Training Log Archive: Funderstormin

JFK 50 miler

I was pretty psyched to get a lottery spot in this race when I sent my entry in in July. With 3 50Ks under my belt this season I figured it was a good time to try a new distance, and to knock a new state off of my Canada / U.S. lifetime bucket list.

This race has somewhat of a cult following, and after having completed it, I can say it's a bit of a strange one. Yes, the event is historic and steeped in tradition, but other than the first 15 miles on the Applachian Trail, which were stunning and my favourite part of the race, I can't understand why people go back to this race every year. But they do! The night before the race they had a dinner inducting people into the 500 mile, 750 mile, and 1000 mile club! The guy I decided to chat to in line while waiting for my package had run it 26 times, and I spent some lovely time on the AT with Larry from Brooklyn who had run it 13. In any case, enough rambling, but to set the context, I'd say that this race attracts a unique crowd for an ultra.


This was the first ultra I'd done that had cut-offs at every aid station. The reality of this hadn't hit me until I was in bed the night before doing some math in my head. The first cut-off was 2.5 hours for 9 miles. Sure, I should make it, but what if I didn't? Gulp. This, along with an unhappy stomach (I think from too much Hagerstown tap water) and other irrational thoughts, kept me up most of the night.

Made it to the Boonsboro Educational Complex with lots of time to spare on Saturday morning. After a race briefing in which "veterans" who could serve as pacers were identified, we all walked 10 minutes into downtown Boonsboro for the start of the race. First couple of miles were uphill on paved road leading to the start of the AT section. Met a guy from Burlington who runs ultras out here and had been coming down to JFK for something like 16 years. I was thrilled to get on the trail and was feeling great. Got to the first "handler" point - 9.4 miles - in something like 1:50, 40 minutes ahead of the cut off. By the next cut-off, 15.4 miles, I had over an hour to spare. Phew! This was definitely the best part of my race. I loved the AT, even the dreaded quad-killing switchbacks that I kept hearing people talk about, and I was sad when this part was over...

Because I knew what was next....27 miles on pancake flat "towpath" (U.S. speak for rail trail) broken up only by aid stations every 3-4 miles. As I started running this section, I couldn't believe that I was going to have to spend the next 5-6 hours on it. I was sick of it in about 20 minutes, and despite the fact that there were 1666 other runners out there, I often found myself running alone (with no ipod, since they were prohibited).

I tried not to think about how far I had left to go, how many more hours I'd be out there but only focus on getting to the next aid station. Andrew met me at several permitted handler points, swapping out my water bottles and offering his usual words of encouragement. I experienced only one real "down" section during what I refer to as the "no man's land" of long distance running - where you are already starting to hurt and/or feel crappy but you aren't anywhere close to being finished. (of course, I wasn't feeling quite as bad as the man I saw projectile vomiting into the woods). No man's land for me was between 20-35 miles. Once I hit the 25 mile marker (around 5 1/2 hours in), I knew that I was halfway done and each step really was that much closer to the finish.

With many walk breaks, lots of mind games, and a few conversations with others, I got through that stupid f*&^%^& towpath, hitting the 42 mile marker in something like 9.5 hours. 8 miles of paved rolling roads to go, 2.5 hours to do it in. As we left the towpath, we received reflective vests as it was now nearing darkness. The next 8 miles featured lots of walking and inner dialogue about the balance between finishing as fast as I could and staying comfortable because I knew I was going to make the 12 hour cut-off. Once I started running, it didn't feel that bad, but convincing myself to start running again, with both knees and hips screaming at me, was tough to do.

Eventually found my way into Williamsport where the finish line was located and as is prone to happen found a second (third, fourth, fifth?) wind to run strong across the finish line in 11:36. 1667 people started the race, 1014 finished, and I was 804th. Not super impressive, but when I factored in the number of people who dropped out or who were cut off (39%), I'll take it. I didn't stay outside to watch, but it was heartbreaking to watch people come in who had just missed the cut-off, who received neither an official time or a medal for their efforts. There was an option to "appeal" for a 5:00 am start to allow two extra hours to complete the course (which of course I was wishing I had done the night before) and I really felt for some of those 5 am people who I passed in the later parts of the race and who I knew still wouldn't finish.

All in all, a good experience, but I don't think I'd go back to this race again. I would have enjoyed myself more (and perhaps even run better) on a more inspiring and/or challenging course Right now, I'm still too sore to start thinking about what's next, but as my selective amnesia kicks in, I'm sure I'll start looking for the next event.

C • Congrats! 8

C • Good Luck This Weekend 2