Surf the Murph 50k 2015 Race Report

On Saturday, October 24, I ran the Surf the Murph 50k. I had signed up for this race a mere 6 weeks prior and although I faced a couple minor setbacks with training, I felt reasonably confident that I could complete the race - a new distance for me. The Surf the Murph 50k is actually 33.4 miles, so a little more than 50k (53.75k, to be exact). Weather forecasts called for a dry race day with partly cloudy skies. Rain was forecast for Friday, but was supposed to stop by race time.

The rain proved to be more long-lasting and thorough than forecast and kept coming up until about 6am. I arrived right about 6 and brought my drop bags to the designated locations near the start/finish area. This race is run on a 16.7 mile, figure eight loop course. The 25k runners run one loop, two loops for the 50k and three for the 50 milers. Shortly before 7, the 50k runners gathered near the start area to listen to the last minute thoughts from the race director. I couldn't really hear her, but understood to keep the orange reflective flags on my left.

I used a handheld flashlight to light my way for the first 20 minutes or so until the rising sun provided enough natural light. After a little bit of warm up, we began to encounter the hills that the course is known for. None of them were gigantic, but big and consistent enough to provide quite a challenge. Oh and they last for 5 miles! Needless to say, by the time I got to the first aid station, I wasn't in the best mental state. I was running conservatively and hiking up the hills, but it still took it's toll.

Thankfully, after those first five miles, things level off for awhile. I was able to get into somewhat of a groove and run more consistently. My main objective at this point was to keep running the flats, hike the hills and run the downs. Near the end of the loop it gets hilly again and I had read about it, but it was pretty tough. I powered through and finally came into the start/finish area. You had the choice at this point to run into the finish shoot for a 25k or stay to the right for the aid station for those continuing on. I felt pretty good and without question kept to the right. I came in at about 3:45 for this first lap, which was a bit faster than my goal. I took my time (probably too much) during this stop, changed my socks, used the porta-potty and grabbed some food. Finally, after about 15 minutes, I was on my way again.

I knew what the loop had in store for me and took the same approach during the second loop. It was tough, but I got through the hills and felt better having gotten through them again. After that, I just kept ticking off the miles moving as well as I could - hiking the uphills, running the downs and flats. Somewhere before the halfway point of loop two, I picked up a couple other runners taking the same approach as me. Andrea from Milwaukee and Nate from St. Louis Park. What a difference it made having someone to chat with - it really helped make the miles go faster! After hitting those hills for the second time, we were all pretty wiped out. But working together made it easier and more motivating to run the flats instead of walking. We took any opportunity to hike up the hills we encountered. Discussion flowed easily and I really cannot say enough for the positive impact that had on the end of my race.

With about 3 miles to go, Andrea and I noticed that Nate seemed to have more spring in his step than either of us, so we told him to keep running if he felt like it. He took us up on the offer and cruised off. Andrea and I kept plugging away the best we could and the miles kept ticking away. At some point, she pointed out that we had officially completed 50k. That was a good feeling - but we still had a way to go! With around a half mile to go a friend of Andrea's met us with her kids and ran, walked, hiked the rest of the way in. Finally, I could smell smoke from the fire signaling that we were near the finish. We both picked up the pace a bit and ran into the finish line. What a great feeling! I came in 98th out of 140 runners with a time of 8:36.

A few final thoughts:

• Six weeks was cutting it close with my training for this race, especially given that I lost one of those weeks due to stomach flu
• I need to do more hill work
• I also need to start doubling up on some of the long training runs...20 on Saturday and 15 on Sunday or something like that
• Came out of this race injury free...although, I may lose a toenail
• Real food during the race is the real deal for me - I could see taking a gel late in a race to help with my energy levels for the final stretch, but otherwise give me real food 
• Need to stay on top of hydration...while I wasn't super dehydrated after the race, I could have been better hydrated
• Speaking of food, the aid stations at this race were phenomenal. Well stocked with a huge variety of foods to appeal to all tastes and very energetic and enthusiastic volunteers!
• I am already planning to run this race again next fall. I'll be interested to see if I can improve my time a bit.

Here are a few images from the race:

Cool race bib

Great views along the course. I think this was close to the highest point.

More great views.

Poser.

I ran the latter part of the second loop with these two - Nate and Andrea. It was awesome to share the trails with other runners. It sure helped the time and miles pass more quickly!

I found some knee-deep mud.

My freshly branded finishers award.