JFK 50 Mile Ongoing Race Day Updates

So the guy with the jet pack was disqualified, but luckily they don't seem to mind if I carry my laptop to make ongoing updates to my race report.

9:10 am: Mile 8. I thought internet access would be iffy on the Appalachian Trail, but here's to modern technological conveniences! So I missed the start of the race. The line to the bathroom was really long. Apparently some modern conveniences are still lacking. But I caught up at 2.5 miles and now Dad and I are running on the beautiful Appalachian Trail.

11:05 am: Mile 16. We saw Melanie, Zoe, Lisa, Megan, and Janie (my Dad's wife) at the second aid station. We are 30 minutes ahead of cutoff, and are trying to stay as close to cutoff as possible to conserve our energy (and stay in the race!). We left the Appalachian Trail and are feeling great!

2:16 pm: Mile 28. Dad dropped out following a cut-off time fiasco at the last aid station. I printed a table with the cut off times from the JFK website a few days ago to carry with me in th race, but the race officials announced at the beginning of the race that some of the times had changed. I didn't know whether the table I printed from the site include the old cut off times, or the newer ones, so I have been calling my sister periodically and getting the station cut off times from the race director. She told us the cut off time for the last station was 2 pm (my printed table said 1:45 pm) so I walked with Dad to the station after he decided he was going to drop out. When we walked up at 1:51 pm they told us we missed cut off. After the volunteers at the aid station discussed our situation with the race directors, I have decided to KEEP RUNNING, however, the volunteers said the race officials may decide to never allow me to enter the race again because I did not drop after missing the cut off time....

3:59 pm: Mile 38. Currently all alone in lead, but may have taken wrong turn...Getting tired.

4:40 pm: Mile 42. Got something to eat and feeling much better now. I'm going to finish. Got 8 miles left. I'm way ahead of a lot of people and kicking butt.

Around 6:30 pm: Mile 50. I am a JFK 50 Mile Finisher! Finish Time - 11 hours 15 min.

Congratulations Scott!! From your wifey (and ghost writer), Jeanie


Aroun 9:00pm: Hotel Room. First I want to thank Jeanie her help with the updates. She couldn't make the trip but was with me the entire way as my virtual crew member. :) I'll have a full race report with some great photos coming up in the next couple days. It was a crazy day and there are a lot of great stories. What an emotional roller coaster. What a great support crew Dad and I had. We couldn't finish together today - but it will happen in the future. More to come. Wow, I've finished a 50 mile race. Pretty cool, huh?

Race Day Updates

For those interested, check this site throughout the day on Saturday as I will attempt to coordinate and post updates of my progress at the JFK 50. I'll be carrying my laptop on the run and will try to connect wirelessly at aid stations. :)

Scott

From One Washington to Another

Now only hours away. I hear the drum beating quietly, slowly. What the hell am I doing? 50 miles? Is it too late to back out? (gulp)

I'm off to DC in a couple days. Maybe the enormity of all the memorials and statues and buildings will put this measly little 50 mile race in a bit more perspective. I'm mean, c'mon, 50 miles is like a drop in the bucket compared to the distance between the earth and the moon, right? We'll be in DC for a couple days before we head up to Boonsboro, Maryland for the Saturday morning start. My sisters are also driving up from the Carolinas for the weekend and I finally get to meet my little niece Zoe!

I had another record breaking taper week. I feel rested and in relatively good spirits. Sadie hates the taper weeks. She's getting more antsy than I am and is bouncing off the walls wanting to go run. She's addicted. I'm still having to do the old "I'm going away for business" routine on race weekends. It would kill her to know that I'm going on these epic runs without her.

Next stop: JFK 50 Mile!

At least I don't have to run there.

Keep running!

Scott

Taper, by Scott

So, what do I do with my first ever taper week? Go to the playground!

Wheeeeeeeee!

Yippeeeeeeeeee!

Whoooaaaaaaaa!

I wish there was a shot of my back flip dismount from the swing. Actually, it was a double back flip twist.

Not running never felt so good. I think I may join the circus. Just kidding. But seriously, I might.

Keep tapering!

Scott

U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials - Excitement and Tragedy

An exciting day for runners around the country took a turn toward the tragic.

Read more here.