My first Ultra-Marathon

Well I've had a few days to reflect upon my first Ultra Marathon.  Last Sunday, I ran the Dean Karnazes Rock N Roll Ultra 50K in Phoenix, Arizona.  That's 31 miles.  I ran the first 4.8 miles on a looped course an hour before the marathon start.  My time was 44 min and 10 sec for this portion.  Then we joined the RnR AZ marathon course and completed the remaining 26.2 miles.  My total time was 5 hrs 49 min and 33 sec.  I was #123 out of 148 finishers.  Not a fast time by any means, but it was a mental and physical challenge that I had to overcome.  I succeeded and this will serve me well come Ironman Race Day. 
The challenge was to stay positive when the remaining miles to cover seem so large.  For example at the mile 10 Marathon marker, I had already run almost 15 miles and I still had another 16 to go!!!  Eventually, instead of focusing on "Wow this is mile 22..."; I focused on the fact that "I only have 9 more miles to go".  So I started the countdown 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and then I was running across the finish line with arms held up high. 
The crowd support was great.  Especially the Team in Training supporters.  I had a couple Team in Training coaches check on me and even run a short while with me.  That's because my right leg started to ache and I was favoring that leg and had a slight gimp to my gait.  They wanted to make sure that I was OK and they gave me encouragement and inspiration.  The Team is great... coaches, mentors, your fellow teammates.  I'm sure my Ironman Race will be a similar experience.
When I was finished, I had access to the VIP tent, but I was so tired that I just wanted to get out of there ASAP, go back to the hotel, take a bath, eat, and sleep.  I told myself that this would be my first and last Ultra.  26.2 miles is enough for me.
Yesterday I worked out on the elliptical and stationary bike at the gym.  Its been raining cats, dogs, pigs, and cows here in So Cal.  I'll try to get my swim session in later.  We have a bike workout Saturday.  I hope the roads are dry by then. 
After a few days to reflect back on the Ultra, I'm thinking who knows, perhaps there is a trail Ultra in my future...  Stay tuned.