Just Keep Running! Swampstomper 50K race report

Ultramarathon: any organized footrace extending beyond the standard marathon running distance of 26.2 miles. Ultra races typically begin at 50 kilometers and can extend to enormous distances. There is no limit.

I have always toyed with the idea of attempting an ultramarathon.  Along with the marathon and Ironman, the ultra always intrigued me due to the severe test of self.  I am obsessed with pushing my physical and mental boundaries and answering the simple question: “Can I do it?”

My training went very well as I was able to log several hundred miles of trail running over the last 6 weeks.  I arrived at the start rested and ready to run.  The Swampstomper 50k course runs through the Mississippi River bottomland (swamp) and up and down the river bluffs in Shelby Forest State Park.   It is a beautiful area and the trails are great… if it is dry.  Important note: swamps flood when it rains.  I cannot overstate how muddy and sloppy the trail was.  It was comically muddy.  There were several 3 – 4 mile stretches where the trail was ankle deep in mud and water.  A couple of knee-deep stream crossings also added to the fun.  This makes for a long and challenging day.  The downhills required a step-and-slip strategy and the uphills were much like trying to climb up a slippery playground slide.   The flats were covered in mud and standing water.  Many steps caused my entire shoe to disappear into the muck.  Get the picture?  It was muddy.

Hours 1 & 2 passed rather quickly.  I was able to follow a group of six who were moving at a nice steady pace and seemed experienced in trail running and ultramarathon strategy.  I just watched where they stepped and tried to zone out and run.  I quickly learned that the best path was right through the slop.  The first trek around the hilly three mile Red Loop was uneventful as the group took a very conservative approach going up and down the steep hills.   I concentrated on managing my fuel and my heart rate.  Before I knew it we were headed towards the end of our first 25k lap. 

Hours 3 – 4 got very quiet and lonely.  After the 25K turnaround the group fell apart and I soon found myself running solo with 16 miles to go.   I felt pretty good and tried to lock into a pace but it was virtually impossible due to the mud and water.  The mud became the living, fire-breathing dragon of the day.  It was relentless and brutal but the only way home was through the dragon!   My legs felt good and I was in pretty good spirits.  The aid stations arrived every 3 to 4 miles.  They were stocked with Heed, water, coke, pretzels, chocolate, PB&J sandwiches, potatoes, salt, bananas, cookies and more.  In the later stages of the race I sampled nearly everything in a quest to stay fueled and hydrated. 

Hours 5 – 6 were tough.  I was getting tired but still had no cramps or blisters.  My hip flexors were getting worn out from the exaggerated knee lift required to run through the water and mud.   I had hoped for a sub-6 hour finish but the conditions trashed that idea.  I eventually stopped looking at my watch because time no longer mattered.  I broke the race down into small sections and just kept running.  My ultimate goal of finishing was never in question but I went to the dark place a few times with that mud.  I alternated between cursing the muck (out loud) and laughing at the absurdity of it all (out loud).   When I left the final aid station they told me I had less than 4 miles until the finish.  I got a nice energy boost from that news but realized that I had to pass back through the wettest part of the swamp.  It was time for a serious gut check.  This is where the mental fitness takes over.  Just keep running and slay the dragon.  It dawned on me that I had now run 28 miles.  I had not spent any mental energy calculating mileage so I quickly let that thought go. 

The final four miles was the longest four miles ever.   I knew that every step moved me closer to the finish.   Just keep running.  I made the final steep, slippery climb out of the swamp and emerged from the trail head with 400 meters to the finish.  I glanced at my watch as it approached the seven hour mark.  Really?  Seven hours?!  Hallelujah…I finished and I got to stop running.  It was an exhilarating feeling that I will not soon forget.  Can I do it?  Yes and I can do it in the worst possible conditions!  Sweet.   I love the puzzle/ experiment that running a marathon or completing Ironman provides.  I think I am now adding ultrarunning to that list of challenges.  Will I attempt another 50K?  I cannot wait.  The 50k is just the beginning of the ultra distances.  How about a 50 miler?  I must admit that the idea of running 50 miles is next on the list.  Why?  To see if I can.