Long Run 21:39:11 [3] 100.0 mi (13:00 / mi)
Umstead 100- 33rd place out of 250 registered! 8 X 12.5 mil loops. Lap pace was 2:31, 2:33, 2:34, 2:37, 2:39, 2:44, 3:02, 2:55. Most surprising was I was able to run even up into mile 90 plus. I have never been able to run (even shuffle) this far into a race. Really pleased. My stomach was fine all day. I ate and even took gels up into hour 18 or 19. I did switch a lot more to the aid station food starting on lap 6 but still supplemented with Gus and shot blocks. I was averaging 250 calories an hour well into hour 13 or 14, and possibly even throughout the entire race. Stayed really hydrated and kept cool during the heat by pouring water on hat and bandana all the time. After lap 1 I was in 108 place and just moved up ever lap after that. First lap felt painfully slow but it was so worth it! I also came out of the race and mentally am almost ready to run a 100 again. I'm not going to do another this year but it is so nice not to be completely beat down. I am writing this the Friday after and the only issue physically is that my toes are still painful, mostly my big toe where I didn't switch to larger shoes quite soon enough. I had scheduled to do this at mile 50 and didn't want to slow down to change shoes so I didn't do it until mile 75. I also never sat down except to use the bathroom or change shoes. Honestly, I never really wanted to. The hills on this course are no joke, but I just hiked them and was fine. The only thing I would practice is running at night a bit more. That was mentally a bit draining but with the pacers it was fine. So pleased!