I always like to do a post race recap on my hundreds. This isn't exactly the recap I had pictured, but none the less... I reached the 100 distance so I will blog about what went down. This was my 4th time crossing the finish line of a 100 and with each race you learn something new. I am not intimidated by this distance anymore and feel comfortable to tow the line.
For those who are not familiar with Merrill's Mile, it is a timed race on a paved one mile loop in the woods at Army Ranger Camp Merrill. You go around the loop as many times as you possibly can in the time you signed up for. 6 hour, 12 hour, 24 hour or 48 hour. This isn't my first time at Merrill's. I had participated in the 24 hour a couple of years ago. I had signed up for the 48 hour event last year, but my husband contracted COVID and I didn't want to possibly spread it, so I sat the race out. THIS was my year to attempt the 48 and see how far I could go! I have had a great first half of the year racing... with several podium finishes as well as a red shirt at Strolling Jim. I was well rested and strong. I was going into this thing in the best condition possible for me (not really "trained" by most people's definition, but trained as I get 🤣).
Kevin drove me up to Camp Merrill in Dahlonega the morning of the race and helped me get unpacked and set up. We made the game plan for me to NOT have to drive back home on no sleep (it is miserable and dangerous) which meant he had to drop me off AND pick me up. My Southside Peeps had a spot saved for my stuff and also a spot for me in their deluxe "tent resort" trackside 🤣 (I love these people!) I decided to go ahead and bring my little travel tent (which is super water tight) along with my cot, sleeping bag and pillow. Since this was a 48 hour event I knew at some point I would need to lay down and sleep a little, even though I have never slept during a race before. I am also a freak about not being cold/wet, so having dry clothes, shoes and sleeping quarters are a must... and my tent was perfect for that.
So everything was set up and ready to go. We even had a few minutes to sit and relax before the race started. Kevin stayed and watched the start and the first few loops, then he headed back home to be with the kids. He planned to come back Sunday night and help get me through the last night.
I had a great start. I went out strong and started packing the miles in. I felt amazing. It was cool, the company was perfect and I was just in my zone. I started making a plan in my head for how to reach my goal, which was 150ish miles (give or take). I decided to break up the mileage into 12 hours segments. The first twelve hours I planned for 50 miles. The second twelve I planned 40. The third twelve I was shooting for 35 and the last twelve, I would aim for 25 miles. So that became my plan and I would tackle this race by the twelve hour marks. Things were looking good and I was on track for my goal. By the first twelve hour mark I had hit 54 miles, 4 ahead of plan. I was so happy to have the sweetest friends in the world there supporting me and feeding me delicious food! I had a yummy BBQ sandwich Michael smoked as well as a grilled chicken sandwich Brooke went and got me from the restaurant on base.
As the second twelve hour segment began, night fall brought much needed cooler weather. I still felt pretty good and after some advil and a cold brew coffee, I was ready for the night running. I ran through the night and enjoyed the darkness. I started feeling physically tired (not sleepy though) about 3:20 am, so I made the decision to go lay on the cot in the tent and try to sleep a little. I slept really well and woke up at 4:20 ready to get back at it. I was very cold, but I grabbed a hoodie and just kept trucking.
As the sun came up, the awesome race directors had pancakes and bacon ready for the runners! I was super hungry and for three loops straight I ate pancakes and bacon every time I passed the aid! This aid station is AMAZING. This race wins best food. By far. As 9 am approached (the second 12 hour segment) I was right on schedule. I hit 90 total miles just as planned. It was the next hour I began to notice the pain in the foot. It was a pain I had experienced before and I knew I was gonna have to call it quits.
The spot that hurt was the same exact spot that caused me hell at Umstead 100. I couldn't run for a month after that and I was not about to sacrifice weeks of running for this race. I have 2 other important races coming up in August and September, and this was just training for Grindstone.
So at the 92 mile mark, I decided to just finish out with a 100 miles and get the buckle and go home. It wasn't even something I really had to think hard about. I knew I didn't have a choice. There was no way I could keep going and hit my goal of 150 miles. It wasn't gonna happen with my tendon inflamed so severely. I left the race in first place, 5 miles in front of second place. That made quitting sting even more.
God always has a way of putting the right people in at the right time and this was no different. One of my favorite bad ass ultra runners showed up for the 6 hour that morning at 9 am. And he mostly came to socialize.. seeing how he had just run an insane 100 the week before.. and it worked out just perfect. He WALKED the last painful 8 miles with me. All 8 of them. And he talked my ears off 🤣 Distraction at its best! What's so ironic about the fact the he paced me through my last miles of this 100 miler is that his better half is usually who does that!! I love Arabelle and Rich and I'm thankful to call them both my friends!
Speaking of friends, I don't want to leave out the ones who hung in there ALL weekend! I was so appreciative of Bekah, Tammy and Brooke. They checked on me the entire race and got me anything I needed! They were always cheering me on. Tammy and Brooke even got out on the track and did some loops with me! I loved having them there. It was also really awesome to see Dan Dingess and Captain Seal out there for the first time trying the 48 Hour. It is very motivating when you watch others hitting new milestones and reaching goals. And of course I can't forget my favorite ultra runner on the planet, David Wilkerson. There is something about having David out there that just makes me feel like everything is gonna be alright. He is a child of God, an incredible athlete, a role model and just a dang good friend. I left before these 3 got their buckles, but I am super proud of them none the less and enjoyed our time together on the track. I also was super happy to have Barbra and Dani there as well to cheer each other on! Love those two. I missed Barb getting her second hundo buckle, but I am so proud of her none the less!
Merrill's is a great race full of great people. The experience is always worth it, no matter what the outcome. This is NOT an outcome I am happy with however. My body/legs were capable of much more. Even the day after the race I had very little soreness. But that tendon... nothing I could do about that. Flat 100+ milers may not be my thing. I may have to stick to mountain 100's and that's ok. I always learn something at each race and this one was no different.
I don't know if I will go back to Merrill's or not, I may stick to the 24 Hour and go for another buckle next year, sub 24! Go big or go home 🤷♀️
Nerdy Runner Details:
Watch- Garmin Instinct Solar (charged one time in 27.5 hours with portable battery charger)
Shoes- Vibram Five fingers
Pack- Ultimate Direction Race Vesta signature series (don't really love this as much as my old UD vest)
Stats- 100.10 miles, 27:30
Meds- Advil 800 MG every 6 to 8 hours, 2 immodium for upset stomach
Secret Weapon- sour patch kids
*also noted... no nausea this race! Which is good.. but odd for me (that's why sour patch kids win secret weapon award 🙌)
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