I Completed the BPN Survive the Night 50 Mile Ultramarathon

Ran my first 50 Mile Ultramarathon at @bpnsupps Survive the Night! November 1st at Bare Ranch was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I couldn’t be more proud. The race had a 12 hour cut-off time, and I’m happy to report I completed 50 miles in 11:19!

The ultramarathon began at 6pm at night and was a 5 mile loop to be completed 10 times during the course of the night. Every 5 miles, you’re back at base camp and can grab more fuel, change headlamps or clothing, use the  bathroom, etc.

In terms of nutrition preparation: I carb loaded the 3 days prior to the race and got in about ~400 grams of  carbs and 2800 calories each day. Since the race didn’t start until 6pm on Saturday night, my goal on race day was to get in another 300-400g of carbs, protein, and minimize fat and fiber as much as possible that day (to hopefully help minimize any GI distress during the race).

During the race, my goal was  to get in 60-90 grams of carbs each hour.

Each hour, I prepped sandwich baggies with 1 gel and then either candy (Nerd Clusters, Gummy Bears, Sour Patch Kids) or things like crackers, pretzels, Gatorade, Squirt, etc. I also packed bagels, pancakes, and tons of electrolytes.

Because there was an aid station at the half way point of each lap and because you ran through base camp every 5 miles, it made things super convenient because you didn’t have to carry tons of food on you. We were also required to run with a water bottle.

Most laps, I had a gel and 20-30 grams of carbs in my pocket, and then would eat another 30-40 grams of carbs each lap when going through base camp.

In terms of race pacing: the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time, so my run goal was simply to keep moving and spend as little time at base camp as possible. Prior to the race, I quantified this as having a 5 minute cap on every base camp stop.

I also knew I had to be careful with pacing: come out too hot the first 25 miles, I’d risk crashing & burning the final 25 miles. Come out too conservative or spend too much time resting at base camp, I’d risk DNF via time cap. So I had to keep moving and chipping away. To run 50 miles in 12 hours basically meant you needed to run a little over 4 miles every hour on the hour.

It’s pretty funny because as a longtime Texas resident, my biggest concern going into the ultramarathon actually revolved around weather and assuming it would be hot and humid (as Texas usually is).

Imagine my surprise when it was dumping rain a few hours prior to start time and temperatures dipped below 50’s in the middle of the night – haha. I actually spent the entire race freezing and being cold (but that’s definitely the better alternative and grateful this was the case!)

The thing I’m most proud of is that there was not a single time during the race that quitting or giving up ever crossed my mind.

As mileage climbed and discomfort continued to set in, I reminded myself “you’ve been through worse. keep going, you’re doing great” over and over.

*If you’re new here, race day fell on my 2 year anniversary of life-threatening health issues and thoracic outlet surgeries. In 2023, I experienced multiple blood clots, was diagnosed with Paget Schroetter Syndrome, and went on to have TOS surgery on each side.

All this to say – I’m incredibly proud, and grateful I can continue to be living proof that rock bottom and tough times won’t last forever.

It won’t be easy, but we CAN pick up the pieces, rebuild, and come back stronger and more resilient than ever.

This year was a banger:

• Orange County Half Marathon
• Brooklyn Half Marathon
• Boston Hyrox Doubles
• Long Beach Marathon
• 50 Mile Ultramarathon

Don’t be afraid to be your own superhero and make yourself proud! I never really thought I’d be interested in running an ultramarathon, but it turned out to be one of the coolest things I’ve ever done, I learned so much about myself, and was so glad I was brave enough to put myself out there and do one.

– Laurie