Saturday, September 19, the alarm went off at 4:45am in my room at the Marriott - Downtown Cleveland. My brother-in-law (and crew chief) Mike Niegowski and I were quick to get out of bed and get to the coffee. We weren't quite sure of the weather conditions, we anticipated a wet day and wanted to make sure we were able to get to Edgewater Park by 6:15am, while there was still a break in the weather, so we could set up our canopy and personal aid station. Based on previous experiences, it is not fun setting up in the rain prior to a 24 hour run!
By 7:15am, Mike and I were set up and I sat down to eat my pre-race breakfast, consisting of Lucky Charms with chocolate milk and a PBJ uncrustable sandwich. I applied the necessary lubricants to every crevice of my being and rested under the canopy as it started to drizzle and the winds picked up.
The 2015 Northcoast 24 Hour Race, was the USATF National Championship Race. The best Ultrarunners in the country would be lining up to run as many miles as possible within the 24 hours. Any man that is a member of the USATF that runs more than 140 miles, could qualify for a spot on the USA National 24 Hour Running team, which competes every year in the World Competition. My goal was to run 123 laps around the .90073 mile loop, which would equate to 110 miles and a PR for me. Each lap would be dedicated to an individual who was impacted by Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia or the CARES FOUNDATION. But I also dedicated laps to others that were supportive of my running addiction. I wore their names on the back of my TEAM CARES shirt. This would serve as motivation for me as the race became more difficult. T-shirts can be purchased here: https://www.booster.com/24-hour-run-for-cah-and-cares-foundation
At 9am, the sirens blared and we were all on our way. For me, this was the 6th year in a row to run the NC24. Every year running more and more miles. Last year running 107 miles and setting my PR..
About 2 hours into the race my upper right calf developed a really sore strain, unlike anything I had ever experienced before, it was affecting my stride, but I made some adjustments to accomodate the pain. Shortly thereafter, my hamstrings began screaming, aching and throbbing and I was still less than a marathon into the race. I wasn't sure if it was going to be my day. I hadn't had a full nights sleep in 2 weeks (thanks to our new puppy!) I was so tired. I began to have thoughts of quitting. Thinking to myself that even the most elite runners can have an off day and DNF (Did Not Finish). Never this early in an Ultra had I had these thoughts. I had put in so many training miles, had traveled so far, quitting could not possibly be an option.
It was the thoughts of the names that I wore on the back of my shirt that gave me the motivation to keep moving forward. I didn't want to let anyone down. I had to keep running. My brother-in-law, Mike and my college roommate Brian and his daughter, were great motivators and crew as well. They made sure I had what i needed, from food, to supplements, to dry running gear.
I completed my first marathon (26.2 miles) of the day in 4 hours and 30 minutes. The wind was really picking up and was a steady 20-30mph coming off Lake Erie into our faces. Then it started with drizzle, and for what seemed like most of the afternoon, we were wet.
I trudged on. 12 hours and 15 minutes into the race i had completed 60 miles - over 2 marathons. (my personal best for a 12 hour race is 65 miles - so maybe I was going out a little too fast.......again.)Miles 60-80 were probably the most brutal. The overnight hours. Between 10p and 4am. Time just dragged.
I began to have foot problems. Developed a blister on the inside of my big toe, but nothing a little moleskin couldn't fix. My pace slowed and my goals were starting to get out of reach.
I think it must have been around 1am. My legs were so tight I had to make a pit stop to get stretched out by the medical team. For their notes they asked me what they were treating me for? my answer? MY LEGS ARE GOING TO EXPLODE! While laying on the table being twisted and pulled in every direction by a sports doctor, minutes were ticking off the clock. I had intended to run 110 miles. With 9 hours left to go I would have to make a goal adjustment. My legs were not moving as quickly and there was no way I could keep up the pace I needed to get to 110 miles, so Getting to 100 miles became the new objective.
Lap after lap, ticking off the miles. Around mile 85, I pulled back into the medical tent for another stretch to get me through to the finish. The sun was coming up which provided a little pick me up. When the final horn blared, I bent over and placed my marker on the course, to get credit for a partial lap. I had finished.
It's never easy. Nothing worth having comes easy right? There will always be obstacles in a race of this distance, there will always be ups and downs. Lots of downs.....Lots of downs. If you put your mind to something you can certainly will yourself to do anything. 2 hours in to this race my legs weren't having it. But my MIND wanted it. This race was the biggest mental challenge I've faced. So despite the fact I didn't reach my goal of running 110 miles, I still ran pretty damn far under some not so great conditions. So I will savor this race for a little while, be proud of myself, until I start back training again for the next race. Stay tuned.
Prelim: RESULTS: 114 laps = 102.9624 miles
24th place Overall out of 163 runners
19th Male out of 111 male runners
4th in my Male 40-44 age group out of 23.
