I never intended to do this race. But after deciding to cancel my No Business 100 entry, and wanting to test myself this year with a race, Hamsterwheel emerged as pretty much the only viable local option. Whether this meant it was a good choice or not, I wasn't sure and even after I signed up, I had doubts that I could accomplish the intended goal of 100 miles in under 24 hours. It seemed daunting. My 100 mile history certainly didn't point to it. Sure, those were all very different courses, and yes, I had been running consistently all year (and the past few years too) and had been doing a fair amount of flat-ish trail/road runs that boded well for this type of race, but my mileage was not super high and I certainly hadn't been doing any workouts. I was intimidated by the thought of so many 4 mile loops, and fully recognized that I was just sort of winging it with this race. There was no true race plan or strategy. I really only had the thought in my mind that I should be able to run sub-24, the quiet flicker of confidence deep inside that I had the ability, as my why for this race. But I also fully recognized that 100 miles is a long way and there is never ever a guarantee that you will always get out of a race what you want.
Looking at the weather on Friday night, I assessed all that I had packed and in the end, just like Ryan said, threw some (more) sh*t in a bag and hoped I had what I needed! 😂 It was looking like we would have nice clear weather but that it was going to be pretty darn cold. And indeed it was downright frosty when we headed out at 5:00 am in the darkness on Friday morning. The drive over to New Boston, New Hampshire went smoothly enough and we arrived at 7:30 am to find the fairgrounds bustling with activity.
Ryan had picked up the TMR pop-up tent from Bucky on Thursday, so we got that set up along the fairground oval relatively close to the start/finish line and got things reasonably organized as the others rolled in. Tami and I were signed up for the 24 hours, George, Ann and Tanya were doing the 30, Joey was running the 12 hour, and Ryan, Tammy and John were in for the 6 hour. It was great fun to be at a race start with so many friends! The sun was bright and it was forecasted to warm up throughout the day, but brrr, it sure was chilly and after standing around for a short bit, I got cold enough that I got back in the car for the final 45 minutes before the races started.
They had decided to stagger the race starts due to the amount of runners, so the 30 hour folks took off at 9:00, Tami and I started at 9:15 and the rest at 9:30.
So, at 9:15, I toed the line, waited for the countdown and we were off! After a short stretch through the edge of the fairgrounds, the course went onto the New Boston Rail Trail and followed that for approximately 1 3/4 miles to a turn-around point with a water jug at the edge of a parking lot. The trail was flat as a pancake, wide enough to run or walk several people abreast, and followed the Piscataquog River, with many benches en route as well as 1/4 mile marker signs. The light in the woods was dappled and the river was so pretty. (Pictures of the trail below courtesy of John and Tami. I did not stop to take any photos!).
Once we got back to the junction with start of the rail trail, the course veered right up a short hill and ran along an upper dirt road looking down on the fairgrounds proper, before dropping back down and looping into the start/finish area. The hill was a welcome respite from the flatness of the rest of the course and a nice chance to walk.
Sign at the bottom of the hill 😂
There was a fair amount of distraction in those first few loops, with people coming and going on the trail and some chit chat with those around me. Ended up running behind and then with a guy, Jay, who knows Tyler! Talk about a small world. It was a nice way to ease into the race and keep things chill.
24 hour pace is 14:24 a mile. This sounds totally reasonable until you are out there doing it 😉😆 but that pace also takes into account all your stops, etc. I knew with a flat course that I was likely going to be running the first portion faster than I might consider wise on a different course, but I wanted to run comfortably. In the end, this meant I was running mostly miles in the 10:00-11:00 min/mile range for the first half of the race, minus the miles that included stops back at the tent.
My loose "plan" was to mitigate the stops and I originally intended to just stop every 12 miles. That pretty much only lasted through mile 12. I then stopped at mile 20 and 28, after which I stopped for at least a short stop every lap. However, I really do think I was pretty efficient. Most stops were just enough to drop trash, pick up new gels and hopefully a real food item, fill water if necessary, and use the port-a-potty. My moving time was 19:45 so only 1:38 in stops overall, which seems pretty good to me, especially considering a lot of my stopped time was time spent in the port-a-potties. Darn stomach!
