Stephanie Howe answers a few questions after finishing the Flagline 50K race in Bend.
Central Oregon Athlete – Was this the longest race you’ve ever done?
Stephanie Howe – Yes! I had run a road marathon about 5 years ago, but most of my races are 10k or half-marathon length. I have raced some 50k ski races, but they take about half the time to complete (2-2 ½ hrs) and are not nearly as hard on your body as running 50k.
COA – Had you ever run that far before?
SH – No. Ha. Yes, my first time running 31 miles was at USATF 50k trail nationals. Nothing like doing something extreme for your first time! It took me 4 ½ hours to complete the race. I have done some long runs before, but nothing longer than 2 ½ hours at training pace. Running an extra 2 hours, at race pace, is HARD!
COA – What made you decide to do it?
SH – I saw the course map & loved the terrain. It was all on single track and HILLY! I love hills, especially running up them! It was also a challenge to me. I like to test myself and see if I can do things that most people think are completely insane! It was definitely not the brightest idea to try to race a 50k the weekend after racing a half marathon, with a sore hamstring (I couldn’t run at all the day before the race), and having never run that distance before. But that’s part of the reason I raced- I like a challenge and I like pain. Also, my boyfriend decided to race and I couldn’t let him have all the fun ☺
COA – Did you get some advice from ultra runners before doing the race?
SH – Not really. I pretty much just winged it. I knew to start slow and keep it controlled, but I had no guidance on how to race an ultra.
COA – What was the biggest surprise about a race of that length?
SH – How hard the last few miles were! I reached a point where I was less than 2 miles from the finish and didn’t think I could physically move my body that far. It’s amazing how you can go from feeling so good to feeling like you are going to die. I saw one of my friends, Lea Julson, out mountain biking on the trails close to the finish. She was cheering for me and I told her I thought I was going to die. She assured me the finish was close and I was going to make it. It’s also amazing how irrational your mind becomes. I kept having all these weird random thoughts going through my mind that didn’t make any sense. I was almost in a dream state or having some kind of hallucinations. It was bizarre!
COA – What was the hardest part?
SH – Eating and drinking enough while racing. I have a really hard time eating while running hard. In a race this long it is REALLY important to replenish with enough calories while you are racing. I had a hard time eating anything. I was able to eat half a gu pack and some cliff shot blocks, but that’s about it. That is definitely NOT enough for a 4+ hour race. I hit the wall at mile 26, and I’m pretty sure I was glycogen depleted from not consuming enough earlier in the race.
I didn’t decide to do the race until the day before. If I had known I was going to race I would have prepared a little better: made sure to eat more in the days leading up to the race, taper my training a bit, rest & relax, etc. All of those things make a big difference in how your body is able to handle a long race.
COA – What advice would you have for a first time ultra runner?
SH – Start slow. Even if you think you feel good enough to pick it up, WAIT! I felt AMAZING halfway through the race & started hammering. It almost put me under in the end. The last few miles were treacherous & I had to walk a bit. If you feel great, keep running that pace. If you still feel that good with a few miles to go, then put the hammer down!
Also, if you are not used to running hills, walk them. In a race that long it’s better to go a little slower on the hills and be able to conserve some energy. I ran most of the hills because it is one of my strengths in running, but most people would benefit from taking it easy and not hammering the hills.
COA – Are you going to do it again?
SH – Ha. Well, if I do race an ultra again I will definitely train for it! I think I could do well if I put in the time and mileage appropriate for a race of that distance. I was pretty impressed with myself for doing as well as I did with such little preparation, but it would be a lot more pleasant (especially in the days following) if I did some longer runs beforehand.
Stephanie’s Sponsors:
XC Oregon
Lululemon
Sunnyside Sports
