Run Toto Run 50k Race Report

Justin and I drove to Kansas City, Kansas for the Run Toto Run 10 miler, 20 miler and 50k this weekend. I was dead-set on making it the full 50k, but Justin has had some recent back pain and decided the 10 miler was enough! It was definitely a character-builder for me. The start was in about 6 inches of powdery snow, and I've never run in snow further than my mailbox. Unless it's packed down, it's a lot like running in dry sand. Every step required engaging stability muscles, and my ankles started hurting a couple miles in. During the first two miles, as my feet froze with snow in my shoes and I couldn't find a solid foothold on any step, I seriously considered dropping to the 10 mile or 20 mile options. The course was a 10 mile loop, so runners could easily change their minds on what distance to run. After the first couple miles, though, the snow was more packed and it got easier, and I remembered that we drove all the way to Kansas to run a 50k, so that's what I was going to do! Justin and I ran together the first loop, which was fun. The second loop still had a decent number of people, so I made small talk along the way. For most of the second loop the snow was packed and running wasn't too difficult, at least on the flat parts! The third loop was lonelier, with many people running the 10 or 20 milers. The temperature had risen to around 45 degrees, so the snow was melting and the trails were deteriorating quickly. They were super-slick in places, muddy in others and sometimes just cold, deep slush. Running uphill was hard because with every step up I slid backward. Running downhill was hard because it would be really easy to lose control slip-sliding everywhere! I realized somewhere near the end that I could finish under 7 hours, compared to my previous 50k when I finished around 7:35, so I started trying my hardest to actually run rather than walk and came in around 6:55 (8th out of only 12 female finishers). It was a great experience. Although it was really hard and I couldn't wait to be done, it forced me to dig deep and motivate myself and find an inner strength to keep going. I'm really sore and will be for a few days, but I'm so glad we made the trip and I finished all 50k!

Here's a picture of the start line, with the worst of the deep powdery snow.

Here are some more pictures from the race. It was so much fun!

After the finish...

Between the second and third loops I stopped to chat with Justin. That's the best part about trail races... I'm generally in no hurry to get going!