Next Race AR Traveler 100 Mile October 6-7, 2012 Fifth Times a Charm

Third Year Keys 100 When I ventured into ultra running, I never realized where it would take me. And for the last three years, it has taken me down to southern Florida, running along the two-laned Overseas Highway (Hwy #1) from Key Largo, FL to Key West, FL. Each year seems to improve for me as I challenge my body and mind in this race. While my main goal has always been to finish the race, it has also been a learning experience on how to survive running so many miles in this environment of humidity and heat while staying fed and hydrated…something I still haven’t figured out. The course is run on the road, mostly on the shoulder or pedestrian bridges, and the scenery is fabulous. It is flat with the exception of the 7-mile bridge, which takes you up and over for, well, you guessed it, 7 miles. Runners must move against traffic and be smart and alert as traffic flies by. The most challenging part of the run for me is not only the physical challenges but the mental challenges, for running into Key West takes a ton of patience and staying power to keep moving. Minus the rocks, dirt, and roots that I have endured while running 100 mile races on the trails, the road takes its toll on my feet and head in a much different way. The end can feel miles and miles away (no pun intended) right up until the finish, and at times I don’t even feel as though I am making any progress. This year, I felt as though I would never make it to that final turn onto Roosevelt Blvd, which is 3 miles to the finish. But, once I did, I felt that relief. It was pouring down rain, the same way that the race began. Yes, I was glad that it was finished, and yes, I wished it was all just beginning? Does that make sense? Miles 0-25: Key Largo, FL, mile marker 100 to Islamorada, FL, mile marker 75 Time: 6:10 am, May 19 100 mile individual racer Crew: Husband, Bill. Met me every two miles to hand off cold water, GU, and an iced towel. Weather: Dark. Sunrise around 6:30. Rain set in at around mile 5. Poured for the first marathon. Physically: Strong. No pain Mentally: Excited and positive Conversation: Runner passing-“I’m just worried about how this rain is going to affect our feet.” Me-“Oh it will be fine. That is the least of my worries!” Plan: Stay hydrated, cool, and optimistic Miles 26-50 Islamorada, FL, mile marker 74 to Marathon, Fl, mile marker 50 Time: 8 hours and 41 minutes on the course Weather: Rain stopped. Humid. Sun was out. Heat began setting in. Crew: Bill locked the keys in the crew van. Ran miles 30-40 without any crew. Yikes! Physically: Some fatigue. No pain in feet or legs…yet. Mentally: Work on pulling it together for the 7 mile bridge. Try to get refreshed and hydrated. Conversation after 10 miles of running with no sign of my crew: Me-“Where have you been?”. Bill-“I locked the keys in the car.” Me-“Oh no (as I wiped tears from my eyes)! I was seriously worried sick.” Plan: Time to regroup. Approached the 7 mile bridge at mile marker 47. Miles 51-75 Marathon, FL, mile marker 49 to mile marker 25, between Ramrod Key and Sutherland Key, FL Time: 14 hours and 29 minutes on the course Weather: Sunny. Hot. Made it over the 7 mile bridge. 40 miles to go. Physically: By the end of this section-Tired, nauseous, dreaded stomach issues began around mile 60. Energy was sinking. Needed to eat but couldn’t keep anything down. Vomiting began. Feet were beginning to hurt. Mentally-Tired, stressed about nutrition, anxious to finish Conversation: Bill-“You made it pretty good over the bridge.” Me-“I am sick as a dog right now.” Plan: Make it in to Key West with a PR!!!! Was it possible at this point? Miles 76-100 Sutherland Key, FL, mile marker 24 to Key West, FL, mile marker 1 @ Higgs Beach Official Finish Time: 21 hours and 25 minutes on the course (PR) Crew: Worked on encouraging me to eat something. Met me every mile until the end. Walked some with me. Weather: Dark. Chilly. Rain set in at around mile 95. Poured rain for the end of the race. Physically: Feeling stronger as I got closer to the finish and was able to get an Ensure to stick to my stomach. Feet hurt so badly. Blister between each toe. Each step hurt. Feet looked like shriveled raisins. Note to self: Don’t put off changing shoes when they stay wet all day. Mentally: Ready to finish. Move into third place. This was the most challenging and mentally-draining section of the race for me. The lights of Key West could be seen for miles, and it seemed as though I could reach out and touch them. Moving just one mile felt like 10. Conversation with about 10 miles left to go: Me-“Hey, Bill go back there and see what that light is getting closer to me.” Bill-“Yea, it’s a female about ¼ mile back!” Me-“Ohhhh no!!!! Let’s go!!! Plan: Finish strong. Run regardless of the pain in my feet. Remain in third place So another year at the Keys100. Definitely worth the entry fee and the cost to travel down to make this run, which benefits prostate cancer awareness. I must say that I struggled pretty badly during the final marathon with stomach upset and painful feet, but it was worth it. I will continue to learn from my mistakes and perfect my hydration strategies for next year. Certainly, the best part of this year’s race was earning a third place spot and getting one of the hand-made conch shell trophies. Another highlight was meeting John Pyle as he finished his trek across the US. Pyle was running in an effort to raise money for veterans. He had started running in San Francisco and finished his last 100 miles across the US with the Keys 100. I also met Henry Wrinkler AKA the Fonz at the Atlanta Airport and had my pic made with him. Pretty neat stuff. And…I must thank Bill, for his help as my crew, for this race time would not have been possible without his sincere support. He made me keep running through the pain, held my head as I puked, made me eat until it stuck, and took care of me when I could barely move the days following the race. What a fabulous man!! I love him for that! Smiles!

