My first 50k. I'm an ultrarunner!!

**SarahPT** · 05-30-2010, 04:34 PM

I've been waiting for this day for a while. Setting out to do my first 50k (31.1 miles) today I did not have any real goal except to finish and do my best. I raced a marathon 2 weeks ago, and just got a puppy so I'm sleep deprived. The race was 100% on trails (just how I like it). I read that it was a hilly course. I had no idea the hills would be as extreme as they were. There were very few flat spots. It was constant up and down. Lots of short, steep climbs. The course was beautiful, partly on woods trails and partly through mowed trails in farm fields. It was much too warm for me, upper 70's and humid. At least I was dressed for it this time!

I didn't have any real problems. When I came through the half way point, which passed by th start line where the crowds were, I was surprised that I wasn't that fatigued. That changed!! The fatigued gradually set in and I started walking on uphills. Most people were doing the same. I came around near the start area at mile 26 and my husband joined me. He ran with me until mile 30. That was so nice. The fatigue was getting bad and I felt low. He was a great distraction.

My finish time was 6:18, which is about an hour longer than I thought it would take. However, there were a LOT of people behind me,which shows what a tough course it was. I will be back at this race next year. Ultra running is definately my niche!