First Ultra

      Preparing for a big event is always exciting. The Friday before my first ultra was no  exception. After work I stopped at whole foods to get something to make me super. At least that's what I told myself. So I made the traditional per marathon dinner of brown rice pasta with my 'super' golden beets along with some vegetarian chili. Had two glasses of apothic rose wine and tried to get mentally ready for tomorrow. Before bed I wrote my previous times on my arm from the 25K greenbelts I ran for some added motivation.

2:45:35

3:06:37

3:03:29

2:58:10

      Believing that I could do it was the whole battle like anything else. Once you believe the rest just follows. That was what I focused on, believing in myself. I kept repeating BELIEVE in my head as well as "be +" and tried to see only the good. Truth be told, no one else can do it for you. The word believe helped me get my mind off the act of running when things got tough. I also pictured # 's. #'s in that I needed to be fully involved in the task. Thinking of how my body is reacting at any given moment. Being fully involved in the task also requires you to focus on when to take fuel, when to slow down, and when to pick it up. # is just the symbol I thought of to remind myself to stay absorbed in what I was doing.

      In the morning the only thing I did different from my normal routine was that I went to Starbucks before driving out to plainview, the town where the race takes place. I got a grande dirty chai tea latte to fuel me further. Along with that I had my peanut butter and jelly bagel picking at it along the way.

     Once I arrived I did the traditional walk around, pee a bunch, and pretty much just wander looking lost. Once the race started I didn't really see anyone for a while. At one point early in the race I thought I was the only person on the planet. 

      This trail run, despite how hard it was, actually was more forgiving than a road marathon. I think I ran the following Wednesday. Running on trails tends to be easier on the joints not necessarily on your muscles. The greenbelt 50K is a two loop course on some of the hilliest terrain Long Island has to offer. So much so that the run turns into a climb at certain points on the course. The rest stops along the course were well stocked and I have a new found respect for the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. That was until the rain came.

      The monsoon came just before the half way point of the race. If I would have jumped into a pool I couldn't have gotten more wet and that's no exaggeration. At my drop bag I changed socks, not that it helped. I still lost my big toenail on my right foot in the end along with a little guy on my left foot. At least I didn't have to swim and managed to not trip and fall in the ever growing lake. Can't say the same for the guy running with me. JJ and I were around the same pace pretty much the whole time. We kept leap frogging each other shouting encouragement to each other along the way.

      The aid stations were another great source of encouragement as well. Maybe a little more so since they had a whole assortment of fuel to keep all us runners going. Just when you want to give up sometimes all you need is a fuel to affect your mood. At one aid station a kid that was handing out Gatorade even wanted to run with me. These sources of encouragement and refreshments are a must in order to tackle big obstacles like a 31 mile foot race. My plan that I formulated after a couple hours was that I would run if my heart rate was 147 and slow down on hills if it reached 150. This strategy helped me to have energy to finish strong. 

      My longest training run was only around three hours. I did get a 70 mile or so long bike ride in a headwind which also gave me confidence. In my opinion the race was more mental than physical. The highs and lows you experience are really pronounced compared to a regular road marathon. You don't just get a second wind. You get a third and fourth wind as well. One thing remains the same however and that is when it is all over it feels like it went to quickly. One interesting thing of note is that towards the end I got scared for no reason. It was an extremely high/weird feeling. It went away but very interesting.

      I didn't really hang around after. I just did my thing, walked around making small chit chat while scarfing down a delicious muffin and whatever else was there. No beer was present which was a disappointment so next year ill bring a sixer for me and whoever wants. Sharing is caring. I kind of wish I did hang out but I had to go tend to my foot. Not before I stopped by dunkin donuts to use my gift card I got for national cytotechnology day, yes we have our own day too. 

      Upon reaching my abode after a six hour, forty minute and thirty second skip through the woods I immediately wanted to go do something. Weird how after running for such a long time that I didn't want to just keel over. Didn't really do anything to amazing. I needled my toe to let the blood drain out, not fun. All in all this was an exciting experience and life goal. Can't wait till next year.

-Barton 

"More you do. The more you will want to do that thing."