A New Personal Record (PR) for a 5k

 Sep 9

Three days ago, I walked 5 miles.  Yesterday, I ran 2.5 miles on the Alter-G treadmill at 80% of my body weight.  After the treadmill, my physical therapist had me start doing various jumping isometric exercises.  Today, I am in DC for a mid-morning meeting on E Street.  I leave my hotel and head a few blocks south to the Washington Monument.  To avoid any traffic, I decide that I will just run laps around the block around the monument.  After the first block, I decide to see how running feels.  It is an awkward start, but I am able to run.  It is hard, and the leg hurts a fair bit, but I run one length of the square.  I then walk a length and run another length.  Then I get ambitious and run two lengths, or halfway around the monument.  I end up doing that a few times before heading back to my hotel.  The total length of my walk-run is over 4 miles.

Sep 11

I run 1.5 miles non-stop and then two days later I run 3 miles.  This is good as I signed up for a 5k race on Sep 26.

Sep 20

I run 5 miles along the river walk in San Antonio.  It is warm and humid, and my pace is very slow—around 13 minutes per mile.  It is now time to start tapering a little for my race in six days.

Sep 26

It is game day!  There are a couple of younger guys from my office running this race as well.  I have been teasing the faster of the two that it would be embarrassing if an old man with a broken leg managed to finish ahead of him.  Zach says there is no chance that I am going to beat him.  Caleb thinks that I have a chance to beat him.

Mile 1:  9:38

At the start, Zach is off and quickly pulls away.  Caleb is close by, but then slowly pulls ahead of me.  I keep Caleb in my sights and think that I am probably better than 10-minute mile pace.  Caleb is probably about 20 seconds ahead of me when I get to the one-mile mark.  This is an exciting start, and I think I should be able to finish under 30 minutes.

Mile 2:  10:00

I keep Caleb within my sights, and I think I may have closed the gap a little despite slowing down on this second mile.  I continue to push hard, but now it is time to push harder if I am going to catch Caleb and finish under 30 minutes.

Mile 3:  9:34

There is no one between me and Caleb.  I focus on running as smoothly as I can.  As we swing around our Lockheed building, I am closely the gap quickly.  When the course turns into a little downhill, I see my opportunity.  I pull even with Caleb and then push hard to open up a gap.  I pass a couple of other runners.  One of those runners hangs with me, and I keep thinking that Caleb is going to try to make a move back on me.

Finish:  30:05

I manage to put in a decent pace over the last tenth of a mile.  I manage to keep any runners from passing me in the final stretch.  Unfortunately, the last 0.12 miles takes me 53 seconds, which is 5 seconds longer than I needed to sneak under 30 minutes.  However, this is a new PR for post tibial plateau fracture.

Zach managed to finish almost 4 minutes ahead of me in 26:18.  Caleb finishes 13 seconds behind me.  Overall, I am happy with my run, my effort, and my progress.  Now it is time to start lengthening the runs out.  I am still going to PT twice a week for now.  There are 11 weeks until Hellgate.  I think I can meet my threshold of running at least 20 miles before then, but how much farther can I go?  I am planning to visit the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains in early November for a training run.  Hellgate this year is December 12^th.  Until then…

Never stop running,

Darin

Running on the Alter-G Treadmill

On May 28^th, I was authorized to begin putting up to 50% body weight on my broken, left leg.  The following is a timeline of the progress that has been made over the summer.  I am exercising several times a week, but I am only writing about the highlights.  PT sessions for the first three weeks consisted of walking on the Alter-G treadmill at 50% body weight, riding the stationary bike for five minutes, lifting leg exercises on the weight machines, various new exercises that Michelle dreams up, and muscle stimulation with a fancy machine.

May 28 X-ray

June 18

Another doctor’s visit where my leg is x-rayed, and the Dr. Maples tells me I can start weaning off of the crutch.  He prescribes me a cane, and I get one before I leave the building.  In the afternoon, we travel to Oslo, Norway via Houston and Frankfurt.  The leg likes to be elevated, but sitting in comfort+, it can only be elevated a little bit.  We (my leg and I) survive the journey, and I even get preferential treatment going through border security in Frankfurt as I have a cane.  Interestingly, my internal hardware continues to pass through security with no issues.

