Coming back for more Derby 50k. Finishing Skinny Turkey on Thursday, in which I was pacing the 2:30. Similar fuel preparations as last year for this event, bottles of energy drink ready with Tailwind mix, baby food pouch, and my protein shake for post-event. Adding TAP gel this year to give it a try to see if it can be an option for the long-distance events. The morning routine, as usual, is hot cereal, and a latte.

It was once again great to see some familiar faces. Some from the InsaneRunning group, other Ultramarathoners from whom I have learned many lessons, others that have provided inspiration to continue running these crazy long distances, and so many new 1st timers and veterans that traveled to the community center to tackle the Derby 50k. Walter was missing this year, but I still remember that he was the one who got me into Derby 50k and Ultramarathoning. It was a beautiful morning with great temperatures low 20s and great farm fields around us. I decided to start with the earlier crowd about an hour from the official start, given that this year I needed to head home early. Very fortunate that the race director allowed me to start with the earlier running crew that is reserved mostly for those who needed the extra time to complete the course before dark sets in.

Loop 1: The Starting Loop – Heading out after a few announcements, all the early start runners headed out once again to tackle the 10.33-mile loop of Derby three times. The weather was fantastic, lower 20s to start the event; although sunny, the temperature and humidity were perfect for me.

I was aware of my 50k PR time from a few years back (5:09:35), and with these conditions, it was very doable for today, but the original plan was coming in under 6:00 hours. I still needed to really take it easy during the first few miles to warm up and keep in mind that I have not been able to regain much of the speed I used to have. Although running a sustainable, steady pace, it was not necessarily too hard, but starting a mile 2, my legs were hurting a lot. Shins and calves were so stiff and were hurting a lot. To this point, I started walking at mile 2. And walking some more at mile 3 and some more at 4. Given the early start, I am by myself, and I started to worry. Am I going to be able to continue like this?

I continue to take a few sips of my energy drink once in a while to keep hydrated. I did not stopped at the 1st aid station, continued to run walk mile 5 and 6. Sugars were steady, I continued at a very slow pace, thinking to at least finish the 1st loop and re-assess the situation. Now at the dirt road segment of the course I started to feel better but still with some walking.

Closing in to the second water station, I decided once again to continue without stopping. The temps were still good, but by this time, I had removed the neck cover, gloves, and the beanie I had been wearing from the start. As I approached the last couple miles of the 1st loop, I drank the rest of the drink I was carrying. I was very pleased to see that my shins and calves were feeling better, not 100% but perhaps I would be able to continue for the second loop.

Loop 2: Easy Loop – I did a quick pit stop, drank the rest on the content in my bottle, decided to stay with the running belt, and took some time to transfer the content from one of the handhelds to the water bottle for my belt. Since it was already warmer, dropped the gloves, beanie and kept my running jacket.

As I was getting ready to head out, the second-place runner passed me with ease. I encouraged him to continue to press the pace, as he was looking strong. I started to look ahead for the runners between us, thinking to take that as an opportunity to slowly catch up and pass a couple of them. Given that I started 1 hour earlier, I should be able to see a few of the slower runners that started at the right time. I started to feel better and started to pick up the pace. Every mile that I completed without walking it was a win for me, given the disastrous start of the 1st loop. The sugars were a tad high now but still ok. I was running effortlessly and still at a decent pace, but it’s on track to finish well under the 6:00-hour mark? I was not sure, given the time I lost during that 1st loop. I needed to continue.

I welcomed the cold breeze that was flowing from time to time as it helped me cool down and allowed me to keep up the effort. I continued not necessarily looking at my watch for the pace or time; the heart rate readings were decent, and I was really on par with coming under 5:30:00 now. Similar to the previous Derbys, I was able to tackle the hills without any big problems during the second loop.

Passing the midway point, I pressed the pace just a tad more, given that I was feeling better, my sugars were holding steady, and the cold breeze was great. I pressed even more at mile 16, which was mostly downhill.

I decided to stop at the second water station and get some water; I drank some water and replenished my water bottle. I continued steadily running uphill. Not too fast but steady, tackling most of the route with a speedy but sustainable pace, no walking. I was still feeling good at the end of the second loop, and I made sure I drank all the contents of my bottle once again before I arrived at the start/finish area. This time, I dropped my jacket, as it was getting warmer, went to the bathroom, and headed out.

Loop 3: Trying to push the Pace Loop – Although the temperatures were still in the low 40s, I started the third loop, looking at the time and thinking if I could finish close to the 5:59 mark if I continued pressing the pace, definitely to try to hit the 6:00 goal. I started to press the pace a bit to test my legs again. My heart rate was hovering on the high side, hitting 164 at times. I needed to take it easy and let my heart rate come down again. My sugars were fine, something I was hoping to get, given the fueling strategies that I have been implementing for the past few events. By this time, there were not many runners I could see ahead or behind.

Same as in previous loops, I made sure I continued to hydrate and take on at least a gel. I stopped at the 1st aid station to replenish my water bottle. At the last aid station, some water and Coca-Cola this time. I started walking some time as I was feeling it. At the top of the hill, I looked to see who was behind, and there was plenty of distance between the runners; I decided to start running midway up the last uphill. In the distance, with about 1 mile or so to go, I saw a couple of runners ahead of me, and I decided to start pressing the pace all the way to the end. I was able to catch up with the runners and pass them at a great pace. Again, remember that I started an hour earlier, so technically, they were all ahead of me.

At the finish line, as usual, there was always a very warm welcome and plenty of pasta. Venu, Vinod, and Ananta finished in just 5 hours, so they arrived shortly at the end. This year was another great huge medal, and similar to last year, they handed out very nice handmade pottery bowls. I was able to talk to a few of the runners who finished ahead of me and some of the volunteers. Like Tommy, who was completing his first Ultra, and if that matters, his first marathon distance. It was also awesome seeing and cheering for all the other runners as I headed back home.

No PR today, way slower than last year, but super fun as usual. This event was my 1st official Ultra many years ago, I will continue to recommend this event for a 1st Ultra and also to ultra veterans.

Month/Year	Event	Location	Type	Time
Nov-25	Derby 50k	NC	Ultra	5:59:20

Highlights:

Course: Looped 3x course with great ample road right of the start. Rolling hills are not challenging until the last loop hill might look steeper than the beginning loops, around 83 runners. With the ample road, there is no problem starting and finding a comfortable, easy pace.

Venue: At a Community Center, with good bathrooms and a seating area to rest before and after the event. In the finish area, good food, plenty to drink, and snacks.

Expo: No Expo.

Weather: 32º at the start, around 58º at the end, and the humidity hovered around 70%.

T1D: Sugars within running range, but stable throughout the event.

Fueling:

Pre-Race: 1 serving of Hot Cereal, latte, and banana.

Race: E-Fuel & Tailwind three bottles, three baby food pouches, TAP and Maurten gel.

Post: Spaghetti with a protein shake within an hour of the event.

Learning Points:

• Pay attention to details.
• Coca-Cola from the start at the 1st aid station.