And it is.
I competed my first 50k trail race this past weekend. 31 miles. Happy Birthday to me. I spent 5 hours and 42 minutes running in the wilderness near Smith Rock, one of Oregon’s most unique geological wonders. I had run that distance only once before. Nervous energy flooded my entire body as we drove out to the course that morning. I was excited and didn’t know what to expect.
There is something that makes trail running more enjoyable than a traditional road race. It has to do with my brain’s ability to stay entertained the entire time I’m out there. On a trail, taking in the scenery, I feel more at home than anywhere else. I can let go of my thoughts. I can let my mind wander, and at the same time focus in on each step, carefully avoiding roots and sharp rocks.
I know, from experience, that training for a marathon takes more mental strength than the race itself. It is about learning how to handle monotony and repetition. The trick to successful long runs in training for me is keeping my mind occupied when all my body wants to do is stop. It’s about preventing my mind from going to dark places. That bit takes some practice. I was able to put some of my road marathon training to the test.
The morning of the race when my boyfriend and I got out of the car, the temperature gauge read 19°. It was just before 7am and the sun had barely come up. At the starting area, racers huddled around campfires to stay warm. Prior to the 50k, there was a separate field of runners who would be taking on the 50 mile course. Their race-day ambitions made my own seem like the more sensible option. I could not image adding 20 more miles to what I was about to do that day.
There were some announcements just before the start. A ten second countdown. We were already standing on the trail. Ready. Set. Go.
We were off. The first two miles were spent hiking. Misery Ridge is an appropriate name for the single track stair-step trail usually taken by tourists. We ran up and over, on the trail that takes you past Monkey Face, a formation popular with rock climbers. Excitement and adrenaline took over for the first 5 miles and I felt amazing. It took just under an hour to loop back by the starting line, which served as the first aid station. I couldn’t feel my legs entirely, but I was still warming up. I refilled my water bottle, snagged a couple of potato chips and I was on my way.
On the trail, time moves in mysterious ways. Everyone seemed to still be feeling out their own paces. Fast then slow. Leap-frogging one another. We ran along River Trail. Then a challenging set of never-ending switchbacks carried us up Summit Trail. We climbed 4,500 feet, most of which was spent hiking not running. I took to watching others who seemed more knowledgeable about when to hike the uphills and conserve energy. I did much of the same. I focused on settling into my own pace. In my head, I thought about the race being three 10-mile segments. That made it seem more manageable.
As tough as it was, there were these beautiful moments that came to me on the trail as well. The mental negative self-talk was alive and well, but right around mile 12 or 13 I caught a second wind on a long stretch of trail where I could just turn off my brain and take off running. I began to feel amazing again. I was taking in water and Clif Energy Blocks whenever I felt that I needed to. Note on this subject, the Salted Watermelon Flavor is by far the best. Do not risk crappy tasting Gu or Clif Blocks. You’ll have no one else to blame out there but yourself. I snapped a photo. I reached the next aid station. The snack selection was amazing: PBJ’s, potato chips, pickles, soda, pickle juice, quesadillas, pretzels, bananas, Gu, gummy bears, and M&M’s.
And that is how it goes, there is a good hour or so of running, followed by a challenging one, then another good one, and so on and so forth. Continuing along the course is the only way back to where I came and the fastest way to reach the finish line. 80% of the race was single track trail. Miles 17 through 19 were on old forest road with bigger rocks that tore up my feet. I ran in a pair or road shoes, but I highly doubt that anyone was enjoying themselves much on that stretch.
Aid Station 3: A brief stop. Refill water bottle. Potato chips. Ready Go. There were 7 miles between Aid Station 3 and Aid Station 4, our last one before the descent back down to the start. We were back on single track trail which was nice. Again, there were good stretches and tough ones.
Aid Station 4 and Mile 26.5: I have officially completed a marathon on a trial. I have a new found appreciation for pickles and Coca-cola. The final descent back to the finish line was by far the most painful. I thought running downhill would be so much easier, but it took a toll on my knees.
Now, as I write this and reflect on the weekend, I am so happy to have completed this new distance. It took some convincing from a running friend to sign up, the temptation of a weekend in Bend, and many motivating pep talks to get me on the starting line. Many thanks go out to the race organizers, volunteers, sponsors, and support crews. I was lucky enough to have a support system of my own. My boyfriend, John, joined me in Bend to cheer me on at the Start and Finish of the race. He was up with me before the sun, helping to calm my nerves, coaching me on strategy, and responsible for some of the amazing photography posted here.
Some people have asked if I would sign up for another one. Right now my response is, “Ask me in a week.”