June 18 X-ray

June 19-28

We spend the weekend in Oslo seeing all of the sights.  I am able to walk okay with the cane, but it is hard work.  After the weekend, we travel to Trondheim where the Fusion Conference is.  I take in all of the activities, except for the 5k run.  I had planned to walk the 5k, but I decided not to as it would have taken me well over an hour, and the 5k start/finish is 2km from the conference hotel.  Instead, I walk to the start and back and cheer on the runners.  I easily ended up walking a total of 5km.  The hotel gyms in Norway are outstanding, and I try an elliptical trainer one day.  I survive 15 minutes, but it leaves me very hobbled.  After that I do all of my assigned exercises and walk on the treadmill for 2.5 miles while leaning on the side rails heavily.

June 30

Back at PT, I get to run at 50% body weight for 10 minutes.  It is ugly, and I have to lean on the side rail somewhat.  I run this first time at a 10 minute/mile pace, so I get in one mile.  Michelle asks me several times if the leg is hurting.  It is, but not too much.

July 4

I walk without the cane for a mile.  It is ugly and it takes me over 40 minutes.  After this experience, I decide that I should continue using the cane most of the time.  My bike rides are stretching up to an hour, and I am still going to the pool when I can fit it into my schedule.

July 14

I go out for a 3-mile walk like I had two days before.  The day before I had my PT session, but was only able to walk at 70% body weight because the Alter-G treadmill wasn’t working well.  On this morning, I cut my walk short because the lower leg is still hurting after 1.5 miles.  I decide that I should start taking two days off each week now that I am doing real weight bearing training.

July 15

The newer Alter-G treadmill is now officially broken so I use the old one, and I am able to run for 15 minutes (I had to talk Michelle into going more than 10 minutes) at 50% body weight without touching the side rails at all!

July 20-22

I spend three days at Airventure in Oshkosh, camping out, and walking all over the exposition.  Using the cane, I can walk as fast as the average people at the event.

July 23

I continue my routine of riding the bike for 30 minutes then going to PT and running for 15 minutes at 55% body weight.  I tried going more than 55%, but the leg wasn’t ready for it yet.  On other days, I walk 3 miles and then go to the pool for deep water jogging for 40 minutes or more.

July 30

Another doctor’s visit today where x-rays are taken.  The PA says it is looking good as the gaps in the tibia are filling in.  I am not really sure it looks all that different from last time.  However, there is one clear difference—one of the screws is broken!  The PA asks me if I fell or anything.  Not since I saw you last month.  Regardless, she shrugs it off and says, well this other screw is holding that piece together.  I wonder if this may have been what I felt back on July 14^th.

July 30 X-ray

July 31

I am able to run at 60% body weight on the Alter-G treadmill.  I am on travel this week, so two days later I go 20 minutes on the elliptical trainer without killing myself.

Aug 10

I ride the bike for 35 minutes and then go to PT where I am able to run at 62% body weight.  I know it isn’t a huge step forward, but it is forward progress, and I have managed not to regress, yet.  The next day, I walk without the cane for 1.5 miles.

Aug 17

I ride for 40 minutes before PT and then run for 20 minutes on the Alter-G treadmill at 65% body weight.  Michelle just asked if I wanted to go longer as I was not going to do the muscle stimulation today.  Of course!  I want to run as long as you will let me.  I am typically pushing my running pace up to 8 minutes per mile.  The next day I walk 3 miles in less than 60 minutes and aqua jog for 40 minutes.  The aqua jogging has two main benefits—it is a good cardio workout and just being in the water for a good length of time is great for the swelling in the leg.

Aug 20

Still 20 minutes on the Alter-G treadmill but now at 70% body weight!  Four days later, I repeat the running at 70% body weight and push the pace up to 7:30 miles.  I am traveling for work a fair bit now so I won’t be getting my two PT sessions a week.

Never stop running,

Darin

Weight Bearing Progress

April 28

I went for my six-week post-surgery follow-up appointment this morning with the hope that I could start transitioning to putting some weight on the broken leg.  Unfortunately, the x-ray showed that the bone hadn’t healed enough.  This was rather disappointing for me, and it took me a day or so to get over it.

