On April 21st, I ran the 2018 Earth Day 50k.  It was my second time running the race (2017 recap), and third 50k.  This race recap is long overdue, but I think it’s because I can’t really quite believe that it happened and is over.  Linking up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia for Tuesdays on the Run.

Unlike last year, where I showed up the day of the race to register, I planned for Earth Day 50k as my spring Goal Race. I really wanted to get on the podium this year, since I had been so close last year.  I tweaked training slightly to give myself MORE rest days.  Instead of running 6 days a week like I had in the past, I ran 5 days.  While seemingly insignificant, this was a big shift for me.

Due to my work schedule, I ran my long runs Fridays and Saturdays.  This was my FAVORITE change of the cycle because it gave me Sundays for social things like book clubs and Thoughtlucks.  For speed, I logged as many miles on the treadmill as I could to practice both speed and elevation.  (For treadmill workout ideas, check out this post).  I even ran 25 miles on the treadmill one weekend because of weather… and wanted to die.

Luckily, Jeremy was able to join me for most long run Fridays.  He was training for Earth Day 50k as well and it would be his first ultra!  We battled cold weather, hot weather, snow, mud and even pouring rain together on the trails.  Fellow EDGE coach Katie and I were able to do a few long trail runs together too as she gets ready for Ice Age 50 mile. I’m glad I have so many trail loving friends!

Race Day 

The morning of the race, Jon drove so I could eat my breakfast and jam out to music.  Jon also manned my self-made aid station at the start/finish area and opened Nuun tubes, refilled bottles, handed me energy bites, etc.  He really deserves a brother of the year award.  Some friends from November Project also came up to cheer, as did my parents.  Both were a huge boost.  What I love about the Earth Day 50k, is the ability to see friends and family frequently while still running a challenging course.

Going into the race, Jeremy and I didn’t make a race plan.  He knew I wanted a podium spot and I knew his goal was to finish.  I figured we would stay with each other until we didn’t, like we had done in the F3 Half Marathon.  At a “GO!” from the race director, we started.  I can’t remember anything from the first 4 loops other than Jeremy and I trying to get a jumping picture whenever we passed a photographer or the NP cheer station.  We failed a lot of times.  But we were having a blast. 

The first four loops were a “flow state.”  It was magical, but I was not paying attention to fuel.  I under-ate and under-drank.  It didn’t help that I only had one water bottle (the other had broken).  The wheels started to get squeaky on the end of the fourth loop when my left food and then quad went numb.  Then the train really derailed on the fifth loop.  I began to walk.  And curse.  And realize just how damn LONG an ultra is.

In the midst of all this, my friends let me know I was in third place. Elation! But, shortly thereafter, a girl passed me on an uphill, looking fast and spry. Defeat. I could see her getting farther away from me on the trail and my lofty podium goals crumbled.

As I fought back the urge to cry, doubts began to whisper.  You didn’t train as hard as the other girls.  Shut up brain.  You were fitter and stronger last year.  Shut up brain. You’ve let yourself get weak.  How about we stop after 5 loops?   I slowed to a walk and waved Jeremy on, seeing that he was still able to run.  He stopped and simply asked, “What do you need me to do to help you get on the podium?”  He wasn’t leaving.

Jeremy helped coax me along, peppering me with support, encouragement and hilarious stories about his daughters. The November Project cheer station boosted us through too.  Eventually, I made it back up to third place on the last loop.  Together, Jeremy and I crossed the finish line and then immediately hugged.  And I cried.  Naturally.

The other reason this race recap took me so long was I struggled putting that gratitude into words.  That feeling of, “Holy shit, I actually have these people in my life?” For me, Earth Day – and the training leading up to it – was an example of how incredible the running community, November Project, my friend circle, my family all are.  That’s not something easily expressed with words.  I am fitter, faster, stronger, better because of the people in my life.  This Earth Day 5ok was, hands down, my favorite race ever because of that.  

Happy running,

Becca