idn't you say that you would NEVER EVER do this race again? That was the question that Elizabeth asked. And yes, I did. And yes, I was about to do that again... Problem is with the way November was going, I wouldn't be able to do too many miles and perhaps not even a race and this was the only thing available AND Jamey was going AND well, I'm an idiot...
I think that first paragraph pretty much could count as the whole race report. It really could. But perhaps there are a few more details I could kinda find.
Course description: A 1 mile course. It's lit. It has a full kitchen waiting for you every mile. It has indoor plumbing including showers waiting for you every mile. Your car is right there waiting for you every mile in case you need anything. You can set up a tent for you and/or family waiting for you every mile. Sounds great right?
It could be great. Problem is is that it's mind numbing boring. There's no protection from the elements - At the 48 hour race last year, Jamey suffered through many hours of rain. At the Quadzilla, we had almost 100 degree weather with no shade.
There's something to it. Jamey liked it. So far I did the 1 day and the Quadzilla. I can see the attraction in it. But I like things to change. I know an aid station every mile is great but, and I only realized it post race, I like variety in my aid stations. New people and different foods. Not the same thing that hasn't changed in the last 10 minutes.
That being said, I also wanted to see and reconnect with people from the ultra-running community.
Whatever... I signed up. They had different races available. The had the 24 hours, an AM 12 hour, a PM 12 hour, AM/PM Marathon, AM/PM 50K and AM/PM 6 hours. A little of something for everyone.
11/30/2018:
P
eople were all excited about the weather. No rain. Cold too. I was excited about no rain BUT NOT excited about the cold. Not too many contrarians like me... We got there early and started to get ready. Salty McNulty's wife was in a good mood. Cool. Got our stuff and I just layered up. And layer up some more.
Started seeing people that we know and that was nice. Saw Francis "are you trying to kill Jamey again?" Kwok. He's awesome and doing the 50K. Keno was there and as usual stayed away. During the race ran into Trishul who I didn't know was actually Lauren and also Jewish. Ran into JC along the course. He was doing a Marathon as it was number 299 and Philli would be number 300 the following week.
Not sure where everything fits chronologically, so I will just write things as I remember them.
Ella... That's all I really need to say here but I'll say it anyway. Ran into Ella. Love Ella. She's really not my (physical) type but her eyes and face are just sultry. I hope I am using that word correctly. She's just hot. I say this platonically. I have no intentions here. In any case, Salty McNulty kinda challenged her to do 100 miles sub 24. Meanwhile someone posted on FB about being available as a pacer and she said yo. Dude did all the math for her and came up with a pace that she would have to keep at all times. He was vigilant about it too not letting her slack off. She looked like she was just doing a slow 5K but in reality she was just awesome. Meanwhile he was up and awake the whole time doing what he needed to do. By the way, Ella told me that 2 years ago, at 1 day, he was having pain and I gave him Tylenol. Wow. Didn't remember that...
There were 3 guys running together in button down shirts. They asked Jamey and me if we were there 2 years ago. Apparently, we made an impression on them and they remembered us. Nice. Nice to leave people in such a way that they remember you and not in a bad way.
We joked around with them. Eventually, 2 went to rest while 1 continued. He wanted 100 miles. I don't know if he got it or not.
There was a black girl there. Real hot looking. Not to be stereotypic or racist or whatever but typically there aren't too many black ultra runners. And certainly not female. Anyway, we ran some. We walked some. I should mention that I was cold so I had my running beanie and a muffler on me so all you could see are my eyes. Anyway, she and I started talking. Eventually, started talking about where are from etc. Turns out she lives in Corona Queens but runs over there in NJ for the trail hills. When I mentioned that I live in Queens and run in Alley Pond, she asked me if I did a PJ run in some fort in Queens. Cool... She did the PJ run. I was shocked that she asked that but she said she remembered my voice and that I made an impression on her. Again that impression thing ;)
Later she walking very slowly. I asked what was up and she told us that "she has blisters on her balls". I couldn't help myself. I turned to her and said "you don't have balls... I have balls". She snorted. She clarified that it was the balls of her feet. Told her to stick a needle in it and be done with it.
This race has a lot of family and friend support which is nice. A guy there had a BBQ or something set up and offered 90 minute bacon. I didn't want that but I heard him mention a ham and egg sandwich. I asked about a no ham egg sandwich and he said yup. That thing a few loops later was AMAZING. Egg on a potato bread bun. Wow... Later, before he left, he made me another one...
I scored a PBJ in a tortilla shell too. I have never had a PNJ at a race by the way.