2 plates and 16 screws (just take my word for it)

May 1-2

Martha and I went to Louisville as we bought our tickets back in November.  The crutches are challenging, but we manage okay.  We had a great time, and Martha even had $10 on Golden Tempo, so she came out ahead on her gambling for the two days.

All Dressed Up for the Derby!

May 8

I am continuing to get in the pool three times a week.  On Mondays and Wednesdays, I spend 40 minutes doing deep water running.  Since today is Friday, I have more time, and I do deep water running for two hours and then walk in the shallow end for 10 minutes.  The next day, I am able to actually ride the bike and get the pedal all the way around without too much discomfort.

May 15

Another two-hour deep-water session with an hour of walking around the shallow end.  My next appointment with the doctor is May 28, and I am hoping to walk out of his office without the assistance of the crutches.  My bike sessions are now 30-45 minutes, and I am increasing the resistance a little.

May 28 

The day of truth finally arrives!  A few days ago, I started walking around the house assisted with the crutches.  I am guessing that I was putting about half of my body weight on the left leg.  My appointment is at 7:35am.  They took x-rays and then Mason (Dr. Maples’ PA) came in to show me where some calcification could be seen on the back of the leg.  I can’t see it, but I will take his word for it.  He then said we could begin transitioning to 25-50% weight bearing and only use one crutch.  Initially, I was disappointed, but when I tried the one crutch to leave the office, it wasn’t happening yet.  So, I got to the car using two crutches.

On my drive home, I called Mandeville Physical Therapy and scheduled my appointment this afternoon at 2pm.  This first appointment was rather pedestrian, but I did walk on the Alter-G treadmill at 50% body weight for 10 minutes.  The one area where I am weak is the straight leg raise laying on my back.  Matt instructed me to first tighten my thigh muscle and then lift, which is harder than the way I was doing it.

May 29

I flew my airplane this morning over to Cartersville, Georgia to get the line cutters replaced.  Jerry went with me as a safety pilot, but then he proved to be more than that.  I was expecting to wait while they did it, and then fly back in an hour or two.  However, the shop’s pyrotechnic guy was in training and wouldn’t be able to do it until Monday.  So, Jerry called up one of his partners, who flew over and picked us up.

After I got home, I ate a small lunch and then hopped on the bike to crank out 55 minutes of hard effort that left my leg muscles screaming.

Walking with one crutch on May 30

 May 30

I rise early, put on my running shorts and shoes and proceed to walk a mile around the neighborhood using one crutch.  Beforehand, I decided success would be finishing the mile in under an hour.  Never fear, I clocked in at 33:36!

Never stop running (or walking when you can't run),

Darin

One-Legged Man on Land

April 9

The inside had 11 stitches

This morning, I had my three-week post-surgery follow-up appointment at TOC.  Last night, Martha cleaned up my leg, and we left it unwrapped overnight.  I decided to leave it unwrapped to go to the doctor.  The MA expertly removed the 27 stitches.  It has been quite some time since I have not removed stitches myself, but in this case, I didn’t have much of a choice since they were still covered by bandages.  Dr. Maples' PA, Mason, came in and gave me the “you aren’t out of the woods yet” speech to temper my excitement.  When he mentioned getting me a brace, we told him we already had a brace, and he recommended I wear it when I go out of the house just to be safe.  

The outside had 16 stitches

I nodded my head in understanding what he was saying, but I haven’t even thought about putting the brace back on.  I asked him about getting in the water, and he advised me to wait until I see him again in three weeks.  So, I have three more weeks of non-weight bearing.  The good part is that I have gotten pretty good at getting around with the crutches, and I have been driving for the last two weeks.

April 17

Five days ago, I ordered a waist floatation device to enable deep water running.  It arrived two days ago, and today I am headed to the North Huntsville indoor pool.  I get checked in and sit down on the bleachers that are about 15 feet from the edge of the pool.  There is a water aerobics class in the shallow end, but there is no one in the deep end.  I remove my sandal and t-shirt, lower myself to the floor, and then scooch to the pool and slide into the water.  Everything feels good.  The knee doesn’t have the range of motion I want yet, but I am able to move the leg in somewhat of a running motion.  I spend about 20 minutes moving around the deep end of the pool before I decide to call it quits for this first effort.

