3:06:03
This is the World Record Ultra-running extraordinaire,
Michael Wardian set last year in December of 2014. The pace per mile equates to
roughly 5:59/6 minutes a mile. To run the time, a runner must split 45.0
seconds every 200 meters for the allotted 250 laps required for a 50k (31.1)
miles while not using pacers or switching directions of the track.
I had heard about this record based on an article that was
published all over the main ultra running media outlets about Michael Wardian
running a World Record 50k on a treadmill while on a cruise ship where he later
found out he just missed the record and 7 hours later attempted a second go at
the record besting the time. An even
more incredible accomplishment. I felt
that with having my first ultra this year at Cayuga Trails 50 at the end of
May, I was looking for an event that I could run without the risk of harming
myself as I did almost a year ago at the Tom B Run 52k in Dryden, NY where I
harmed a ligament that connects into my ankle and was not at full strength for
6 months. In the beginning of March, I
had the idea that I felt I was fit enough to attempt for Michael Wardian’s
3:06:03 50k time and so I prepared. I was able to secure the Ithaca College
Indoor Track with the help of my boss of the Finger Lakes Running Company, Ian
Golden, on Sunday April 19th yet had to start early at 6am due to a
tennis group that uses the facility on Sunday Mornings around 9:30/10am. Most
of my ultras begin around a time as such so it was nothing that I am not used
to. The week leading up to the race went
well. I was able to rest-up on sleep and eat a lot to get my fuel stores ready
for the 6 minute pace.
The Race:
We awoke at 4:30 and then headed out to the Ithaca Indoor
Track Facility. I had all of my gear: Mammut running shorts and Zip shirt, my
pairs of Fits Socks, Tailwind Nutrition, Ultimate Direction 10 oz bottles, my
Karhu Flow Trainers, and my Red Newt Racing/MPF shorts and shirt. We stopped at
Dunkin Doughnuts, grabbed some glazed doughnuts and coffee and off we went. My
fiancé and father and I all arrived at the Ithaca Events Center around 5:40am
just as the lights were coming on. We took to the track. It was exciting to
realize I would be attempting such a crazy idea of running 6 minutes a mile for
31.1 miles (250 laps) around an indoor track.
Ashlee, my fiancé, and my father prepared ourselves with the lap counter
and I went over specific instructions to make the attempt go as smooth as
possible. By 6:05am, I was off running. The sun had yet to come up and it was
not too bad going through the first 10 miles as I went back in my head to the
10 mile indoor track workouts I was running at close to 5:31 per mile on one day and 5:45 per mile the next workout
and felt that this should feel progressively easier. I went through my first
lap in 38 seconds (too fast) but soon settled the pace into a consistent
barrage of 43-44 seconds a lap. I felt
strong yet knew this would be a hard record to get as running 6 minute-flat to
sub-6 minute pace for 31 so odd miles surely would take the wind out of
anyone’s sails. I was running hard but not red-lining it and felt this pace was
something you find when the goal is to run as consistent as possible without
blazing the tempo.
The first 10 miles felt smooth and controlled. I ran most
laps in 44 seconds if not faster. I was on pace and building a cushion of
time. I went through 10 miles near 58
minutes, as I will have to check the books for the exact split. I was feeling
strong. I kept going joking how this was going to take a long time and about
what was I thinking about getting myself involved with such a crazy record. I
took a gel every 35 minutes and used a 10 oz bottle of Tailwind every 6 miles.
I kept my splits consistent. It was a nice thing to have a whole track facility
all to yourself, with your family there to give you the splits and support. I
enjoyed the moment and was staying focused on keeping the pace hot so that I
could relax after the marathon distance and work on my time cushion. That was
my goal—survive through the marathon mark and then surge the last 2 miles. I hit a low point near mile 18. But as
friends started coming into the facility, my sugar levels improved and soon I
was splitting 43 second laps from high 45’s/46’s. It was great to see all kinds of people
checking out what I was doing. Some of the Ithaca College athletic trainers
were up and at it giving me great words of encouragement. I continued to run
around the track, hitting each lap split on pace and running strong though this
was definitely much harder than I thought it would be.
