Overlook 50 miler race report
It was 4 am and I, along with about 70 others, were being hauled to the start-line, of the Overlook 50M race, in a school bus humming on windy roads; curvy, not breezy.
I slept okay the night before, it’s been about a month now and I somehow have little recollection of minutiae of the night before and somehow of the event too. It’s been a long day today and in words of great Michael Scott, I’m hoping to find the content on the way as I write this. I’m in a rather hasty mood right now thinking constantly of how when neutron stars once collide with a black hole, emanate gamma rays. I’m not digressing here but certain events in my life have indubitably set me on a path where I view astrophysics with a renewed fascination and awe. And coincidentally on a path of being a vegetarian and possibly veganism, owing to the 1 degree rise in average global temperatures. I am aching to write about that story and it’s coming soon. I suddenly feel this is a dear diary moment now and I’ve probably lost you. If I haven’t then you have my appreciation.
I was lost in my thoughts when the bus came to a soft halt in a parking lot of a nondescript high school, at least that’s how it looked in the dark. I slapped on the bib and got talking with Shashank whom I met a month back on a mountain run. We talked about nutrition and general stuff before it was time.
I made the mistake of not bringing the headlamp thinking there would be enough day light for me to get by but evidently I was wrong. For the first hour as we descended into the valley I was synchronizing my run clock with any fellow runner I could stay a little ahead of. I got lost soon in pitch dark and waited for the series of lamps to show me where to lead. I’ve been hoping for such things in life outside races too.
I think it was about 9 miles or so when the headlamps gave way and I saved my ankle from a possible twist a third time while running gingerly downhills.
Focusing on engaging in fat-burning for first half of the race I was moving well and was third till mile 25 while cruising on Rrunn endurance gels every 30 minutes, drinking coke at aid stations, with pickle juice. One of my choicest drinks on a long race is pickle juice and pickles too. I was enjoying the quiet race lost in my thoughts. Having said that I should add that one of the best things about this run was I maintained focus. Be it on a climb or nutrition and above most things keeping a sharp mind and telling myself frequently how well I was doing.
The river crossing at mile 28 or so was a fun part of the race. The water rose upto my chest and I was holding out my car keys just in case. The current was strong underneath. It cooled me and drenched my body as I hopped out.
I predicted blisters post the river but how happy I was with my shoes, the Nike Wildhorse has been serving me well, with Balega socks I almost finished without blisters. I decided on the Wildhorse instead of Salomon Sense Ride at 3AM that morning. A wise decision of the day.
I was chased down by a couple fast-looking guys at mile 32 and one of them was wearing loose rainbow shorts. Remaining unperturbed I figured I could gain a spot or two in the last 10 miles if I kept my head down and worked.
I had been taking Rrunn salt and caramel gels every 30 mins but ran out of the flavor around mile 30 or so. Smart thinking I had left a drop-bag at mile 35.5 with more of those gels, my stomach somehow didn’t like the coffee-flavored gels that day. Dumb thing I ran past that aid-station and forgot my stuff there. Never to be seen again. Eh. I had some Haldiram Aaloo Bhujia in a ziplock and boy that stuff is good.
Mile 44–48 were tough; mainly because last 8 miles were all uphill. Shucks. I had a funny experience when all people at 2 consecutive aid-stations looked kinda alike. They joked that it was groundhog day when I quipped about having seen them before. I had just done a small loop.
Well, from no-hands bridge to the finishline I took it slow, climbing a good 1000ft or so and lost a spot and then gained one towards the end.
Fun, easy race as I recall it. I remember telling myself most frequently “Run gently”.
I finished 5th after finishing the race in 9:29 hrs. Handsomely beating my best and worst prediction of 13:05 and 15:34hrs in a 50M with over 8000ft elevation gain.
Thanks to my parents for cheering me on at the finish-line and thanks to Linh for all the help for the race. Thanks to my coach, David Roche for his guidance in prepping for the race.
Thanks to Unived for fueling this fantastic adventure. I couldn't have done it without the gels and electrolytes.
Nutrition:
- 300ml water/hr = 300x 9.5 = 2.85 litre
- 1 Rrunn salt and caramel gel/30 mins for 8 hours => 16 Rrunn endurance gels ~ 1760 Cal
- About 100gm of Aaloo bhujia ~630 Cal
- Pickle juice
I ran easy and comfortable and think this style suits me well in longer races. My nature is to go out more aggressive but David has been reigning me and guiding me to run smart. It’s helping.
Strava link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1874067768
Edit: Strava link, nutrition info, typos.
