First-time 50k-er Tip 2: This Loop Changes!

"There is a certain relief in change, even though it be from bad to worse! As I have often found in travelling in a stagecoach, that it is often a comfort to shift one's position, and be bruised in a new place."~Washington Irving

While the first tip dealt with the necessity of building walks into your run of an ultramarathon, especially one taking place on hills as this one is, today's tip addresses the layout of the course itself. Some background first: my least successful marathon run-to-date was on a loop course... a very short 1.5 mile loop in Dublin, Ohio. For some reason, I got snake bit by the continuous looping nature of the suburban course, passing through scenery which never changed.

The advice left by "Newbie" on Rochester Running Page's community message board, offers the following insight to the course:

"The 10K loops bring you back to your own personal aid station every 1 to 1.5 hrs... The scenery changes as the day goes on. Hikers, dogwalkers & equestrians come & go as do the 5,10 & 20K runners later in the morning."

Of course, I've known all along that the 50k course was simply repeats of a 10k course (significantly preferable to 10 5k loops!), but I am glad to hear that while the rugged nature of a trail course requires more concentration, the scenery will change, allowing for a more diverse visual trip and stimulating "ride."

Of course, as the Washington Irving quote above suggests, be careful what you wish for as, while change may be exciting, it is often not without bruising!

Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!