Fat ass 50k race report

Well I'm back home afyer my first 50k race. The Fat ass 50k in Lancaster, SC. I HAD A BLAST.
Here's the report:
I started out conservatively at about 9:45 pace. there were rolling hills in the first half of the race which I decided to run, but I did take them easy- not letting my heart rate get up. It was hard to watch people pull away from me, but I figured on my first attempt at the distance I needed to be smart. I was about in the middle of the pack ( a small pack of about 20) by the 5 mile mark. I stayed at that pace, taking in 150 calories every 3 miles.
Around 12 miles I was feeling great. starting to get the runners high but reminding myself to be patient. I also started passing/ gaining on people, which gave me a boost.
I found that I was loosing a lot of time at the rest stops because I had a fuel belt for hydration instead of 1 larger bottle. I had to pause to fill 4 small bottles instead of 1 big one or a camel back. I will remedy that for the next one.
At around mile 20 I started passing people again. I think the early pacing paid off. I didn't experience any slowing and this is when the real hills came into play. I still felt strong so I decided to continue to run the hills as long as my heart rate didn't climb too much. I knew there was one monster hill of about 12% grade for 3/4 mile at about mile 27 and figured I would wait and see about that one.
I passed a couple of more runners on the up-hills.
When I got to the last big hill at 27 I decided to run it because there were only 4 miles left and I felt good. I was suprised that on the down hill sections I was able to really let it go. It was easier than trying to slow down. Some of my fastest miles were between 26-28.
I got passed by someone who had been pacing her friend until about mile 24. He wanted to walk it in and sent her up the road. Wow she looked strong! She passed me around 29ish and probably finished at least 1/4 mile ahead of me, probably more.
The last 2 miles I felt great! one at 9:20 1 at 8:50, some of my strongest of the day.
I ended up at 5 hours 8 min. Beating my goal of 5:15. I chit chatted a little bit and ate some corn bread that Cluade sinclaire and his wife had made- yum! and then hopped in the car to go to Columbia and hang out at the zoo with the family.
I had heard that 50k would feel like much more than 5 miles more than a Marathon, but I really didn't feel any diferent to me. Granted I didn't run anywhere near Marathon pace, but as long as I took in calories on schedule I felt I could have run for quite a bit longer. It gave me a lot of confidence that I will be able to reach 100k at the RFL in May.
Aftermath- I feel great! very little muscle soreness, joints feel fine! I'm ready to go! I think I might like this Ultra stuff : )