Day 1 in the pool is complete

Never stop deep water running,

Darin

Showing off the leg

Tibial Plateau Surgery - Titanium Man

March 17

This afternoon I had an appointment with Dr. Allan Maples of The Orthopaedic Center here in Huntsville.  They took another round of x-rays, and then we discussed.  He showed us the three pieces of the upper tibia that had broken from the main part of the bone.  Basically, there is one piece on each side and the third piece is down the middle.  The middle piece has been pounded down by the impact.  The top of the tibia plateau has an indentation that looks like a ball mark on a soft putting green.  So, the surgery will raise the middle section and then screw everything together.

Dr. Maples estimated I will be non-weight bearing for 8-12 weeks, but I will be able to bend my knee.  So, I am hopeful that I will be able to drive the automatic sedan we have very soon.  Our other vehicle is a Ford Bronco with a manual transmission.  Fortunately, Martha can drive that easily even though I usually drive it.

March 19

Surgery went well today.  The first surgery to install the external fixation took all of 20 minutes.  This surgery was much longer at more than an hour and a half.  According to Dr. Maples PA, Mason, it all came together as well as it could.  Mason was optimistic on getting weight on the leg in 6-8 weeks.  However, it really matters on how well things heal over the next several weeks.  I have an appointment back with Dr. Maples on April 9 when the stitches should come out.

No glue or extra bone material required

As best as I can tell at this point, two plates were used and a total of 16 screws—one less than Lindsey Vonn needed. 

March 20

I got released from the hospital this afternoon.  This morning before breakfast, I worked with Sara, the PT.  She had me crutch up and down the hallway once.  She also opened up the splint, and she bent the knee a little bit, maybe 10-15 degrees.

My industrial brace

March 22

Nathan and his two oldest boys came to visit this weekend.  Nathan is going to deploy on the USS H.W. Bush any day now.  It was great to see them even though we had just seen them for Seb’s birthday three weeks ago.  They left this morning, and I put in my first self PT session.

My leg is in a brace that can be locked straight or unlocked.  I worked all variations of straight leg raises on the floor—on my back, side, and belly.  I also added in some crunches.  Then I unlocked the brace and worked the range of motion for 10 minutes or so.  At this point, I can bend the knee about 25 degrees.

Never stop running (unless you have a broken leg or a knee replacement),

Darin

Fracture of the Tibial Plateau in my Left Leg

 March 9

14 years ago on this day, I experienced the most significant injury to my running career.  I tore the ACL in my right knee doing large ski jumps.  On this day, I wasn’t doing large jumps; rather I was cruising quickly down a groomed, but icy double blue run in Big Sky.  As I neared the bottom of the run, carrying around 46 mph, I came upon other skiers and began to scrub some speed.  I am not sure what went wrong, but I lost control and crashed hard.  My right ski came off, but not the left one.  Immediately, I felt pretty intense pain in my left knee.  Oh no, have I torn my left ACL?  Painfully, I disconnect my left ski and another skier asks if I want him to get ski patrol.  Initially, I say, “give me a minute.”  Then while I am still lying on the ground in significant pain, he says, “I will go get ski patrol.  At worst, you will be up by the time they get here.”  I respond okay and wait for the pain to lessen.  The pain doesn’t lessen, and ski patrol is to me in less than two minutes.  Erich hiked up to me and immediately began to assess the situation.  How old are you?  What hurts?  Did you hit your head?  What is your pain level?  My answers:  57, left knee, no, 8-9 and by the way, I am an ultrarunner, so I understand pain.

The last thing I want on a ski slope is to be carted off on a sled.  Erich calls in the sled, and they immobilize my left leg as best as possible with a leg splint.  They put two wedges behind the knee to keep it slightly bent.  Then they strap me into the sled and down the hill I slide.  Off to the side of the ski lift, the sled is transferred from a human to a snowmobile.  The snowmobile drags the sled and me to a waiting a Suburban.  (It was offered to call in an ambulance, but I declined.)  I get loaded from the sled into the Suburban.  Every movement of the left leg brings intense pain.  The Suburban takes me to the slope side medical clinic.

