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and that I was out for the 100k and put me down as a 100 miler. They explained to me that if I didn't finish the 100 miles they wouldn't give me a 100k belt buckle award but I would get a DNF ( did not finish ) because I was no longer a 100k runner but a 100 miler.. I said " I understand" and filled my camelback with Gatorade and peanut butter and jelly and took off back to the run

Mile 50 to 75 wasn't actually as bad as I thought it would be.. It was the first time that I didn't have anyone to talk to while running - but I did have the IPOD and that 25 miles seemed to fly by I get into the mile 75 aid station at around 10:30pm I have been running since 6am that's a looooooong day. But surprisingly I was still very optimistic about finishing the race within the 24 hrs they give you

Now mile 75 to 87.5 that was a bitch ! You had to be at 87.5 by 2am or they would take you off the course.. Its about 1:13am and I was near mile 85 and I really started to go into a severe depression.. They had given me flashlight headgear that went dead on me so here I am in the middle of the night, been running for nearly 20 hrs, my feet are bleeding from my toenails,and its pitch black out My IPOD battery had died as wellI had thrown up 2X Had Gatorade and peanut butter puke all over me. NOT A GOOD MOMENT IN MY LIFE So I had been speaking with friends and family members during the run all day, on my cell phone I decided to call my buddy Matt.. He was still up and told me keep calling him, so I did and he really got me through a run couple of minutes, cause I was convinced that I was never gonna make it to the 87.5 aid station by 2am Got off the phone with Matt and began running again.. got there at 1:45am or so

Mile 87.5 to 100 . I would be sitting here to long typing if I really tried to describe just exactly how brutal that12.5 miles could actually be Every other runner had a pacer there with them ( basically a friend who will run with you in the early morning hours to keep you positive and motivated ) I had no intentions of running for 24hrs that day, so I did not bring a friend. I WAS ALL ALONE !. But having that voice there while your running at 4am really really is a huge help So I decided to do the next best thing and call my sister and brother in law.. They live in Las Vegas which luckily is 3 hrs behind us. So I harassed them a bit at like 4am to hear some encouraging words

I finally crossed the 100 mile mark at 23hrs and 22 minutes. It was still completely pitch black out.. There was still peoples hanging out at the finish line they all congratulated me and said they never thought I would finish in the allotted 24hrs considering how 80% of people don't complete their first 100 in the 24 hours.. so I was extremely happy and proud that I had finished they gave me my belt buckle and I just fell to the floor I literally couldn't get up to get food or a drink - they had to come over and pretty much help me drink and take my shoes off.. I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE FELT THAT TYPE OF PAIN THAT FELT SO GOOD !

Made my way back to the hotel, it was about 6am showered, packed my bag.hit Denny's for a quick breakfast and then off to the airport and back to NJ.. Looking forward to some real sleep.. That was the longest 24hrs of my life !

BUT I LIVE TO RACE ANOTHER DAY !

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