From 5k to 50 Miles

Run Report: Submitted by Brian Lankford

Well, I am home now. It is 3:30 PM and I have been a 50 mile ultra runner veteran for 8.5 hrs. I would have to say that at this time I feel surprisingly well. I attribute that to a bucket of ice water for two very tired feet and an achy left achilles tendon and yes.....a baggy of ice that I sat my left buttocks on. The baggy of ice for the buttocks was mostly precautionary, for we have all heard how nasty a sore buttocks can be. This post race therapy lasted about 15 minutes and then my lovely wife held my hand as I slowly shuffled off to bed. It has been 28hrs since I've seen this bed so I tell it and my wife I love them both and proceed to pass out.

As far as the 50 miles goes. That all started about 7 PM last night. Man was it crowded. Frank, who has been my mentor throughout the 2 months since he somehow corrupted this innocent mind into passing over to the dark side of ultra running, took me out to run loops through MLK park and such to start my trek. I must say that this portion of my race was some of the most pleasant. I talked and talked running at a very intelligent pace and burning nervous energy. Running at an intelligent pace is not my strong point. Eric Pate paced me through my next 5.5 miles throughout the park into pitch darkness. Very scary, but not as scary as Eric must have looked in his ribbed cotton tank top and cargo shorts. This outfit obviously scared away 3 young doers of no good on our loop.

Back at the track it is still very crowded so Ashley Bass, Steve, and Arthur take to the streets aided by Ashley's GPS futuristic watch. We stick to this plan until 10:00 until the track becomes passable. Michael showed up about this time and paced me through several miles. I believe at that point Michael had us running 7:00 minute miles! Just kidding Michael. Ashley's magic watch knew when I was going too fast and would tell him so my evil pacer didn't kill me. I was nervous when Ashley left after pacing me for about 15 miles because I really, really liked that watch.

It was getting late now but I knew what an 11:00 min pace felt like and tried my best to run that way.

Steve and I continued on around and around and around at a comfortable pace with a nice walk break scattered in a uniform increments. I think Steve went to the tent around 1AM when Scott showed up. I really can't remember exactly. I remember Frank shaking his head at me as I would pass the camp site because of my pace. But him and Steve slipped off to sleep and me and Scott were left on our own for the next 3 hours. This was a nice stretch because the track was basically empty. Scott was running his pace and I was running mine and we would meet up and walk together.

Oh ya, I believe this was when Derek and John were running their 20 miles. I remember them running their blistering pace as I plodded along. They were constantly checking on the sleeping beauties in the tent. Steve in his cot and Frank snuggled in the corner. Derek said they were sent by the Enquirer to get incriminating photos of Steve and Frank "spooning". Derek and John left after their 20, and no photographic black mail was ever acquired.

Frank relieved Scott of his pacing duties at mile 35 around 4AM and the dynamic duo was off again. Frank was looking quite dashing after his 4 hour beauty rest or maybe I was just overly fatigued. I had settled to a real nice pace of 2 laps at whatever pace I was running and walking one lap. Frank settled in to his own pace and again I felt very good knowing Frank was on the track and we would meet up and talk for walk breaks occasionally. I was looking for the big mental or physical crash to occur around mile 40 or 45 but it never happened and I think it was because there was always someone out there with me and reminding me to drink and take it easy.

At mile 45 I knew I was going to make it and I actually believe I began to pick up the pace. I don't know because prior to this race, anything that took me over 19 minutes to finish was slow. People began to ask me how far I had gone, how many laps I had left. People would say after I passed, "That's him". I was feeling Relay celebrity. Eric ran with me through the last 3 miles and with 1 lap to go I saw Frank sprint, yes Frank was sprinting across the football field to tell the quite loud and sometimes obnoxious announcer that the little guy in the yellow shirt was completing his last lap for 50 miles.

The announcer commenced to broadcast my final lap somewhat like a NASCAR - horse race. 'folks, the little guy in the yellow shirt is headed down the east stretch of the field. He is now entering turn 1 on his final lap. Folks he is now exiting turn 2 and headed down the back stretch". I was hoping I didn't hear " folks he's in a spin, rolling and tumbling wildly with parts flying off and coming to rest against the outside wall!" I was in heaven. After 12 hours I was finally able to just run. I knew all systems were fine and I kicked it in. I ran like the wind for that final 1/2 lap and finished to the roar of the crowd and the click of Frank's camera. It was a wonderful 12 hours and I thank everyone who came out to encourage me to my personal victory. From 5K to 50.