Race Report
MTC Ultradistance Classic 50K
Sarasota FL - 2/13/2010
I know this race is under the radar for most ultrarunners, but it is a must attend for me. The folks that put this on each year do such a spectacular job. Every year we get some sort of jacket, rather then a shirt. I had so much fun. Cameron and I drove down to Sarasota. He ran the 25K and I ran the 50K.
The weather was about perfect. The course was in great shape. I got to run with ultrarunner turned long distance hiker Richard Smith, then Jerry and Jim Sullivan. Cameron won the 25K fun run in 1:41:35 and got to wait hours for me to finish in 6:13. That was a pretty decent time for me.
Race Report
Tallahassee Ultra Distance Classic 50K 12/12/2009
I love this race!. I have attended it for the better part of 12 years. This race is full of history. It is a certified course. Over the years quite a few records have been set there. Ann Burke and Gordy Hawking of Pinellas County were also there again this year, as they have been for many years. It was good to do some laps with each of them. Some of my fellow darkside runners were also there. The volunteers are so helpful and attentive. The race directors are wonderful people. Then there's the post race massage.
I usually attempt the 50 miler. But I was unsure about my foot. So, I decided that the 50k would be sufficient. This year Cameron was going with me to attempt his second ultra. Being more of a mom then a runner, his race was more important to me than mine. In addition, Joe Burgasser was also attending. In my speedster days he was my coach and is now Cameron's coach. Last year at the TUDC, Joe set a national age record. Once we started looking at the world best for his age. I think he was trying to go for it. It was 7 minutes faster then he ran last year. It was to be an exciting day.
The race started at 7 am. The race conditions were low 40s and rain rain rain. It never stopped raining at any time during the race.
I was running pretty strong. At half way, I was at 2:45. It was great to watch Cameron each loop running so strong. But when I was half way he was already at least 8 miles ahead and he was still running strong. Cameron lead for most of the race. But there was Jon who came up from Miami, I don't think he had ever run an ultra but had some really fast marathons. Apparently, Jon was keeping track of Cameron during the race. He had a separate watch on Cameron.
When Cameron came by me for the last time with about a mile to go, I knew he was really struggling. The Tallahassee folk have gotten to know him pretty well over the years and were really encouraging him. He was pushing hard to finish that last mile. But I saw Jon coming. He was strong, really strong. He caught Cameron less then a 100 yards from the finish. Cameron had nothing left to answer Jon's surge. So the win was not to be. Apparently, Cameron collapsed at the finish. He was spent, having run a 3:43:37 for his second 50K. By the time I finished up that lap to check on Cameron, he had already received his post race massage but was struggling with the pain, agony, and physical fatigue after the race. That's when the mom in me has to stop and take care of her kid. 15 minutes later, the race timer asked me if I was dropping or planning to continue. I told her I was planning to continue, but would let her know. But I really thought I was done. How could I leave Cameron. Well after another 10 minutes or so his smile returned and he said "MOM! Get out there and finish your race." Well at that point I was right next to the warm fireplace. It was very comfortable. The rain outside was coming down in buckets. What do you think I did? What would any sane person do? Well, I got back out and started running again! It was cold, it was wet, but I spent time in those next 5 loops with Ann Burke and with Gordy Hawkins so it was very pleasant and I finished the 50K with a smile on my face.
Cameron was hoping to run an age record but missed it by a little over a minute. Joe Burgasser missed the world record, by a small margin. I missed the sub-6hr that I was hoping to run, but gosh I love this event! Next year I will be back to attempt the fifty miler once again….can't. wait.
Race Report
Oil Creek 100 Mile
Titusville PA - 10/10/2009 –DNF
I will be back to finish this race some day. However, I went into it barely able to walk. I now know what I had was a neuroma on my left foot which had a bursa attached. I ran for while, hiked for a while, then limped to the school at the 50K point and dropped out. The course was beautiful but difficult. The weather was cool and rainy. The aid stations were extremely well stocked and attended. The race director was amazing. The volunteers were so helpful.
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