and descending were there? Epic!

[chw57]

Aug 6, 2017 13:17:16 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

Wow! Sounds like you had an amazing first 50 miler! Congratulations!

How many feet of climbing and descending were there? Epic!

We climbed 8,750'!

[cole]

Congrats, you are incredible!! What an accomplishment!

[fuckyourcouch]

Amazing! Sounds like you ran really smart. Congratulations!

[mysticmuffin]

Aug 6, 2017 13:46:41 GMT -5 chw57 said:

Aug 6, 2017 13:17:16 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

Wow! Sounds like you had an amazing first 50 miler! Congratulations!

How many feet of climbing and descending were there? Epic!

We climbed 8,750'!

O.o Damn amazing.

[jene]

You are awesome!

[Deleted]

So incredible!! Amazing!

[bostonmichelle]

Congratulations!!! You are amazing!!

[goldengirlz]

Oh my goodness! First of all, what an amazing experience. Second of all, you're a badass. Third of all, huge congrats!

[melmel48]

Holy crap! I just read your race recap with my jaw on the floor. Congrats!!!

[wawa]

Sweet googly moogly! That is amazing and you are also amazing. I've ridden a bike 50 miles. I've ridden a horse 50 miles. The idea of doing it on my own feet is so daunting. You're a rockstar.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Congrats!!! I'm so impressed! And I know a few 50 mile races here in California that come with free room and board and an experienced race crew person when you're ready to go again.

[libbygrl109]

Congrats! So awesome!

[Brit]

Congratulations! You are a rockstar!