Worlds End 100k - lessons learned

Ann Trason was my coach in 2016 to prep for my first 50k.  Working with Ann was fun and to have her depth of experience provided many nuggets that I think of almost every training run and race.  She suggested that before each race I set a series of goals and after each race I reflect on what went well and what what I learned for next time.  

Goals
A+ (secret) - top 10 women.  We did it!

A (public) - finish under cutoff time (19 hours)
B - cross the finish line no matter the time
C - get to a new distance, which for us was anything over 35 miles)

What went well

1. Physically  - we were prepared.  I had some early hip soreness but it went away.  I was nervous that I was under trained, but I think the reality of our work/parenthood/life and training leading up to the race was as well balanced as it could be.  The treadmill hike was key.
2. Staying at the cabin at the park the night before was super fun and took out another logical thing to plan race morning.  Plus it was fun.
   
3. Nutrition - ate and hydrated early and often/regularly.  No issues!  OMG watermelon & grilled cheese.
4. Having a pacer and family at aid stations was awesome.  It was incredibly uplifting to see Mike.  
   
5. Changing out of wet shoes and socks halfway was A-mazing.  Probably a huge contributor to  2nd half 2nd wind.  
6. Hike with purpose was a good strategy.  Hiking strong early allowed running at the end when the course leveled out a bit.   
7. Breaking the race into sections from aid station to aid station made it seem much more approachable. 
   
   

Lessons learned

1. Chaffing - lube early and re-apply.  Chaffing was my worst post race "injury".  
2. Mentally the 1st half was really tough - I had romanticized the trail since 2016.  Need more strategies on how to pull out of that.  Luckily I had a 2nd wind at the halfway point which made the race much more fun.    
3. Need to train more for the climbs and technical downs - especially in wet conditions. My right quad was trashed by mile 60 (see treadmill hike comment above).
4. Check gear more thoroughly.  My headlamp at the start was total worthless crap and Mike was stuck with it at the end of the race pacing.
5. Plan pacers and crew earlier since that was fun.  This course was so much fun that I would enjoy sharing it with some more friends who wouldn't want to do the full distance.   
6. 64 miles is long, but as Ann told me, you will go to the distance of the race.  We swore to Mike that we wouldn't do 100 miler, but now.....we shall see!