Six Days at the Fair
5/13/2024 - 5/19/2024
Random thoughts and numbers from a sleep deprived runner
Off on our adventure. Jess planned to run the 24, 48, and 72 hour races for 3 hundreds. Me I just wanted to complete the six day and not get injured. Three days at the fair happens at the Sussex county fairgrounds in Augusta, New Jersey. We took the long flight across the country and shopped for groceries and managed to get to our RV on site early. We unpacked and set up everything we would need for six days of running. Of course we forgot a few things so when our friends arrived to set up camp we were fortunate to have Linda take us to the store for last minute items. Then we had pre race dinner with friends with Linda, John, Darlene and John’s girlfriend. Thanks to our New Jersey friends who take good care of us we were ready to go for the 9 AM start the next morning.
I try to take some notes as I go because trying to recall things after six days of running is difficult especially when you are averaging two hours of sleep a night. I do like numbers so that is what I keep track of to help me compare efforts on similar distance races. You will see a lot of numbers below.
I was looking forward to the six day for a few reasons as I was going to get to see some people I really enjoy and some people I am so impressed with. They are excellent runners and most are older than me. Of course I also met new people and it is fun to encourage them and feed off their excitement of running. I also loaded up my collection of online books to listen to and managed to listen to five books over the course of the week.
So here are the random, somewhat organized thoughts of a six day runner.
Half 2:44
Marathon 5:50
50 miles 12:10
Slower than usual and it’s okay bc it’s a six day race
Taking a wee break to get clothes on for the night, change socks and shoes, relube feet
So far so good
Finished one book, then listened to music
Took it easy in the heat of the day, then when sun went down got kind of a second wind, ran some faster miles, felt good
5 am, at 74.5, taking some time off the feet
I think I have enough time to rest for 45 min to an hour and still get in the 80s for days one
Finished day one in first place with 83 miles but don’t get excited as this is a six day race and the young-uns will get me.
Numbers
Day one, 83 miles, no sleep
Day two, first 12 hours, 27
Day two, second 12 hours, 17
44, or 127 total, crashed hard for one hour at some point, I needed it
Day three, 157 total
First 12 hours, 30, fuckin rain all day, on and off with the poncho
Second 12 hours, 18, slept some, squeezed legs (I brought my leg squeezers and they really helped with tired and sore legs)
48 for day 3
Total is 175
Trying to get more during the day so I can sleep some at night
Feet hurt
Rain has subsided but now the wind is windy
Still in shorts so the temp is good, brought all the socks and almost used them all, especially liked the new pair as it is so soft on the feet
Caffeine makes a runner go, having some coffee and hot cocoa powder with almond milk
Gonna start my fourth book and it is a comedian
Hundred mile time, 31:05:50
Took a break right before finishing 100 miles so I could have had a sub 30 hour, but really that doesn’t matter as much as getting rest when I need it as this isn’t a hundred mile race, more like 300 plus.
Day 4
Windy
Right before 3 pm, squall, pouring rain
I had planned a break off my feet and was going to sit in lay back chair that had finally dried out….alas not to be. The rain soaked me and the chair.
So I head into trailer and wolf down a vege burger and potato chips, who knew I was that hungry. I guess I’m a bit behind on calories.
I am now taking breaks every five miles, I get 8-10 minutes of sitting with my feet up
It helps but the feet are still screaming at me
Jess is happy, she has 20 pain free miles, a debilitating injury took her out of the 48 hr event. She has been resting and icing and waiting…waiting for her chance to run. Runners don’t like to wait and I can see this driving her a bit mad having to be off course. However, she is handling it well, chatting with others and being good at procuring things I need.
Birds are loud, oh it’s sunrise
I talk to loud birds to keep it down so I can hear my music
Dog, bark, scare, run
More numbers
Day 4, total 225
Which means 50 for the day
Daily mileage, 83, 44, 48, 50
I brought a different set of clothes for each day and tried to match my shirt with my shorts. It has been fun changing each day and a wet wipe shower has helped keep the stink down. I will eventually shower on day six. I know that is gross but it is a waste of time if you are just going to go out and run again. Brushing teeth is a must and is almost the most refreshing thing I do.
