Kevin's Race Reports - March 2010 - Green Jewel 50k & St. Malachi 5M

March 2010
My first race of 2010 was the Green Jewel 50k.  This was my first ultramarathon that I ever finished!  I was 21st of 54 runners in 5:01:52

Here are my splits. Note that my Garmin Forerunner was set to "Auto Pause" so the clock stopped whenever I stopped at the aid station (5 aid stations) or waited at a cross-road (only once I think). So I spent 2:18 waiting. The bummer is I thought I was going to finish under 5 hours.
1 - 7:52

2 - 15:48 - 7:56
3 - 23:54 - 8:06
4 - 32:27 - 8:33
5 - 41:39 - 9:12 *hamstring hurt at 4.9 miles
6 - 50:59 - 9:20
7 - 1:00:40 - 9:41
8 - 1:10:26 - 9:47
9 - 1:19:52 - 9:26
10 - 1:29:11 - 9:19
11 - 1:38:31 - 9:21
12 - 1:47:59 - 9:28
13 - 1:57:34 - 9:35
14 - 2:06:08 - 8:34 *running with Athena from CWRU
15 - 2:15:22 - 9:14
16 - 2:24:43 - 9:21
17 - 2:34:22 - 9:39
18 - 2:44:29 - 10:06
19 - 2:55:03 - 10:35
20 - 3:04:02 - 8:59 *running with Dan Horvath - North Coast 24 hour run race director
21 - 3:13:07 - 9:05
22 - 3:23:10 - 10:03
23 - 3:33:13 - 10:03
24 - 3:44:30 - 11:17 *biggest hill climb
25 - 3:55:43 - 11:13
26 - 4:06:21 - 10:38
27 - 4:17:21 - 11:01
28 - 4:27:47 - 10:26
29 - 4:37:25 - 9:38
30 - 4:48:17 - 10:52
31 - 4:57:41 - 9:24
31.2 - 4:59:34 - 1:53 (9:35 pace)
My hamstring pinged right past the first aid station, right before 5 miles. I almost dropped out, but I was able to shorten my stride, smooth out my landing/pushing off, and make it through the next few miles. Eventually the specific pain faded (to be replaced by numerous other pains).

Seriously though I'm very pleased with my effort. It would have been nice to find more people to pace with, as my 2 fastest miles (after the first 3) were those miles when I ran with someone.

I dressed right, took off my gloves around 25 miles. I probably didn't need to use the Amphipod, I didn't get a refill until the 4th aid station, around 25 miles. I probably could have gotten enough fluid at the aid stations.

The bottoms of my feet were getting sore towards the end but other than that I had no blisters.

Very cool thing was that I passed 3 people in the last half of the race, and was only passed by 1 (Dan Horvath).

I weighed 176 when I got up this morning and 169 after the race.

One short week later, I ran the St. Malachi 5-Miler.  I was 66th of 2150 in 32:39.  I ran well, was hoping for under 33:30 so the race was a success.  No significant aches or pains.  First mile (downhill) felt easy, didn't let up much the 2nd mile.  3rd mile was uphill.  Final 2 miles is where I could have improved.

5:57 - 6:16 - 6:41 - 6:37 - 6:57