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  • [705] Highlands Sky

    Highlands Sky 40 (got to get this post out before writing on Vermont)

    Highlands Sky was a race I wanted to do for a long time past four or five years but I’ve been missing the sign up date and it got full too quickly.  This year my friend David reminded me the opening date and I signed up after putting it off for couple days (and ended up on the wait list). 

    And after many weeks, I got in.  I think I got in after I got into the Buffalo Marathon (read about it there how I was excited of being pulled off the wait list and also for tge Vermont race).

    I have been trilled by being so lucky.  Some one says God is kind to Antin.

    David ran it last year and he liked it. He and I have been wanting to do a race together. I camped near there before,  though not exactly at Dolly Sods, but at Blackwater Falls and Roaring Plains, which are nearby, like 10-15 miles down the road.

    I know it has to be a beautiful course and muddy too. Runners, we love streans and mud. Neither disappointed. It was my first time at Dolly Sods and the place is just amazing.

    After I got into the race, David said he made reservation at the Canaan Valley Resort Lodge and we could share the room. It is the race’s headquarter and probably only hotel in the area.   I had Caroline coming with me. He was fine with that.

    At the Resort were where runners bused to the start for those needed a ride.  The race is a one way trip point to point and ends back at the Resort. 

    This kind of race is what I like to do, though the logistics of getting to the start or back later after finishing is a challenge. I am glad to have  someone to drive me.

    I have thought of camping for the weekend, but since I was coming with a crew and couple other requirements, that was quickly not feasible (I did book a campground but didn’t use it).  The best lodging option for those who could afford was to stay at the hotel. They do have cabins and other stuff nearby.  I ended up staying at the start woth David.  It was one of the best stay I had for a race. 

    The race was on Saturday. Friday was a Federal holiday, so I did not have to take a day off. 

    We drove up. Checked in and got my bib.  The race came with a pre-race dinner and a meeting.  I love the food.  It was like a five-course buffet.  Then we headed to bed.

    David and I were two non-traditional runners, we were late sleeper and decided to head back to the hotel bar to have a beer so as to catch up on things — though we both from the same area we haven’t seen each other for a year (Stone Mill).  When we got to the bar, they were about to close and other runners were already in bed; the place was pretty dead.  We had our beer then went back to our room. To me, Highlands Sky was not that important any more, maybe I have so many other races lined up, and so we could have a bit of fun beforehand.  This might explain a bit of I almost missed the cutoff the next day on my run.

    Next morning, bright and early, Caroline took me to the start.  We followed the buses for the runners. There we took our group photos and then off we went.

    The first mile or so was on the road.  Then we turned to get on the trail.  I met my friend Aaron at the turn. Aaron was one of my few early trail running friends, might have been the earliest. 

    It was a surprise to see him showing up. I stopped and said hello but he quickly told me go on. I was one of the last few runners left at the back of the pack trying to beat cutoffs.  I thought, once I got to the trail I would reel in people in front of me because I am a better trail runner. 

    Couple people actually passed me once we were on the trail. Then I was all by myself.  Then I said, once we started climbing, I would be catching people because I am stronger at hills.  I did catch up to a few runners as we were going up though not as many as I would have like.  They said the first climb is the toughest and I was waiting for when it was going to go straight up. It never came.  By the time, I realized the climb was over, I said to myself, well that was short.

    Then we hit the muddy section. So I prayed I would catch more people.  I did maybe two more runners.  We then reached the first aid station and 1st cut off point.  I was about 15 mins ahead.  Not looking too good.  By the second cutoff, I believed I passed a father and son team.  I was like 10 minutes ahead of the cut, still not looking too good because I was slipping on my time. Then once we got on the ridge, I was swapping places with a runner (whose name was also David).  We did not talk much until much later. He had the same strategy as me, just keep going.  Every time I passed him, not long after, like 15 minutes, he passed me back.

    I think he’s a school teacher.  I told him I wanted to make the next cutoff at Dolly Sods and he was telling me how far away it was.  We had maybe 2 miles left at the time.  He ran the race couple times before but this he did not seem we could finish. I said same, but kept to myself still gonna go for it.  I said bye and pushed a bit harder when we got on the road, at the time we were maybe 3/4 a mile left to the Dolly Sods aid station. I calculated that I probably would make it exactly or a few minutes before the cutoff.

    I ended up made it in and my friend Aaron was there to rush me back out.  He helped refilled my pack and then jammed several candy bars or whatever into my pack pockets.  He also got my drop bag and everything was done less than a minute before I went back out.

