I recently did one of the coolest thing I’ve ever done in my life. Cooler than living in Peru, cooler than getting my masters, almost as cool as getting my dog. I ran and finished a 50 mile race in Steamboat Springs Colorado. My friends Molly and Cade have done this race the last 4 years and they told me it is the greatest day of the year, yes, they assured me, even better than Thanksgiving. And they did not disappoint. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. I’ve always loved racing, but in other races, everyone is concerned with their own things—watching their times and listening to their music, however, I didn’t listen to my music for 15 hours. I just hung out with the other runners. There were checkpoints about every 6 miles, so I’ll break down the race by section.

Start to Mt. Werner    So the first 6.4 miles is all uphill. You start at the base of the ski mountain and climb roughly 4,000 feet. This section took me about 1:50 which I was pleased with. I hiked with some men from Lincoln and then with a woman from CO. I was already dreading coming down this section, however. It wasn't too steep, it was just constant uphill switch backs. No flats. Period. 

Mt. Werner to Long Lake     This section is the longest section of the course. Single track through really cool forest area. This section is kind of rolling but mostly downhill. I ran almost all of this but had to stop for twigs or rocks in my shoes a couple of times. It was very pleasant. Ran with the Lincoln guys again for a while and a very cute old man. However, I knew this section would be tough going back because it was so long (6.8 miles). My body felt good, but my left arch was giving me trouble.

Long Lake to Base Camp     I feel that I spent wayyyy too long at the aid stations, especially on the way out--think, I had them refill my camelback, tailwind bottle, ate, and grabbed nutrition for the road. Even if you only take 5 minutes at each aid station, that's 40 minutes added to your time. Not smart. Any way, I met Cade at this aid station and he and I ran together until we caught up to Molly. This section was nice. Single track through meadows, some river and stream crossings that were a little muddy and could have been very wet if you fell. Since we caught up to Molly (she took an hour early start), we went at her pace--no use killing ourselves on the way out and it was more fun together. There were some very steep, muddy climbs I was worried about for the way back, but this part was fun because we were together. At Base Camp we could access our drop bags and Molly had a ball for me to roll out my left arch with and it was much better. I felt good to go.

Base Camp to Dumont      This section was tough for me. I ran most of it but was dealing with GI issues. I couldn't eat or drink anything. I pooed in the woods but it didn't help until much later. 

Dumont to Rabbit Ears to Dumont      By this time we are so high in elevation that we are above the tree line. This section was mostly desserty. It was hot. You had to trek up the Rabbit Ears (a rock formation). So steep. So, so steep. You had to touch the stupid rock. I fell after touching Rabbit Ears and slid down on my butt for a ways. There was a man who collapsed when I was coming down and they had to call an ambulance. I kicked a rock up and it bounced off one ankle scratching it, but, like, rolled across my left arch and that was horridly painful. Like so painful I almost puked. I didn't see Molly at all as I was coming back so I knew she probably had to drop. When I got back to Dumont she was there and she helped make me drink a sprite to get calories in and packed me some pretzels--the only thing I thought my body might handle. 

Dumont to Base Camp   I ran most of this, but I was alone. It was not too bad. I was feeling better.

Base Camp to Long Lake     I made a huge, huge mistake here. It was still warm out so I didn't get my jacket from my drop bag. Terrible mistake. I ran most of this ways with a guy who kept telling me I was crazy for this being my first 50 because it's the hardest he's done. At least I wasn't alone though. This section seemed very long compared to the first time I did it, probably because the first time I was with Molly and Cade. I ran most of this, hiking the uphills. I could finally eat more than pretzels when I got to Long Lake.

Long Lake to Mt. Werner     This is where things got bad. I tried to run the downhills and the flats but the back of my knees were sore making the downhills awful. This area is much more wooded and it was getting cool. My mom planned to meet me at the Mt. Werner check in and hike down the mountain with me so I just kept telling myself that I would see her soon and it would all be OK. I was alone this whole section. We had to weave from the east side of the mountain to the west side so it was starting to get dark. I was scared. Sometimes I hoped that when I got to Mt. Werner they would tell me I missed the cut off and drive me home. 

Mt. Werner to finish     The only thing that got me to Mt. Werner was knowing that my mom would be there with a jacket and flashlight. I knew we'd make it down. Then I got there and she wasn't there. I started to hyperventilate, then pulled it in and called her. She'd sent me a text that she was at the Mt. Werner check point, but when I called, she said that they wouldn't let them go all the way up to the check point so she was 2 miles down. I started to cry again and said I didn't think I could make it 2 miles. I was so cold. I hung up and realized I had no choice but to go down. She had my coat. The aid station people got me hot chocolate and I started moving. I started running down. It was 7:30. I knew I had to get to my mom before the sun went down. There were people behind me but I didn't know if they made it to the check point in time for cutoff. I saw 2 lights bobbing a switchback ahead of me so I ran to them. At first I thought I'd keep running but I was so happy to be with other people that I stopped and walked with them. I called my mom and told her I was coming and was in much better spirits. We met my mom and I got a jacket and a flashlight and told my mom I'd keep going with my buddies. We had fun talking running and dogs and Game of Thrones and decided to finish together no matter what. Because of my break down, my mom and Molly had been in constant contact. Molly hiked back up the mountain to meet me. She met us with at 2 miles to go and came back down with us. I was very happy, but so freaking incredibly tired of going downhill. It was sucky. But I wasn't alone. We jogged the last 100 yards and walked up the 5 steps to the finish line together as a team. Finishing like that was incredibly special.