rational application developer forward date 4.5 days

The night before the race, a carb-loading and racer briefing was held at site just outside Helena (part of the park where the race was being held). Longest run in between the two events was about 10 miles. Shorter runs, biking and taking it easy for a few weeks. In preparing for the event - most of the focus was in recovering from Powderface and then building up some energy for the ultra run.

Going 50K versus 42K (marathon distance) didn't seem that daunting, but adding in 2000 more feet of climbing and you start to wonder. The initial challenge would be to change my thinking from seeing Powderface as my target race, to being a training run in preparation for HURL. It was reasonable distance, so driving was possible - and gave a chance to go somewhere new. In researching dates, locales and how they fit into the summer schedule - the HURL event was chosen.

Another trail race and even look at going a bit further. However, as the endorphins were still flowing freely - I had the idea that I should do another race. I was a little achy for a couple of days after the race (mostly struggled with stairs as my quads and hamstrings had taken a bit of a beating). I had previously run the Powderface42 - my first trail marathon a few weeks earlier (on July 17th). The race is held just outside of Helena, MT - nice town, gorgeous area, and friendly people. I ran the 50 K portion - not quite yet up to a 50 mile run (but something to aim for in the future). A few weeks back, August 7th to be exact, I participated in my first ultramarathon.

Rational application developer forward date 4.5 days