7HR New Year Ultra Celebration - Race Recap
Race: 7 HR New Year Ultra Celebration
Date: January 1, 2022
Type of Race: Trail
Place: Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area, Flagler Beach, FL
This race was a .79 mile trail loop that you run for 7 hours and whoever has the most miles at the end wins. I used this race as a training run for my training for my 100 miler in May. Everything I am doing from here until May is for the 100 miler. The purpose of this race was to spend more time on my feet and to work on my nutrition intake. This is also the longest length of time and amount of miles on my feet since an ankle strain in October. I did not go in with any expectations other than to have fun, not to take it seriously, and to run smart. Overall it went great
The Lows - My ankle acted up a bit and I started to get some hot spots (pre-blisters) on my toes. I decided to stop and load my feet up with more Trail Toes (lube) and was good to go. My lungs also gave me some issues. I have asthma and there were some camp fires that caused some smoke which is not good for it. It was also super hot!
The Highs - Beautiful! The course was half sandy trails with water views and the other half was a single track covered by trees and a little technical with a strip of rolling little hills. The volunteers were amazing and I strutted my dance moves for them with every lap. It was a fun race
Most people think that running around in a circle for hours on end is some kind of torture. It reminds me of a super long car ride when I was a kid. It never seemed to end but you knew you would eventually get there. I think these races help build mental toughness. There were many times I just wanted to stop. Pushing through those moments makes me stronger. I know I am going to need a lot more mental strength to get me through that 100 miler. Loops for a timed race is great practice for me.
Thoughts on Trail Races
If you have never run a trail race, I totally recommend it. It is such a different experience. Road runners tend to be a little more “serious”. They are always talking about pace and splits. Trail runs are more about the experience of running; the connection with the outdoors, the people, and the run.
Overall, I had a wonderful day. I ended up as the first place female (it was a small group), which was not my goal. It was a perfect way to start of 2022 and my big scary dream of completing my first 100 miler.