RACE REPORT #2: Hinson Lake 24 Hour Run

Submitted by: Elizabeth Fuson

Several months ago I heard about the 24 Hour Ultra run at Hinson Lake. Something about it sounded intriguing. Having never run more than 20 miles (only once I might add), I was curious just how many miles I could run in a day. Going into Hinson Lake I had three goals...1) To not get hurt, as I have OBX Full coming up and 2)To run at least my 20 mile training run that was on my calendar and see if I could get to a 50K if possible and 3)To have FUN!

So Margaret and I rode together and tented together on Friday night. Putting up the tent in the heat was no fun at all...but I love to camp so I was not worried. We quickly got our campsite set up and took our things to the staging area by the trail for the next morning. Then, all of the RMECer's went out to eat Italian for dinner. It was so much fun just hanging out. Later that night we all sat in the dark and chatted and watched "Honey Badger" videos on You Tube until it was time to turn in.

Up bright and early we all got ready for the day. At 8am, in a light drizzle of rain we met at the Start Line. As we started out running I met a great girl named Erin. We quickly hit it off...I realized we had more in common than just running. We are both Personal Trainers and both have been in the Army! We ran over 35 miles together that day...and of course, are now Facebook friends! My plan was to run the first 20 miles with little to no breaks to serve as my 20 mile training run, then to access where I was at physically before going on. At 20 miles we were GREAT! We took a quick break, changed our clothes and shoes, and ate.

Hinson Lake has TONS of food...pizza, burgers, boiled potatoes, chips, candy, soda, water, Gatorade, and so much more. I never used one Gu or other energy product. So, Erin and I set out to see if we could complete our first 50K. We chatted with other runners...many whose inspiring stories have changed me forever. Next thing you know, I have finished my first 26.2 mile run, celebrated in mid-run and kept going. When we got to the 50K mark we once again changed clothes, ate, and took a short break. This is where I started feeling a little crazy..."Maybe I can get to 40 miles!" I tell myself. So, we kept running...I hit a wall at about 35 miles due to hip and knee pain due to uneven trail terrain. I could barely walk. I made the rest of the lap in agony and went to the Massage station. I got a massage and it did not help much. I was having trouble walking. I decided to stop.

After taking a break and tearing down my tent, I decided that I was not finished with Hinson Lake yet. I wanted 40 miles and I was going to get them one way or the other! I put on my headlamp and set back out on a journey all alone, in the dark, trail lit by glow sticks (beautiful really) walking to reach my goal. This was the best part of the run by far. It was quiet, dark, and barely any runners on the trail. Kind of eery I suppose. I would never go on a dark trail by myself to run anywhere else. The top runners were trucking right along passing me. It was incredible to even share the trail with such elite runners. Even walking, I did pass some people who were "running" at a snail's pace, so that made me feel like walking wasn't defeat. I finally made it through my last lap and was so happy to check back in at the Lap Counter table. I told them I was done. I was hurting, but satisfied with my 41.04 miles.

Hinson Lake was, by far, one of the best experiences of my life. Something about being on that trail, especially alone at night, was a soul searching journey. Why am I doing this? How far can I really go? So much time to think. Before the race, something within me told me that this Ultra event was going to be "it" for me...and it was. I love Ultra running and cannot wait to go back and try for 50 miles!