{"id":2108,"date":"2016-06-22T21:10:23","date_gmt":"2016-06-23T01:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/raz-family.ca\/RunKristi\/?p=2108"},"modified":"2016-06-22T22:26:08","modified_gmt":"2016-06-23T02:26:08","slug":"niagara-ultra-50k-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/raz-family.ca\/RunKristi\/?p=2108","title":{"rendered":"Niagara Ultra 50k Recap"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Love<\/a>

Love that this race gives a hoodie instead of a tech shirt – a nice change.<\/p><\/div>\n

Perhaps I should title this post “Blog for an Average Ultra Runner”<\/em><\/strong>. \u00a0I was, after all, right in the middle of the pack as well as in the middle of the women and the middle of my age group. \u00a0I have that average thing covered. \u00a0But is there such a thing as an average ultra runner? \u00a0I don’t think so! \u00a0Anyone who chooses to train for and run an ultra distance can’t be average – crazy maybe, but not average.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_5432<\/a><\/p>\n

It was kind of an interesting chain of events that led to me signing up for the Niagara Ultra. \u00a0I had made the decision during the winter that I wanted to try an ultra distance and had decided to do a very popular race called Run for the Toad which this year will be taking place on October 1st. \u00a0I hesitated for a while about officially registering. \u00a0It was one thing to decide in my head to do it, another entirely to actually sign up. \u00a0The final push came when I became a SWEET ambassador for Bushtukah, becoming part of a group of women inspiring \u00a0and empowering others through sport and fitness. \u00a0One of the requirements to be part of this group was to be willing to try something new. \u00a0Trying an ultra distance for the first time seemed to be perfect and I took the leap and registered.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, another new opportunity had come up. \u00a0The lead pace bunny for Ottawa Race Weekend had put the word out that they were short a pacer for the 5:30 marathon group. \u00a0Suddenly I found myself signing up for yet another new experience, one I had really never even thought of doing.<\/p>\n

Training for my job as a pace bunny meant as soon as I finished Around the Bay I needed to start practicing my pace and using 10 and ones rather than running continuously. \u00a0It took some practice but suddenly I found myself loving my long runs. \u00a0Spring was here, it felt amazing to be outside for hours at a time and I found myself smiling on all my runs. \u00a0One day I headed downtown and had a thoroughly enjoyable 32 km run. \u00a0Suddenly I wanted to do more. \u00a0We all know what happens to a runner after a fantastic run – you hit\u00a0Google before hitting the shower to find out what race you can sign up for.<\/p>\n

I had heard of the Niagara Ultra before and when I realized it was only 3 weeks after the Ottawa Marathon I couldn’t resist. \u00a0Thankfully my ever patient husband said sure, why not drive all the way to Niagara so I could run 50k. \u00a0It then expanded to a family run with Mike and the boys signing up for the 10k race.<\/p>\n

The Niagara Ultra is about as opposite of Ottawa Race Weekend as you can get. \u00a0This is a small race that is capped at 800 runners for all distances combined (10k, half, full, 50k and 100k). \u00a0The course starts in beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake and follows the river, for the most part along a recreational paved path, to the Horseshoe Falls. \u00a0It is not a closed course so you are expected to behave as all pedestrians should – crossing roads only when the way is clear and being aware of traffic when on roads. \u00a0It also means that once you get to the Falls you are making your way through huge crowds of tourists. \u00a0There may be people who don’t like that but I actually found it refreshing. \u00a0For a period of time I needed to thread my way through people whose only priority was getting the perfect picture or selfie. \u00a0I found it kept my mind busy and I wasn’t even thinking of fatigue.<\/p>\n

\"What<\/a>

What a view for a race!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Near<\/a>

Near the turnaround.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"On<\/a>

On the way back.<\/p><\/div>\n

Saturday was yet again a very hot day, not quite as hot as Ottawa Race Weekend but still a tough 30C plus humidity. \u00a0Thankfully though this course does offer on and off shade due to the many treed areas the path went through. \u00a0Imagine the Ottawa river pathway with lots of trees… and very, very large homes… and vineyards. \u00a0OK, the main similarity is the river and the path, but you get the picture, and it is a very pretty picture – one worth running in!<\/p>\n

So how do you approach your first 50k on a blistering hot day? \u00a0Slow and steady! \u00a0I started inadvertently in the middle, when I probably should have started right at the back. \u00a0More people than I would want to count passed me in the first few km but I kept reminding myself that I had to run my own race. \u00a0I wanted so badly to finish feeling strong. \u00a0I was probably still a little faster than I should have been in the first 5k but I have to say it was the most patient I have ever been at the beginning of a race. \u00a0I also knew that I wanted to take advantage of each of the aid stations located every 5k on the course. \u00a0This was not going to be a grab-a-cup-and-gulp-and-run type of race. \u00a0I was going to enjoy the true ultra experience and make sure I snacked at the aid stations! \u00a0Have to say Fig Newtons have now become a favourite, but I liked the M&M’s as well. \u00a0I wasn’t quite brave enough to try the Coke, just not sure how that would sit in my stomach.<\/p>\n

There are so many other details I could write about, but ultimately there were three experiences that will stay with me for a long time to come, none of which I am sure I can do justice to through my words.<\/p>\n

