SQUAMISH 50 KM TRAIL RACE

I met Hailey and Courtney about a year ago  . After our first run together I had them talked in to doing there first 50 km trail race in squamish . If I would of known that this race was as tough as it was I would of never asked them to make this race to be there first , but at least now other races will seem easy ;) I am so proud of Hailey and Courtney   for finishing this race . After months of training and hard work it finally paid off . At the end of the race I didn't see many people cross with a dry eye . It was a very emotional race not only for the racers but for even the people there for support . The heat and difficulty of this race was so tough to stay positive and as a first time racers to ultras I am so proud they got through it . These ladies are strong and ready to do it again !

The best part of this race and a little bonus  was all my friends I met in Trans Rockies were coming down to do the race also . Robyn and Cindy even stayed 2 nights at my house It was so great to have them the night before the race .  Honestly the best part of running is the friends you meet along the way .Robyn and Cindy are from Prince George and Marcelo is from Edmonton .Its  so amazing how races can bring you all back together again .
THE RACE !
The Squamish 50k trail race starts off at Alice lake and finishes in the town of Squamish .  The total elevation gain and loss is Ascent 2700m / 9000 ft and descent 2900/ 9500 so endless crazy climbs but mostly all it is mostly all single track  which I love .

9:00 am was the start for the 50 k racers!
I was so excited but I was missing so many of the people that I was training all year with, and are the reason why I even decided to do the race in the first place! Hailey and Courtney they decided to take the early start , My good luck charm Kyle race partner for everything wasn't beside me! Kyle  was doing the 50 miler race.He   had a start time for 5:30  already he was running for hours before I even started. It was lonely not having my race partner and friend beside me at the start. We agreed at aid station 3  we would leave a note for each other with the aid station, and leave the time we got there .
The race was beautiful and the first part of the race I was moving quick and feeling really good! The single track with the perfect rolling hills just make it so fun to run! I knew it was to good to be true!
There was no way this course was going  to be easy, and I just thought to myself enjoy it Dayna ,because its going to get tough!
Aid station 1 and that is aid station 3 for the 50milers, and where Kyle and I were going to hopefully meet or at least exchange notes!
As I ran into the aid station I saw kyle!!! I was so excited to see my friend,  I put my note in Kyles back pack and told him to open it if sometime in the race he was feeling low, Quick hugs and I was on my way.
As the race went on I started to feel sick and was hardly eating or drinking! The weather was really hot . I honestly felt like I wasn't going to finish this race. I think the way I was feeling was part of the reason I missed the turn at aid station 3. It wasn't until I saw a man on a bike , and I asked have you seen any racers come this way ...Ummm nope only you!! PANIC I think called Lisa HELP !!! I explained to Lisa where I was and what I had done!By not turning at the aid station it lead me to be about a half hr off track and in full PANIC . but thankfully my friend Lisa was there to answer her phone and guide me back to the aid station. WHOO I am back in the game!
As the race went on it was endless climbs beautiful single track , but Honestly as much as i love a goal and a challenge Garry Robins this was the biggest one , and the closes I have felt to a DNF

 At about 4 km left in the race I felt defeated I felt like giving up .  I called Lisa again crying telling her I was  thinking I wasn't going  to finish , Thank goodness for Lisa she was able to   just talked to me and gave me the push I needed for the last stretch . Lisa has been my trail leader for mountain madness , my race partner in trans Rockie's , and my friend for years honestly I finished because she is always there to help me  !

9 1/2 hrs of running / hiking and total mental and physical strength  I finished the hardest race I have ever done ! 
But that is why it also I now my favorite race!
I cant wait for 2014squamish 50miler , but this year Kyle will be right beside me!

Squamish 50 I will see you next year ...But its REVENGE ;)

Caught Kyle at Aid station 1 he was doing the 50 miler

I see the finsh line !!!

Done 50 km  9 1/2 hrs

Finish line hugs

We did it !