More on JFK

Deep down I ended up signing up for the JFK 50 Mile because I wanted a challenge.  I wanted to try something that scares me and is very different than what I am used to.  The last time I attempted something like this I failed.  I only made it halfway though the Black Hills 100.  It was the technical aspect of the trails that did me in.  In particular, traversing those trails in the dark.  It was hard enough in the light.  At the JFK I won't have to deal with the dark, but from what I've read, the Appalachian Trail part is even more technical and more difficult.  Add in the cutoffs and I think I will be pressed for the first third of the race to make up some time because the middle third is going to be just plain hard. If I haven't made up some time on the cutoffs in the first third, I will need to run like 11:40/mile from 15.5 to 27.1 to stay ahead of the cutoffs.  And even harder, from 27.1 to 34.4 it needs to be 10:16/mile.  That is almost crazy.  Fortunately, these two sections are flat, but still.  If I do make it to here the time constraints ease up the on the final third.  Maintaining about 14:45 to 15:00/mile will get me to the finish in time.  It should be obvious by now that I am feeling rather nervous about this one.  I keep thinking "will I be able to do this?"  I was much more confidant for Hennepin even though it was twice the distance.  

I guess "I'll just have to see."