Our First Trail Ultra Marathon at Mountain Mist 50k

As a first-time ultra runner I wanted to discover Monte Sano State Park as it came to me. And boy, did I get to know this mountain!!! I hands-and-feet climbed UP A WATERFALL 😱 crawled through a cave, hopped a fence, and ran until my legs felt like my quads were detaching from my femurs. I have never, in my life, said so many times, “what the actual is happening right now!?” 😂 a HUGE thank you to Dink (in this pic with me) for letting me into the race and encouraging me to come. A huge thank-you to Dink for keeping this thing going for 31 years. This is running legends at its most honest. It was dirty, scrappy, mind numbing, and fantastic. What a baptism into the Ultra Trail world! Running a 50k was awesome

[@runninglane]

Great job yall, it was great meeting you both at the finish! Thanks for sharing your experience of Mountain Mist!

[@---lj2ni]

This was great watching a road runner have it handed to him on the trail! Super entertaining. Keep it up tho and the next will go better!

[@rockhollowanimation4601]

Thanks for recording your race with a go pro! 😂 MM demands everyone sit (or fall) down and be humble. Fun to watch a recap I was excited when I heard y’all were coming this year!

[@austinwoods7372]

so awesome!! was great to have y’all here for such a special race to our area!

[@JennyandJasonRUNUSA]

Thanks for having us. It was our pleasure (and pain) 😂

[@spencercox]

Hey I made the video twice! Nice job on the race.

[@laniergreenhaw3115]

Congratulations to you both on a Mtn Mist finish. It’s a special race with special people that show up year after year. Best wishes on your adventurous year!

[@JennyandJasonRUNUSA]

Couldn’t agree more. We saw that and felt that all the way through!

[@chriscarino6006]

Great video! 4 more years till I turn 50 and you’ve inspired me to go for this 50k for it! lol. Loved how you started so confident and we got to watch you fall apart lol. Enjoy your travels. Glad i got to meet you guys at the beginning of your journey in Atlanta.

[@JennyandJasonRUNUSA]

Go for it! You won’t regret it.

[@markullom]

Thanks for sharing this experience

[@jasonlavere5071]

Don't feel bad about falling. I wiped out twice in my first race up there a few weeks ago. I learned that I can't even take time to look at my watch! I can't imagine trying to film. Thanks you for sharing your experience!

[@JennyandJasonRUNUSA]

Yeah… next time I’ll keep my eyes glued to the trail. 😂

[@Clwcch]

Awesome video of your experience Jason as it was happening!! U need to come back another yr. & redeem yourself. 3 out of top 5 at the halfway pt bonked or DNF. All the biggest climb parts are on the back half of the course so have to save some in the tank. Think I passed u sitting at 5th aid station in chair?!? Finished my 9th M. Mist yesterday with best place & 2nd best time. This course has humbled me quite a few times (leg cramping issues)!! I hate pickle juice but took 2 shots at 4 aid stations & it worked. I know it's early in you guys USA adventure, so good luck & stay injury free!!

[@christopherkey2101]

Section with the cave is called Stone Cut (~3:40). One of my favorite trails in the state park lodge / land trust area.

[@JennyandJasonRUNUSA]

Oh yeah. One of the best sections of the race.

[@janiceanderson8671]

love the video! Was your arm tired from carrying the gopro for so long? Sorry your hammies didnt cooperate but you toughed it out. Congrats to you both!

[@JennyandJasonRUNUSA]

Thank you. My arm wasn’t too tired but my shoulder from the fall sure is. 😮

[@KentSmithUltras]

Awesome job, especially for a first ultra. A number of issues Jason experienced can be fixed easily with more technical trail running and practice with hydration/nutrition.

[@JennyandJasonRUNUSA]

Thanks for the encouragement. Fueling I feel could improve rapidly. I need a lot of time on trails to feel as comfortable as what so many of you looked like out there. Impressive running over that terrain by so many. Over 400 finishers is incredible.

[@KentSmithUltras]

@ Practicing with an electrolyte drink (like Tailwind) and some food options will set you up with the calories, carbs, and minerals you’ll need. On the trail it’s just practice. Downhills, uphills, rocks, elevation, altitude, with or without switchbacks.

[@brettdoe2508]

Well done on your run, just one thing if I may, if you are going to talk while your running ditch the music!! (actually don't bother with the music at all)

[@JennyandJasonRUNUSA]

Thanks for the feedback. I agree with the music comment. Had to hit “export and publish” sooner than I wanted. Live and learn. 😊