Red Newt Racing/Mountain Peak Fitness Trail Running Team
Gear!
The Race Part II:
I was getting tired at this point (Mile 18-Finish) as the turns had made my arms
clench and tighten up. I spent many laps massaging my arms to have them relax.
I continued my solid pace with some laps at 45-46 seconds but for the most part
I was hitting 44 seconds a lap. In 27 miles of running, I hit over 44 seconds
in the 45+ range 12 times. I went
through the marathon near 2:36 and under perhaps closer to 2:34 but I still
need to calculate my exact time but a PR for me. I was hanging tough taking in
my gels and Tailwind. Soon I felt like I was over-heating a little as my face
felt flushed and my throat felt parched. I motioned to my Father to grab me a
bottle. On the next lap, I received a bottle of Gatorade, which I was hoping
for the Tailwind as that was working incredibly well but I figured I could use
some of the sweet sugar found in Gatorade. Boy was I wrong! After consuming 5 out of the 10 ounces of the
Gatorade, I felt the drink too strong and handed it back. I asked for more
Tailwind. This would be the pivotal mistake. My lap time now became a string of
45 + to 50’s. My body was feeling tired and worst of all; my stomach started
feeling like it was expanding like a blimp. It was BAD! With each passing lap, I began to feel worse
and worse. I still had a chance to beat the time of 3:06:03 but my early lead
was almost out of time. It was with 9 laps to go, I felt so weak, my stomach
forced me to throw up. It was embarrassing. I tried to walk some more but then
I threw up again. And….AGAIN. My race attempt was over. I would finish to
run a PR for myself and as I came so close but always tough to manage 30 miles
to only fail on the last one.
I finished my final lap with a 47 second split. My overall time: 3:16:43!
It was a personal best for the distance and my first time
running an ultra marathon on a track.
Summary:
Michael Wardian’s record for the indoor track 50k is no
joke. The pace of 5:59/6 minutes a mile is RELENTLESS. It is a pace that on an
indoor track you can keep it going but those last few miles are beyond a
struggle. I found this out the hard way.
I learned so much from this run.
I feel that with another attempt in the future that the time of 3:06:03
is within my limits. I came so close
this time and I think that running this event during the winter, in the
afternoon or evening may help my body in terms of being sharp for the
relentless lap times of 44 seconds a lap.
I was very pleased with how though I did not feel fantastic throughout
the run, I was able to run so consistently and even throughout the attempt that
I am impressed with how I was able to run under the record pace yet could hold
my own.
I am so pleased I had the opportunity to run the event. It
was such a wild and crazy experience but it was interesting how running on that
track for so long really exposes your weaknesses as an athlete. For myself, it
is remaining poised the last few miles of a race. I think that if I were to
remain relaxed, perhaps I could have held onto my pace and stomach from
exploding on me. I will let this run sit with me for awhile. I still have more
work to go and would like to focus on the race for a December attempt next
winter. I think by that point, I will be a little wiser and stronger and eager
to go for this record. Who knows though. Maybe Michael Wardian wakes up one day
and runs a new record for the indoor track 50k in 2:52. If so, I will be ready
to give it my best shot!
Thank you to my amazing friends, family, sponsors:
Redfeather Snowshoes, Karhu North America, Craft North America, Boom Nutrition,
Fits Socks, Confluence Running/Finger Lakes Running, and of course
Mammut and Red Newt Racing/Mountain Peak Fitness especially for the
incredible support for this attempt.
Now, I prepare for Cayuga Trails, a 50 mile event that is one of the
most scenic and fun-filled 50 milers I have ever run. Thanks again!
My Splits:
Great run, Cole! Wow. If you do take another shot at it I would love to come down from Syracuse to see it and support you.
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