3RD PLACE: North Country 50 mile Race

7:38:53...

I absolutely demolished this race! I set my PR in the 50 mile by over 2 hours, and my finishing time has me in the top 150 fastest 50 mile times of the year! All this with 13,000 ft. of elevation gain thrown in... I was in second throughout the entire race, but the duo of starting too fast (I wanted 3:35 for the first 25 miles, but posted 3:15) and falling 9 times, took its toll. I was eventually passed with 12 miles left. Disappointed and tired, I was beginning to fade, when I spotted the fourth and fifth place runners right behind me at mile 42. From that point I rationalized the pain and pushed through it, opening up a 22 minute gap between myself and fourth place in just 8 miles. I had conceded second place, but there was no chance I was going to give up third. During those final 3 miles something miraculous happened. Every twig that snapped, and any movement that rustled the bushes, I believed was fourth place bearing down, breathing fire, ready to run me over! That fear of losing created an entirely new pain threshold. I dropped the hammer and it didn't phase me. Crossing the finish line I still had enough left for another 25 miles. I felt solid. I felt strong. I felt ready for 100 miles!