In any event, it became evident fairly quickly that the difficulty in this race was going to be the mental aspect of running the same loop over and over again, and the flat terrain. Most races I've run in the past have offered a variety of terrain, making walking breaks a natural component of things and allowing you to use different muscles and not have the same repetitive motion over and over and over again all day long. This course was so runnable, it was actually really tough!
I walked the hill each lap from the start as well as at least a short stretch through the start/finish to pick up my lap medallion (more on that later), stop at the tent for whatever supplies I needed, and to eat whatever real food I had taken, but I didn't walk on the trail itself until around mile 48, at which point my nagging hip flexors and tiredness took over a bit and I implemented a strategy of walking for a minute or two at the top of each mile. This was something to look forward to and a way to break up the monotony of doing the same out and back over and over and over again.
The pros of a 4 mile loop course are:
1. You know exactly what you are in for each and every lap.
2. The start/finish area and your own gear is close by and accessible every 4 miles.
3. There were port-a-potties every 4 miles.
4. There was a lot of interaction with other runners and a chance to see friends as we passed each other here and there going back and forth along the course.
The cons of a 4 mile loop course:
1. You know exactly what you are in for each and every lap.
2. The start/finish area and your own gear is close by and accessible every 4 miles.
3. You can technically stop whenever, as there is no set finish line distance, only the time limit that you signed up for.
This race was all about balancing #1 and #2 of the pros/cons, each and every lap, and making sure you didn't think much about con #3.
I had started the race in tights, short sleeve shirt, arm sleeves with a long sleeve shirt over those, buff, gloves and a beanie. I did shed the beanie for a regular brimmed hat at some point during the day and took off the buff, but it was cool enough that I didn't feel overheated or want to shed any other layers at any point.
I picked up my headlamp at mile 44 (or was it 40? I can't remember...), and changed my top layers, putting on my sugoi hoodie under two long sleeve shirts, picked up a new dry pair of gloves and put my beanie back on. Darkness comes early in November, and it got cold quickly once the sun went down. Still, I kept the headlamp off for as long as I could but finally had to acquiesce and turn it on. I had packed my waistlamp too, but with so many people still out along the trail, I didn't feel like I needed more than the headlamp and so that stayed in the bin back at the tent. Somewhere in these miles, I picked up a soft flask of Roctane drink too for the caffeine and the calorie drip. I had done a pretty decent job of eating gels every 30 minutes and supplementing with something solid, but by that point, I knew I needed a bit extra.
As darkness and many hours settled in, I picked up my earbuds at mile 48 for a chance of pace and distraction. I have never raced with music before, but in this scenario it was a welcome respite.
Hit mile 50 midway through lap #13 in 9:38. Average pace had slowed by then but was holding reasonably steady and I felt decent. I think the mental fatigue was the worst at mile 52, when I was back to the start/finish, it was dark, I knew I had a really long way to go still, I was a bit under fueled and I was just feeling a bit dreary. Had a few tears as Ryan sent me off into the darkness with a piece of pizza in hand, but did feel better having put some solid food in my belly.
Honestly, miles 52 to 68 are sort of a blur. I was just moving forward, sticking with my plan of running as much as I could and taking those short walk breaks. I think my running pace remained reasonably strong throughout and the walk breaks gave me short respites to reset and then get back to it.
The course thinned out, with fewer and fewer people and longer stretches between headlamp spheres. It also got colder and colder and by mile 56 (I think?), after stopping at the tent and then to go to the bathroom, I was cold enough that I was talked into taking a cup of broth with me as I headed out of the fairgrounds. I was hesitant because of my lovely throw-up fest after consuming broth at Laurel Highlands several years back, but I didn't want coffee and I knew I needed something to warm me up. The cold had settled in enough that I was starting to shake if I didn't keep moving. I had picked up my outer jacket layer by this point as well and had my hood up.
