_confusion at the start
Raluca changed distance to marathon. I was wondering why no other 50k'er were at registration tent. "The ultra started an hour ago."
"Huh?"
The email said
"7:00 a.m. 50k and Full Marathon begin."
I asked about leaders' positions. I didn't have 2017 fitness, but podium was always a possibility for small races. The timer had no info to offer; volunteers grew increasingly apologetic until I started 60.5 minutes after my competition.
_racing
I enjoyed the beautiful weather despite of heavy legs. I saw the 50k leader for the final time on the 3-lap out-and-back. He had 7 miles to go, I had 13.5. Arithmetic without paper was hard. I concluded 10:00 pace could be sufficient. Sun got hot; I took off the shirt. I was determined to fight as I started final lap. "It'll be the duel of topless Asians," I visualize the headline on Facebook and laughed.
_tripping
A runner tripped over the gate anchor in the middle of the trail. The impact seemed soft from distance. I didn't think much of it 'til I saw blood on concrete. The water stop volunteer got to him quickly. I moved on, thinking that could be me.
I took aggressive tangent and kicked a root. The tree didn't move. Foot numbed with pain traveling up bones. Hamstring cramped. Assuming broken toe, I limped toward medical tent, wondering how I'd let Raluca know which ER to find me. Body recovered enough by the time I reached the tents. I stayed on course and keep running. Determined to hold Oprah pace.
_humbler pie
Toe regained feelings but quads and calves refused to fire--my fitness reflected my preparation. I was lucky to complete. GPS said 32-minute-mile. Garmin 630 lost signal late morning for the 2nd year. A 50-miler and I shared a laugh. His Garmin worked fine.
I came to the water station next to bloody pavement. I asked for water. "We're out of cups. We're getting more. My thirst accepted the 20-minute delay. Sure enough, a boy scout brought the paper cups toward the water station. He balanced all the cups as a single stack doubling his height. He focused on balancing and ignored my thanks. The race started 4 hours ago. He was probably bored out of his mind.
Wind came from the direction of sewage treatment plant. I saw the boy lost control over his stack in slow motion, amused and horrified. I accepted my next hydration will include road dust, hoping what I smelled wasn't poo. It would be funny if I wasn't thirty.
I pass the water station for the final time. "Sorry, we're out of cups."
2017 winner Shaheen didn't race. 2018 women winning time was 50 minute slower.
I shuffled to the final water station where Shaheen volunteered. I was embarrassed I ran 30 minutes behind 2017 result. She remembered my name and thought I was 90 minutes behind. She said nice things to lift my spirit. I committed myself to be gracious to struggling racers when I chance came up.
I felt knees and ankles out of alignment for final 10k. The finish line couldn't have come fast enough.
GPS time: 5:16:06
Official time: 5:16:32
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2676007432
2017 GPS data
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1718179189
_post-race
My attempt to accompany Raluca for her final mile was delayed. People wanted to talk to me, mostly to apologize about the start confusion. One racer came to admire how fast I ran--mistakenly thought I won--we shirtless Asians indeed all looked alike.
Raluca willed herself into running during the final mile for her first official marathon finish. I was proud of her.
I went back to email:
6:00 a.m. 50K Ultra begins
7:00 a.m. 50k and Full Marathon begin
Serves me right for my "control-F" based reading.