This summer I wanted to try a 100-mile race. Taken into consideration my other plans for 2016 and 2017, I ended up choosing Burning River. This race gave me an opportunity to qualify for Western State 100, and at the same time helped me to prepare to this year’s Spartathlon. I also wanted to try running a trail. After all the 24 hour races, I longed for something different. 

Preparation:

Florida is very flat; therefor I have limited opportunities training on hills. Out of the weekly 6 trainings, twice I went to the local man-made hill, which was turned into a park with palm trees and public amenities. On this hill the rounds about 1.5 km long; you can climb the steepest part in 30 seconds. But since that’s all we have in Florida for hills, I tried to enjoy my training on this large mound for the past two and half months. For a change of scenery, for my longer runs on Saturday mornings I drove three hours to a close by forest, called Withlacoochee State Forest. At least I enjoyed this one.

The race:

We flew in on Thursday to Ohio with Felix. Maggie, Howard and his wife arrived on Friday. Maggie, my teammate from the USA Team drove six hours so she can be my helper on the race. Howard, the USA Team’s Captain ran the 50 mile race and him and his wife guided me for the second half of the race. I was really happy to see Connie there; she’s my other teammate. Connie holds the Burning River Trail record and she won the race multiple times. I felt like we had a good team of people with great energy, I knew I’m in good hands.

The race started at 4am Saturday morning. The first 20 miles we ran on paved road with slight slopes. I met a few people whom I knew from other races, we exchanged brief conversations, but I try to focus on the road signs in the dark. After a while I lost the people out of site front of me and behind me as well. The trail didn’t feel too hard and it was pleasantly hilly. I listen to some oldies Hungarian music, Zoran and Szecsi Pal, it perfectly soothed my mood accompanied by such beautiful scenery. I was going pretty good; I didn’t spend too much time at the freshening stations.  I saw my helpers here and there, but they couldn’t help me for the first 53 miles. At this point they were only able to support me with words, but even just a smile or couple of words were very helpful (although I was talking to Maggie in Hungarian and to Felix in English). J The first 42 miles were happy miles, after that is when I reached the first critical point. I got lost.

At the 42-mile freshening station I was told that I missed my turn and I had to go back to correct the error, even thought my watch showed the correct distance per mile. It turned out that I took an earlier exit from the forest and I had to go back for another round as penalty. I got discouraged, but I went back anyway. I had no idea where I was, I was trying to follow the road signs, I was afraid I was lost again. Luckily I saw someone who ran in the relay team, hoping if I follow him I won’t get lost over and over again. In the meantime, I could hear my coach’s voice echoing in my ears to go slow downhill. Chances are higher to fall when you’re running downhill and you can hurt yourself. Pretty soon I learned that my pace and technic isn’t good enough; I fell hard. Even the runner from of me looked back to check on me if I was ok. I don’t know is name, but I like to take the opportunity and thank him for trying to help me. I got up, my hip was hurting but after a few steps I was fine. I was alone again, and I was trying to calm myself with the fact, that at least I’m on the right track.

My next disappointment was at the 47^th mile. My watch was showing 53 miles, but I knew because of the earlier confusion than I ran extra miles, and I just wanted to be at the 53^rd mile, where my helpers were waiting for me. In the hurry, I didn’t have enough water on me and I forgot to cool myself. I ran four miles without water and it was getting hot. I arrived at the 53^rd mile point thirsty, hungry and beaten in my spirits. I knew a made a mistake for rushing and getting lost, but quickly I had a conversation with myself to put my focus back on track.

Maggie took care of me; she filled my bag with ice, washed my face with ice water, I quenched my thirst, satisfied my hunger and we were on our way. Finally, I wasn’t alone.  She ran the next section with me. After 15 minutes I could feel my strength coming back and I was in a much better mood. After that, we paid careful attention to make sure I freshen up periodically.  There were places we could only go very slowly. There were steps on the hill going up and down.

I ran a section with Felix, then alone again. From 75 to 90 miles Maggie ran with me again. She kept me in check about when I have to take the energy gel. Sometimes we talked, other times she was just talking to me and I was listening. This was the most beautiful and the hardest part of the race.

At 90 miles I had the second critical point. I didn’t feel good, and I was nauseous. I think going downhill was messing with my equilibrium. From 90 to 95 miles Felix was helping me, it was dark, I had to use the headlight. At this point I wasn’t able to hold down food, nor liquid. My legs were week, and I felt dizzy. We walked to the last freshening station; I kept saying I don’t feel good. I asked who’s behind me; they told me she was further back. I wanted to take a break, but my helpers wouldn’t let me. There was no room for pity. Karen told me that I will not going to feel any better, so might as well suck it up, there’s only 5 miles left. Of course I didn’t hear the 5 miles part of the sentence, but only heard that I will not get better. Howard recommended that I should drink ginger ale hoping that it will help. And it did. My stomach felt better, I was much better overall and I ran the last 5 miles with Felix.

At the finish line Maggie joined us. I wanted them to run through the finish line with me, but couldn’t convince them.

Ohio, Burning River July, 2015

At the end everything looks beautiful.  Even thought I ran 106 miles instead of 100, I’m very happy with the outcome. I was surrounded by great people; Maggie, Karen, Felix and Howard. I can only thank you guys for all the kind words and amazing support!!!!!

Thank you Drymax for the awesome socks, I have no blisters at all.  

I also would like to thank you Nathan Sport for the water bag, it was very comfortable throughout the 100 miles.