Sunday, July 22, 2012
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!
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