Listened to another book, comedian with quite a life story
3 other gals ( Colleen, Stephanie, and Sue) could take first place away from me, they are running well when I see them on the course
They seem to get close, within 6 or 7 miles and then they go sleep or something and I gain a larger gap. For all three of them this is their first six day. Two of them say it will be their last.
As far as numbers go we should all be able to get the 303 buckle, unless any of us give up
I think we are all over 200 miles with two days left
Dog, bark, scare, run (IYKYK)
Day five
First 12 hours, 28
Second 12, 24
Total 277
83, 44, 48, 50, 52
Knees are screaming at me, and they are hot, especially when I lay down to sleep, seems like they stiffen up and only thing I can do is to get up and back on the loop. I’m worried that I’m doing damage and that was the one goal I had, do no harm as six days are good at harming me. So I phone a friend, and that friend is Van and ask her advice. She says the inflammation is gelling and that is why when I sleep it starts to ache more. At least that is what I got out of conversation as she probably said more but my brain is on low functioning capacity due to lack of sleep. She suggests I work on range of motion before I try to sleep and that seems to help. I got some ice bags and use those when I sit for a rest. She also said if it is both knees then it is likely nothing major which relieves me. Later I get a three hour nap and the pain subsides greatly.
I have a few special moments on the course when fasty people challenge me. Cindy S. And I ran fast for a bit. I ran fast for a bit after “dog”. So I know my legs can still run late in the race. In fact the big learning is that the little runner shuffle hurts less than walking. I think I did more of that this time than any of my other six day events. Legs are good probably because of this.
Dog, bark, scare, run
Day six
First 12 hours, 27
Second 12, 16
Total. 320
83, 44, 48, 50, 52, 43
Socializing a bit more on the loop as I’m going slower and taking time to walk with others. This is my favorite part of the race. I try to get all the miles early so I can enjoy the time with friends, work before play. Some of the conversations are a little silly. I have a small finger puppet hand that I often pulled out of my pocket to give people high fives on the out and back. Smiling runners get all the miles.
The fair comes alive on Saturday. There was a horse show, Saturday market or arts and crafts fair, and construction. All good distractions for tired sore runners.
Had a good sleep, three hours
Inflammation in knees lessened due to sleep
Sleep cures hot knees
Jess’s new title is procurement specialist
First she snags some cups and bowls from the hotel to use in our Rv for the week
Then she manages to order out and pick up Mexican food for us while she is off the race course
Then, lacking caffeine, she manages to procure instant coffee for tired runners
At the end of the race, No Ubers or lyfts would pick us up from the fairgrounds so Jess manages to get a private car
Quite amazing
Procurement specialist and darn proud of it, too bad I didn’t get a picture of her holding the coffee in the air for the win. It was classic cray cray Mess Jullen.
Fourth year I have attended this event, 3DATF
In 2014 I ran the 48 hour and got my PR of 151 mile, won the event
In 2021 I ran the 6 day and got my PR of 358, 4th place (strong women’s field)
In 2023 I ran the 48 and 72 hour events and won both with 141 and 172 miles, total 313
In 2024 I ran the 6 day event and won it with 320 miles
Suffice it to say that this race and venue has been good for me
Six days are hard. And then you are in pain, difficult to sleep after as everything hurts. The nerves give you those painful jabs in your feet, zingers really, if you know you know. I bet the rookies who all got over 300 will be going through this pain today and think never again. Give it time, they will be back.
I have decided that six days should only be experienced every few years as they are quite challenging and hard on the body. I do enjoy the silliness of it all but I also enjoy 100 silliness and it doesn’t take nearly as long to recover. I am 4 for 4 of being over three hundred miles in each of my 6 day events. I even was over 300 miles for a five day event. For some reason I do well at this long stuff. And I have to remember to live to run another day. Some would say less is more, so less 6 days in my future.
More stats
70th run of 100 miles or more
467th run of a marathon or more
Thank you Jess for putting up with my blank stares when you were voicing strategy. My mind just couldn’t always respond. But I get it. Thanks also for putting up with my stinky self. Glad to share these cray cray experiences with the famous Mess Jullen.
Hill Judson