Erich and another ski patrol person strapping me into the sled
Credit:  Stefano Coraluppi

Martha is waiting for me at the clinic.  They put me in a wheelchair, elevating the left leg.  Martha notes that I am in more pain than I was 14 years ago with my right ACL.  Perhaps I did more damage than my ACL?  The clinic staff takes off my right ski boot and attempts to remove the left one.  That is not happening as flexing the foot and pulling on the leg creates the most pain I have felt in my lower body.  Okay, they decide they can take the X-Ray with my boot and ski clothes on me.

In the Big Sky Medical Clinic

In the X-Ray room, I ask for some drugs.  Let’s start with 800mg of ibuprofen.  They bring me the vitamin-I, and I am then able to get on the X-Ray table.  I am still laying on the X-Ray table when Martha comes in and tells me I broke something.  She shows me the X-Ray, and my first thought is that might be quicker to recover from than a torn ACL.  Erich stops by and says he didn’t think my pain symptoms were lining up with an ACL, and he feared it was a tibial plateau fracture.  He wishes me a speedy recovery, and I sincerely thank him for his most expert first aid care.  The clinical staff determines that I need to go to the hospital in Bozeman as surgery is likely necessary.

This tibia fracture doesn't look as bad as Lindsey Vonn's

So, Martha gets the car, they load me in the back seat, and off we go for the hour drive down to Bozeman.  Before leaving the clinic they give me 1000mg of Tylenol.  Martha pulls up to the Emergency Room entrance, and a nurse comes out with a wheelchair that doesn’t have a leg extension capability.  I tell her that isn’t going to work, and so she goes and gets a gurney.  With a little assist, I hop on the gurney and they roll me inside.  The doctor on call for trauma cases is Dr. Jon Robinson.  He will be in shortly, but he wants everything off of my legs before he gets there for the first surgery.  Wait, did he say first surgery?  Yes, they will likely install an external fixation, and then I can travel home for the next surgery to install hardware inside the leg.  So, a couple of nurses and at least one nurse’s aide start to get the layers off.  Of course, most of my clothing is swag from an ultrarace.  First off is the left ski boot.  With one nurse holding my leg and two more manipulating the boot, we manage to get it off without me screaming.  Next off are my ski pants then a pair of thermals.  The socks I am wearing are Darn Tough socks that were swag.  The nurse asks about Darn Tough socks, and I explain that I prefer DryMax over Darn Tough for running.  Finally, off comes the base layer—an old pair of running tights.  They let me keep my underwear on!  Then the top layers come off—Patagonia Hellgate 100k finisher shirt and a thick synthetic running shirt.  They let me keep my Twisted Branch 100k t-shirt on in addition to my underwear.

Post Surgery with the External Fixation in Place

Dr. Robinson comes in and briefs the surgery he is going to perform and soon the anesthesiologist is putting the drugs in the IV.  They whisk me off to the surgery, and it is performed in 20 minutes.  I spend almost the next 24 hours in the hospital.  The nurses check on me every hour to ensure compartment syndrome is not setting in.  I make it through the night with just some additional Tylenol.  Before getting discharged, a CT scan is performed, and we are given the DVD to take with us back to Huntsville.  I have an appointment with Dr. Maples on Tuesday to determine when and how the next surgery will be done.  Until then, I am hobbling around on crutches with the Ex-Fix and no weight on the left leg.

Back in Big Sky Resting Comfortably

Never stop running (unless you have a broken leg or a knee replacement),

Darin 

Eagle Ridge 50k 2026 - A Beautiful Day!

 February 7

This is my second time running this race.  I ran it three years ago, but the course is different this year.  The race director sent out an email on Wednesday indicating the course would be different from what was posted on the website.  The course on the website was the same course I ran last time.  The good part of the change is that the first lap is 19 miles, and the second lap is shorter.

This is my first race since the Hellgate 100k in December.  Due to the effort required of me at Hellgate this year, my recovery has been slower than usual, but I feel good now.  The weather forecast is clear blue skies with temperatures warming to the high 40s.  The temperature at the start is about 32 degrees, and I decide to wear shorts, long and short sleeve shirts, a buff, and light gloves.  There is no opportunity to have a drop bag, so I have to keep what I start with.  I was going to start with a thin hat and bring the buff in my pack, but then I decided to just double up the buff to start wearing it like a hat.

