I ended up registering for the Philadelphia Marathon instead, figuring it might be a better idea to run 26.2 miles than jumping into a 31+ mile event. I had a great marathon experience and immediately knew even from the training that I preferred distance running over slower, faster events such as the 5k, 8k, 10 or 15k's. "Okay, now I will search for an ultramarathon to run during the spring," I thought to myself. Good thing I didn't register for one on a whim after I returned home from Philly because two days later I couldn't run more than a quarter mile comfortably. I was out of running for the next couple months and before I knew it, I was registered for my second triathlon--this time the Olympic distance. The night after my triathlon I did what I had been waiting for for over a year and before I let the universe decide I should wait even another season: I registered for the Tesla Hertz Ultra Marathon.
In its inaugural year, the Tesla Hertz ultra was much more affordable than other races I was finding and more importantly (yes, there was something more important than $$!!) it was the closest race to home within my mid-September to late-October time frame. So that was it. The evening of July 21st I was registered for the 50 mile event and 11 weeks later I would be running the first, and my first, Tesla run and boy was I pumped!
Training was amazing and I couldn't get enough of the back to back long runs. Some weeks I was logging 40+ miles just on the weekend (a huge jump from what I had ever done previously!). I realized during these weeks of training that Clif bars are probably a vegan athlete's dream come true...okay maybe not, but at least they are my dream come true! I can't give you a count for how many Clif bars I've eaten in the past 3 months and I'm still eating them each day for my lunch with some veggies and an apple...no joke. Anyway, it would probably surprise you then--as it surprised me--that I could not even think about a Clif bar during the Tesla Hertz run. If it wasn't the few Gus I consumed, I found myself craving and certainly eating the pretzels and Twizzlers at the aid stations! I recall emailing the race directors, Vinny and Nichole, and asking about vegan fuel and I was asked what I would like to see at the stations. I knew I'd be packing my own food, but I did not hesitate to ask for Twizzlers and while I do not know if I was the reason for the presence of the candy, I was ecstatic it was there (Twizzlers are my second dream come true, albeit accidental, vegan food).
The running itself was what proved to be the perfect culmination to my first ultra experience. I told myself that I would not have a time goal in mind and that I just wanted to finish my first 50 miler, but of course this did not last long. Within a couple of weeks I thought I could muster at least a 9:45/mile pace. Despite all of the advice I read from books, articles, and any other literary media I could get my hands on, I still managed to ignore what should of been my mantra throughout: run your race, Will.
Feeling good after 2 laps.
In pain after 3 laps.
Feeling good after 2 laps.
Instead, I went out too fast and by mile 26, my paces dropped drastically. Despite this frustrating experience, I think it was a lesson I needed to learn and I'm glad I learned it early in my ultra career (yes, this run was only the first of many to come in my future). If it wasn't for my girlfriend and her uncle who came to support me, I don't know how I would have finished my last two laps, but I did. I finished those two laps with my girlfriend running by my side helping me through and with those 2 laps, I completed my first ultra marathon and I can honestly say that I am absolutely hooked.
In pain after 3 laps.
If it wasn't for the amazing support from the race staffers/volunteers and the wonderful directors who evidently put their everything into this race's success, I don't know how I would have felt walking away after I broke down my support area. Vinny, Nichole and everyone else who was involved (especially the extremely supportive and sociable Whiskey Girl volunteers)..I just want to thank you and commend you for planning and executing an amazingly successful inaugural Tesla Hertz run; one that I am proud to say commenced the next, next chapter in my life.
Val helped me through to the end!
Val helped me through to the end!