My race report for the Spirit of the Prairie Oct 11th 2008. It is one race that will not be forgotten for a long time. I heard and do now believe the there is an Ultra family togatherness that you just can't find at the smaller races. The post race meal with everyone. Being able to meet some of the people your running with and make a few new friends.Around 120 give or take some at the meal the night before. There was pasta, roast beef, cole slaw, homemade bread, salad and peach and blueberry cobbler.

Home bound one of very few that got to sleep in his own bed to wake up early for the 5 am check in. Even there everyone seeing were the other came from. Where I met a person from twitter and 2 bloggers that I've read. That was very different to see people that you have always read about right there.Race start I found a couple that were doing the 50 mile and from Wichita, Ks and hung back not to go out to fast. During the way met the director for the plains 100 and talked a bit. It was a good easy 5 mile an hr pace. Though the pack was getting spread out as time went on, but keeping distracted with a little commiserating the time and miles flew. Day break came and you couldn't get a better view. Passing the unmanned aide station and going to the manned one you had banana's potato's M&M's salt cheeseit's sports drink water goo's enduralight caplets cookies pretzel's PB&J and or just ask it might be there.

It was clear to see that if nature called there was respect given at anytime because it may be you later. Little after the 2nd aide station fill up of the camel back the first of 4 one shirt had to go. I was warming up getting warmer up to 80. My running weather but not others. I was doing quite well on the last leg to the turnaround feeling the wind picked up and would hit us for a good while coming back on that part I trained for that too. At the turnaround I left the running partner for a faster lonelier pace, against the wind was great and was still strong. I was pretty much alone out there couldn't see anyone then a red speck. So I went to a nice easy pace and never stopped to catch whoever it was. It was a little under 20 mile left when I got him. Stayed for a couple of miles till I figured I could possibly make it under 10 hours.At the unmanned stop I grabbed a glass or 2 of water and he said don't let me hold you up. I told him running off not to worry I wouldn't let him pass me.

13 to go an then the quick fill at the last full service aide station. 8.6 to go it was like 2 laps around the lake that's all I had to do. Just 2 training laps and it was done. A good short quick pace no stopping but it was getting tough out of water and salt the legs were going. Down the home stretch paved road to the finish where the wife was and daughter ringing the cow bell with others as we slowly came in. It was a finish of 9:38:20 for my first 50 miler. It was sweet so sweet and now seemed so easy. My mind can now be at ease from long ago and my reason is done, but I've found another! Find that reason!Looking now for that close 100k or 100 miler and yes I like to over do it!