”What? You’re turning 50? You don’t look it!”
A little late for that one, but thanks.
“Oh! You’re running your first ultramarathon!”
Nope. That was in 2022, but you’re getting closer… because that was my “little 50.”
“What race it is?”
The Trail Animals Running Club Stone Cat Festival! Yeah, it’s not just a race – it’s a festival.
“You’re running 50 MILES…?”
Yes. Yes, I am.
Well technically I’ll be running, walking, and eating 50 miles, but as any seasoned ultramarathon runner will tell you, “ultramarathons are one part running, one part walking, and one part eating.” I think Brendan Leonard had a graphic that illustrates this but I can’t find it. If I could, it may have looked something like this.
Why is that? Because at some point, even Kilian Jornet walks and stops for a food break when running 100 miles. Me? I plan to follow the advice of a veteran 100 miler (whose name escapes me). The advice he received when running his first ultramarathon was simply “walk the uphills, jog the flats and downhills.” Given that I am running a loop course, I will be walking less than I will be running because there can’t be more uphill than there is downhill, but there will be flats. Also, there will be roughly seven aid station stops along the way where I will refuel.
Will I use poles? I got clearance from the race director to break out my Leiki poles for the last 12.5 mile lap but I’m really hoping to not need them! I’ve run the entire course twice, both times with poles. Both times it felt like they were slowing me down. That said, having a set of crutches available to me during the last lap will be comforting, even if I don’t need them.
What am I packing for food? A variety of UCAN gels and bars, and assorted LMNT electrolyte powders, and Cheez-It crackers. I used to pack M&Ms, Clif bars, and Gu gels, but my stomach seems to have gotten less tolerant of sugars recently, so the above combo of salty crackers, gels, and electrolytes seems to work better for me.
What am I wearing for shoes? My Altra Lone Peak 5s with over 400 miles on them. The treads are still strong. I have a pair of 7s that I’ll bring along just in case I need a switch. I’ll be wearing Injinji socks, and my Salomon Adv Skin 12. Of course, I’ll be counting on my Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar to track all my stats and help me navigate when needed. Finally, I have a sticker like this for my car. You know, to make it official.