Orange Curtain 50K

My First 50K: Orange Curtain 50K

For the past few months, I had been thinking about running my first 50K. Originally, I planned to do it on my own somewhere close to home in June. As the date got closer, I found a small local race called the Orange Curtain 50K. It seemed like a much better option than running solo—there would be aid stations, other runners on the course, and the course itself was flat with a simple loop format.

The race was actually held near where I used to live, and June weather in the area can be hot. The event offered several distances, including 24-hour, 12-hour, 100K, and 50K races, etc. The 50K started at 6:30 a.m., and because it was a small event, I didn’t have to worry about crowded parking lots or long check-in lines. I took it easy and arrived about 20 minutes before the start.

The course was straightforward: a 5K out-and-back route that had to be completed five times to reach the full 50K distance.

For training, I relied on my homemade AI coach, which helped guide my preparation. My nutrition plan was simple and worked well. For the first 20 miles, I used two Maurten gels along with LMNT electrolytes in a 24-ounce water bottle. For the remainder of the race, I switched to two bottles filled with Tailwind at a higher-carb concentration of about 90 grams per bottle. I also carried a hydration pack with 2 liters of water.

My pacing strategy was conservative at the beginning. I ran the first six miles at around 9:00–9:15 per mile, then settled into a steady rhythm of 8:45–9:00 per mile through loops two to four. By the final loop, I felt strong enough to pick up the pace and push toward the finish.

The entire race felt surprisingly controlled and manageable. There were definitely moments of fatigue, but nothing ever felt out of hand.

One of the highlights of the day was seeing two girls, only 15 and 16 years old, complete the 50K. Watching them tackle the distance was incredibly impressive and a reminder that endurance comes in all ages and forms.

I was also fortunate with the weather. The sun was only really noticeable during the first and last loops, while the middle portion of the race remained cool and comfortable. Conditions couldn’t have been much better for a first ultra.

To top it all off, I finished 3rd overall male and 4th overall. That was far beyond what I expected when I signed up.

So now I can officially call myself an ultramarathoner. 😬

Will I do another one?

Maybe.

And if I do, maybe I’ll skip straight to the 50-mile distance next time—assuming I can find enough time to train for it.