As North Brooklyn Runners’ crazy ultrarunner, I dream about races on trails far from the congested streets of Greenpoint. I initially read about the Dick Collins Firetrails 50 Miler in Trail Runner magazine, and it sounded awesome — good footing, good views, good foods, good people. I fantasized about running it, but didn’t register until just a month before the race. I’m so glad I did – it was my favorite ultra ever, probably even my favorite race.
With a view like this, how could I not be inspired to run fast?
The course was hilly — lots of ups and downs — and is an out and back. This means that while mile 20-25 you are running downhill, you hate it because you know on the way back you will be walking and suffering. Most of the hills weren’t the heavy-breathing-painful-walking-type-hills, but the kind where you could drink some water while power walking or even do a slow run up them. There weren’t too many technical portions, but there were some really lovely views.
Smiling big around mile 16I was SO happy to finish. I was pushing as hard as I could, running the hills, and when I saw the finish line, I almost started crying. I ran with my hands high up in the air, pumping them with a massive smile!I had PR’d by an hour and twenty minutes — I finished in 9:47! I had hoped to break 11 hours, and to break 10 was awesome. I came in the top 100, and this was pretty fantastic in my opinion (out of 234 starters).
2 Comments so far
Leave a comment
Pretty fantastic in my opinion as well! Congratulations, and thanks for the great report.
Comment by Douglas Hunter October 21, 2009 @ 8:03 amCongratulations! Sounds like an epic event.
Comment by J.P. October 24, 2009 @ 6:26 pm