u/Duschweizen

Background
I’ve spent most of my time on the roads since I started running in 2022, with a 2:25 marathon PR from winning Richmond in 2024. As much as I enjoy the roads, it’s hard to beat a good trail, and I’ve been spending more time on soft surfaces lately. I won the Seashore 50K back in 2022 and the Taskinas Creek trail half a few weeks ago, so I knew I could go the distance and handle some moderately technical terrain in the heat.

I struggled with injury last year. I tore my left adductor and had sports hernia. I started cycling to stay in shape, but my weekly mileage was limited and my legs gave out at the Bayshore marathon in May. My fitness was improving, so I decided to try something different and race a trail 50K with no pressure. My goal was to have fun and see what I could do. I had the course record of 3:40 in the back of my mind and figured that it might be in reach if I ran smart and my body held up.

The Course
Night Train is at High Bridge Trail State Park in Farmville, VA. It’s an old rail trail, ran as an out and back. The race is flat and fast, but it was hot and in the sun for the first hour or so. The 6PM start means you finish in the dark. Aid stations were well stocked and the volunteers were all really nice. Overall, great atmosphere.

The Race
I started conservatively, settling in between 6:20 to 6:30 pace. I didn’t want my quads to give out or cramp in the heat, which looking back, was the right decision. I cruised through 26 miles, then my calves started cramping around mile 27, and by mile 29 it got tough. I slowed down enough to prevent a full cramp and told myself I could get through the pain for a few more miles.

The last few miles stopped being about time. I wanted to hold onto the lead, but more importantly, I wanted to finish knowing I didn’t give up when it got hard. I finished in 3:29:27, held onto first place, and set a course record.

Gear & Fueling
Shoes were the ASICS Metafuji Trail. The stack and rocker made the pace feel smooth and worked great, though I wouldn’t take them on anything technical.

I wore the Nike ACG Radical Airflow, which got a decent amount of attention. I know it’s overhyped, but it worked great. I felt cool even in 80+ degrees and will definitely wear again.

Fueling was 90g carb mix with 1,000mg of sodium two hours before the race. I took a gel every 4 miles (30g carbs) and ran with a handheld flask for water and topped off at aid stations. That put me around 60g carbs and 400mg sodium per hour. I want to work on increasing to ~80-100g carbs per hour, but that’s a project for the summer, maybe in time for my next 50k in August.

[Race Report] Night Train 50K — 1st OA, Course Record (3:29:27)

Radical Airflow in the wild