Thankfully the broth went down well, with me sipping on it on the walk out of the fairgrounds and pitching the cup in the trashcan at the start of the rail trail. This became the pattern each lap, although a few time I had pizza.
At mile 68, I picked up Emma, who had very nicely offered to pace me for the final 50k of the run. I was thrilled to have her as pacer and so glad to have her company! She was the best, letting me dictate the pace and walking breaks but also making sure I was moving along, and it was nice to catch up and chat along the way. I also really appreciated that she was comfortable just running next to me in companionable silence, especially when I didn't have my capacity for talking deep in those dark early morning hours! 😂
Both of us were pretty much having to use the port-a-potties every lap so we settled into a nice routine of stopping at our tent and picking up what we needed, walking to get my medallion (they were giving out lap medallions each lap so you could keep track of how much you had run. It was sort of a cool gimmick and a fun keepsake!), Ryan getting me broth from the food hall while I went to the bathroom, and then Emma going to the bathroom while I walked out of the fairgrounds, shaking from the cold and trying to sip on broth or eating whatever I had picked up. Then we would meet up at the start of the rail trail and start running from there.
Ryan did go to the car to take a nap at mile 68, which I know was much needed after running 32 miles during the 6 hour race earlier in the day and then standing around in the cold to help me every 4 miles! I was really proud of him for his run and so appreciative of him crewing! 💗 I felt so lucky to have Ryan and Emma on my team. Knowing they were there for me, and believed in me, was really motivating and comforting and was a huge part of my success out there.
I was most definitely moving slower in those final 8 laps with Emma but I felt focused and didn't need any prodding to keep moving. My hip flexors were much happier than they had been in the first 48 miles, with a bit slower pace and more walk breaks, and overall, I felt pretty decent. I wasn't eating a ton but I think I was eating just enough to keep my energy up and the drip of the Roctane with the caffeine too surely helped. I did have to stop to poop a fair amount but I could still keep food down and managed to eat at least a gel a lap even into the final 4 miles.
It was fun to pass Ann and George along the way, and in the 24th lap, we stopped and walked and talked with George for a while near the turn-around point, which was a real treat. It was so nice knowing there were friends out there, chugging along in the darkness! In the wee hours of the morning, when it was so cold and dark and still, both the trail and fairgrounds were eerily quiet. I'm assuming the cold took a lot of people out early. Ryan said it got down to 25 degrees and by mile 86, the hose on my bladder had frozen and the Roctane in my soft flask had turned into a slushee. The only way to keep warm was to keep moving and to drink down the broth after each stop.
By mile 88, it became a countdown. Three more laps. Then, just single digits left. Then, final lap! Last time around the water jug. Last time over the bridge. Last time past that pretty, bubbly, little waterfall that signifies 0.35 miles to the bottom of the hill. Last hill climb. Last descent. Last final turn to the finish. I couldn't believe it. I wasn't really looking at the clock. All along, I was mostly just monitoring laps and miles and average pace. But holy shit, I was going to finish! And I was going to finish, not only in under 24 hours, but in under 22 hours!
I want to say I sprinted around that final bend and through the line, but I know I didn't. Still, it felt great to be feeling good. And it felt great to be DONE! I crossed the line with my arms in the air, and went right to the medallion table to tell the guy lap 25. Of course, then he couldn't find the 25 medallion and I was like, I need to have that final medallion 😂 He was like I will find it for you, I promise!! I must have sounded a bit like a crazy lady 😜
Ryan had originally told me that should I finish 100 miles in under 24 hours, I should go back out for additional laps. But there was no way! I guess I did give in to con #3, but truly, I had had enough of the rail trail, it was freezing cold and I was more than content with 100 miles. So psyched and grateful to have been able to pull it off. 21:19. Woohoo!
I hadn't realized it until Ryan told me but my hair was all frosted around my face as I had my hood up. Pretty funny as it sort of looked like a fringed collar 😂 If you zoom in on the photos, you can see it!