There was a father/daughter team out there. She looked so strong. Very proud to see something like that. We joked that dad was slowing her down. Later I saw them and heard Dad mention that as she becomes more comfortable, she could do this by herself instead of with him. He also asked if there's any other race she would like to do. I barged in and said Ironman. Later, they were walking and he was hugging her. I was going to make a comment but I then realized that she was crying. I then had to interrupt. Asked if we could tell her some really bad, terrible jokes. That dried her eyes. We delivered. She was actually laughing. Her next 2 loops were much faster. Eventually they disappeared. Still, she was out there for a while. Unfortuantly, the results don't have age so I can't tell how much she did.
There was an eleven year old boy who was signed up for the 12 hours. He planned on a Marathon. He was out there according to some pace schedule. He also rested on schedule. I don't remember him being out there with his father at all. He did it. Wow... By himself for preety much 12 hours (11:30ish I think). Wow.
Jamey was convinced that Raina would not visit but since she was dropping Samara off not too far, I kinda assumed. She did. He was beaming. That was cool.
I should mention that it did get colder and colder. During the day there was a terrible wind. It snowed a little too. At night, the wind stopped but the temps dipped further. At 9pm, only 5 more people started. Shandy from Jrunners was there and she looked awesome. Still, people just disappeared. Jamey and I stopped having fun. Decided to go to midnight and then run 1 mile more so we wouldn't "have to" run on Sunday. That's what we did. We stopped with 58 miles.
Ella was on schedule but started suffering. She walked a loop with us, hanging onto me tightly. Her pacer saw that after 1 lap and oh boy did he give it to her. "Ella... I'm sure those nice gents are great and all but you have to start running right now...! Don't make me go Drill Sergeant on your ass... Let's go... Let's go... Your lefy, your left, your left right left.".... Oh boy. He did what he was supposed to do but wow... Later she told me that things went downhill with her stomach and she ended with 88 miles.
12/04/2018:
T
MI-ish time: So I suffer from allergies. Didn't use to but now do. I usually don't take care of it. Every few years, it turns into a sinus infection. This was one of those years and I was coughing real bad. It got to the point that during Lifeguard inservice, the joke would be that I would need to be rescued. During every swim, lifeguards (who know me) would laughingly ask if they need to jump in. I refused to go to the doctor. Why? Because I knew there would be an argument between me and him about certain tests that are age appropriate even tho they are anything but appropriate. Elizabeth had filled a prescription for a Z-Pac but never took it. She wanted me to take it. I don't think that's a good idea to just take meds without consulting a doctor but finally, she won that argument and I took a 5 course Z-pac. I did check with a pharmacist friend who said it probably can't hurt. Ok (with a sigh) - I took it. I did get better. Was it the right decision? I don't know. I still think, a medical consultation was warranted but I did get better and no argument was had with my Doctor. That being said, through out all this, I continuued working out full time. As usual, working out, 2 jobs, lots of stress and not a lot of sleep. Whatever. In any case, at one point, while violently coughing, I think I may have pulled a groin muscle or whatever the terminology is. It steadily got better (I have a trick which helps it heal). During this race tho, I was very cold and that usually causes me to cough and basically reinjure said area. It got to the point that everytime I needed to cough or sneeze, I first had to grab the boys and make sure that they were ok otherwise it felt like I was getting kicked in the groin. It was that bad...
Chafe AKA my favorite subject: I decided it wasn't going to happen. I brought a huge container with Aquafor and gloves and re-re-re-reapplied anytime I felt something stirring. Jamey also brought something for his areas. Bottom line, very minimal hot spot on my right nipple but all in all, took a nice hot shower after the race when I got home. I call that a win.
At some point, we were near the area where all the tents/cars are and I heard a woman tell her husband that next loop, she's gonna want the magic pants. Couldn't resist that... As I passed them, I also told him that I want the magic pants. He told me that they are also called the Colorado Pants because that's where she bought them during some race and they warmed her up and she loved it. Well, at 1 point, we came up on Maria who was suffering. So, we joined her for a loop and helped her out by telling her our bad joke repoitre. We told her that we will test her on this later. She loved them. She felt better after that and we kinda strong armed her husband in joining us in a loop so he can also hear these jokes. Obviously she wouldn't remember them, right? I did fine her on Facebook later and here's a picture of that...
We did see Darelene on the course. A NYPD widow who has a broken foot or leg (I don't remember) who refuses to get the operation has that would really disable her. She was trudging slowly around. Good for her. She is very intense...
I don't think there's anything else to add so let me just add this. I really do see the beauty of this course but I R-E-A-L-L-Y am sick and tired of it. I don't want to go again. Jamey said he's done with it and that he's not coming back for the 48 hours but then later told me that he might go back. As for me, I'm done. And then Salty McNulty posted asking if there's real interest in a 10 day event. I would NOT do the 240 hours race but a 10 Marathons (or 50Ks) in 10 days...
