Dick Collins Firetrails 50 Mile Race Brief

Just a few details.  I may write more about it later, since there is a lot of good stuff to cover.

Timid after the hamstring strain two weeks ago, I went into this race with the mantra of “no over striding and easy downhills.”  I followed that well and the hamstring was a non issue.  In fact all my body felt good the entire race (well, as good as it can feel running 50 miles).  My stomach had been a little odd the day and night before the race but I just assumed it was nerves.

Things were going well from the start and a group of 7 guys were off the front, spread out a little by mile six with three up about 40 seconds and four, including myself, following.  I hit the first split right on pace at 60 mins (I was carrying splits for an ambitious 6:50 finish).  My stomach both down by my waist and up under my ribs started cramping to the point were I was running with my fingers jabbed deeply into my solar plexus like I was trying to touch my spine.  This lasted from mile 6 to a little after mile 20.  I changed some of what I was eating and drank a little more even though it was cold and foggy and finally the cramping subsided enough for me to run a little faster.

The rest of the race was a lot of fun.  I have to admit that I was disappointed yesterday with my time but today, hobbling around my place, I feel ok with it.

The highlights of the race were many:  Meeting Ann Trason, the tough and incredibly well marked course, the food (salmon patties, apple chicken sausages, pasta salads, soups, wheat beer, etc, the finishers’ jackets and race shirts, and especially riding to and returning from the race with a super group of people who I’m grateful to have met and look forward to running with soon.

Certainly one of the best events I’ve been to and even though Ann told me it’s a “one woman show” I made sure to tell her what a great job she does with it.  I’m hoping she passed even just a tiny bit of her running greatness to me when we shook hands.