Sunday, October 28, 2012

Mountain Masochist 50 Milers - Pre Race Prep

Ultra Marathon - 30th Mountain Masochist 50 Miler

In order to gain Experience running ultra's, I signed up for the legendary Mountain Masochist 50 miler. I choose the race for a couple of reasons:

  • Difficulty
  • Race Experience
  • Chance to meet Dr. David Horton

Difficulty

  • The race has 9K vertical feet of climbing and is considered a mountain run. 
  • I am hoping adding this race to my resume will count toward getting me accepted into Badwater one day.


Race Experience

  • I follow 3 ultra running  Podcasts to gain insight into the ultra racing culture, Talk Ultra, Ultra Runner Podcast, and I Run Far.  
  • These podcasts deliver interviews with all the living legends of the Sport.  
  • When several Ultra Runner Legends were asked "What Ultra Race has the Best Vibe?
  • In my unofficial pole the winner was the Mountain Masochist.

Chance to meet Dr. Horton

  • I listened to "Talk Ultra's" interview with Dr. David Horton with Ian Coreless.  
  • Ian skillfully interviews "Horty"extracting great insight to the man who "Ran Across America". Horty's aggressive personality and amazing Race Results makes him a living legend. 
  • I missed the chance to meet Caballo Blanco and don't want to miss out on meeting "Horty", all I have to do is complete the race because he shakes every finishers hand when you cross the finish line.

My Preparation

  • I completed2 Half Marathons, 2 Marathons, 1 Half Ironman, 1 Ironman, 1 50K Trail run and several 4-5 hour training runs in preparation for the 50 miler trail run.   
  • I am heading down to the race, the Thursday before the race on November 3rd.
  • It is a 12 hour drive from my house in Toronto to Lynchburg Virginia.  I am hoping Hurricane Sandy wont effect the race.