After a few quick photos, I basically got right into the car as I was starting to shake in the cold. Ryan cranked the heat and I got into dry clothes and then just sat there for a bit getting warm. Finally got out of the car a bit later to go to the bathroom, get some food and find the RD, who had told Ryan that I also got a buckle for running 100 in under my chosen time limit. Cool! By then, the sky had lightened but it was still damn cold so we didn't hang out long. John very nicely helped Ryan take down the tent and I just sat in the car while Ryan packed things up. Definitely played the tired runner card there 😁😆
The fatigue and stiffness and tightness set in as we drove off. I was also hungry but in typical fashion, could not get anything down although I did manage the Gu recovery drink, which I think was key in at least starting some sort of recovery for me since I couldn't actually manage any food until we got home. I fell asleep as soon as we got on 101, so missed the majority of the drive - sorry Ryan! 😴
We got home way earlier than anticipated, so Sam hung out at Mom and Dad's until later in the afternoon - they were planting tulip bulbs and baking muffins, what fun! - so Ryan and I had a chance to shower, get things mostly put away, start some laundry, get some food and then just sit on the couch. I did go upstairs and get into bed to take a nap but my legs hurt though, so it didn't last too long.
All in all, I pretty much felt like this for the rest of the day... but it was a happy "everything hurts and I'm dying" because damn, I just ran a huge 100 mile PR and that does not suck!
Overall, I thought the Hamsterwheel experience was pretty fun. It was a cool set-up, fun atmosphere and vibe, and a neat format that allowed for a course where there were a lot of people around and a fair amount of activity on the trail at all times, even if it did get a bit quieter in the wee hours of the morning. It was also really fun to be able to cheer and interact with all our TMR friends along the course, and so good to see Liv, Kyle and Maria there too. It definitely made it extra fun to know so many people at the race!
While short loop courses will likely never become my overall choice of course for ultras, it was a cool challenge and definitely allowed for potentially fast times and extra long distances. Ryan and I both thought they did a great job with the food, I loved the idea of the medallions, and the ease of logistics was a big plus for both runners and crew.
Honestly, I am really proud of this effort. I had no idea I was capable of what I consider to be a pretty fast 100 mile time. I'm blown away that I pulled it off. But it was not without help. As always, none of these big races are ever done alone. I am forever grateful to Ryan for believing in me, for reminding me that I can do hard things and pushing me toward big goals. Also insanely thankful to have Emma join me for the final 32 miles in the cold darkness on a very flat course. She was the perfect pacer! 💗
When Mom and Dad dropped Sam off, she launched into a whole host of other topics before finally stopping, giving me a hug and saying "Good job, mumma." 😉 I'm so glad she loves me no matter how I do in my races, and I'm also grateful that she just accepts as a matter of fact that mama sometimes goes out and does crazy things like run 100 miles on a cold November day 😆 And of course, many thanks to Mom and Dad for hanging with Sam for the weekend. I know she had a lot more fun than she would have standing around in the fairground for 21+ hours!
Later in the afternoon, I got a text from Emma with a photo of her and the RD and she is holding this ridiculous gold hamsterwheel prize. She had stayed after we left to take a nap and see George and Ann finish. Apparently, I came in 1st place woman in the 24 hour race! Now what the heck am I going to do with that?! 😂
And with that, it's time to rest, recover and eat all.the.things for a little while now. But not for too long though, because let's face it, sitting around and relaxing is just not what I do! Besides, gotta be thinking about what's next, right?! 😉😂
4 comments:
Such a great write up D! Congrats on such an amazing run and an incredible accomplishment. You were so consistent throughout the entire race. That pizza was pretty darn good too!!
Thanks Ann! It was great to see you and George out there chugging along so consistently and happily the whole time! And great miles for you both!
What an awesome race report!! You are beyond inspiring, and you I just love reading how you pulled all of this off with such grace and grit. Your first place prize is fantastic and hilarious! Huge congratulations, Danielle!
Aw, thanks, Manuela!! :) Yes, the prize is indeed hysterical! I have no idea what we'll do with it. Ha ha ha!
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