Heather Hart Recently, Team Hart Strength & Endurance Coaching client Dawn F. had the awesome opportunity to run the LOST 118 Ultramarathon as a solo cart runner.
Dawn shared the following race recap about her experience, which she calls “LOST…and the Ugly Baby”:
“This race runs along the Herber Hoover Levee around beautiful Lake Okeechobee, which is the largest lake in Florida.
Since the race is on the levee, there are not many resources available to refill food and water. In past years, you could only race if you had a crew to assist you. In 2024, at the suggestion of Andy Mathews, they added a division where you could push a cart carrying your supplies. In 2024, several runners attempted the cart run, but did not finish within the cut-off.
This year, the distance of the race came in at about 113 miles. I finished in 34:29:03, which was about an hour faster than I expected to finish. I knew that pushing the cart would slow me down quite a bit, especially as I got more fatigued so I knew I would have to be moving with a purpose, especially the first 100k since there was a strict cut-off of 18 hours.
Everything went pretty smoothy and according to plan. It was hot and windy, but nothing too crazy. There was a large section overnight that was an extremely rough trail that was especially difficult with the cart, but once the sun came up, I was back to the nice paved asphalt trail.
I made sure to “run my own race” for most of the event. Early afternoon on Sunday I joined up with the absolute badass Bernadette and we pushed each other to the finish at Clewiston Boat Ramp, where we had started on Saturday morning.
About the cart – I was not able to find a whole lot of information online about running with a cart/stroller. I was able to talk to Andy briefly at Ancient Oaks and he gave me the tip to use a 5-gallon water cooler in the stroller. That’s what I did and I nick-named it the Ugly Baby.
The good part about training with the stroller is that other people on the sidewalks give you space to get by, but then the odd looks you get when they realize you are a weirdo pushing a cooler…hence the Ugly Baby name.
The Stroller: I did some online research on jogging stroller brands. I found that the Baby Trend brand was well reviewed so I stalked FaceBook Marketplace until I found one for $50. It was perfect! I took the front tray off to make it a little lighter, but otherwise did not modify it.
I put the 5-gallon water cooler in the seat of the stroller and strapped it in with a bungee cord. I froze one gallon of water and put that bottle in the bottom of the cooler, added two Redbulls and four 5-hour energy to the cooler, set another one gallon water on top of that and then filled around that with snacks. At the 100k mark, I was able to get two more gallons of water.
On the shelf under the seat I had one drybag with food and a second drybag with gear. The stroller had a little basket between the handlebars that I had two water bottles and my phone in. This little basket would eventually break from the rough section of the trail.
Things I’d do differently: I should have worn cycling gloves, my left palm had a pretty nasty blister on it within the first 20 miles of the race. The gallon of water I had cracked, so I probably would only partially freeze it. I should have brought more savory food (salted potatoes, rice balls, etc.)
I said it after Vol State, and I’ll say it again – you can really get by on less than you think. I think the gear on my stroller was about 45 pounds, including the water. Usually when I do a race where you have crew or a can crew from your car or whatever, I’ve got bags, and plastic totes and shoes, and so much STUFF.
Special thanks to the RD and awesome volunteers, putting this race on is no easy feat. Thanks to Dawn S. for the support, and especially for the coke and the hug when I was feeling down. “
Thank you Dawn for sharing, and CONGRATULATIONS on your epic finish!
