Noland Trail 50k

Noland Trail 50k

31.47 miles completed

I did it! I completed my first ultra distance “race”. The event itself was exciting and fun; however, had I known the trail was going to be as it was, I likely would not have registered for the event. The course involved running the Noland Trail which is an approximate 5+ mile trail/loop. We would have to run the loop six times in order to reach the mileage needed for a 50k. The course was up and down or “rolling hills” as some may say. It was packed dirt, loose sand and a little road thrown all into one long course. I laughed as I started running and noticed, not to long into the run, that there were steps. Huh?!?! Steps, why? I laughed to myself and out loud. What had I gotten myself into? As I continued running, I saw more roots, inclines, declines, turns and curves than I ever have. The trail was well maintained and easy to follow but I thought, “How am I going to do this at mile 18-31?” For sure, I would be tired by then and going up and down these steps and rolling hills would turn into an almost impossible task, so I thought.

My Why

I decided to run a 50k Spring 2021 after I experienced one of the most traumatic times of my life. Long story short, I learned I was pregnant April 2021 but later found out late May 2021 that my fetus, my baby no longer had a heart beat. Prior to finding out about the “missed abortion” as the medical field describes it, I was sick. Extreme nausea and vomiting was my norm for about one month. I would lay in bed, unable to do anything, for about a full month while my husband took on the full responsibility of caring for our two sons. I bathed every other day and I brushed my teethed on the same schedule. I didn’t have the energy to stand in the shower to bath and I was afraid to brush my teeth as normal for fear of knowing it would result in me vomiting a second after I put the toothbrush in my mouth. It was painful and I was weak. I was tired. I wanted to exit the first trimester and the woes that came with it as fast as I could. During the early part of the pregnancy, when I knew the baby still had a heartbeat, I would comfort myself when the nausea and vomiting were taking over my day by telling myself, “It’s okay because at the end of this I’ll have a healthy beautiful baby in my arms.” Unfortunately, that never happened and sadly, the nausea and vomiting seemed to pick up after I was told the fetus no longer had a heartbeat. I decided to have a D&C; however, that procedure would not happen until eight days after being told my pregnancy ended; however, the extreme nausea and vomiting continued. Talk about traumatizing. Deeply saddened by the lost of this very wanted pregnancy, I cried a lot and often. I wanted to return to my normal activities (walking, running for normalcy) sooner than my body would allow me. Movement, to me, if LIFE, and that’s what I wanted but not what I could handle at that moment. As I layed in bed, I dreamed of going for a walk or a run. I thought about what I would do when I wasn’t afraid to move my body again.

I reached out to my previous marathon coach and told her I wanted to run a 50k. I asked for a training plan and later signed up for a “fall marathon training group”. The plan she gave was my path to completing my first ultra distance. I was excited to be running again, but it took my body a few weeks to catch up with my excitement. After all, I had just spent the last month in bed, barely doing anything, Eventually, my body healed and the distance and intensity in which I could run picked up.

First long run after D&C. It rained during the run but it felt great. I was starting to feel alive again.

The Race/Run

I made the drive to Newport News, VA the Friday before the Sunday scheduled race. I stayed with my sister Friday night, but stayed in a hotel Saturday night in order to ensure a good night’s rest. I arrived to the trail a little nervous but excited to be there. I was also a little unprepared as it was still dark and I did not have a headlamp. Fortunately, one of the race organizers allowed me to use hers. I packed my own fuel and had my own hydration pack but also had every intention on stopping at every aid station for hydration (I learned from my last marathon that walking the aid stations was a game changer for me). It didn’t take long before I stopped eating my own “fuel” and started to consume what was provided by the race organizers. This usually is not advised; to consume things you had not trained with, but I could tell I needed more than what I came with. I chewed on salted pretzels, ate a ¼ of a banana, consumed coke soda and eventually pickle juice throughout the run. Somehow I managed not to bonk during the run, as I initially thought I would. It probably has something to do with me running at a much slower pace (12:46) in order to prevent myself from tripping and falling. I also like to think it had something to do with the constant fuel and hydration I was giving myself. #whoknows

I admit I was not prepared for the terrain of this race, but my mental game was top notch. I had been through hell just four months earlier so running these 31 miles, in comparison to that, was cake (maybe this contributed to me NOT bonking as well). When I did become tired of being on my feet, I thought back just four months prior and reminded myself how I desperately wanted to get up during that time and move my body. I thought about the tears I shed from the pregnancy lost and how much life I feel when I am moving my body. So I kept moving. I kept smiling, laughing and putting one foot in front of the other until I reached 31.47 miles; until I completed the course. I felt accomplished when I crossed the finish line. I felt proud. I also felt a little sad knowing the decision to run this race was decided on after my pregnancy lost. But I kept smiling. My body, although I previously felt like it was broken after my pregnancy lost, is strong and can carry me through hard things.

*After chromosomal testing of the fetus, I later found out she (yes it was a girl) had a chromosomal abnormality termed Turner’s syndrome. I was also told upon waking up from my D&C procedure that I had a substantial subchorionic hematoma that likely contributed to me bleeding throughout my 9 weeks of pregnancy. My due date was December 28, 2021. I will honor her, what could have been, on that day with a 12.28 mile run.

Until next time.

Sporting my race swag after showering and getting a fresh haircut by my sister. :-)

Every runners first priority after you cross the finish line-stop the watch.