I signed up for a race last year in New Orleans LA over the 4th of July weekend. Hotter than Hell 10 Hour Endurance Run. 
I figured I'd try out my massive amounts of heat training and see what I could run in 10 hours, my goal was 50 miles. The race started at 8pm and finished at 6am all night running with hot humid weather conditions even after the sun goes down, that's 'My Kind Of Fun'. Complete as many 2 mile loops on a dimly lit wide paved path changing direction every now and then in Audubon Park located at the heart of the very old and beautiful Garden District of New Orleans. If you weren't that crazy to endure 10 hours of fun you could sign up for the Marathon distance that started at Midnight. 
Mileage was your responsibility to track on a large chalk board an Honor System amongst runners. 
People take this event to the extreme 'Mardi Gras style' and really design funky costumes with all kinds of reflective clothing and blinking lights. It was a really nice change to some of the other races I'd been involved in no stress or worries no awards, no cash prizes, or bling and not really even a winner just knowing that you completed a certain distance was good enough. Just good old fashioned ultra running bring your own supplies of food and water along with coolers of beer and just run. You could get a long sleeve finishers shirt (which I thought was odd for New Orleans in July) for completing the marathon distance if you gave a donation to the event organizers charity of choice, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
I talked my Maui Marathon running partner, Diane, along with her husband Kent to join us for the fun festivities. They said "Why not we're up for a new adventure". Little did they know I wanted them to run farther than a marathon. Diane exceeded my expectations and ran her very first 50k distance (31miles) officially becoming an ultra marathoner. What an accomplishment after having only started running 4 years ago. I'm so proud that she kept her mind focused and her legs going forward. Kent enjoyed the tranquility of night running while being completely drenched in sweat from head to toe and able to change his shirt at least 6 times Kent finished his marathon with a big smile on his face saying next year he'd like to tackle the longer distance.
Now for my husband..... On his second loop around he decided to run with me for awhile. Talking laughing and having fun as we always do he wasn't paying attention to where he was going and tripped on the Only Speed Bump out on the course. Yes a speed bump, what maybe 4 inches high and painted bright yellow? That's my husband :) as he was trying not to smash his head into a steel guardrail and a stop sign post he twisted his body as he fell saving his face (thank you Love). Getting up and doing a full body check finding a strange sensation in his calf he decided to walk the lap and stretch it out. I kept running knowing I'd catch him later. Back at the start/finish area where we set up camp with all our supplies I found him sitting and icing his calf. Sorry to hear that he was done for the night with only 4 miles completed. Sometimes that happens we always say "Live To Fight Another Day". Well it was still early and with a quick kiss knowing he was ok I was off on the rest of my run. Loop after loop went by seeing Kent and Diane actually enjoying themselves running and joking about who was gonna start drinking beer first. Diane was the first to tattle later she said my husband was out running again. WHAT!!! I caught up to him and he said he was doing well and really wanted to complete the marathon. I wasn't happy but it was his choice. Still on a great pace to reach my goal of 50 miles easily but few more hours later I saw my husband struggling and his calf was swelling up like a watermelon so I decided to run/walk with him and keep him company for the remainder of his race. I really wanted him to finish. He only had 4 1/2 laps to go. When he finished I sat him down and got him more ice for his calf it really didn't look very good. Once again his choice. Stubborn Men!! Popped him a couple of beers while Diane and Kent joined him. Another quick kiss I still had some time to go out for a couple more laps. Finishing my run with 40 miles not bad considering I rendered aid and assistance to my foolish husband. Live to fight another day and saved the husband too, I earned a Beer!!
The celebrations began for Diane who completed her first ultra distance. Being in New Orleans pulling an all nighter was awesome. We didn't even start drinking until the wee hours of the morning after completing our races. Followed by breakfast at the famous Mother's Restaurant with their amazing eye opening mouth watering Bloody Mary's finished the day off perfect.
