Race Report - 2010 Delano Park 12 Hour Race

Pre-race dinner and packet pick-up

I went to Decatur the night before the race to pick up my race packet, enjoy the free pre-race pasta dinner and to check out the actual race course. I knew the location of the park, but I had never actually been there. Luckily, I only lived 45 minutes from the race location. I got to the park around 6 PM and a few other runners and race volunteers were already busy setting up for the start of the race the next morning at 6 AM. I assume some of the work involved trying to clear the 10 foot wide trail from some of the water puddles that had formed as a result of the extensive rain that had fallen all week. I quickly realized that this trail would not require actual trail shoes but that road shoes would suffice. I also noticed that while the course did consist of a one mile loop, it had somewhat natural curves into both directions so it would not feel like I was running in a circle. After putting my mind at ease and deciding where to park the next day, I made my way to the location of the race packet pick-up and carb dinner that was being held at a local church two blocks from the race start. Since I got there relatively early, there were only about 20 people at the dinner and I ended up sitting with a couple of runners from Georgia, who were both accomplished ultra runners, unlike me. Still being a novice ultra runner, I was eager to ask some questions about strategies for a 12 hour ultra race. There were two things I distinctly remember from this conversation. First, never sit down during an ultra unless you are finished. Second, run a steady pace for the entire race. In other words, don't go out hard early only to fold later in the race. Instead, keep the same pace for the entire race. I took both of those tips to heart and integrated them into my race plan, if you can call it that. After dinner, I went back home to pack my gear and call it an early night. However, my mind kept thinking about the race and that led to me worrying about the amount of sleep I would get, since I would have to get up at 4 AM. One thing I had learned was to get plenty of sleep two nights before a race in anticipation of a short pre-race night, so I had that part covered.

Pre-Race Report - 2010 Delano Park 12 Hour Run

The Delano Park 12 Hour Race in Decatur, Alabama is just a little over a month away and I figured I'd provide a quick update. While I initially mainly registered for this race out of curiosity, I now have multiple other reasons to participate and to try to do well, personally and mileage-wise. First, shortly after I registered for this race, I was "invited" to participate in a really cool ultra marathon, the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal (Kiel Canal) 108K Run. I figured a 12 hour race would be great preparation for this type of event. Also, I decided to associate myself with a worthy cause for the 12 hour race, Team ACS (American Cancer Society) in honor of my grandmother, a two-time cancer survivor herself. I hope to raise awareness as well as funds to further the research to find a cure for cancer. So far, a lot of friends and family have already stepped up and graciously donated money upfront. Some brave folks decided to take me up on my challenge to match every lap (1 mile) I finish during these 12 hours with a 1 dollar donation. It is my goal to run 50 miles for this worthy cause. Please feel free to participate and support this cause by visiting my personal Team ACS page.