2013 was the year of my second marathon ever completed. I have never run, let alone raced, over 25 miles except for a marathon that I did in the late 90's. This was also the year of my first ultra which I decided to run a trail ultra in northern Italy which was ridiculously challenging. Needless to say I am hooked on both distances and will most likely run more of them in 2014.
The Magredi Mountain Trail 100 is a very beautiful course that winds through part of the Dolomite Mountains in North Eastern Italy. Part trail and part fell running this was a big eye opener to trail running and distance races. When I chose the MMT100, I was looking for something to scare the sock of me and get myself into gear. This was definitely the race for that.
Preparation for the race:
I really had no clue where to begin until a friend pointed me to the Ultrarunner Podcast. I figured this will be my first stop and from there I'll just google an ultra training plan and go there. I listened to every single podcast and took copious amounts of notes on nutrition ideas, foot/body issues/solutions, and equipment. Literally, I googled an ultra-100 mile training plan and set off for an adventures. Training was the toughest that I have ever experienced. Almost every week there was a thought of "why am I doing this" and "I could be sleeping right now". Needless to say, I made it through training safe and sound and was able to "toe the line" for the MMT100.
This is me and the backbone of my race crew (Aja and Vicki) at the starting line. We were late because I wanted to take a nice hot shower (Germaphobe).
The RD is in the black vest between the two guys who are wearing blue t-shirts and a black vest. Every runner was called out to toe the line. The race began once all the runners were lined up and accounted for.
I'm all laced up and got the bib one, last picture with 2 of 3 race crew: Jason, Vicki, and Aja.
This is a serious event for a small mountain town like this.
The start of the race was at 6pm CET which pretty much had us running through the night from the start of the race. This is me trying to stay calm. The pictures don't show it but I'm seriously shaking because of the adrenaline rush that's going on right now. I'm being very disciplined and staying to the back of the racers. No need to get involved in any way...LOL.
The elites of the race.
Sorting out kit for the mountain portion at the first check-point. I was running so slow the clean-up crew ran past me and starting cleaning up the flags ahead of me...LOL.
Race crew: Aja, Vicki, and Jason
At the second life station. I couldn't figure out my headlamp sucked so bad out there....
Aid station the Italian way...
Didn't realize my headlamp was upside down until after I ran through the night with it like this...
Quick meeting on the next aid station. This is roughly 28 miles in.
Quick stop to dump some equipment and get some refill before the actual aid station. Didn't want to hang in the nice warm huts for too long so we opted to meet before the aid stations so I could refill.
Sock change out around mile 40, I can't remember.
Another quick wash-up in some areas we won't mention. Notice the smile.
Always smiling....
Another aid station around mile 55
Gearing up before the big mountain run...
Coming out of the mountains....
Hanging out at the last life base (aid station). Barely able to stay awake and I honestly don't remember being here for this long. I thought I came in and check out and went on my way. Apparently I stopped and had some soup and a cup of coke...LOL. Roughly 30 miles left in the race and it's getting dark again.
A little pick-me-up candy bag.
Huge party at the finish line that goes on continuously for the entire weekend.
Getting notified that I am the first American to cross the finish line....just a little grin.
A well deserved finishers vest!
Some soup and I'm starting to fade....
After running for so long and then eating, I got so stiff that I couldn't even sit in the car to get home. I rode like this back to the hotel.
I groaned and moaned all night long.
May he rest in peace.....
The Magredi Mountain Trail 100 is a very beautiful course that winds through part of the Dolomite Mountains in North Eastern Italy. Part trail and part fell running this was a big eye opener to trail running and distance races. When I chose the MMT100, I was looking for something to scare the sock of me and get myself into gear. This was definitely the race for that.
Preparation for the race:
I really had no clue where to begin until a friend pointed me to the Ultrarunner Podcast. I figured this will be my first stop and from there I'll just google an ultra training plan and go there. I listened to every single podcast and took copious amounts of notes on nutrition ideas, foot/body issues/solutions, and equipment. Literally, I googled an ultra-100 mile training plan and set off for an adventures. Training was the toughest that I have ever experienced. Almost every week there was a thought of "why am I doing this" and "I could be sleeping right now". Needless to say, I made it through training safe and sound and was able to "toe the line" for the MMT100.
This is me and the backbone of my race crew (Aja and Vicki) at the starting line. We were late because I wanted to take a nice hot shower (Germaphobe).
The RD is in the black vest between the two guys who are wearing blue t-shirts and a black vest. Every runner was called out to toe the line. The race began once all the runners were lined up and accounted for.
Here's me getting my shoes laced up and waiting for them to call my name. Seriously, the most nervous I've ever been in my life!
I'm all laced up and got the bib one, last picture with 2 of 3 race crew: Jason, Vicki, and Aja.
This is a serious event for a small mountain town like this.
The start of the race was at 6pm CET which pretty much had us running through the night from the start of the race. This is me trying to stay calm. The pictures don't show it but I'm seriously shaking because of the adrenaline rush that's going on right now. I'm being very disciplined and staying to the back of the racers. No need to get involved in any way...LOL.
The elites of the race.
Sorting out kit for the mountain portion at the first check-point. I was running so slow the clean-up crew ran past me and starting cleaning up the flags ahead of me...LOL.
Race crew: Aja, Vicki, and Jason
At the second life station. I couldn't figure out my headlamp sucked so bad out there....
Aid station the Italian way...
Didn't realize my headlamp was upside down until after I ran through the night with it like this...
Quick meeting on the next aid station. This is roughly 28 miles in.
Quick stop to dump some equipment and get some refill before the actual aid station. Didn't want to hang in the nice warm huts for too long so we opted to meet before the aid stations so I could refill.
Sock change out around mile 40, I can't remember.
Another quick wash-up in some areas we won't mention. Notice the smile.
Always smiling....
Another aid station around mile 55
Gearing up before the big mountain run...
Coming out of the mountains....
Hanging out at the last life base (aid station). Barely able to stay awake and I honestly don't remember being here for this long. I thought I came in and check out and went on my way. Apparently I stopped and had some soup and a cup of coke...LOL. Roughly 30 miles left in the race and it's getting dark again.
A little pick-me-up candy bag.
Huge party at the finish line that goes on continuously for the entire weekend.
102 miles, 32 hours, 32 minutes later----I am crossing the finishing line of my first-ever ultrarunning event!
Getting notified that I am the first American to cross the finish line....just a little grin.
A well deserved finishers vest!
Some soup and I'm starting to fade....
After running for so long and then eating, I got so stiff that I couldn't even sit in the car to get home. I rode like this back to the hotel.
I groaned and moaned all night long.
May he rest in peace.....
That pained face is amazing
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