After a tough start to the winter its been great to get back to running and somewhat normal training (albeit months behind). On Feb 16th I competed in the Moab Red Hot 55k, placing 65th, and finishing in my slowest time ever in the 5 times I’ve run the race. More importantly I came out feeling good after the hard week of training ready to continue the momentum.

March 1st found me flying South, headed to visit my sister at Keesler Airforce Base in Biloxi, MS and bound for the Mississippi50. Flat runnable races aren’t my forte, but I figured this would be a fun vacation and probably my best chance to PR in the 50mile distance (<8h19min), so why the heck not. As it turned out I wasn’t the only Coloradoan heading down South for the race, Kristel would be joining friends from NOLA for the 50k.

Race morning was unusually cold for Mississippi, 31F on the car thermostat, but not bad my Colorado standards. At 6am I was cruising down the dirt road into the De Soto NF along with 200+ other runners competing in the 50mile and 50k. The course consists of two loops; a 12.6mi that I’d run 3x and a 6.1mi that I’d run 2x. A mix of soft single track, muddy creek crossings and fire roads, Longleaf trail is anything but boring. As we cruised through the woods it soon became apparent that staying dry was going to be an effort in futility, so right through the middle of the water/mud I went.

Some not so muddy single track at the MS50.

When I set out that day I had no intention of trying to win, simply to PR, but as we neared mile 30 I found myself with some pop left in the legs so I pushed the second half of lap #3, soon finding myself running all alone in the front of the 50mile. This was a new concept for me, every other time I’ve placed in a race I’d been so far behind the leaders as to not be in contention, but here I was, in first.

As I passed the Start/Finish for the 3^rd time my sister (ran the 20k), brother-in-law, and Kristel (won the women’s 50k) were waiting to cheer me on and help me fill my bottle. I was quickly off onto the first of two 6.1mi laps, knowing- those behind me weren’t far. As I sloshed through the mud and dipped up and down the rolling hills I found myself constantly looking back (only a couple 100yards) for pursuers, none appeared. My legs were starting to fade a bit, but on I pushed, and even though my pace had dropped I started my final lap still in the lead, though as it turned out, not by much.

Start/Finish, just a nice day hanging out in the Mississippi forest.

The final 6.1mi loop was a grind; my legs were heavy and tired, though my energy levels were still good. With about 4mi to go, my right hip seized up, was this really going to be the end of my run? Thankfully after a quick stretch it loosened up and I was able to continue my shuffle. As I crested the last little hill before the finish I glanced back and saw nothing but empty trail. At that point I knew I was going to hold on, this was actually happening. I opened up the pace for that last 1/2mi, no for fear of being caught, but for the excitement of winning my first race. As I neared the finish line there were no big crowds, no party, just a handful of race volunteers and my friends and family. As I crossed the timing mat for the fifth and final time (7h29min13sec) I was filled with elation, exhaustion, but mostly satisfaction. Satisfaction that today I’d pushed myself to the limit, run hard, and for the first time ever my efforts had netted me a win.

My legs were trashed, I was famished (having eaten only 12 Vi Fuel and two handfuls of pretzels in 50mi) and thankful to not have to run anymore. The race director Denis presented me with my 1^st place trophy and a finisher’s belt buckle, and off I went to chow down on red beans and rice, along with M&Ms and chex mix from the aid station. As I refueled, runners slowly trickled in for the 50k and 50mi races, all equally as excited to finish as I’d been, regardless of place or time. This is why I love ultrarunning, for most of us it’s not a competition against your fellow runners, it’s a competition against yourself. What is your body capable of, what is your mind capable of, and can you push yourself to succeed through all the ups and downs a race has to offer?

Kristel & I with our Awards for first in the 50k and 50mi respectively.

Getting ready to chow down at The Shed.

As soon as I got in the car for the ride home, my legs got pissed off at me and cramped up. I tried to stretch out, but soon the fatigue won out and I feel asleep for most of our ride to “The Shed”. My sister, brother-in-law and I enjoyed some good southern BBQ, what better way to recover? In all I’d have to say the trip to Mississippi was a rousing success; fun time with family, making new friends in a very welcoming ultrarunning community, some good southern style BBQ, a 50min PR in the 50mi distance, and my first ever race win. I highly recommend all runners out there venture away from their regular backyard races to somewhere new. There are many great races and great ultrarunning communities around the country, it’s a shame that we so seldom get a chance to meet up and share the trails. Run strong, run fast, but mostly run happy.

Recovery stroll along the white sand beaches near Biloxi, MS.