Figuring Out the 50-Miler

In about 3 months, I am planning to run the JFK 50 Mile ultramarathon. As the realization is starting to hit me, I have spent a lot of time researching anything and everything related to the JFK race and the 50 mile distance itself.

I am frightened–not of the running, not of the distance, not of the pain- but mostly of the unknown, namely, where it will take me internally in that uncharted territory of mind. I’ve come to realize how much further the distance is compared to my normal runs, and it is daunting. I remember having the same feeling going into my Ironman. I had put in the training, but I had never put all of the pieces together. I did not swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, then run a marathon in training - not even near that. Just as I won’t run near 50 miles in training for JFK. I have a profound respect for the distance. Like with sound, where volume, measured in decibels, increases exponentially, the level of difficulty of a long run increases with the distance exponentially.

Many of you know I am originally from the Washington, DC area. All my family is still there. This means that JFK is my home race. The race is the largest and oldest ultra-marathon in the country, brings out the nation's best trail runners. I chose it not only for its proximity to my family, but also for its prestige. I am the first to admit that I am driven by my competitive nature. Growing up it was for grades. Now it's in my running. I find that I get competitive in many areas of my life, but mostly it's to prove something to myself. When I race, I'm competing against my own times. Yes, there are a few girls out there that I'll admit I enjoy beating. But if they have the better day than I do, I don't begrudge them that, nor do I fall apart. That being said, I would being lying if I said I am going into this race just to finish. I am going in it to compete. I am not cocky enough to think I have a chance for a top ten finish in this field; but I would like a strong finish in my age group and to cross that finish line before the clock strikes xxx.

The biggest thing I’ve been struggling with is setting my time goal. When signing up for this race I had two specific goals: to run the entire thing (no walking!) and to average 9 minute miles, ultimately finishing in around 7 hrs and 30 min. Seems relatively easy in theory…until I started doing more research on this unknown distance they call the 50-miler. To be honest, I always thought the longer distance would play to my strength. I am actually not that fast, I just don’t slow down as much as others, which is why I prefer to run a marathon over a 5k any day. I was banking on this theory applying in the 50 miler. But, what if half-way through, I am way off pace? Will I be able to remain mentally focused? What if I have to walk the last 10 miles? What if I am completely humbled by the distance? Will I be able to accept 'just a finish'?

The race is a mix of very technical hilly trails (15.5miles), dirt flat path (26.3miles) and rolling roads (8.4miles) (the race is actually 50.2miles total). While I am not confident in my ability to run 9 min miles on technical trails, we are done with the technical part of the race first, and then I am confident in my ability to run 9 or sub 9’s….but for how long? Can I hold it for 34 more miles?

I read that one should not expect to complete a 50-miler without walking (unless you are a super star elite or highly experienced). In fact, most people utilize a run/walk strategy. So, it is realistic for me to think I can run for 50 miles without walking? I don’t know. I think back to Ironman C’ouer D’Alene. I had the same goal going into the marathon portion of the Ironman. I ended up walking through some of the water stops the last 6-7 miles and finished right at a 4 hour marathon/9 min miles. So, will this experience be a similar experience? Again, I don’t know.

And, speaking of running hours and hours at a time, I’m going to have to eat something other than gel packets. Eating on the run isn’t something you can take or leave when it comes to ultra running, and that isn’t something I’ve been training (mental note: must do). How easy will I be able to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the run?

I know much of the success is a function of the mind. But, I know how naive I feel about the distance, and don’t want to get my ass handed to me as a result. I’m a big believer in the ‘Go Big or Go Home’ theory…I just don’t want to be going home at mile 30.

This should be interesting.