Nanny Goat 100: 100 Miles on the Nanny Goat Ranch

Lea Reyes (HF16015, DA2891, MM13731) – #11 Ultra. 1st 100 miler. Nanny Goat. Shelli Sexton race Director.

Let’s talk about it.

The Nanny Goat is an ultra in Riverside on a ranch. It has a 12 hour, 24 hour, and 100 mile single or with a relay option running a one mile loop for your goal distance. It’s a running family and friends community with lots of horses, goats, dogs, roosters, and a pop belly pig. Kids were running laps with their friends or family, which I loved to see.

The loop starts at the barn, you pass the aid station, you run down a shaded area, where everyone is tented up with their personal aid stations, music playing, family, and friends hanging out to support their loved ones. We make a right turn onto a road out and back where more supporters are hanging out, and then we head to the front of the ranch under shaded trees, a little bit of grass and then back on the ranch. Some may think this is boring but when you have as many supporters as we did it’s an unforgettable event. Plus you have the opportunity of talking to others, hearing their stories, and meeting new friends.

100 miles you say. Who in their right mind created this event. Let’s go run 100 miles. Who says that??? Why? So many questions were going on in my head. I switched from the 12 hour to the 100 miles six weeks ago. I knew I could go the distance. I was more concerned about the time. I had to hit 80 miles within 24 hours and not being on my feet more than 52 miles in a single shot had me a little concerned.

I was all set up and had everything I needed. Woke up at 4 o’clock. Left my hotel room and was at the ranch by 5:15. I wanted to make sure I had a good parking spot behind my set up so that I could easily change after every marathon to feel refreshed and rest when needed. I felt great in the morning and most of the afternoon until the sun came out and it got too hot. I started feeling sick, dizzy, body was tripping out, and I couldn’t keep the electrolytes down. I have to figure that out. I ran out of ice so I called DoorDash. Best $22 I’ve ever spent for a 20lb bag of ice. I switched to water and I had a lot of protein shakes and caffeinated spice chai from Trader Joe’s. I ate a lot of fruit, tons of potatoes with salt, and two popsicles. Once the evening came, I felt much better. Much cooler. I had to lay down and rest for about an hour and a half the first time. Felt better after some rest and was able to run again. Kept going until the morning and made the cut off by 22 minutes.

Had to rest again for another 40 minutes after I hit 80. There were no more long breaks after that except a five minute sit down here and there. I kept counting the miles and time in my head knowing there was a 30 hour time limit. I knew I had to pick it up, but I was beat. My feet were hurting bad and I had to use my poles for the last marathon and those really helped to keep me steady. I kept getting closer and closer, but everyone else was way ahead of me and I was freaking out that I still had a half marathon to go.

Everyone that was left still rooting you on, pacing with you, filling your pain, but they were very encouraging every time you passed them. The last half marathon I was picking up pace. Got in my groove, jogged and ran in different areas and just kept moving. I started passing people who were miles ahead of me, but they too were beat and walking. I saw that as an opportunity to pick it up faster and keep going.

As I got closer, I told myself I will never do this again. One and done. I just had to see if I could. And I did!!!!

100 miles in 29:22:03. There’s something to say about someone who is on their feet for 29 hours. That is resilience, strength, and a mental fight.

I appreciated everyone out there. Saw and walked with some great running friends Natalie Uyeno (great support) met new friends, and had a blast. And thank you Ed Ettinghausen (world record holder) for hanging out to watch the last man standing. Even though you completed your race four hours earlier, you still stayed and supported everyone.

Will I ever do this again? 100 miles, yes! But now my goal is to do it in 24.

Slept 12 hours, two blisters, legs are tired, but overall feel good. Much needed recovery.

What did I learn? I need more miles in my training and for this distance I need to buy four veggie delight foot-long‘s from Subway. That was the best damn sandwich I had after the race. I was so hungry and than took an hour and a half nap under a tree before I headed home.

Next up.

RNR San Diego 5k and marathon

Happy running!