Whoa. What a freakin day. I knew it would challenge everything I thought I had figured out about myself and ultra distances, but a tough course, with new rules, self-placed expectations, minimal support crew, and unknown competition?! I wanted an adventure with a large side of learning experience and @moremileslastonestanding Backyard Ultra delivered!
When it’s up to you on how much time you leave to fuel, use the bathroom, hydrate, change clothes, etc. it can get real dicey. Run too fast (guilty) and you’ll wear yourself out. Run too slow and you won’t be able to do any of the above…or worse, you’re eliminated.
I slept terribly, per usual, the night before. However, I slept 8-9 hours/night every day leading up to race day. While driving, I listened to music including Cake’s “The Distance” which woke me up.
I pulled in to Camp Manidokan at 6:00. The sky was lit and tents were up. I parked and went to the registration table to find out where to setup. Fortunately there was a spot right next to the start/finish line and was currently in the shade. It was a cool 46° in Knoxville, MD.
My neighbor had a sign “HAVE FUN” and immediately knew this was my spot.
On the first loop, the runners must have spooked 2 deer whom almost took out runners across the field and the first/final mile trail leading back to camp. Yikes!
As I learned the course, I felt more confident on the second loop because it was pretty tough to get lost. There was a cute little firepit with these heart shaped wooden chairs and I thought about sitting in them almost every time I passed them (16x).
I was leading in the top 3 and first female for the first 5 yards (aka 4.2 miles). The elevation was WAY more than I anticipated (560 ft) and included steep uphills/downhills, cross country, gravel roads, stairs and road crossings. Fortunately, the trails weren’t technical and were mostly shaded. Mostly. As the day went on, the heat turned up and it was challenging to recoup the nutrition.
One of the guys suggested we race the next one. I didn’t know if they were trying to intimidate me or what? I decided I didn’t need to be around that energy so I held back. Probably a good decision that I should have made earlier on.
By loop 5, I could tell I wasn’t fueling enough. As much as I tried to eat bananas, UCAN, Little Debbie’s, Salt Chews, PB&Js, orange slices. Salt & Vinegar Chips, it wasn’t substantial enough. Nick and Fi planned to visit and bring me a real meal. I was hoping that they would arrive within the next couple of hours. A burger and fries sounded amazing!!
After yard 6, I thought they’d be there, but I know timing doesn’t always work out. The RD said he’d keep an eye out for them. I ate some snacks and then the whistles blew (3-2-1 countdown to top of the hour). I took off. When Nick and Fi arrived, the RD led them to a spot to say hello about a mile in so I could at least see them. They were fishing and I didn’t expect them to stay another hour to maybe see me for 5-10 minutes? Honestly, it relieved the pressure I put on myself of running fast to have more time with them.
Unfortunately, the downhills were taking a toll on my quads and my wretchedly annoying left knee. I talked the negative voices out of my head. “I feel great!” “My body is limitless!” “That knee will not be my demise!”
Then on the steepest uphill before the turnaround, my knee gave out completely and I put my right foot down so quickly I felt a pop in my glute. “OUCH!!!” That negative voice was too loud.
I shuffled through the next 2.1 miles, practically crying and drooling over thinking of the pickled beet burger & salty french fries that were waiting for me at camp. I had to get back in time to eat, use the massage gun, and fill up my water.
I probably should have stopped. I didn’t. I went out on yard 8 with full expectation I wouldn’t make it back in time. My knee was screaming on every climb and descent. I talked with many runners throughout the day but this yard humbled me to the importance of human connection. The whole backyard ultra concept is based on pushing each other to keep going (hopefully without being jerks about it).
Michelle and I ran the last mile together. She was also having some doubts about whether or not to go on. I encouraged her she needed to stay in and represent! She had outran her husband which may have been victory enough for her.
With 4 minutes to spare, I ate a few more bites of my burger and fries, drank some soda and stuffed more ice in my bra which is the best way to cool down and the only benefit of having to wear one.
The whistles blew. The RDs couldn’t believe I was quitting. Neither could I honestly. I stood in the starting square until they called “GO” but it was not my day to keep going.
DNF Take Two. A whole bowl-full of it this time!
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