Great Cranberry Island 50K report:
Where is this island? Off Mount Desert Island of the coast of Maine. How long is this island? 2 miles long. The cool thing about this ultra is that you have to have the mental capacity to run up and down this 2 mile strech of road until the 50K distance is complete. I also get to camp on the island. After the race there is a lobster dinner and campfire and camping. I consider that a big part of the overall experience as well. This was my second year completing this 50K. I went there this year with hopes of beating my time from last year. This was my second 50K of the year and I had been training for this. I also had done it before so there no surprises.
First, this race won the video contest held by Runner's World magazine and Run all Night Productions as "the Best Race Ever"! I will post the video next.
This year was particularly hot! I had a really hard time. I don't know why either. I had trained for it. I was prepared. I ate everyting right and wasn't tired. There is a saying, "every dog has it's day" that was not my day. BUT, I love the island, I love the people, the race director, Gary Allen, is awesome and so is his assistant, Mary. I got to meet Gary's brother, Larry, who made me feel right at home and opened up a whole new world of island living for me. I met runner's and their family's from all over the US. We all had a bonding experience and enjoyed our lobster dinner and beers after our accomplishment. I left the island with some great memories, my first belt buckle medal, my tent and backpack on my back and another adventure complete.