Last weekend I finished the Hawk 50 mile trail race in Lawrence, KS. This race has been a goal of mine for 7 years. I signed up to do it in 2016 but a knee injury threw my training off. I dropped down to the marathon distance instead. It was just as well, because days of rain forced the race director to alter the course and instead of a trail run, the race was relegated to the parking lots and asphalt roads in and around Clinton State Park. That wasn't the race I wanted to do. Still, I always regretted not having done the 50 mile distance.
The Hawk marathon in 2016 was my last marathon. Although I never stopped running, my training lacked discipline and focus. Frankly, much of my life lacked discipline and focus. I gained a bunch of weight and before I knew it, I was technically obese and had become pre-diabetic. On top of that, I was anemic. Last April, I took back control of my health. With the help of my doctors and family, I changed my diet, figured out my anemia, and got my blood sugars under control. The pounds began to fall and my energy level sky rocketed. I felt better than I had in years and since I would soon be turning 50, I figured it was time to settle some unfinished business in Kansas. I signed up for the Hawk 50 mile trail run in January. Being in good shape and with nine months to train, I was confident and determined.
My training was consistent. Since January, I have run 3-5 days a week and swim or bike to cross train. I do body weight strength training 2 or 3 days a week and I do yoga when I can. My training peaked with a 50km gravel road race 2 weeks ago. As the 50 mile race day approached, the nerves definitely began to settle in. I know I've prepared and trained, but can you ever really be ready for a 50 mile race?
My family accompanied me to the race. We rented a small cabin at the park. My wife and I woke up early to go to the start. I was one of 37 who started the 50 mile race at 7 AM. I settled into the middle to the back of the pack. The morning was cool enough, but the day was going to get hot, with temps approaching 90 degrees. Fortunately, most of the trail is covered by trees and in the shade. The first 5 or 6 miles were pretty easy, highlighted by a stocked aid station around mile 5. From there, the course became quite a bit more rocky. After the next aid station at mile 10.5, the run became more of a cross country course before coming back to the same aid station at mile 13.5. I reached this point at around 2 hrs and 45 minutes, and after seeing my family at the aid station, I told them I'd finish the first 25 mile loop and meet them at the start/finish line, where I would begin the second loop.
The next 12 miles were considerably harder than the first, and my pace slowed significantly. Although the course was well marked, I somehow managed to take a wrong turn and came into the aid station the wrong way. I finished the first loop in under 7 hours, but had a little over a mile to make up because my wrong turn cut the course. I spoke with the race director, and we decided I would make the mileage up before starting the second lap. Thus, I walked 1.4 miles with my wife around race headquarters.
I spent quite a bit of time hydrating, eating, and talking with my family at the start/finish before heading out for the second loop. I felt good, but the weather was heating up and I was a little behind on my hydration. At mile 33, I was really struggling. I had never run more than 50 km (31 miles) and this was uncharted territory for me. Every part of my body was hurting. I made it to the next aid station, where my family was waiting. They really energized me and I felt strong at about mile 38. The next several miles were some of my fastest of the day. However, as dusk approached and the course became steeper and the terrain more rocky, my pace slowed and I was basically walking at this point. I tried to "run" as much as I could, but hiking was a safer and steadier option at this point. My watch died at about mile 40. I am kind of glad it did, because it kept me from constantly looking at it.
The Hawk has a very generous cut off time for the 50 mile and marathon distance, so I knew I would finish if I just kept going. As darkness fell, I was basically alone on the course. I had only seen two other runners during the last 12 miles. I was tired and sore and just wanted to finish. My mantra became "relentless forward progress" no matter how slow.
I had no idea how late it was, but as I approached the finish line as the 32nd of 33 finishers, I was greeted by my family, who cheered wildly as I crossed the finish line after midnight, arms raised, spirit high, and extremely proud.
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