Grandpa Runs

 I ran my 2nd ultramarathon on November 4, 2023  at the  Mountaineer Rumble 50K Race at Kings Mountain State Park, Clover, SC My last 50k was a year before at the WV Trilogy with 4081 feet in elevation and I finished in 8 hours 17 minutes   Link here:   https://grandparuns.blogspot.com/2022/10/2022-wv-trilogy-50k.html I wanted to enter it again this year but it was full when I got around to it so I looked for an alternative and found the Mountaineer Rumble near Charlotte North Carolina. With 2000 feet of elevation it would still be a challenge but nothing like those West Virginia mountains. The entry fees covered a cabin for two nights on the grounds which ended up being very rustic and because of the typical warm climate there had no windows just screens.  the temperature got down below 30 the first night and I slept pretty badly. The race started at 7 AM and there was great support with great aid stations. I began in long running pants and running jacket, but after the first 9 miles

 I have ran the Donna Marathon every year since 2018,  in 2021 it was virtual and I did the half.. 2018 1/2 marathon 2019 4:29:39 2020 4:11:30 6th male 55-59  2021 1/2  virtual 2022 4:06:28  1st male 55-59 2023 4:25:09 3rd place male 55-59 I have been trying to finish under 4 hours and came closest in 2022. I had prepared by adding a lot of core exercises and was doing fine until turning back towards Jacksonville from Ponte Vedra for the last 6 miles and hit a wall of headwind. 14 mph with gusts in the 20’s.. I still managed 4:06 and first in my age group. In 2023 I 2as sleds prepared and finished in 4:25 and 3rd in age group. This year, 2024, I will try again. I have been doing more core work but still not sure I’m ready to go under 4 hours. But, running here is to support the effort to raise funds for research at the Mayo clinic and to support those being treated for breast cancer who need assistance. This is the largest breast cancer fund raiser in the USA with 7000 people participa