63rd Annual JFK 50 Mile
I wasn’t going to do this one. I blame Bill Susa. He planted the seed at Miner’s Lady 8 Hour. It’s not hard to sell me on a race I love—especially JFK—that’s like selling heroin to a smack addict. I was trying to stay away from that area for reasons you can easily figure out, but you know what? I love JFK, and I told myself it doesn’t matter. I’ve done the race since 2018 and I’m not stopping.
Registration
I signed up right before the race sold out—that’s how much thought I put into this. My bib was 1848!
At the time I registered, I still wasn’t fully healthy yet. I still had a lot of work to do to be ready both mentally and physically, and I put in a lot of hard work in the gym to the point I was basically living there—falling asleep on equipment, waking up choking in the pool, and burning in the sauna. I was just living off the protein drinks the gym offered.
Somehow I got into maybe the best shape of my life!
So the last couple weeks before JFK, I started posting some fast times. I think it started at the Army Ten-Miler. I could run 6-minute pace somewhat easily. To test this, I did some 5Ks and other road races to get an idea of C&O tolerance, and I was getting PRs.
I’m not showing off—this was a rough fight.
I literally started off at the worst I think I’ve ever been at the start of the year. I had to basically start everything over: sleep (that’s still screwed but I’m trying), food, gym, core, PT, reducing stress, and just really working hard to take better care of myself. I had to get selfish, and I do not regret it.
Okay, I summed up my Rocky-like montage. Back to JFK.
I was extremely nervous going to packet pickup. I hadn’t been around that area since JFK last year and I was seeing ghosts and out of it. I gathered every bit of irrational confidence and actually had a lot of fun at it, and went into the morning nervous but extremely motivated to unleash my new fitness on this race. I also had a lot of family and friends pump me up. I was ready.
Race Morning
I had to get up at like 2:30, leave by 3, to get to Boonsboro by 5:30. You always want to give yourself time with this race—there are lots of people, and it makes parking, bathrooms, etc. tough if you don’t allow time.
I got to Boonsboro Middle School a little after 5:30. I stripped off a lot because it was warm. I had on shorts, a singlet, and arm sleeves. I don’t use a pack for this race—just a bottle and belt. I brought emergency lube, wipes, and 10 Welch’s fruit snacks. This race has a lot of food, but I like to carry some (I messed up not bringing salt, but we’ll talk more later).
Fire Department
I walked past the start and hung out at the Boonsboro Volunteer Fire Dept where I bumped into a lot of friends: Erik Price, Jason Hinerman, and James Robinson. We joked around and took pictures.
Start Line
We started walking up, took more pics at the start, then we all got separated. I spoke to a nice woman with elf ears and some others, then we all said good luck, gave fist bumps, and were off.
Gooooooo
I ran with Jason Hinerman, then James Robinson a bit, then I bumped into my guy the White Watermelon—aka James Bren. I’m usually too slow to keep up with him, so I knew I was feeling good but also nervous about pushing. My confidence isn’t all there, so I’m trying to gauge things, but it’s hard. I guess I just do my go-to and fill the blanks with my irrational confidence swag. But anyway, we had some really good conversations and were joking around. He’s a great person to run with.
The AT
This is where stuff got real sketchy. I don’t switch shoes on this race. I was just wearing carbon-plated road marathon shoes (Hoka Rocket X3, straight out of the box), so I wasn’t trying to do this part fast, but not slow either. I stayed with James as long as I could, bumming salt tabs off him because I’m a jackass and forgot, but I ended up losing him.
It was wet up there and slippery, but I didn’t fall at all. I just tried to be smooth and controlled. I only passed walkers and people going too slow for me to go under 8 hours. Yeah, I said that—I’m going under 8 hours. I felt like the way I was feeling and the way I was progressing on the AT… don’t get too overconfident (this has burned me on this race in the past), but I had great training leading up. I had to believe in myself. Now we’re doing this.
Tragedy
Coming off the AT, we saw some really hurt people, and I was scared if I got hurt coming down Weverton Cliffs it’s game over. Then something started happening—I stopped caring. I ran down joking with the dudes behind me, and the closer we got to the crowd noise, the more my confidence grew. Then when I got off the AT unscathed, I went straight pro wrestler on that crowd. I was so fired up. Don’t just take my word—there’s no audio but watch this; go to 52:16. It’s a tragedy there’s no sound.
On Fire
I was a new man with crazy swag. I owned this race. Usually here I go too hard on the AT and I’m fried on the C&O… nope. I’m hitting good pace, no signs of fatigue, shoes feel amazing on the towpath, and I’m passing everyone.
The C&O used to feel so long, but this year it was quick. I ate constantly, huge smile, joking constantly.
I usually list the aid stations I pass on these reports, but I’m not even going to bother. I was running too quick and just grabbing and bailing, aid station to aid station.
I’m Alone but Not Lonely
I was passing so many burned-out runners. I felt bad because I’ve been there on this race, and you know what? It felt good to be on the opposite side for once!
Met a Friend
I passed someone and said to her, “Are we done with this thing yet?” and she acknowledged she wanted off the towpath. I went ahead, but she’ll come back later.
Santa Is Missing
Okay, I wasn’t going to say anything, but I have to. I was devastated there wasn’t a Christmas aid station this year. I thought maybe somehow I went so fast I missed it!
Taryn
So coming out of the last C&O aid station, my friend from earlier rolled up on me because I was eating red velvet cake, telling spectators I love this sport—I eat cake and you cheer—just being a jackass because I was feeling good. Taryn and I talked about Benicio Del Toro in One Battle After Another. I was so happy I got to talk about movies! We also both discussed how Santa was missing from the race—the cookies—I was legitimately sad. I’m glad I could share.
I went ahead and ran as hard as I could to the end. I wanted off the canal. I got there, got some aid, then walked up the big hill initially on the road.
8-Mile Slog
If you’ve ever run JFK, this part is rough. I slowed down here. Taryn passed me and told me to get it. I was scared about going into Williamsport because I hadn’t been there for a while and I had a lot of history there. I was really in my head, then something just clicked: You are not your past, John. You love this race. Let it all go and finish this. My confidence started coming back. My pace got quicker the closer I got to Williamsport—you can check me on Strava. Everyone I saw on the course I thanked, and I was overwhelmed with joy. I ran faster and faster. I then saw the finish and kept pushing.
I ran across the finish, and a guy I had leapfrogged asked me to record him proposing to his girl! It was amazing and a great way to end an already amazing day. We talked a long time, and I told him seeing that makes me hopeful for the future—for me—it gives me hope!
Cafeteria
We ate some sandwiches, and I saw Blair Petrilli. She gave me a ride back to Boonsboro, and I drove home to see my kiddo.
I found out later I missed finishing in the top 100 among the men by 3 runners.
Sports is a great thing to learn how to deal with real-life struggles. You can do really good but still miss out on something. I ran an 8:06, I think, and I’m so happy—but damn, I wanted that top 100. [Editor’s note: Official results show a time of 8:05:58 for a spiffy 9:41 average mile, 122nd overall and as noted 103rd amongst the male finishers.]
Life
I’ll always think about this one. It was a wild ride, and I’m proud of myself. I’m going to finish in the top 100 men next year. I’m going to go even harder in the gym and take care of myself. I’m never going back to how I was before. I love myself and my life, and I’m going to keep improving. Am I going to run like this every race? Noooooo! But every JFK I’m going all out. And make no mistake—I’m running this race until I can’t run no more.
Even though we didn’t have Santa this year, I’ll never forget this race. It’s a perfect metaphor for the year I’ve had and what’s to come. I’ll never forget it.
Photos
