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I ran, or I suppose I should say that I attempted to run the John Holmes 50k trail run on Saturday and once again I went home with a DNF. This was my third time at this event and this DNF is even more disappointing that last years.

You see, I first ran this event 3 years ago and finished feeling very strong at just under 6 hours, then last year I DNF’d at around mile 28, and this past Saturday I DNF’d at around mile 24.

I wish I could say I knew what was wrong. I was eating and drinking on both failed attempts but I still got to a point when I just felt overly dehydrated and needed out. The course is tough, I am not a trail runner by nature and I think part of the fail is that my mind gets going, there is quite a bit of alone time on this course, and when you are not feeling great that tends to eat away at you.

If nothing else this has given me some determination moving forward. Some may have gotten scared away from my next challenge after this failed day, but I am feeling more determined to make it happen by this failure.

Some say that is a character trait, I always believe that I can make something happen, despite past failures. I am usually confident and pretty much always willing to make an attempt. Most people think I am crazy for attempting a 100 mile run, and now even more will think that after I failed to run 31. I guess you can say I am stubborn.

Time to sit down and finalize my training plan, take a few days off running and then begin seeing what will work while building up some serious endurance.

Of course more will come on my training for the Keys 100 in the coming months.

My 2nd daughter was born September 1st, she was (and is still) happy and healthy and I became very busy very quick

I ran my 50K on the 13th of October and was sick at mile 28 and went DNF. Sadly I had just under 3 miles left. I will be trying again in May, this time with a 50 miler. My feet are still sore and torn up from the sandy course.

I ran today without any watch or tracking. I just went out for a run and it was the best ever. I have no idea how long I was out for but I ran about 4 miles. It was fun!

My next event. It’s a while away but that is ok. I made sure to sign up early so I would not miss out. The race is the John Holmes 50k Trail Run here in Brooksville, Florida. I ran this event last year in just over 5 hours and 55 minutes.

Last year when I ran this I felt great and finished feeling much better than I had at most Marathons, I hope I can beat my time from last year (at least by a few minutes) and still say the same thing.

Here is my Nike+ graph and some photo’s that were taken from my last ultra event. It was a 50k Trail Run back in October of 2006. Just thought it would be fun to share.

Hopefully I can keep as even a pace in the 50 miler. I have to tell you I am getting real nervous.

And here are two photo’s that were taken, the first is during the race and the second is just after crossing the finish line. I felt really good at the finish, much better than I have felt at many marathons. I managed to stay well hydrated and even got alot of calorie’s in.

Well it’s almost time and I am having serious second thoughts about even trying this. But I am set in my ways and determined. So we will see what happens on April 7th. I will either be a happy finisher or a sad DNFer.

Croom Trail 50 Mile Fools Run

Speaking of which I better get on Active and sign up, that way I cannot change my mind.

My first race goal for this year is going to be the Croom Trail 50 Mile Fools Run. It takes place in Brooksville, Florida on April 6, 2007 with a start time of 6am.

This will be my longest distance to date and that makes it fun for me, a new way to test my body. I am a bit worried about the distance and time however. I ran the John Holmes 50k Trail Run last October and finished in just under 6 hours. Don’t get me wrong I felt great, actually I felt alot better than I had at some marathons but 50k would still leave me with roughly 20 miles to go and 6 more hours before the cut-off. I should make it without to much trouble but with never having gone this distance I am not sure how my body will hold up thru the later miles. I have to worry about my feet, legs and food intake. I however cannot wait!

I have done Ironman distance triathlons but the 50 mile run is much different in my opinion. So I am sure I can handle the amount of time I will be active for I am just not sure how my feet and legs will hold up. A great new adventure.

Now if I was really crazy I would do this short 5k or 10k the next morning.
28th Annual Flatlanders Challenge

Croom Trail Run Active.com Race Page