What an experience! 31 miles of rough, hilly, and DARK forest service roads thru the woods. I saw one copperhead snake, lots of spiders, but no bears! There were almost 200 starters for the 25K and 50K combined. Once we broke off from those running the 25K at 7.5 miles the field dropped considerably, but there were still lots of runners ahead of and behind be. I didn’t really notice when I started meeting those that had made the turn around and were headed back but the closer I got to the 15.5 mile turn around the more I saw. Most shouted out words of encouragement like “you are almost ½ way”, “good job”, or “the aid station is at the top of the next hill”. Those that knew me called my by name. It sure felt great! I entered the turn a round aid station at 3 hours 31 minutes.
I headed out again after just a 3 minute break to grab a snack and fill my water bottles. I felt strong and the first little bit was down hill. I was pretty much running by myself at this point. Frank had dropped back due to twinges in his hamstring and muscle cramping (and eventually dropped from the race), however I could always see runners with a light ahead of me and behind me so I knew I wasn’t alone. The best part now was that every step I took was bringing me closer to the finish. I just kept putting one foot in front of the other. I would pass a runner every now and then which also gave me a boost of confidence. When I reached the 23.5 mile aid station (the 7.5 on the way out), they were so nice. Making sure I was ok, asking me if I needed anything. I found out at that point that they were having an unusual amount of runners dropping out. I guess the heat and humidity were taking their toll on many. I felt strong! After another short break I headed out.
From that point on I didn’t see another runner. No one in front – No one behind. It was kind of creepy. A few times one of the sag vehicles would drive by with runners that had dropped and ask me if I was doing ok. My answer every time… Yes, I feel good. I talked to myself some, encouraging myself with things like “you are going to make it”, “you have got this”, “just keep running/walking”. Finally at about 26 miles my legs were starting to get tired. Miraculously nothing was hurting. No knee pain, no muscle pain, no foot or ankle pain, just plain old fatigue. I kept trodding on… in the DARK, with a flashlight.
Several times I was creeped out by what sounded like someone behind me. I would turn around and there was no one there. In fact once, I was convinced there was someone coming up on me, I turned and let out a scream. Again, no one! I think I was hearing an echo of my own footsteps. It sure would have helped if I would have had someone with me. Eventually I got to mile 30 and hit paved road. I knew it wasn’t far now and picked up the pace a little (it helped that I didn’t have to dodge rocks and dips anymore). As I rounded the corner into the campground, Jesse Garrett, was there to meet me and run me it. Less than a quarter mile to go. I had made it. Frank and several others were there to cheer me across the finish line. 7 hours 25 minutes 20 seconds after I started I crossed the finish line and became an Ultra Runner. Judy Massingill
Ultra Running
Ultrarunners who take on the challenges of races like Arkansas’s 3 Days of Syllamo are not only challenged to finish, but they must find the finish line. This means keeping your senses when your body is fatigued and finding your way through trails and deep woods in the middle of the night.
This year, day two of the three-day race was done. Clouded night engulfed northern Arkansas’ wild and mountainous Ozark National Forest as completely as if it lay 10 miles deep beneath a chilly lightless sea. Yet one runner still fought. Not the course or the trails; he’d lost those. Now, Mike DeMeritt, 48, fromWest Chicago, Illinois, battled on through the tomb-like darkness and humid, low- 40-degree temperatures without a light, warm clothes, or food, except for a water bottle and a few swigs of honey. It wasn’t just darkness he struggled through as he tried to find the trail. Briars, brambles, branches, rocks, roots … <read the full story including his first hand report> .
And if you are an ultrarunner, please be careful.
Ultra Running
Wondering where Conway / Arkansas runners are running this weekend is a little like the old Where’s Waldo challenge. Last weekend we had runners in the New York Half Marathon and the L.A. Marathon. Above are the results we know about from these events. I’m sure there were more in the New York race (or I think there are?), but the results did not have a search by state or city. If you ran either of these events and are not listed, please email us and we’ll add you to the list.
And beyond these two “coastal” races, there was a group of 28 runners who ran a the High Rock Hop Trail Run in Arkansas. Not everyone got a finishing time because I hear some of them got lost and ran different distances and it wasn’t quite as “precise” of a race as the L.A. and NYC races.
Whether you are doing a training run around here in Conway, getting lost in the woods in Nowhere, Arkansas or running a major large city event, chances are you are having a great time. Keep runnning Conway – and if you aren’t out there running yet, why not?
Race Results, Trail Runs, Training / Racing, Ultra Running
I’m looking real hard and I just can’t see the trail in the picture above. This was a picture from the site and not from this year but still. Although we don’t have a race report from any of the runners, kudos to all of them for participating in the event. More information is available on the official race website and the Arkansas Ultra Running link to the right.
Race Results, Ultra Running
For some people, running a marathon is a life long accomplishment. For others it is an unimagineable distance to run. But for ultra runners, the marathon is simply a training run, something they might do once or twice on a weekend as they prepare for an upcoming event. Marathoners usually look for flat and fast courses. Ultra runners seek out muddy, hilly courses with lots of obstacles like darkness and creeks with running water. The White Rock 50k was an opportunity for some Conway non-ultra runners to get a taste of this experience.
Dustin Speer ran his second 50k at White Rock this weekend and reported this on Facebook: “50K done in 5:16. Ouch… Those hills hurt.” Curt Amenta did 25k (first half) and said it was the toughest run he had ever done. Stan Ferguson “smoked” the course and won the race. If you are interested in knowing more about ultra running, check out the Arkansas Ultra Running website.
Below are the 50k results for Conway runners, CLICK HERE for complete results. 25k results will be posted when they are available.
Race Results, Trail Runs, Ultra Running
What an experience! 31 miles of rough, hilly, and DARK forest service roads thru the woods. I saw one copperhead snake, lots of spiders, but no bears! There were almost 200 starters for the 25K and 50K combined. Once we broke off from those running the 25K at 7.5 miles the field dropped considerably, but there were still lots of runners ahead of and behind be. I didn’t really notice when I started meeting those that had made the turn around and were headed back but the closer I got to the 15.5 mile turn around the more I saw. Most shouted out words of encouragement like “you are almost ½ way”, “good job”, or “the aid station is at the top of the next hill”. Those that knew me called my by name. It sure felt great! I entered the turn a round aid station at 3 hours 31 minutes.