Mile 2.6      27:07 (10:26 avg./mile) Four-way Intersection

There are three distances of races today—50k, half marathon, and 5k.  The half marathoners started the same time as us 50k runners, and the bibs all look the same.  The only way to know what race someone is running is to ask them.  I am tracking behind an older guy, who I learn is running the half.  He asks me if I want to pass, and I state that I am quite fine with his pace.  I got a quick start with the beginning lap around the parking lot so I don’t have to pass anyone on this first section.  There were a few runners that passed me, but overall, I like my positioning.

Mile 4.1      16:46 (11:11 avg./mile) Start of South Loop

Another runner or two pass me on this section.  One of them was April, who I would learn later is running her first ultra.  I am running everything except the steeper uphills at this point in the race.  My legs feel great, and I am thinking in my head that a 50k is a “sprint ultra”!  Halfway through this short section, my big left toe finds a toe grabber and I hit the dirt for the first time.  Hitting the dirt is not bad, but my poor big left toe is killing me.  I injured it three years ago landing while skiing, and it still hurts, especially when I stub it.

Mile 8.3      51:48 (12:20 avg./mile) End of South Loop

I am still following the older half marathoner for the first half of this section, but then I leave him behind as he slows down.  No worry about being lonely though as there are plenty of other half marathoners to keep the two-dozen or so of us 50k runners company.  I run most of this section, continuing to push the gradual uphill sections.  There is only one full aid station on this course.  While this aid station is not a full aid station, there are two ladies working it, and they have fluids and some snacks.  Regardless, I haven’t eaten anything yet.

Mile 9.5      17:37 (14:41 avg./mile) Four-way Intersection

As I started up this section, which is mostly uphill, April passes me again.  Apparently, she and a couple of other runners made a wrong turn and got to run an extra half mile or so.  One of those runners is John, who is running the half marathon.  He ran the 50k last year and says he finished in around 7:20.  I am not sure why he isn’t running the 50k this year as he says he is scheduled to run a 100 miler in April.  The aid at this stop is water and a few bottles of soda.

Mile 11.2    20:39 (12:09 avg./mile) Full Aid Station

John stays with me on this section, and we get to know each other a little better.  His first attempt at a 100 miler was last year, but he sprained his ankle and when it started significantly swelling, he dropped out around mile 60.  The conversation is a good distraction as this section is also mostly uphill, but it has gradual switchbacks that are very runnable.  John says he plans to hang out at the finish and cheer on most of the 50k runners.  At this aid station, there are freshly made, warm quesadillas.  I eat two of the quarters and say good bye to John as he gets to head to the finish.

Mile 14.7    43:03 (12:18 avg./mile) Spur Turnaround

I start this section, knowing that there are only 50k runners with me now.  Soon after I leave the aid station, I pass a guy who I was surprised went out as fast as he did.  Then a runner catches up to me and says hello friend.  It is April again!  She had to stop at the last aid station and tend to a blister.  She is a rather serious marathon runner with a PR of 3:16.  We run together for the next three miles until she finally decides to press ahead of me.  Along the way, I learn that she has three boys and totally understands why I am working my race schedule around my grandsons’ birthdays.  This is a long out and back, so we get to see all of the runners ahead of us.  The two leaders are female, and both of them look really strong.  I count that I am in 10^th place as I near the turnaround where there is just a jug of water.  The 9^th place runner is refilling a bottle, and I pass him at this point.

Mile 18.3    50:01 (13:54 avg./mile) Full Aid Station

I lost sight of April rather quickly after she passed me, but there is another runner ahead who I have seen most of the race.  He is carrying poles, but only uses them on the way back on this section as most of it is uphill.  I keep him in sight, but I am unable to catch him until after the climb.  We are about a mile from the aid station when he stumbles crossing a bridge.  After asking if he is okay, I pass him and think, I think I am in 8^th place!  Pride comes before the fall, and I fall about 30 seconds after I pass him.  So, he passes me back as it takes me a minute to get to running again.  I caught my big left toe on a rock, and the rock didn’t move.  The fall didn’t hurt too bad, but the pain in my left toe is excruciating!  At the aid station, the guy with the poles is just leaving and we share a laugh about our falls.

Mile 19.3    13:12 (13:12 avg./mile) End of Lap 1

There is no aid station here, but the trail to the finish branches off.  I mark my time mostly to know how long it takes me from the aid station as we run this same trail at the end of the race.  My overall time is 3:00:13, which I figure is about as good as I could have hoped for.  Now, I just need to keep pressing to keep my pace up.

