My JFK 50

It was an early start to the day when the alarm sounded at 5:00 am and I rolled out of bed and climbed into the shower. It was the only time I would feel warm for the next 12 hours.

I dressed in three layers, two cold weather shirts and a Brooks nightlife jacket, running tights, shorts, hat and gloves but it wasn't enough to keep me warm. The bank clock at the start was reading 16 degrees, it can't have off by much! At one point, somewhere around mile 25 the medics were treating one guy for hypothermia.

As we crossed the start line at 7:00 am we headed uphill and then uphill some more, climbing some 1200 feet over the first five miles of the race.

As we entered the Appalachian Trail section of the course it was a lot more technical than I had anticipated. Some stretches were extremely rocky and I thought to myself, "if I fall here my race is over because I'll break something." It required total focus and on the couple of occasions that I momentarily lost focus I almost fell, I'll probably lose my big toe nail on my left foot as a result of kicking a rock.

The trail section went by quickly and soon we arrived at Weverton cliffs, a rapid decent down switchbacks of almost a 1000 feet over a single mile. Stage one completed.

At this point I was feeling strong and very encouraged to have made it to this point in about 3:15. The warm-up was over, now it was time to run a marathon along the C&O canal path. It would be twelve miles before I would see my family, so I headed off on a twelve mile run. Running for six minutes and walking for one. Before long I was arrived at the rest stop and my family was waiting. Hugs, kisses, high fives and on I went, eleven more miles and I'd see them again at mile 38.

Miles 27 to 38 were the hardest miles ofthe day. My run 6/walk 1 ratio didn't hold up anymore and I developed a blister that I should have treated but ignored. It would eventually burst and felt better until the last four miles when it was rubbed raw and every step hurt. While the toepath was flat it was a challenge just to stay focussed and keep going, a little more variety would have been great and after 20 plus miles the river scenery all started to look the same to me.

It was a wonderful feeling to get off the toepath at mile 42 and know that there was only eight miles left to the finish. I looked at my watch and commented to another runner that it was the only time I had wondered if I could cover 8 miles in 1:43 to break the ten hour barrier!

The last eight miles were rolling hills and I went back to a walk up hill and run down. But I was puzzled about what to do on the flat sections! I tried to run a minute or so and then walk a little, my only focus at this point was finishing under the ten hour mark.

I saw my family for the last time at mile 46 and knew at that point I would, pending a disaster break the ten hour goal.

There were mile markers counting down the last 8 miles on the road, it was very helpful and I wagged my finger in victory at each number as I passed. The two miles to go sign appeared to be to close the 1.5 to aid station and I asked which sign was correct. The aid station folks assured me that the aid station was correct! What joy as almost half a mile disappeared from my mind. As I approached the finish I picked up my pace and was about to cross the line when my youngest tried to give me a high-five, I missed her little hand, stopped, ran back, high-fived her and crossed the finish line.

Time: 9:47:54

I felt elated. I took a shower, ate a piece of pizza, drank a coke, stood up to walk to the car and my hip flexors were shot, I could hardly walk. I waddled to the car and relaxed on the drive home. Tomorrow I'm off for a massage, can't wait.

I don't believe the temperature ever got above 32 and the wind was blowing, it was brutally cold all day.

 Nutrition:

4 Packets of Clif Shot Blocks

3 Bananas

1 Potato

5 Smuckers PB&J sandwiches

1 Cup of Soup

2 cups of chips

2 Pretzel sticks

2 cups of Gatorade

lots of water

Would I do it again? I'm not sure. I may be willing to try a different ultra but mentally it would be a challenge to run the same one again, not knowing what was ahead of me was most definitely a positive.

Comments

[Sherri]

Awesome job Neil! You did fantastic and are really an inspiration to a lot of people. Who says life has to slow down as we get older?!

[brian and jan]

Way to go Neil! 50 at 40 is quite an accomplishment! Think of the rare air you are now in, being able to say you've run an Ultra!

[DogzBollux]

Nice Job!!

Certainly was a cold day for a long run.

Cheers

DogzBollux

[Johnny Gebreselassie]

Neil,

Just awesome!

[Keith]

Times like this are the rare instances I am glad you moved away. Had you been in Minnesota, I would have had to go out and cheer you on in person rather than doing so from the warmth of my heart and home.
I had hoped you could do it, believed you would do it and now am amazed you did it.
Still love and miss you guys.
Keith and family.
Happy Thanksgiving.

[Anthony Crisp]

Neil,

Amazing accomplishment! You are an inspiration to those of us training for everything from a 5K to a marathon and more.

God Bless,
Racer-X (Anthony Crisp)

[neil]

You know, of course I'd do it again!