It was 9pm and the first 12 hours of running was complete...only 12 hours to go! I stepped it up a notch and started clicking off some good miles. I noticed that I was definitely in better shape than I was last year at this same event: the US Ultra running National Championships--24 Hour competition. However, a few hours later I realized I was having a challenge keeping down the necessary fuel to keep going. That's not good. I attempted some modifications to the strategy but wasn't having great luck. My pace fell off and I struggled for a number of hours. It came to a point where the focus was just on moving forward at all verse quitting.
At hour 23, the course is shortened to a simple 1/4 mile loop. My legs were fried after some 110+ miles. My body was way under fueled. Blood was coming thru my right shoe due to a poor job I did prepping it when I did a shoe change some 12 hours earlier. However, when the race director announced over the PA system that Connie Gardner was on pace to set the women's American record, I got inspired. I put everything I had into moving faster... I focused everything on getting it going to encourage her. I was cheering for her. I found myself going faster and faster as my inspiration grew. By the last 1/4 mile, I was running at 7:00 min/mile pace according to the race’s record log.
The race, although far from ideal, left me with a number of lessons:
1. I am a very fortunate person to have friends and family that are so supportive they would stay up all night and help me through it all. Thanks Dad, Wendy, Randy,
2. Fuel is very important--get some more experience with other fuel sources.
3. Inspiration that can come from helping another person can tap a deep source of energy.
4. Connie Gardner is an amazing athlete. Actually, I already knew that one.
