Hachie 50 miles race report: let's-have-a-stroll-in-the-park edition.

Saturday I ran a 50 miles on pavement (official ultra number 13).

Yes, you've read it right: on pavement.

...and this is why I ran it. I was simply curious about running those long distances on pavement/cement/asphalt instead of trails.

I was thinking that it could have been very painful, but honestly speaking, it was not.

Right now I have only a general sore and that's it. Nothing compared to what I usually feel after an ultra on trails anyway... Also mentally, is not so boring as I was expecting...

So, I see more 50 miles (or longer) on road in my future...

Little note here: I ran it with the Altra Torin, and those are really great shoes! Nothing to complain about. Basically what I think about the Superior, can be perfectly applied also for this model. I ran 80.7 km in it, and I don't have blisters, falling nails or rotten toes.

Anyway, long story short, do the hamster on a 10 miles long circuit not on trails is not so bad.

The race was really cool. The circuit was actually nice (and flat), in a cute little park in a small city called Waxahachie (TX). It was really nice especially early in the morning, when the sun was rising and the mist was laying on the trees and the grass: everything was very peaceful, and it felt like being lost on some trail somewhere (bonus, I saw a cute armadillo and a big snake: extra points for me!).

I was running with only one goal: beat my previous PR on the distance of 50 miles and that was it.

Well, I did it. I finished second overall in 7 hours and 23 minutes, meaning, I beat my PR of 2 hours and 14 minutes.

Yes, once again I finished second, and second is the first of the losers.

In conclusion, two short notes.

1) it was a fast race: not too much time for stop and eat. I fueled myself with a couple of gels, some grape and watermelon. It worked really well, and this also means that my training on my nutrition works well.

2) I need to improve my after-race recovering. I must study...

Ok, done.

Listen to "Apex predator - Easy meat" by Napalm Death*.

*I saw them live (for the second time) a month ago, with Melvins opening for them, but I forgot to write something about it: too bad because it was a great show, and Melvins really impressed me.

Ok, listen also to "Goin' blind" by Melvins.



Here a couple of pictures of the race:

Flying happy on the second loop.

Loop #4: fueling with watermelon.

Done.