Ultra Running: Trials of the Trail 

Day 2

What a relief to see blue skies this morning as we checked in for our day’s run.  I had looked at the weather forecast online before going to the camp, and it was supposed to be similar to yesterday.  I decided to keep all my clothes on, under armor, shirt, heavy jacket and tights.  We started running and of course within the first hour it was warm.  Hot for me with all my layers.  I slowly started to disrobe and tie my tops around my waist.

I also had started the day with a slightly questionable stomach.  I was wary of having to live on gels for the next 4+ hours.  We were scheduled to run 19 today, the last 3 of which a grueling uphill grind out of the canyon.  After all the climbing yesterday I was not sure there would be much “climb” left in me.

As the run progressed my tummy tolerated the necessary calories.  The heat did not bother me much either, I was down to my running bra at this point and had pulled my tights up to my knees.  I also took a sodium replacement tablet each hour: for future reference I think this helped my stomach take in the GU.

The portion of the course we ran was much easier terrain than yesterday (still impressive by normal running standards) and I ended up running stronger than expected.  I hit the 16 mile aid station more than 20 minutes ahead of my projected time: 2 hours 48 minutes.  I knew the 3 mile hike out would take me 45 minutes so I set a new goal on the fly to do the climb in less than that anticipated time.  I took me 44 + minutes, don’t know if that was a victory or another sad realization how difficult the WS 100 really is. 

If the course itself does not break you I found out today that there is poison oak all over this course.  According to people in the know, getting poison oak is a truly miserable experience.  On this information I wondered about my potty stops yesterday.  Did I squat on a plant and in a few days the oils that may be deposited on my bum will start an itchy painful, nasty rash?  Poison oak has a 2-3 day incubation period, again new information for me.  I made no potty stops today, but know this is not realistic for the race.  Just another thing to consider 3 days from now as I am peeling off my toenails….what is that curious itch??

I will take a few ice baths tonight; I am wimpy so there will be very little ice in my cold tub.  Tomorrow we are set to run 21 miles.  I am hesitant to say I can accomplish this third day.  I will go in the morning with the most important piece of equipment: a good attitude and an intention to complete the task at hand.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 05/25/2008
• Time: 08:30:00
• Total Time: 3:32:00.00
• Distance: 19 miles
• Average Pace: 11:09.14/mile