Rocky Raccoon – 100 Mile Trail Race Recap (Short Report)

Here is the short report for those of you who don't want to read the novella ... (aka the longest race report ever written).

Preparing to Run 100 Miles

• To prepare for a trail race, run trails

• Run the course before the race

• If you are going to run the entire race with someone else, have “the talk”

• Waiting to pack until the last minute is stressful

• If you may have trouble sleeping the night before the race, consider practicing with Tylenol PM or Ambien before race-eve to avoid a sleepless night

Running 100 Miles

• You can eat an elephant one bite at a time (courtesy of Meredith)

• A smile can go a long way to help you relax

• A camera is essential gear

• If experienced 100 mile runners are power walking the hills, it is probably a good idea

• Seeing familiar faces on the trail is fun (so do more trail races to meet more people!)

• Playing games helps to pass the time

• Be prepared to get sick and tired of your staple food

• A good pacer is worth his/her weight in gold

• Peeing a lot and crying are considered normal in an ultra

• Make new friends on the trails and share a few words of encouragement to those you pass

• Sitting down makes you stiff and everything hurts more – so glad I didn’t do this until I was holding my buckle

• Thank those that helped you get to the finish line

Post 100 Miles

• Respect the recovery process, listen to your body, enjoy your accomplishment

• Pick another race!