The Gold Rush 50k is done and dusted! Despite being an exhausting (and long) day I look back on this adventure with a sense of pride and accomplishment. Not only did I get to check my first 50k of my bucket list I also got these 5 fun items over the course of training for it and racing it:
- Stitches in the elbows.
- Poison oak three times.
- Minor black eye.
- Bloody knees twice.
- But most importantly I got an awesome medal and fun day* with friends.
*It didn’t really categorize it as a fun day until after I was able to process what transpired. Roughly 24 hours later…
So what did I learn…a lot! But my top 10 are as follows:
- Follow a training plan.
- Run more leading up to the event.
- Poison oak is inevitable.
- So is falling.
- Run more. I think I already said this but it would have come in really handy around mile 20!
- Checking your pace on the trails really isn’t that motivating.
- Dropping your Oreo in the dirt and then eating it anyway is totally acceptable.
- Grabbing gummy bears out of a community bowl even though someone else’s sweaty hands already played with them is OK!
- It is cheaper to do 4 trail races + visit the Urgent Care three times than it is to do one half Ironman.
- Swapping race war stories with friends at the Fat Rabbit post-race is the perfect ending to a long day on the trails!
I am already looking forward to the next race (to be decided soon) and Gold Rush 50k 2017 where I can take what I learned and put it to good use!
Stephanie
Instagram: @stephanieartis
Twitter: @stephanie_artis
Visit Team Freeplay to read more about my race and 6th place finish.
Next Article: Race, Recover, Race Again by Emily Cocks.
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