2012 Croom Fools Run – Part I

Who would have ever thought that bonking on a training run was the best thing that could have ever happened to me in training for the Croom Fools Run.  Since the start of the year I focused solely on mileage and built up to a fairly significant weekly base.  I was pleased with my progress.  My body was responding well. I was staying healthy and uninjured.  I was confident . . . over-confident.  

Then I bonked.  

Less than a month out from Croom on what should have been a routine four hour trail run, I bonked hard.  It was bad but fortunately I was only two miles from the end of the trail when it happened.

I was initially in denial and considered it a fluke.  Luckily, something in the back of my mind kept nagging at me.  There was an element missing from my training, something that if I didn’t address, would result in disaster.  So I read.  I googled.  I jumped into online forums.  I asked questions, lots of questions, of anyone I could find with experience (Thanks Chris and Don!).

What I ultimately discovered was that I was neglecting race nutrition.  I was taking in way too few calories to sustain an entire day of running.  I also learned about the delicate balance between hydration and electrolytes.  I realized I was experiencing an electrolyte deficiency that was just beginning to display symptoms at training distances of 25-30 miles that had I not corrected would have spelled disaster in the race (something I witnessed personally at Mile 43).

I stumbled on an amazing resource for ultra runners – an online community called Trail Runner Nation.  Among other things they have podcasts featuring interviews with experienced ultra runners and experts on subjects like coaching and nutrition for endurance athletes.  I discovered products like Succeed S-Caps (electrolyte pills) and Hammer’s Perpetuem.   I cannot sing the praises enough of both of these products.

In my last few weeks of training I was able to test and tweak my caloric and electrolyte intake.  I nearly doubled the amount of calories I was taking in per hour.  I shunned Gatorade and Gels in favor of a miracle pill that I popped just once or twice an hour.  Bonking was the best thing that could have happened to me and these changes paid off – big time. 

I successfully completed the Croom Fools Run 50 Mile Ultra on Saturday with a time of 11:07:01.

The course is a 15 mile loop hiking trail through the CroomWildlife Management Area, part of the Withlacoochee State Forest in Brooksville, FL.  The 50 mile race included a 5 mile starter loop and 3 full loops around the hiking trail.

Here are the stats:

Race Stats
Starters:           77

Men:                52

Women:           25

Finishers:         61

Finisher ratio:  79%

(Interestingly out of 16 runners that dropped, only one was a woman)

My Stats:

Time:   11:07:01

Pace:    13:20

Overall Place:  39^th

Gender Place:  24^th

Age Group:     10^th

Once again a mid-packer.  Out of 77 starters I practically had the median time.  Am I happy with that?  For my first 50 miler to finish middle of the pack when the pack consisted of athletes capable of running 50 miles – HELL YEAH!

Lap Breakdown

What I like about this chart is that although I slowed down with each loop, I improved significantly relative to the field – from 45^th after the 5 mile starter loop to 20^th for the final 15 miles.

I have so much to say about this race that I know it will turn into a book if I don’t restrain myself.    Suffice it to say for now that the race was an awesome experience.  From the organizer to the volunteers to the route itself.   I’ll post a complete blow by blow in the next few days.