Mile 21.4    27:53 (13:17 avg./mile) Four-way Intersection

Early in this section, I finally catch back up to the guy with the poles.  I follow him, deciding to bide my time as we are keeping a good pace.  As we get to this aid station, there is a guy there telling us that we are in 8^th and 9^th place (This aligns with my count on the out and back section.), and that 7^th place is just ahead of us.  Okay, I need to be patient, but this is exciting to be “racing” this late in an event for a top-10 position.

Mile 22.7    19:58 (15:22 avg./mile) Start of South Loop

I passed the guy with the poles as we crossed the road starting this section.  Then the guy in 7^th lets me go by on the first climb.  I know there is another runner behind me that is stalking close as I have heard him back there the last few miles.  I see two of the front runners coming back from the south loop and then I go to the right and around the cemetery.  Then it is down a little dirt road to the aid station.  As I am striding down the hill, I roll my chronic right ankle really good for the first time today.  It really hurts for a minute, but then the pain quickly deadens out.

Mile 26.9    1:04:52 (15:27 avg./mile) End of South Loop

I start this section with the goal of conserving my legs and energy, but I also want to maintain 7^th place.  The guy who has been lingering behind me closes in, but doesn’t catch me.  I try several times to open a gap on him, but each time he covers my surge.  Finally, while walking an uphill section, I start up a conversation.  Andrew is running his first ultra and is just trying to keep a good pace off of me.  This is good.  I should be able to drop him as he tires given this is his first ultra.  He looks to be younger, and I later learn he is 36.  We stick together the rest of this section, and he decides to go to the aid station table while I pass right on through.

Mile 28.1    20:42 (17:15 avg./mile) Four-way Intersection

As soon as I passed through the last aid station, I hear another runner catching up to me.  It is a lady and she catches and passes me very quickly on the first climb.  I didn’t even have a minute to consider keeping up with her.  I am feeling good though and feel like I am still making a decent pace.  I still think I am still in 8^th place when I stop to water a tree.  This pit stop allows Andrew to catch me.  I mention to him how quickly the lady went by us, and he didn’t even see her go by while he was at the aid station table.  This surprises him, and he decides to go chase her, leaving me in the dust.  I get to this aid station now by myself, take a gulp of Coke from the two-liter bottle and press on for the last few miles.

Mile 29.8    24:27 (14:23 avg./mile) Full Aid Station

I run most of the gradual switchbacks while power hiking the steeper portions.  A few switchbacks ahead of me I glimpse the lady at one point, but Andrew is nowhere in sight.  I guess he passed her, but the final results indicate she finished ahead of him.  My time on this section is four minutes slower than the first lap.  When I get to the aid station, I ask the kids if there is anyone ahead of me that I might catch.  Their response is just a laugh, saying the next runner is over five minutes ahead of me.

Mile 31.1    15:03 (11:35 avg./mile) FINISH

Okay, I am not likely going to catch 8^th place, so I just need to ensure I don’t give up 9^th place.  I run as much of this last section as I can, but I keep an eye behind me in case there is anyone behind me.  Fortunately, no one is back there, and I move with purpose to the finish.  Andrew is walking away from the finish as I approach the finish line.

Official Finishing Time 6:53:08

10^th out of 25 starters (19 under the 8-hour cut-off)

It is a beautiful, almost warm day, and I sit at the finish line for about 15 minutes cheering on the other runners coming in behind me.  John, the half marathon runner, is nowhere to be seen.  There is, however, one of the 50k runners that finished over an hour before me hanging out at the finish.  I eat half of a bowl of chili while chatting with the lady that finished ahead of me, and her two friends that finished behind me.  I was pretty sure that I won my age group, but this is confirmed by one of the volunteers, and I win a $20 gift card.

When the official results are posted, it shows me in 10^th place.  I guess I missed on my count, but the person around mile 21 had the same count.  Regardless, it is a top-10 finish, and I am the 6^th male finisher.

My next race will not be Cheaha as that is Sebastian’s 5^th birthday party.  Instead, it will be the Bull Run Run 50-miler in Virginia on April 4^th.  Until then...

Never stop running,

Darin