Tuesday, October 5, 2010

"Fantastic Voyage"

SO here's the dirty-dirty. [details & photos]


This is your official warning.

This 50 miler earned me:
  • One sweet buckle
  • One dirty bib

  • 11 [yes, eleven] awesome blisters.  This is so gross.  Sorry, I'll just post one.  This is an average size - the big one busted. 

  • Going to lose my big right toenail and two on the left foot.  Not as bad as I had thought.  Was thinking I had 5 goners.  Not posting a photo of these babies.  Ya, remember feet gross me out [yes, even mine].
  • 50 miles done for Neil's VR!
  • The most incredible [new] friend and [new] running partner.  You can check out her video from last years race [here].  She is amazing.  I am seriously considering running this with her.
  • The right to post my ugliest running form / running face photo.  The Pita last night, "I don't think it's fair you only post the photos that you like.  I think you should have to post your least favorite photo too.".  FINE.  whatever.  Oh ya baby, look at those wrinkles.  That horrible form.  Loving it.


Now a few #'s:

Elevation gain:  7,040

Average pace:  12.34

PB & J's:  3 bagel style [with salt]

Gu's:  zero ---- why eat Gu when you can eat M & M's?!

Aww crap - there was one Gu Chomps

Protein bars:  two

M & M's - lots

pickle juice - one cup

pee stops - one [this actually worried me - but I'm okie dokie]

Cookies - two

Alleve - three

Costco muffin - one

granola bars - three

Mountain Dew - two

Powerades - two

nuun tablets - six

[For Kovas]:

Strategy:

finish...okay fine........

* To take is easy peasy for first 32.
* To walk up any hill that was worse than "average" or  longer than 1/8 of a mile.
* To eat something every 3 miles [after mile 8]
* To plan on walking most of miles 29-32.
* To not fall and break something.
* To shuffle as much as possible.  Tried not to walk as much as possible.
* To finish strong and without a significant limp.
* To finish wanting to do another one. [this was my secret wish].  granted.

This is for Peanut. 

She said you all "would like to see how I ran into/through bushes".


My sweet swollen ankle.

Dang high school injuries.

Okay, I'll try and resume "normal blogging" now.
I loved everything about this race.  Everything.  I just keep replaying it over and over in my mind.  One of the best days in my life, to date.

Thank you.

Thank you for following me on this journey. 

It has meant everything to me.

67 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is "ultra" cool.

Adrienne said...

Greatest thing is you want to do another one. That means it was a big success.!

Rae said...

Awesome! Love all the pictures...even the one you don't like...I love it!

And you might do 100 miler in a couple weeks??? Impressive!

Emz said...

Rae - nope it'd be next year. :( / :) ?!

Jill said...

YOU are THE Ultra woman!!!!
If you come to CO and do the Leadville 100, I'll pace you :).

Unknown said...

You're amazing... thanks for sharing the pictures!

Foges said...

making me want to do an ultra more and more everyday!

Laura said...

You
are
amazing...
congrats.

Will Cooper said...

great job! that is a great time for a tough course like that. I'm proud of you and welcome to the ultra family!

Anne said...

Still in awe!!! I love that you loved everything about it :)

abbi said...

very cool that you want to do another...love it!

Silly Girl Running said...

Wow! I actually got a bit emotional reading this. And I'm NOT the emotional type. ;) You amaze me, girl. :)

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

OMG! Your ankle!!!

Or should I say cankle? lol

Quinton J said...

NO - Thank you for sharing this journey with us.
We did this one vicariously through you!
You endured a lot to earn that buckle. More than most of us could (cept’ for maybe Johann)
Congrats.

Petraruns said...

You almost make me want to do this...

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

I must have a problem because everything you just said and showed me only makes me want to do a 50 miler MORE!!! I mean I only have ONE toe on each foot that actually still have the orginal toenail anyway. What do I have to loss??!?!?

Thanks for taking us along on your journey!

ShutUpandRun said...

I don't know if I have 50 miles in me, but if anyone could make me want to do it, you just did. But, do I have to drink pickle juice? My own urine might suffice.

Marlene said...

Ohmigosh CRAZY CRAZY CRAZY!

yay for M&M's! Not so sure about the pickle juice.

Hope you are recovering well!

H Love said...

you did it...woo hoo! love the recap.

