RACE REPORT: Sweaty Butt 50k #2

Submitted by: Ron Flemming

On the way home from God's Country, Frank mentioned that Sweaty Butt could be my next race. Being that I was still feeling the effects of God's Country, I pretty much dismissed the idea and that was about all that was said about it. Fast forward a week and I was starting to think about it.

I finally signed up the week of the race when I noticed there was only one slot left open. I had not gotten a lot of training in since God's Country, but I felt confident about my fitness level. However, I don't think there was anything that could have prepared me in such short of time for the trails at Umstead. I envisioned trails like Medoc and felt pretty good about how I could handle three loops of a Medoc 10-miler if I had to do it.

Umstead Park opened at 7am and by the time everyone gathered at the starting shelter, it was probably around 7:30 when we started running. Everyone brought their own aid, so there was aid at the start and aid at the halfway point of the 10.3 mile loop. It was a very nice cool start (cool for July 4th). Pretty much the entire race was under the canopy in the shade.

I ran the first loop alone, but passed and met tons of people along the way. The first ten miles went pretty smooth and well within my comfort zone. However what I noticed about the trails was that they were much more rugged than what I am used to. Rocks and roots everywhere and lots and lots of ups and downs.

After completing the first loop and making a stop to refill my water bottles and have a snack, I started on loop two still feeling comfortable. After about two miles I caught up with another Sweaty Butt runner named Dorothy. I ran with her for pretty much the entire second loop. I think she said she was training for a 100 miler!

At the 15 mile aid station, I was starting to feel the effects of the trails. My breathing was under control and I didn't feel like heat was a factor, but my feet and ankles were not enjoying it. I pushed through the next 5 miles taking some short walk breaks, trying not to overdo it. By the time I got back to the starting point, I had done about 20.6 miles and I did not want to continue. I had gone out there with the intentions of completing the 50k and as easy as it would have been to bail, I made myself continue even though the feet and ankles were screaming at me. Other than soreness, I didn't feel like it would be unsafe to continue.

About two or so miles into my third loop I crossed paths with Frank and he was almost done for the day. I was wishing that was me. I still had a good amount to go and my miles were getting longer and longer. At this point I was doing right much walking. I was getting really frustrated and there just wasn't anything that I could do to take my mind off the pain and what was ahead.

Getting to the halfway aid station for the last time was a slight mental boost, but the last five miles were just more of the same...very slow running and walking. Many times I questioned was it even worth it to be going through all this. At the time, the answer was 'no'. Even the thought of getting to the finish didn't make things better. But as we all know, thinking about getting to the finish and actually getting to the finish are two completely different things.

Getting to the finish was a huge relief. I think the best part was taking off my shoes and socks. I forgot to stop my watch until a few minutes after I had finished (time was the last thing on my mind), but I think the total trek was a little over a looong 6hrs and 50min.

So glad this one was over.