Pushing Limits: My 50K Ultramarathon Experience

Ever wondered what it’s like to run an ultramarathon? Well, I recently tackled the ‘Tackle the Toad’ 50K race in Nelson, and let me tell you—it was a wild ride! From steep trails and wildlife encounters to unexpected challenges, this journey was tougher than I expected, but incredibly rewarding.

In this blog, I’ll take you through my experience, the highs and lows, and how I managed to cross that finish line. Plus, I’ll share how Tula, my incredibly fit 13.5-year-old dog, joined me on some of my training runs, proving that age is just a number!

Curious to learn more? Keep reading for the full story, and get a sneak peek into my recovery process and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

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Running the Tackle the Toad Ultramarathon: My Journey and Lessons Learned

So, here I am—still alive after completing a 50K (31-mile) ultramarathon! It happened this past Saturday in Nelson, during an event called ‘Tackle the Toad.’ The race started at 6 AM, and just after that, a photographer up ahead was bluff-charged by a Grizzly. Fortunately, all 100 runners had already left, so we missed that excitement!

The Race: Steep Hills, Long Trails, and a Squirrel Encounter

The race took us on quite the journey. We ran uphill for 7 miles, climbing steep hiking and mountain bike trails, then downhill for 8 miles. After that, we headed back up for another 3 miles, down again for 3 more, up for a long 6 miles, and finally finished with 4 more miles downhill.

Throughout the race, I kept my energy up by consuming gels, bars, and drinking fluids with electrolytes every 30 minutes. Let me tell you, that’s a lot of sweet honey!

I ended up finishing in 7 hours and 40 minutes. The trails were absolutely gorgeous, with towering trees, soft paths, and breathtaking views from high above. My only wildlife encounter was when a squirrel ran straight into my running shoe, bounced off, and then squeaked at me, clearly not impressed.

Why Do I Do This?

You might be wondering—why put myself through this? Well, I love running, I enjoy challenging myself, and being out in the forest is my form of meditation. It gives me time to clear my mind and reconnect with nature. Tula, my 13.5-year-old dog, was with me on most of my training runs, and let me tell you, she’s incredibly fit. She led me on our longest run together of 12 miles—must be all the great supplements she’s on!

How Am I Feeling Now?

Right now, I’m feeling sore—especially my muscles. Walking down the stairs is a challenge, though walking on flat ground isn’t as bad. Running for such long distances causes muscle breakdown and swelling, so recovery is key. No running for me this week! I’ve got a massage today, physiotherapy tomorrow, and I’m focusing on good food, hydration with electrolytes, sleep, and some anti-inflammatories.

After the race, I took oral CBD and Ibuprofen, and I also used topical Voltaren. The next day, I took another Ibuprofen in the morning, along with CBD. I avoid NSAIDs at night because they can delay healing—remember, inflammation is crucial for muscle repair.

This morning, I’ve stuck with the CBD topically and orally, and I’m keeping active with some light walking. Tula needs her three walks a day, and walking helps move the lactic acid out of my muscles. It’s the best way to keep my recovery going.

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Would I Do This Again?

Well, during the race, when my quads cramped on the longest downhill, I really questioned my life choices! But I kept taking in more fluids, electrolytes, and food, slowed my pace, and the cramps eventually passed. By then, my goal had shifted to simply finishing the race without burning out—and I made it.

So, would I do it again? Probably. I’m already wondering about tackling a 100K in the future!

But for now, I’m just grateful to have crossed that finish line with my wife and daughter by my side.

The Point of It All

The biggest takeaway? Do what you can, while you can. And if you can bring your pets along, even better. Tula absolutely loves the trails and is always on the lookout for the next squirrel!

This is a personal challenge for me. As a kid, I was terrible at sports—I was the “STATS kid" on the basketball team. But in university, I was encouraged to start running, found that I had some natural talent, and started running trail races. Now, 38 years later, I’ve just completed the longest distance I’ve ever run. And that feels pretty amazing.

So, thanks for being part of this journey with me. Whether it’s running, spending time with my pets, or enjoying life’s challenges, I’m grateful for the support and for being able to share this with all of you.

I hope you have a fantastic day!