JFK 50 Miler 1998

Since I ran the Marine Corps Marathon four weeks ago, my recovery has gone very well. I resumed my regular running a week after the marathon, and I was able to comfortably run an 18 miler two weeks ago. Here are my notes from the JFK 50 miler, the largest ultra in the country.

Fri., 20 Nov.

- Several of us from the defending champion military team meet around noon to go up to Hagerstown, MD (I wasn't on the team last year). - We arrive at the Hagerstown Days Inn around 3:30pm and pick-up our race packets. Some of the veterans show us rookies where the race gets onto the Appalachian Trail. - In the evening, we go to a local pizza joint for all we can eat. We meet the Marine team from Albany there and begin to discuss the "bet." - After dinner, we adjourn to the bar at the Days Inn to finish the deliberations for the "bet." The final "bet" is our (Quantico-One) top four plus Mr. Davis verses their (MATCOM Marines) top four plus LtCol Burton. If MATCOM wins, Mr. Davis will get a high & tight. If Quantico wins, LtCol Burton's husband will get a high & tight. (Note: Mr. Davis has never won a race bet.) - I make it to bed about 8:45pm.

Sat., 21 Nov.

3:18am - I wake up after six and half hours of restful sleep.

4:22am - I give up trying to get any more sleep.

6:58am - The race starts, and I am wearing shorts, a long sleeve t-shirt, short sleeve t-shirt, and Camelbak. In the side pockets of the Camelbak, I have three Access bars. The miles weren't marked, but here are some of the aid station splits/mile markers.

Mile 2    (20:02)

The race starts going uphill from the start, but we are still on the road, so running is relatively easy.

Mile 4    (40:46)

Big uphill, but we are now on the Appalachian Trail. I take my first leak since the race started.

Mile 9.5    (1:41:55)

The AT is quite rough. As a matter of fact, I don't think the rocks could be more of an obstacle if somebody had gone along and planted them. I am now six minutes behind my 10 minutes per mile goal. However, it was nice to see somebody besides other runners. I take my second leak of the race at 1:30.

Mile 15.7    (2:53:03)

The AT is now behind me. I only rolled my right ankle twice. I am now 16 minutes behind my goal pace, but the goal on the AT is to get it behind me and not hurt myself. I am now on the C&O Canal tow path. My support crew recommends I wipe some spit on my forehead to make it look like I am sweating. At about 2:30, I take my third leak of the race.

Mile 20.3    (3:30:50)

I am now only 8 minutes behind my goal pace, and I hope I am not pushing too hard. I am currently running 9 minutes and walking one.

Mile 30.5    (5:17:24)

I pass Brent Andberg, who is also running is first ultra. He had told me before the start that he was shooting for about 10 hours. I inform him that he is way ahead of his goal. I am back to 12 minutes behind my goal pace. I take my fourth leak of the race at 4:30.

Mile 41.9

I don't get a split, but I find out that Ohio State is beating Michigan, and I finally am off of the C&O Canal tow path. I grab some chow and head up the road. I am now running four minutes and walking one. I take my fifth and final leak at the 5:30 mark. Brent Andberg passed me back around the 36.5 mile mark.

Mile 48.2    (8:36:00)

Only two miles to go. I think I have enough to run it in from here. There is an aid stop at 48.6, but I don't even get a drink of water. I can smell the hay in the barn.

Mile 49.2    (8:45:02, 9:02 mile)

As I turned the corner after the last aid station that I didn't stop at, I see Brent Andberg about 200 yards ahead of me. Maybe I can catch him.

Mile 50.2    (8:53:24, 8:22 mile)

I keep gaining on Brent and he stops to walk once. I make the final turn onto the home stretch, and I pass him with about 400 yards to go. I spin a 360 before I cross the line, and I am pumped with no pain (for the moment). I wanted an 8:30, but am happy with getting under 9 hours. My goal pace of 10 min/mile would have given me an 8:20.

Finish: 8:53:24 officially

Post race thoughts: This was definitely a different level from a marathon. During the race, there were a few miles (36-40) when I wondered why I was doing this and whether I could finish under 9 hours. There were times when my right hip started hurting then it would subside. There were times when my left knee hurt then it would subside. However, in the end I feel great (for about 2 minutes), and I start to think about next year.

My next race looks like it will be the Charlotte Marathon Run for Peace. It is scheduled for 16 January, 1999.

Never stop running, Darin

P.S. I was 157th out of 774 finishers and only 9 women beat me.