So, we did. The event only allowed 350 participants and sold out in the first hour. It is a popular race in Illinois at the Kennekuk Park. It was only a little over an hour drive for us, which was nice. We went down the night before to get our packet and a hotel. There was the option to camp and grab a site along the runner's shoot but we had friends that did that and seeing as though I worked that day, it just wasn't feasible (and I hate camping).
Let me start by saying I had every intentions of training for this event. But I also have the tendency to just go for things feet first. I did that latter of the two. So, we got up early, and headed over to the race. Seeing the people there, we felt very out of our league. These were some serious runners.
We got our chairs set up, our snacks on the table so we could grab them as we ran by and were ready to start. The event was 8 hours and we had to get as many 3.29 mile loops in as we can. To be considered an "ultra" we had to get in more than 26.2 miles. A lot of people, in the running community, wrinkle their noses when you don't get the full 30 miles. But the definition of an ultra, according to Ultra Running Magazine is "The standard definition is anything past the marathon, or 26.2 miles"
I did the first two loops without much trouble. The scenery was nice, it was mostly trails with some gravel, one significant hill and I took it easy at a nice pace. I did my first loop in 40 minutes and my second in 43. I was making good time. I did what all my research told me - I didn't start out fast, I stopped at every aid station and drank water/gatorade, I grabbed a snack at each aid station, I walked the hill. I was feeling unstoppable.
There was a slight overcast and it was misting, so the weather was great. I got to a little over mile 12 and something in my hip flexor shifted, popped, whatever you want to call it. I call it excruciating pain. It stopped me immediately. I thought, 'oh my gosh, what did I do'. I said I would go the entire 8 hours and the only way I would stop is if my body made me. I thought - at mile 12??! Really?! I pushed through it. I made it to 13.1 - my first goal, a half marathon. The longest I have ever ran is a little over 10 miles....once...and by accident because I got lost. True story. So this was huge for me.
It was about mile 15 that my calves were tightening. I have issues with the top of my right foot and it has bothered me on the first loop, now it was really bothering me. So I stopped off at our tent and changed into some compression socks for my calves and fixed my shoe strings to help my foot. My calves thanked me but my foot was still hurting and my hip flexor was demanding I stop.
I am not sure what mileage it was but it was somewhere in loop 6, I had tried to jog/run/jog/run and was doing fairly okay but it was halfway through that 6th loop that I just couldn't do it any more. I felt so angry as I walked. I would attempt to jog a little bit on the even pavement when I came to it but the pain was unbearable. And by this time, the sun had came out. Honestly, the heat wasn't a factor because I was too focused on the pain.
I had a moment of anxiety. I was alone the entire race. I thought I would catch up to Matt on a loop but he kept a pretty good pace himself so I never did. I was hurting, I was angry and I just wanted Matt. That moment passed and I just kept telling myself - one foot in front of the other.
It didn't help that people were passing me, numerous times. One woman passed me 5 times. She lapped me FIVE times. She was not human, I am positive.
I had time for one more lap. It was the hardest to finish. It was then that I kept hearing people say you had to get 30 miles to get the medal. I was like seriously? I did all this for nothing? Granted the medal is just a circle on a ribbon but, danggit, I wanted it. I earned it. Finally, I finish the 8th lap = 26.4 miles. Matt was already at the tent. I checked in with my lap counter and went and sat down. Lordy, it felt good to sit.
Matt made it 7 miles, a little over 23 miles. He was disappointed he didn't get that 8th lap but blisters on his feet prevented him from pushing through. Doesn't matter, though - he did 23 MILES. I am proud of him.
I was hurting and was ready to go home. I didn't care about the dinner afterwards, I wanted to go. I told Matt and for me to get up was impossible. Once Matt helped me up, the pain in my hip was unbearable. It hurt so bad it was making me sick. Matt told me to wait and he would pull the van closer. As soon as he left, I felt my hearing go. I knew that meant I was going to pass out. My vision tunneled. I quickly sat down to avoid falling down. Several people asked me if I was alright. I was. I just needed to moment.
Matt returned and helped me up. I physically could not get in the van. I panicked and tears welled up as I told Matt how bad it hurt. I can tolerate pain - a lot of pain but this was incapacitating me. I felt helpless and I didn't like it. Matt gently instructed me and I finally was in the van. Matt's a good guy. He even went to the directors and asked if I got a medal. I couldn't get out of the van to even see if I got one. I did. That made me ecstatic. I earned a medal - I was an ultra marathoner by definition!
The drive home was okay. Sitting wasn't an issue. Once I got home, the next few days were horrible. My hip flexor stopped hurting the next day. But my quads were screaming. I couldn't get up off the couch or sit down without help. My foot was swollen and sore and I was a mess.
It is now 3 days later and I am moving a little better. I don't need assistance - haha. My foot is still bothering me but I put KT tape on it and it seems to be better.
Moral of the story kids - I did a 5k, 10k, half marathon, full marathon and an ultra in one day. I looked at Matt and said can you believe it? Can you believe me and you did this for 8 hours? Can you believe it?!
Matt said he is going to train and return next year to get his medal.
I told him I would cheer him on from the tent.
Never again. I did it, I conquered it....am over it.
So the review of the event Howl at the Moon Ultra
Terrain - trails, gravel, pavement
Organization - very nicely organized and they took great care of their runners
Cost - not sure since Matt signed us up
Time of the race - 7:30am
Overall - well done, friendly environment, nicely organized
Swag - a medal if you finish 8 loops, age group medals, tshirt (has typo but that's okay), sticker, mesh bag, food
My Time - 7.35 hours
Race #26 (46 total to date)
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