Jemez mountain trail run 50(+3) miles: mountain goat edition

Saturday I ran the hardest race I have ever run (so far).

53.4 mile (86.02 km to be precise) up and down (mostly up) on the mountain of New Mexico.

Wonderful places and mountains, but so damn hard.

I guess I'm not used (anymore) to high altitude.

Anyway, this is the profile:

Intense...

My plan was to finish it in about 12 hours. Unfortunately, in the last 15 miles I had a problem on the back of my knee, and since I'm not completely stupid (and most importantly, I learn from my mistakes), I slowed down. I finished in 13 hours and 21 minutes, but at least my knee is safe and I can use it.

I've learned a lot of things. I've learned that mountain trail running is so much harder than the classic trail running (...wait! I was supposed to know that already...). I've learned that walking is important, especially if the up-hill is really steep and the oxygen is low (3,000 meters). And I've also learned that you will catch up with the time lost on the steep hills, running like a demon on the really steep down-hills. I've learned that sometimes the goal is "just finish it" and I've learned that flipping the bird to the next up-hill it doesn't change anything: you still have to running it. I've also learned that since I ran this really hard 86 km, running a 100 km (my next step) shouldn't be a problem. Finally, I've learned that soaking is the way for a faster recover...

Anyway, very wonderful experience, and I want to run more and more and more.

Here a picture of me just after the race:

Happily tired...

What else?
As usual, a lot of nice and friendly people out there, and also my trip-companions (Dave and Tim) were amazing.
A final consideration: it's amazing where this ultra-running is taking me, both my mind and my body.
I think that's it.

Go for it Bruce! "Ruuuuun to the hiiiiiiillllllls..."