Katelyn Runs First 50 Miler on Saturday

I am less than 2 days away from my first 50 mile ultra-marathon. When I was training for my first marathon less than 4 years ago, I would have never imagined that I would be running 50 now, and training for my first 100 miler! Unreal.

For those of you who are interested – this is the race I am running on Saturday.

Wish me luck!

Here’s the letter I sent to my family today regarding the race:

Hi Family,

Just a reminder, tomorrow I will be leaving for San Francisco for my 50 mile ultra-marathon run on Saturday. I can’t describe the joy I get from trail running and the way it has completely transformed me as an athlete. I never thought there could be a sport that could be so physically demanding and mentally rewarding and I owe a lot of my preparation for this race to my trail running coach, Jimmy and his trail running group.

Some of you have expressed some concern about running this far of a distance. Just to ease your mind, I wanted to fill you in and let you all know that these races are not run how you may imagine. I will be hiking almost all of the hills (there’s a 1000 foot elevation change on this course). My running pace on flat ground will be no faster than 12 minute miles (the pace for a 24 hour 100 mile race is 17 minute miles, and that is considered extremely fast in this sport). I plan to stop at every aid station (every 4-5 miles). I have practiced eating and I know what works for me to a point. I’ll be consuming between 200-300 calories per hour and will also be taking electrolyte replacements. I have enough sunscreen to run for a week. I’ve been eating like a champ. I’m peeing clear. I am completely un-injured and I intend to keep it that way.

Also, I have been training with some of the most elite athletes I have ever met in my life. The advice, training, and nutrition tips I have recieved come from finishers of some of the most difficult races in the country including Badwater and the Western States 100. This is the same group that my buddy Dominic has been training in and used to prep himself for his 154 miler this past Spring.

I know the difference between fatigue and injury. I will not hesitate to drop out of the race if I truly think I am doing harm to myself. I will have the opportunity to get medical assistance at each aid station. I will also be carrying my phone with me the entire time even though I’m not sure if I’ll have reception. Your phone calls are welcome, by the way. I would love voice mails and texts of encouragement during the race.

Last night I met with Coach Jimmy for a pep talk and he said something that made me feel great and will hopefully make you all feel better. He said that with everyone he trains, he always has at least one or two concerns about his athletes right before they go into a race. However, he said he didn’t have a single concern about me and this race.

The rule of pacing for endurance running is “double the distance, triple the time.” I’m a 4 hour marathoner, which puts me at a running pace to finish at 12 hours. This is my flat surface running pace only though. I will be stopping at aid stations and power hiking hills. Don’t be alarmed if I don’t call or check in until 15 hours after the start. My guess is it will take me anywhere from 13-15 hours to finish. I’ll call someone as soon as I am done, assuming I have cell phone reception. Worst case scenario, I’ll call someone from the home I am staying at when I return on Saturday evening.

Hopefully this helps some. I have no doubt that this will be the hardest physical challenge I’ve faced and it won’t be pretty, but the weird ultra-trail running disease has worn off on me and for some ungodly reason, this makes me happy.

Talk to you soon!

love,

katie