Anyone who knows me knows I am a huge Piano Guys fan. \u00a0Their mix of piano and cello, pop and classical, often manages to have a strong emotional effect on me. \u00a0So when their combination of “Fight Song” and “Amazing Grace”<\/a> started playing on my iPod just as the Horseshoe Falls came into view, I was almost overwhelmed. \u00a0In those moments I was so grateful, so happy, so blessed, so in awe of what I was doing and the beauty I was seeing… I had tears in my eyes and goosebumps on my skin. \u00a0Sometimes there are moments when you just have to take a step back and let yourself be in awe; in awe of the beauty around you; in awe of what you are capable of doing; in awe of the gifts you have been given. \u00a0And then you have to be thankful for that opportunity to find yourself in such awe. \u00a0This was one of those opportunities for which I will forever be grateful.<\/p>\n

As if once wasn’t enough, I had another incredible moment when turning around at the Falls and heading back for the second half of the course. \u00a0There is a slight incline as you leave the Falls, enough that I had already told myself I would just take my walk break there even if it wasn’t the right time. \u00a0But at the base of the incline another Piano Guys song started to play on my iPod, this time “Beethoven’s 5 Secrets”<\/a>. \u00a0The opening of this piece is an incredibly beautiful and serene cello part. \u00a0As I listened to that cello I found myself in that runner’s zen that we all hope for. \u00a0Honestly, I swear I floated up that hill. \u00a0I think my watch did beep to tell me it was a walk break time, but I just continued running without effort. \u00a0At the top of the hill I told myself that regardless of what happened on the rest of the race, these two incredible moments were worth every second of pain or fatigue I might feel.<\/p>\n

Yet somehow I was blessed with even more. \u00a0Mike kept track of where I was and managed to make sure that he and the kids met me three times along the course. \u00a0Each time was wonderful but the best was having my boys join me for the last km of the race. \u00a0They had run a 10k already but were willing to run more to get me to the finish line. \u00a0Needless to say I was tired at this point. \u00a0I may have walked some of that last km had I been alone. \u00a0 But my kids took on the parent role. \u00a0They cheered me, told me how amazing I was and were with me every step of the way until just before the finish when they split away to let me cross the line. \u00a0Mike went ahead to get final pictures \u00a0and I was able to run right to him after crossing the mats. \u00a0What an incredible way to finish my first ultra run.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"IMG_5467<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_5469<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The last km.<\/p><\/div>\n

After the race I lay exhausted but happy in the grass with a full litre of chocolate milk.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_3717<\/a><\/p>\n

\"My<\/a>

My 13 year old told me he would tell everyone at school about me…wow, what a feeling!<\/p><\/div>\n

Eventually I got up to get the pizza and beer that was served post race. \u00a0I only managed a few bites of pizza, but the beer went down rather well! \u00a0After a short nap at the hotel it was off to dinner for margaritas and Mexican food with a group of wonderful east end Ottawa runners who very kindly invited myself and my family to celebrate with them. \u00a0A night walk around the Falls (the boys had yet to see them) finished the long but incredible day.<\/p>\n

Would I do it again – absolutely yes!!! \u00a0I loved the relaxed atmosphere and different vibe of an ultra race. \u00a0I put less pressure on myself to maintain a specific pace and was able to enjoy the ride. \u00a0That said, I was pretty pleased with my splits. \u00a0All of my 10k splits were within 4 minutes of each other, the last 2 splits about the same. \u00a0For the most part my running pace stayed the same, there were just a few more walk breaks and longer aid station breaks in the last half of the race.<\/p>\n

I have now run a half, a 30k, a marathon and a 50k since March. \u00a0Other than the 30k I really haven’t worked on speed but I am incredibly proud of the endurance I have gained. \u00a0So now, it will be a two week break from official training. \u00a0That doesn’t mean I will be doing nothing. \u00a0I orienteered last night and will again next week. \u00a0On Saturday I am doing a trail obstacle course race, though I will take it very, very easy. \u00a0Once the two weeks are up, it will be back to training, this time for my next 50k, The Run for the Toad. \u00a0There will be new challenges this summer: I want to do more trail training, more hill work, more speed work. \u00a0There is always more to do!<\/p>\n

\"IMG_5463<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_5494<\/a><\/p>\n

Follow me on Twitter @AverageRunnerK<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Perhaps I should title this post “Blog for an Average Ultra Runner”. \u00a0I was, after all, right in the middle of the pack as well as in the middle of the women and the middle of my age group. \u00a0I have that average thing covered. \u00a0But is there such a thing as an average ultra […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2108","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-running"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3amQ2-y0","jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/raz-family.ca\/RunKristi\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/raz-family.ca\/RunKristi\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/raz-family.ca\/RunKristi\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/raz-family.ca\/RunKristi\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/raz-family.ca\/RunKristi\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2108"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/raz-family.ca\/RunKristi\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2108\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2140,"href":"https:\/\/raz-family.ca\/RunKristi\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2108\/revisions\/2140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/raz-family.ca\/RunKristi\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/raz-family.ca\/RunKristi\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2108"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/raz-family.ca\/RunKristi\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}