Enoree Passage 40 miler

Some of you may know that Jesse and I were training to do our first Ultra Marathon this past weekend. A 40 mile run through the woods sounded like a great challenge for us physically and mentally. We had finished our training, (or lack there of), and we were all ready to go. Unfortunately there was a blip in Jesse's schedule and he was unable to make it. Mary, my most beautiful wife, and I woke up at 4:50 to get some food in the system and make sure we had everything packed up. With our four legged children Layla and Kylie in the car, we headed to Newberry for the run. The race started right at 7:30 so it was a nice and cool 55 degree start. Since this was my first Ultra I knew I needed to start out VERY SLOW!!! I started in the back half of the pack and found a group of 3 other runners that suited my pace. We trotted along together passing a few runners here and there. Little did I know we had moved into first place. We made it to the 15 mile aid station to refuel on water and food. I started walking ahead as I ate to wait up for the others but somehow I got off the trail and in no mans land. When I started to notice that there were no trail markers I started to back track. I finally made it onto the course again and headed to the turn around point. I made it to the half way point feeling great so I started to head back to the start. I never really noticed it but we went downhill A LOT on the way out and now it was time to suffer. After a long gradual hill at mile 23 I cracked. My legs started to cramp and I hadn't taken in enough potassium at any of the starts. I made it to the next aid station at mile 25 and started to replenish calories, electrolytes, sugars etc. Rookie mistake.... I hadn't been eating enough for the first 25 miles and I had just over loaded my system with to much and started to feel sick. I jogged/walked the next 5 miles in agony and pain. I made it to mile 30 and took a 5 minute sit down. I headed out with a few other runners and started to have big doubts that I could make it the last 10 miles. After some encouraging words from a veteran who was doing the 30 mile run I kept at it, and surprisingly I felt pretty good. I made it to the 35 mile marker with high hopes of finishing only to realize it was all an up hill battle from there. Literally, it was all up hill. I stumbled along for the last five miles to FINALLY finish the 40 miles in 8 hours and 12 minutes. I placed 18th out of about 70 runners. Not to bad for running 2-3 times a week for 5 weeks. I spoke to some of the runners and they had trained 4-6 months when they did their first Ultra. Besides barely being able to walk the next day I am looking forward to start the serious training for the Cross Country Ride. This weekend Jesse and I are supposed to do a 100 mile ride, if my legs can re-cover by then.