Had a fantastic race. Final time was 22 hr and 20 minutes. Second Overall Female. 8th overall runner. I am proud of this accomplishment; however, wish I would have run a sub 20. Does this ever end? The big ultra time is sub 24..right? Why am I trying to get better than that? Feel like I could have done this although I lost so much time during the night. Ran the first 50 k in 5 hours. Was right on target speed for the first 50 miles, averaging about 6 miles every hour. Once I appoached the 7 mile bridge (around mile 63), I started out strong. About half way through, my water was hot, and I didn't have a pacer. There were a few other runners around me on the bridge. My calves locked up a couple of times, and I had to stop and squat. My husband had been meeting me every 1/2 mile to a mile and refreshing my drink and so forth. I was about of electrolytes by this time, so I was having to rely on the EFO supplement that was giving me heartburn. When I got across the bridge, I decide I needed to eat and drink some calories. I had two slices of pizza; unfortunatley, this all came up about 30 minutes later. It was getting dark. I new at this point it was going to be tough to keep moving. I didn't want to get sick again, so I was relying mainly on ice water. I really couldn't stomach anything else. So I was staggering the final marathon. Literally asleep and still moving lol. Had to walk a lot and this caused me some serious time.

LESSONS LEARNED: My choice of electrolytes is Accel gel with ice water. I will have this every hour at BADWATER. I am working on the heartburn issues and taking in the EFO supplement drink so that I can get used to it. It would be nice to be able to drink this instead of water and therefore, have to rely on the gels. I don't think my stomach can handle anything but this type of nutrition. Once I threw up, I knew that I had lost everything, and I did not want this to happen again. I think probably at this point, I was over hydrated as I wasn't taking in an equal amount of electrolytes. My goal is to perfect this balance before July.

Husband set up a tredmil in front of a heater out in his shop. Plan to do some heated running a lot in the next month. Having a bit of pain on the inside of my foot though. Will do some biking and trial running in addition to pave mileage.

Just got out of pre race meeting! Got number 5! Plane was delayed this am for about 3 hr, so we didn't get in as scheduled! Didn't get much sleep last night but still feel ok it is going to be hot tomorrow the hotter the better I always say!!

Stayed sick all week leading up to the Keys Run. Had congestion and got into some poison ivy while floating the Buffalo River this weekend. Had a good time despite the PI. Was really worried I wasn't going to be up to running in the Keys, but I feel much better today. We are leaving Little Rock tonight and plan to be in Dallas by early morning. Can't wait. Ready to run!!!! Perhaps getting sick this week was a blessing.

Leaving for the Keys next Friday, May 13! Driving to Dallas and flying from DFW to Ft. Lauderdale. Planning to buy supplies when we arrive. Taking very little as we are trying to avoid additional charges! Really excited and feeling very strong!

BadWater 2011

Here we go again.
What: Keys 100 2011
When: May 14-15 strong>
Where: Key Largo to Key West
Why: Preparation for BadWater 2011
How: Crew Support: Hubby Bill

What: Badwater 2011
When: July 11, 2011
Where: DeathValley to Mt Whitney
Why: Because I was invited to compete. Day One is my 40th B-Day. Not scared about the miles or heat. Nervous about stomach issue and nutrition. Need help.
How: Crew Support: Hubby Bill (Crew Leader), Mother (Gail Hopkins), Sister (April Owen), Neice (Ashley Owen)
Preparation: Sauna Training, Hill training, 75-100 mile running weeks. Cross Training. Beginning in June, Double-Day Workouts, napping, and sun tanning (daily).

CAN'T WAIT