Emz said...

Jill- yes. yes. yes.

Foges - do it. you'll love it.

Will - this rocks. why did I want so long?!

SGR - I love emotion!

Pam - love - love that. I really DID laugh out loud!!

Q - no. thank you. Johann is a rockstar.

Petra - is that a "yes, sign me up!?"

Shelly - this has your name all [ALL} over it!

SU&R - you're coming.

Marlene - trust me - you want the juice! ;)

H-you bet cha. ;) Thanks!!

KovasP said...

All right, simple strategies are the best, not sure why you threw all that other fluff in there. :) No pickle juice for me, but I like the eating nonstop part.

Molly said...

That is so not a bad photo...were the m&m's peanut or plain? : )

Sarah said...

Awesome. I love how determined you are. :-D

Emz said...

Kovas - fluff is what I do best.

Molly - plain. plain jane.

Sarah - thank you!!!!

Stacie said...

You are awesome!!! Congrats!!! I can't wait for my next ultra attempt in March when I do a 24 hour run. Actually, this weekend might end up being an extreme run for me since I've had little marathon training this go around :)

Matty O said...

Soooooo, I wasn't going to jump on your back for your running form. I think ultras are excusable. Next marathon photo though better have proper form girl!

You have me worried on the blisters and toenails! Did you put body glide on your toes and feet prior to running? (hope you knew this little trick and I don't get hollered at for bringing it up now).

The big toe nail?! Now that is impressive, only lost little guys. Sucks that it takes so long for the dang things to fall off too.

I like your goals. Probably similar to what mine would be. Number one, finish. Number two, make sure you finish!

Great job. You deserve a few weeks off after this one :)

Laurie said...

I think I could do it... all except the pickle juice... I have to draw the line somewhere. Maybe we could compromise with sea water or something.


Again, you are amazing! Thanks for sharing.

Emz said...

Matty-O - deal. yell at me [next time]. I did put that glide crap - everywhere.....EVERYWHERE!! No chafing/chaffing[?] though. I rubbed it on my socks on my feet on my insoles + 844 other places.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Finishing it (plus blisters, lost toenails, a swollen ankle and scratches) gives you serious bragging rights!!

YOU'RE THE (WO)MAN!!!

DRog said...

INCREDIBLE

I found myself thinking of your run adventure today as I was driving. Is theat weird?

My bib from my "Urban" marathon over the weekend looked in worse shape than your FIFTY MILLER THRU TERRAIN? Thats not good...for me anyway

Congrats on your accomplishment
EMZ 1 - Horse - 0

Derek

Emz said...

DRog - weird? never.
Emz = 1
boring car ride = 0

It was funny driving home from Prescott and seeing a sign that said "Phoenix 49 miles" and realizing......holy crap - It's like running home from here?!?! Loved that. :)

PunkRockRunner said...

When I get back to town I'm sending you a Punk Rock Racing care package. Same address? Shoot me an email.

Congrats!!!!

Ron

Q said...

Congrats, and SO glad to hear you liked it!

Mmmm M&M's.

Anonymous said...

take care of those blisters!! don't let them get infected!!!

you rock, seesta!

monicac2 said...

I love it that you met a friend who you can run these with, because seriously (this is going to sound weird but I know it's true) it's probably lonely being as fast as you are. You can't just show up to the local running club and expect to have a gaggle of (female) running buddies like I can. It's lonely at the top! :)

The Eliason's said...

Just so I understand...you did all that for a belt buckle? And you give ME a hard time...(hope you like your buckle!) Glad you finished! Were proud of you...now take a break!!!

Emz said...

Monicac2 - how do I get to your blog? Your comments always make my day. Make me smile.

Eliason's-define "break". Yep. All for the buckle. I'll have it on next time I see you. I may let you borrow it for a few........... Minutes. ;) thanks for the comment.

Carly said...

Awesome! Just Awesome!

Anonymous said...

Whats the benefit of the pickle juice?

Good job :) Very inspiring stuff

Emz said...

MelBird - Hi :)The Pickle juice was just for a lot of salt. [To help retain water.]
Read a lot about it prior to running this, as being a great way to stay hydrated. It's also used as a way to combat muscle cramps, especially in the legs. :)

Who knows if it [truly] works but .... it worked for me - so I BELIEVE. ;)

RunningLaur said...

