My first 50k (Mt Hood PCT 2005)

This is a look back at my first ultramarathon (50k). The race was the Mt Hood Pacific Crest Trail Ultramarathon near Mt Hood, Oregon on Saturday, July 30, 2005. I finished with a time of 5:23:37 (10:25 pace). I finished 27 of 104 runners and second in my age group.

Well, I just might be crazy. Okay, I am crazy. I know most people run marathons for years, before even considering an ultra-marathon. A friend of mine, Tim, who likes to run very long distances. Was considering on doing Mt Hood PCT, so I thought about it. If I can run 26.2 miles, a 50k is less then 5 miles more, surely I can do that. So I told him we could go together and I would run the 50k, and he could run the 50 miler. So I registered, and made plans to camp at Clackamas Lake. But a week before the race, he told me he would not be able to do it. So I got my parents to come along.

We drove up the day before and camped. I had to get down to the start line by 8am on Saturday. I was not really prepared to run a trail race. I had never run on trails before, but thought, "what's the big deal?" Well I found out that running on trails is very different then running on streets. There were lots of rocks and roots. I almost tripped about five or six times, until I finally did. In the last 10 miles I tripped on a root, and fell face first into the ground. I got all banged up, but keep running. When I got to the next aid station, I was able to get it cleaned up, but then keep running.

I finished in a time of 5:23 which was slower then I thought, but now I know that it wasn't such a bad time for a first time trail runner. Afterwards I was told that I should get some trail shoes. The temp was very warm. It was most likely in the lower 80's, and clear. Which made for some great views of Mt Hood along the course. All runners were required to carry water, which was a good thing. After leaving the final aid station, I thought "just 6 more miles!" Well the last six miles felt like forever. After finishing, I was so happy it was over.

We camped for one more night, before taking off. We visited Little Crater Lake, and thought we would take a different way home. We ended up getting lost on some logging roads, but got home Sunday afternoon, with the evening to be able to relax.