First Time Running the Silver Falls Trail 50K Ultramarathon

After summiting Mt. Rainier in June 2024, I quickly realized I needed another big objective to sharpen my focus and motivate my training. I decided to sign up for the Silver Falls Trail 50K ultramarathon in November. I love training for ultramarathons. 

My formula is simple: I run as much as my schedule allows and weave in cardio wherever I can—stairwell laps at work, hill walks, and bike commutes. For example, a few weeks before race day, I managed two 1-hour runs during the work week, two 2 or 3-hour runs that weekend, and laps up and down the stairwell at work. I bike-commuted and walked hills to pad the stats. It's hard to justify running more than 8 hours a week with a family, a full-time job, and other responsibilities. Therefore, efficiency is key. I approach every workout with a sense of urgency. 

Building my aerobic base in the weeks leading up to the Silver Falls Trail 50K came at an opportune time. My work schedule was hectic, given the numerous responsibilities and projects I juggled. As a political scientist studying the U.S. presidency, presidential elections tend to be a busy season. Running is most valuable during periods like this. First, running is therapeutic. After a long day of work and chores, I like to go for a night run to decompress. Second, moving your body vigorously is essential for physical health, especially if you work in an office job that is largely sedentary. Third, I find that the endurance I build physically translates to endurance in other aspects of my life. I'm seeking more than maintenance when I’m training for a race. Instead, I use the process to elevate my physical conditioning. The spillover benefits of this process positively affect essential functions in a range of domains. 

I trained mostly on Spencer Butte, and it was glorious. From my house, I can run to the top of the butte and back in less than two hours. Standing at 2,058 feet, Spencer Butte is the highest point in Eugene and a convenient way to get some elevation. Running up a mountain (or Butte) is a very efficient way to train. I think I’ve summited it over 30 times this year. 

Silver Falls State Park is about an hour and a half away from my house. I decided to drive alone to the park the morning of the race. Since the race started at 7:30 a.m., I needed to wake up at around 3:30 a.m. It was an early start, and I always find it difficult to go to bed early enough to adjust to the change. Nevertheless, I made it to packet pickup without any issues.

I came to this race prepared. I broke down my packing list into three categories: race essentials, clothes, and after-race. The race essentials included anti-chafe balm, vaseline, trail shoes, food/fuel, and a hydration pack (no water cups at aid stations). As far as clothes, I brought a cap, neck gaiter, gaiters, a light mid layer, lightweight windbreaker, sweat-wicking shirt, shorts, toe socks, and compression socks. Finally, I brought sandals, dry socks, a sweatshirt, sweatpants, a t-shirt, and underwear for after the race. More than once, I spread everything out and marveled at the assortment. After one last gear check, I grabbed what I needed and put the rest in my car. It was time to run.

The race started at 7:30 a.m. on the dot. Initially, I was confident. I felt strong and in shape. Usually, I’m cautious at the beginning of races, only increasing speed as I grow familiar with the trajectory of the race. Attempting to go against type, I actively quickened my pace from the beginning. I charged up hills and ran faster on flats. I was running strong, but I was distracted and downcast. I expected a joyous time, but an hour into the 50k, it was merely fine.

I was thinking about all the time I poured into training and running. Coming to the race alone made me question whether it was worth it. The logistics made bringing the family impractical, but I still missed their presence. It was rainy, cloudy, and cool. For the first part of the race, it was hard to see the beauty in my situation.

However, as time passed, I regained my composure. I kept running. After a while, I saw a beautiful waterfall. And then another and another. I started to deeply breathe in the cool, moist air—so fresh it felt like a gift. The countless trees towered over me as I darted in between them, tiny to their tall. 

Then, I was pushing myself. Running hard up hills, whizzing downhill, pushing the tempo on flats. The race was on. I made short stops at the aid stations, carefully monitoring my salt intake (more salt!). I found my trail mates at this stage of the race. We kept passing each other at various points.  Healthy competition brings out the best in me. They inspired me to compete.
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At the end of the race, I was feeling great. I picked up the pace. I always aim to FINISH STRONG. I sprinted the last half mile to complete the 2024 Silver Falls Trail 50k in 6 hours, 45 minutes, and 42 seconds. I was delighted by the experience. The 31.34-mile course delivered over 4000 feet of elevation gain, a considerable amount for a race this length. I started wobbly, pushed hard, and ran through the finish line. Success is more than crossing a line by a certain time or winning a medal. The real victory manifests as greater self-understanding. My experience as an athlete enriches my perspective and gives me valuable tools, such as focus, endurance, and consistency, to navigate the challenges and opportunities for the rest of my life outside of sports.