Those who can't...volunteer?

This weekend will be a first for me: I'm going to volunteer at my first ultra! This is the race:

It's the second year of this race and I wanted to run it last year, but I was throwing a bridal shower that day and couldn't fit in a 6 hour run. Last year it was in July and it was over 100 degrees by the end of the race, so they moved it to May this year. I had mentally planned on running it (if I wasn't pregnant yet) and since obviously the ship has sailed on that, I still want to be involved. Every time I've run an ultra, I've been amazed by the volunteers. They give up a whole day to help others achieve the crazy goal of completing a distance further than a marathon and they are such a key part of being able to run those distances.

I'm probably too selfish to ever volunteer instead of running if I'm capable of running the race, so now seems like the best time. I actually asked my husband if he thought I could/should run and he looked at me like I grew a second head. In my defense, you don't HAVE to run over 26 miles in this race. No matter how far you go, after 6 hours...it's over. Also, I thought it might possible way back when I was like 5 weeks pregnant. It seems laughable now.

So aerodynamic. Built for speed!

A few people from my running club are doing the race and even have lofty goals of hitting 36+ miles in the race. It's a tricky race because it's a 4.1 mile loop, but partial loops don't count so at some point near the end you have to decide to just stop or try to squeeze in another. I'll be manning the aid station (because it's a loop, they only need one food aid station) so that means I'll be close to the bathrooms and most of the time I get to sit down in front of an all you can eat cookie buffet. Also, the volunteers are allowed to run a loop whenever they want so I can still run...but just a reasonable pregnancy amount, not the distance my crazy ultra brain wants.

Since the race is so long and it's an hour and a half away from home, I won't be bringing my little running fan with me. She'll have to stay home with my husband, but he's more fun than me anyway.

Daddy shows me how to play sports

Mommy doesn't even know how to dribble and walk. 

My husband was remarking how boring this race must be for the runners since it's on a 4 mile mostly paved path, but I can't really refute him since I've never done a timed race. I think it would harder in a way to push yourself since in most races, you aren't done until you get there but in this case...you'll be done at a certain time no matter how slowly you go. One of the 50Ks that I did was 3 loops and I swear by the 3rd loop the woods looked new to me. I do prefer courses that feel like you're going somewhere, but after a few hours of running, I generally stop caring about stuff like that. The only part that would really make me sad is that lack of excitement of coming across an aid station and wondering "What delicious food will they have at THIS one??" since it will be just the one aid station.


Would you ever do a timed race on a loop course?