Coming back for more Derby 50k. Finishing Skinny Turkey on Thursday at the easy pace of a 3-hour half marathon served as prep work for today. Even though I could not miss the opportunity to run with my daughter’s first double-digit run, as she is training for her first half marathon.

Similar fuel preparations as last year for this event, bottles of energy drink ready with E-fuel and Tailwind mix, baby food pouches, and my protein shake for post-event. The morning routine, as usual, is hot cereal, a latte, and a banana to eat about 25-30 minutes before the start.

It was once again great to see some familiar faces. Some from InsaneRunning group, other Ultramarathoners from which 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. It was also great to see BD, whom we paced Skinny Turkey together just a couple of days ago, Walter, who got me into Derby 50k and Ultramarathoning, and Amy, a brilliant pacer who helped this year pacing me on my third loop at Umstead 100 It was a beautiful morning with great temperatures high 30s and great farm fields around us.

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

I was aware of my knee not being 100% good, but still, 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. I still needed to really take it easy during the first few miles to warm up. Kaleel, Raj, Balji, and I ran together for this 1st loop. Although running a sustainable, steady pace, it was not necessarily too hard. It was great to catch up with them and talk about the upcoming training, joke around, and the plan for today. We took it very easy during the 1st mile as we were warming up and saw our friend Radhakant heading out the way in front with another runner and disappearing quickly after the first turn. We talked to a few runners, but after a couple of miles, the group of runners thinned out. I was making sure to point out a few of the key areas and markings of the course, especially for Raj and Balaji, who were their 1st ultramarathon and Derby.

I continue to take a few sips of my energy drink once in a while to keep hydrated. This time, I am trying the same approach to fueling as I did for the City of Oaks Marathon. Sugars were trending down, which served as another reminder to make sure that I took my baby food puch prior to the 1st aid station and stopped there to grab some additional snacks. We continued at a very comfortable pace, brushing the 10:00 per mile average. Around mile 6, I took a Mourten solid (200 Calories), and soon after that, we were at the dirt road segment of the course. This time for some reason, the hill did not feel as challenging as previous Derbys.

At the second water station, I decided to grab some water and some more chips. 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 with how well I was feeling.

Loop 2: Easy Loop – I did a quick pit stop, grabbed a new bottle, grabbed another baby food pouch, went to the bathroom, and, since it was already warmer, dropped the gloves and beanie. Kaleel and I continued for the second loop, but this time, we pressed the pace a bit more. We look ahead for the runners between us, slowly catching up and passing them. Feeling great and in the zone, I pushed the pace slightly more and went ahead. The sugars were great at this time, and although it was getting a little bit warmer, I was running effortlessly at a decent pace and on track. 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 well under 5:30:00. Once again, a pouch of baby food and some more chips at the 1st water station. Similar to the previous Derbys, I was able to tackle the hills without any big problems.

Passing the midway point, I pressed the pace just a tad more, given that I was feeling great, my sugars were holding steady, and the cold breeze was great. I pressed even more at mile 16, which was mostly downhill. At this time, Balaji had passed me and was holding a great, solid, steady pace, I tried to keep him in sight and pressed just when I was feeling good to make sure I did not allow my heart rate to get too much into high Z3. I took a gel before arriving at the second aid station.

At the second water station, I drank some water, replenished my water bottle, and ate more chips. I continued steadily uphill while I saw Balaji about a 1/4 mile ahead of me. Taking it slow and steady, tackling most of the route with a speedy but sustainable pace. 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. Afterward, I changed over the hydration belt for my hand help and grabbed the last baby food pouch.

Loop 3: Trying to push the Pace Loop – I started the third loop, looking at the time and thinking if I could finish close to the 5:10 mark. I started to press the pace a bit to test my legs again. My heart rate was decent, my sugars were fine, and I continued to get close to the next runner ahead of us. By this time, it was taking longer to reach the runners and pass them, but it was ok; I saw in the distance Balaji passing a group of three runners, and I pressed the pace to at least get close to him to chat for a bit. As I passed the group, I asked how they were doing, and they were okay. They asked me how it was going, and I loudly claimed, “Phenomenal,” as I smiled. A couple of them grunt in disagreement. After about a minute or so, I was able to catch up with Balaji. We exchanged a few words, but I was in the zone and decided to continue to hold the pace as we were getting close to the 1st aid station. By this time, I also started the music to help me with the running.

Same as in previous loops, I made sure I ate the baby food pouch, stopped at the aid station, and ate some chips, but this time, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to try something new. It was risky, but since I was feeling really good, and this event was to continue to train for Umstead, I grabbed, for the first time in any event, a couple of cups of Coca-Cola. I have to admit that it was refreshing, and after a few minutes, it did provide an additional kick.

Behind me, there was another runner, looking strong and increasing his pace; for a second, I thought it was Balaji, but to my surprise, it was not. We ran for about a mile together and talked about the different running events in which we had participated. He was another Ultramarathoner veteran who loved to run 24-hour events instead of distance events. He was looking to one day be able to pass the 100-mile mark, and I encouraged him to sign up for a 100-mile event. He pressed ahead of me as I was unable to hold the pace. Soon, I also encountered another runner who was running her second Derby. I took the opportunity to eat my energy gel as planned and before the second aid station. We talked for a bit, but we really pressed the pace a little bit too much, and since I was coming from already going fast for a while, by the time I got to the aid station, I was feeling it.

At the aid station, some water, chips, and more Coca-Cola. I started walking and getting my phone back on the side pouch of my running shorts when I realized that I had been walking for too long, so I snapped out of it and started running once again. I was able to catch up with the earlier runner as she took less time at the aid station and started jogging soon after that. I was going to stay next to her to chat some more, but I was feeling great in the long 1 mile uphill, so I decided to press on the pace all the way to the finish line.

At the finish line, as usual, there was always a very warm welcome. Venu was there also waiting for my arrival. I got another beautiful huge medal, and this 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. It was also awesome seeing and cheering for Balaji, Kaleel, and Raj, who finished at a very strong pace. Radhakant finished 1st overall, and Venu came in 9th with a nice PR under 5 hours.

No PR today, just shy by a few minutes, but I am very happy with today’s performance and all the friendships from the running community. I will continue to recommend this event for a 1st Ultra and also to ultra veterans.

Month/Year	Event	Location	Type	Time
Nov-23	Derby 50k	NC	Ultra	5:11:11

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 73 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: 37º 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, Maurten Solid, and gel.

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

Learning Points:

• Getting many back-to-back long runs helped me to get used to the distance.
• Baby food as an alternative for fueling works well for long events.
• Coca-Cola with the sugars, sodium, and caffeine is an option for my food B list, not at the top, but just in case.
• Training frequently at Umstead once again helped me tackle all the inclines in this event.