Bagram50 Miler

Bad news first, I did what I normally do when I run a self-organized ultra, the opposite of what I know I'm supposed to do. I didn't eat the way I do when I run at other events nor, did I hydrate the way I'm supposed to. About the only thing I did right was electrolyte replacement and finish the run.

Now for something on the lighter side of things.

I finished my first 50 miler in 9:13:09 at Bagram Airbase Afghanistan. Over the entire run I improved both my 50k and 40mi. times by more than hour each. And just finishing the 50 miles gave me a PR for that distance. I felt really good for the first 3 laps and decided to push the pace and in the end I paid for not sticking to my game plan.

I had a friend run with me for the first lap but he was only able to stay with me for the first 3.5miles. I came around my first lap inside the 8 to 9 min. mile pace which I know is way too fast for me. I kept it up for the next 2 laps and finished the Marathon inside of 4 hours. Not too bad with almost another marathon to go.

I picked up a pacer for the 4th lap, an Air Force guy that my crew had recruited to run with me. He was training for a marathon and used the chance to get in a long run. It was my last long lap and he stayed with me for another short lap of 7.5 miles. I ran the last 7.5 with guys from my team.

I was walking most of the last 14 miles but would push myself to run what I could. Like I said I didn't follow my game plan and now I was paying for it. With the finish line in sight I forced myself to run as best I could and crossed the finish line at just over 9 hours. My goal was a sub-9 Western States qualifying time but, it was not to be. Asphalt isn't my favorite running surface and this run made me long for the days of tree civered trails back in North Carolina. I've only got a few more months before I go home and get to get back to work on the trails.

I'm really excited about the end result of the run but, more than anything I was able to raise $1470 for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. I would like to thank all of the people who donated and I will be planning another run for charity later this year.

Before I leave Afghanistan I will be running Marathon at Bagram for the hell of it. I'm hoping to improve my time from the 50mi. Much love to everyone that donated, gave encouragement, and most of all the guys here that helped me accomplish a very important goal in my life. I don't know anyone who has run an Ultramarathon in Afghanistan so, until I find someone who has I guess I can say I might be the first.

So, if you havn't been to my facebook page you probably don't know that I am about to run a 50 miler here in Afghanistan to benefit the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. I have to admit that there are selfish reasons for wanting to run an Ultramarathon in Afghanistan, most people would be lying if they said there wasn't. But, I really do support this charity and since I would be running the 50 miles regardless I figure I should go ahead and make it productive while I'm at it.

I was intent on running an ultra for my birthday while here since before we deployed and, my NCOIC said that it wouldn't be a problem for me to do so. The original plan was to run 29 miles for my 29th birthday but, that just seems a bit lacking in originality. So the idea for a 50 mile run was bornbecause I can't stand to halfass anything. So I added 21 miles to it just to get 50. No real reason just wanted to one up my best friend Tim.

So over the past 3 months of deployment I have run 597 miles in preperation and tonight I will run another 3 just to get 600 miles for the year. I really think that this is going to be my most memorable ultra so far and for a while to come. Not many people can say they have run an ultramarathon in Afghanistan, can they? I will be able to say that in just about 6 days. So there you have it, my selfish reason.

Just don't forget that there is more to this that just me being able to one up a friend. I have so far raised $1110 dollars for the SOWF and plan on doing more over the coming year to raise even more money for them.

If you would like to contribute to this wothy charity or would like to find out more about the Special Operations Warrior Foundation go to;

www.firstgiving.com/bobbyloyd

Thank you for reading and I hope there is more to come in the near future. And if you even consider donating thank you for your support.

So I've been out here in Afghanistan for a month and a half and it's been really good for my running and me in general. I quit smoking 3 weeks ago and all of my run times have dropped drastically. My resting heart rate has dropped to 47 BPM and I feel great. My running hit a bit of a wall this week but, I took 48 hours off and got back to it.

Since getting here I have put in just about 150 miles so far. The total for the year is 169 miles. Not bad for a month and a half. If I keep it up I should be able to put in just over 600 miles while I'm here. If I can put that in I should be right on track to break 1000 miles for the year.

The plan right now is to get my fitness up so that I can do 29 miles for my birthday in May which, barring any injury, I should be able to do. All of this though is to make sure that I ready for my first 50 miler when I get back home and also to help me prepare for the JFK 50 Miler in November. I've got 4 ultras on the schedule for next year which I may of may not increase, we'll see.

I will also be running 2 of those races ( Hinson Lake 24 hr. Classic and JFK 50) for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, so if you would like to donate I will be posting the specifics here and on my space and face book.