Not to push you into anything you don't want to do... but you'd totally kick ass at the JJ100 100k drop out option. :) it's like totally flat and only 12 more miles. (ultrarunners are bad/good influences)

Andrew Opala said...

I'm gonna write 161 on everything I use for running.

Emz said...

RL - now I want to do it this year. You think it'll be problem that it falls on my anniversary?!

Unknown said...

EMz, Emz, Emz, .... you actually STOPPED to pee?

Have you not learned anything from your gross triathlete peeps?

To quote Harry from "Dumb & Dumber" - "Just go ...."

Emz said...

Jeff - ummmm noted. This could get ugly. ;)

Gina said...

I'll be honest, I have zero desire to ever run that far, but I LOVE reading what you wrote about it! ;)
Love the "battle wounds" pic!

ajh said...

Totally go for the M+Ms over the gus!

Aimee said...

I loved this post and the photos! I hope your blisters and swollen ankle heal soon!
Mmmm...M&Ms are awesome!

Anonymous said...

What wrinkles?

Erika said...

Way to go on this crazy race! I can't even ImaGine! And you make it look "easy:)"

Unknown said...

that picture of your so called horrible form and the face full of happy emotion. Best picture ever. Seriously it chokes me up to look at it.
A person as beautiful as you, both inside and out, finishing something so epic and inspiring, tears are warranted and seriously, what you did was amazing. The cool part is that its just begun :)

Zaneta @ Runner's Luck said...

loved all the numbers! :) Great stuff! Glad you're only going to lose 3 instead of 5 toenails! :D That ankle looks painful... also, I am emailing you :)

Emz said...

Angie B - your comment has me in tears. Thank you.

suzy, http://countdownto13.blogspot.com/ said...

Emz! Your post was amazing. You are a total rockstar! Can I ask you a question about the m&ms, pickle juice and the NO GU?

I'm asking b/c I hate, hate, hate GU. I mean *barf* hate it. So can I eat m&ms & pickle juice instead?!? The pickle juice intrigues me for a few reasons - I sweat SO much. ALOT. After I have salt I feel so much better. Can I seriously drink pickle juice when running?! Crazy girl, that is crazy!

Patrick Mahoney said...

This post and yesterdays post are awesome. Sorry I am late to the party put you frickin' rock. E to the M to the mutha-bleepin Z.

XTB-XAVI said...

Congratulations "ultrarunner"!!

Cheers from Tokyo!

"XTB" Xavi.

Anonymous said...

Sorry it's taken so long to comment, I wanted to have time to read every word of your race report!

Congratulations!! I'm so sorry about the blisters (thanks for the tip on the Enzo pads). I don't how you did it, that course looks crazy and my heart skipped when I read your first strategy was "do the first 32 miles easy." 32 miles (with 18 left to start cranking out). I'm still mulling that over!! Way to rock it, I'm in AWE!

Congratulations again, you are awesome!! (and you look great in your pictures!)

Carrie said...

I love your positive attitude about the whole experience. Sometimes things aren't quite what you expect or plan, but looking at it as milestones along the journey makes all the difference. Congratulations on your HUGE accomplishment!

Anonymous said...

you are amazing and inspiring! especially you looked so cute after running so dang far!

Jen Feeny said...

Your belt buckle should say "BADASS" just saying.

Kevin said...

Awesome medal!!

Kevin
http://halftriing.blogspot.com/

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

Your Comment made my day :) thank you!! And Thank Robin and Running Circles around the Turtle, she linked your report in.. I love your honesty and internal dialogue is my favorite..

HUGS to earning belt buckles and blisters.

Mel
Tall Mom

April said...

I can not even begin to comprehend the greatness that you are! You rock!! Makes me feel bad complaining about a little congestion...those blisters look painful!
Eating all the M&M's I want almost makes me consider doing an ultra....almost....lol!

Ulyana said...

What-evah! You look wonderful!!! This IS amazing, congrats!!!!! What a great accomplishment!!!!

ihaverun said...

What wrinkles?? And thanks for sharing your journey with US!

Ciara Slider said...

em- i'm so glad that this run went better for you than the last one! you are so freakin' awesome, total hard ass! you totally motivate me to run! vegas anyone? :) love your face! xoxo