30+ Miles of the Most Boring Forest in the World

Also known as, Julian Daventry runs her first Ultra Marathon.

What is an Ultra Marathon?  Usually it is a 31 mile race, though technically any race with a distance over that of a marathon (26.2 miles) is a Ultra Marathon.  Most Ultra's, however, are 31 miles, also known as a 50K (what you most often see on bumper stickers).

How did my race go?  Well....

6:30 AM

Almost time to leave the hotel for the race.  Just need to fill up my water pack.  My mother says not to worry, there will be water at the start.  Let's hurry and get in the car.

6:45 AM

Me, my Dad, my brother, and a running friend are all dropped off at parking lot where the start/finish line is.  My mom waves and drives off, and I barely have time to throw my coat in the van.  I thought she was going to stick around and watch us start - I'm still carrying a few things in my pack that I was going to give her later...

6:50 AM

There is no water at the start.  I forgot the pins for my race bib.  It's below freezing.  I don't even know what time the race starts, or what the course will be like because I've forgotten to read the race emails where that info is given...

6:55 AM

My Dad calls me over to a large group of runners.  "Are you ready to run this?" he asks.

"Oh yeah..." I say.

"We're starting in five minutes."
*record screech*

*frantically turns watch on so it can get my location before I start running*

7:00 AM

Everyone takes off running down a dirt road, and I attempt to breathe evenly and not panic.  I just started my first Ultra Marathon.  I don't have any water.

And then it's time to count the miles....

MILE 1

MILE 2

Starting to warm up.

I can do this.

Right?

MILE 3

MILE 4

The hot chicken broth my Dad has in his thermos and kindly shares with me is utterly amazing.

Warmed up, and running on down the trail.

This isn't so bad.

I can do this!

MILE 5

MILE 6

First aid station.

Fill previously empty water bottle.

Eat frozen potatoes, bacon, gummy bears, and pretzels.

They are actually pretty good.

MILE 7

Okay, some hills.

Hills are okay.

Just walk up, and then keep running.

MILE 8

The hills have not gone away.

They have gotten worse.

MILE 9

I did not sign up for these hills.

MILE 10

MILE 11

Hey - a lake!

Finally, something different to look at.

These trees are getting a little tedious.

As well as the hills.

MILE 12

Next aid station.

Food is still frozen.

Frozen food is still good.

MILE 13

The hills are gone.

The trees are back.

Something green would be nice, or at least something that's not a brown tree, stick, leaf, or dirt.

MILE 14

Almost hallway.

Getting tired.

But still going.

MILE 15

Me: So this is the Ultra Experience.

Dad:  We're only halfway.  It's gonna get worse.

MILE 16

MILE 18

My knee hurts.

My feet hurt.

My back hurts.

But never all at once.

They take turns, like the nice aches and pains they are

MILE 19

This is the farthest I've ever run. 

Every step is a new personal record.

I hate this forest.

MILE 20

MILE 21

I don't want to see a tree again.
What I want to see is a place why I can buy a new set of legs.

MILE 22

I can't believe I'm still in this forest.
I can't believe I've still on my feet.
I can't believe my feet are still attacked to my ankles.

MILE 23

Run.
Walk.
Drink.
Run.
Walk.
Snack.
Repeat.

MILE 24

MILE 25

Everything hurts. I've been running and running and I'm not getting anywhere.

MILE 26

 Well, I have officially done a marathon.  So if I miss the cutoff time or end up having to stop because of injuries or something, I can at least say I'm a marathon runner.

MILE 27

MILE 28

Should be getting close to the finish. 

Races normally are slightly shorter than the announced distance.

Right?

MILE 29

So very...very....close....

Walking a lot.

Like.

A lot.

MILE 30

MILE 31

Technically I have reached an Ultra Marathon now.

Where is the finish line?

Can I stop now and legally finish the race?

MILE 32

I did not sign up for this extra distance.

Do I get a refund?

Or at least a new pair of feet?

Or a knee replacement?

MILE 32.50

I crossed the finish line with a watch showing 32.50 miles.

I cried as I crossed the finish line.

I was still able to run across the finish line.

Disclaimer: I say I ran 33 miles because my watch is notorious for giving me a much shorter distance than everyone else (like an 18 mile race I ran ended up being 15...that's how bad it is...).  So I'm adding a bit it didn't catch and saying I ran 33.

For the record, I am not getting a knee replacement.  My knee is fine.  A bit sore, but fine.  :)