Bartlett Park Ultra 50k 2011

Its been a while since I have posted here and I felt it was time for a little update. Since my last post I have completed the 2011 Bartlett Park Ultra 50k and finished in 7:37:40.

L-R Sherry, Mark and Jan before the start of the race

 The weather was great for a September race. I think the high was 92 degrees. There were 3 distances that could be done, 50 miler, 40 miler and the 50k. Total amount of people was 72 for all three distances. This is a great race to do if its your first Ultra. No major climbs and you loop back by your car 4 times. It was very reasonable priced and no need to worry about it selling out. The only draw back its at the end of summer and the temps can be very brutal but it all shaded except for the parking lot but you don't spend any time there.

The 50k had two aid stations, one in the parking lot (start/finish line) and on the fire road where you would pass it twice on that loop. The aid stations were great and very helpful. Plenty of the usual fare of food plus ice cold water to refill your drinks. I didn't stop until the very last loop to get some ice cold water and ice. By now, it was getting very hot and my water was going really fast.

In 2010 I did this race and I walked the whole distance and this year I wanted to be able to run. So I did a run/walk ratio of 1:00/1:00 (minute). It worked well for me for most of the race until my final loop. Once you did the blue loop the rest of the loops are approximately 7.45 miles and you are back into the parking lot and able to refuel at your vehicle or at the aid station.

White Trail

My major problem this year was a blister on a big toe and it started at around 8 miles so I had a long way to go with it. On the 2nd and 3rd loop I would stop and retape the blister. I think this kept it from getting worst but it was very time consuming.

First part of the loop on White Trail

My gear this year was the Adidas Kanadia 2k trail shoes, CW-X Expert shorts and I used a Nathan 2L race vest camelbak. I fueled with the Perpetuem endurance fuel and didn't use any of the food at the aid stations. Along with the Perpetuem, I had a Larabar for something solid. I used water in the camelbak along with the endurolytes. This set up worked really well for me. I made a point to drink every 15 minutes and eat every 30 minutes.

During the final 7.45 miles my ITB become pretty painful. I was able to continue on by just walking with a tiny bit of running. It definitely took my mind off of the blisters on my toes.

A yellow jacket/horse fly  stung/bit me on the last loop. It hit so hard that both of my feet came up off the ground. I heard later I wasn't the only person to get hit by this nasty bug.This bite stayed with me for a while but eventually stopped hurting.

I think this might be my last ultra for awhile, I am finding that my body can't do the distance when I try to run so I will probably stay with the 25k  since it a fun distance to do and I can stay in shape to do them at any time.

Me at finish with a well earned ice bottle of beer

Here is the elevation of the course.