My experience at the Masochist: I am still high on the endorphins of the race as I sit here and recount my first 50++ ultra. When JB and I boarded the airplane in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, I had overwhelming self-doubting thoughts that told me I hadn't trained enough, that this was a silly race for me to attempt in the presence of the most talented ultrarunners in the country. I was also nervous for my husband, JB, who was premiering his documentary trailer about David. JB had worked 17 hour days getting ready and I saw him totally wrecked emotionally.

When I met David, Nancy and Krissy the following night, I instantly became more calm. We laughed and shared PCT stories over dinner. These people are as real and kind as people get- David assured me I could finish the race- just keep moving. I remembered those words the next few days.

The pre-race dinner was an eventful night for JB and I: we met so many wonderful people who welcomed us into the Masochist community. With a successful showing of the trailer, I could relax and think only about the race. Those thoughts seemed to linger too long though, as that night's sleep was less than an hour long. I questioned my preparations over and over. The next thing I knew, JB and I were at the Waffle House with the 5:00am hour approaching too fast. JB ordered eggs and to quote him exactly, " a side of 1/4 of the grits you give most people, to go please." With a few laughs and some funny stares, we were on our way to Heritage High.

The start of the race was magical for me. The air was good- not the air you find in Los Angeles- but really good air that my lungs were eating up. In fact, the first 10 miles seemed effortless and things were going well. I especially enjoyed the new scenery unfound in the Western U.S. The tree canopies kept the temperature comfortable all day. JB was far ahead of me and I met several nice runners to chat with along the trail: Jeff and Anstr, thanks for all the kind words and distractingly good conversation. AS 10 was soon approaching and with a few blisters, I was ready for a sock change and a P.B. and J sandwich.

I found my husband at the AS and saw his chest cold had gotten to him. With some duck tape on the feet and gu's to go, we were off up to Buck Mountain. We walked and chatted and ran when we could. Music richocheted off the hills and I was praying to hear the theme song from Rocky- it played loudly as I approached the smiling AS workers. After some dancing and eating and then deciding I was wasting energy dancing, JB and I did some serious running down the hill. When we got to the loop, I recognized my body hitting a wall: this is the distance where my body usually wants to be done with a race.

 Surprisingly, the loop was not too difficult until I saw my husband feeling worse and worse and I was gaining on him little by little- he waved me on and told me to keep going. Leaving him in that loop was hard for me emotionally, because he is usually the one way ahead of me in races. But I had to concentrate on running my own race. I was staying about 45 minutes ahead of the cut-offs and was surprised at that. Miles 43-47 brought a kind of tired I have never felt before. That section I busily chatted with God and I kept looking at my wrist that said " For Grandpa." But the mental focus of finishing was stronger than the pain I felt physicially. The final AS workers told me it was 2.9 miles to the finish. I asked them to look me in the eye and tell me the real number....They laughed and told me they promised it was under 4 miles. I gave a brief " Woo-hooo," and was off running and didn't stop. I saw the "1-mile to go sign" and I couldn't help myself but I was crying like a little baby only because I knew the finish was close. Seeing David at that finish line was like seeing Santa Claus at Christmas with a bag full of toys- I knew I was home and I finally felt like an ultrarunner. Thanks for everything David, Nancy and all the volunteers.

Also- Thanks to my husband for always telling me I could do it and for letting his wife beat him once! We will be back! Sincerely, Jennifer Benna