What does it take to run an ultra marathon? For me, it took 11 months of training with a coach that knew what to do, an understanding family, sacrifice of sleep and going out on a regular basis, and several pairs of shoes.
What did it give me? An unbelievable sense of accomplishment. A fitness level that I have never had. Friendships that have become stronger and so much more.
I hired Jene to coach me to my first ultra before I turned 40 in October 2010. I did not think it would be possible to do this in 11 months. She made the planning so easy by sending me a weekly plan of my training to complete for that week and included not only running, but cycling, swimming, elliptical, stairs, aqua jogging (which really sucks and is so hard with a pair of shoes on), and of course walking.
I completed my first triathlon in 2009 as part of the training, set a PR in the Kansas City Marathon six weeks later and then settled in for 6.5 months of long training for the ultra event. I only got six a couple of times and did not have any injuries. All this while logging in at the peak of training over 55 miles of running plus biking, swimming and other training.
The Race
April 11th, 2010 was the date. My good friend Doug Roeder flew to KC from San Francisco to be my support crew for the whole event. He did this on a bike and rode a total of 50+ miles in doing so prior to joining me for the last 20 miles of the run.
We arrived at the Boulevard Brewery at 5:15 am to get me to the start for the 6 am gun. I was totally excited to begin the epic journey and was curious to see what it would present to me in terms of challenges. It was 55 but would eventually make it to over 80. Hot and sunny.
The gun sounded and I was off. The sun was just starting to come up, but it was still that best part of the day in my opinion. That part when most of the world is just getting up. It is so quiet at that time and is my favorite time to run. The first leg was great. I stopped a couple of times to either take video with my Flip camera or my cell phone. I am so glad I did.
The miles seemed to tick off with little effort. I was walking two minutes for each 18 I ran. I also stopped at each aid station to eat a PB&J and fill my bottles. I also updated my Facebook account at each station to let my friends and family where I was and help them logistically on where to meet up with me.
The challenges started when the run transitioned to gravel roads. That hurt a lot not only on the feet, but transitioned to my hips as well.
Brad Hunt became pacer number two for the last nine miles. He joined us at station 8 for moral support and to drag me across if I needed it.
I initially thought that I would possibly add an additional mile to my race, bypassing the boat river crossing. I choose not to as the gravel was killing me. This was a great choice later in the race and a fun 2 minute break.
The only issue I had was occurred with only 2 miles remaining on the easiest portion of the course. 3 miles earlier I did the number one no no in a race. I tried something I had never tried in a training situation to see what it would do. I was really starting to fade and the aid station had salt tablets and Dixie cups of coke. I had both. Three miles later the dizziness kicked in and then I began to retch...twice. I thought it was over with only 2 miles remaining. Roeder and Hunt were encouraging me stating we could easily walk in from that distance. I could only think that would take 40 minutes, and I did not want to be out there that long. Good news is after the retching, the dizziness disappeared and I simply stood up and started running again.
Coming into Lawrence I found the Regan and the kids with Cheri. It really increased the excitement to see them screaming. The the finish line appeared and my family, the other friends to include the Hernandez clan, Verslus clan and remainder of the Lehman clan.
8:31 was the final time. Better by 1.5 hours of my goal. Food and beverages at Freestate followed with stories and good friends. Jene and her kids even arrived to help us celebrate.
What I will remember the most is the good natured people on the course and the great aid workers (best I have seen).
I will never forget Quinlan holding signs for me starting at station 6 (Go Daddy Go, Ultra Dad, and others). Additionally, as is becoming a tradition, running across the finish line with him hand in hand. It is the BEST part of the events do.
Today is four days post race and I have no soreness at all. I cannot believe this. None at all. This is a testament to the plan Jene put together for me, and my sacrificing sleep and simply doing the training.
I will absolutely do this again (sorry Jennifer) as it was so much fun. B2B next year, maybe the Katy Trail 50 in September.