    Now came the long 5 mile road section to Bear Rock.  There I caught up couple more runners as we raced to the final cutoff.  I ran some and walked some but always tried to keep moving. It was mostly on an uphill.  I met up with an older gentleman (I said I would remember his name, but I forgot now, Richard or Ryan).  He has done it many times.  He out ran me actually but when we were only half mile away to our destination, he said he could not run any more as I passed him again.  So I passed him and gave some encouraging words and also passed several other people who I thought were too relaxed about their paces.

    When I got to the aid station, they told me, I was the last runner to get through.  The rest they would be cut. Later I learned they cut a bunch of runners at the station. Some said, they were a bit too strict with the time cutoff. If they have relax a bit like 15-20 minute more, more people could have finished.  In prior years, they would record those who did not make it under 12 hours as unofficial finishers.  I can’t say neither way if the cutoffs were too strict, I finished with about 10 minutes left at 11:49 (hr:min).  It was a 12 hour race. I could easily have been one of those unofficial finishers.

    After the road portion, the pressure was off.  I took leisure time. It was no longer felt like a race. Based on the time I had, I needed 4 hrs and 20 minutes to do the final 13 miles, a 20 min mile pace where in earlier sections, we had to run at a 17 min pace per mile.  So it was a big relief to go at a much slower pace.  I just walked it till the final road section and then I ran it in.  They allowed family or crew to join in at the final few miles.

    Caroline joined in few miles out from the resort.  My friend Aaron was at the final aid station too and he was pacing his friend in but they were too fast for me to keep up at their pace. Aaron turned around and encouraged me several times before our distance was too huge.  I was running my own race so I chose to walk.

    There were couple other “unofficial” finishers.  In other years they would get a finish timing, but I think this year, they were considered DNF.  I felt there were many more runners behind me. I did finish.  The last of four final runners.

    I ended up running with one of David’s friends we met the night before.  I did not recognize her until we started talking then realized oh we have the same friend who was ahead of both of us. I had made it my goal to pass my friend David but it seemed unlikely today.

    A race is a race.  When I was done, and I hardly could walk afterward.  Caroline drove the car down to the finish and we rode back up to the front parking lot.

    There were a few friends who waited around and so I said hi to them and had their photos.

    David had the room for the second night too, but we decided to head back early the same night since our time was short.  I think I had more training run to do the next day, plus there’s church.

    It would be a race I would have to redo if I get a chance. But I think the early cutoff required a much faster pacing at the beginning portion kind of turned me off.  After the Bear Rock, the next aid station at the ski area was just too long away.  I appreciated the volunteers hiking up to bring us aids, but I wish it was not so challenging of a race. I think that second half after Bear Rock was what I really like (there were some rock scrambling and challenging trails).

    I don’t know if I would run the race again. It was a good experience but I needed to be in much better physical condition to attempt it again.

  • [704] Kettle Moraine 100 / DFL+ (June Update)

    Why I picked this race?

    I became interested in the race when I did Burning River 100 in Ohio.  It is part of the Midwest Grand Slam 100, which consists of the Mohican, Kettle Moraine, Burning River, Indiana Trail, and Halucination. I had thought hard to do the midwest slam this year or even last year. However, I already have plenty of races. 

    And I was asked why another race. It is mostly for a bragging right. So I thought long and hard and decided to do it in piecemeal.

    Caroline ran the Kettle many years ago and told me they gave out tea kettles upon completion. I wanted a little tea kettle too. It might be just that year.  I thought Kettle Moraine was a type of tea. And I was intrigued.  Kettle Moraine is a geological feature of that area created by ice sheets during the gracier period. Kettles are the dips or lake and moraines are ridges.

    I was also fastinated by the octopus-like lightning storms she mentioned during her year.  I think they are common in the area.  I’ve heard the vast open fields. I have never run under lightning before.  All day running.  It sounded like fun. I got to see lightnings during my run.

    A bonus, I found out much much later that we would run on the Ice Age Trail, which is a famous trail in that area (like the AT to us in the east coast).

    Those were my why.  My final one was my bib number was my mom’s birthday. I wanted to finish to say I ran with such lucky number.

    Lottery:

    About luck, I needed some to get in.  Because it was one of the older trail 100 races, there are quite a bit interest from around the country from those who wanted to run it. So this year they implemented there was a lottery system to get in.

    For past few years, I have been successful in getting a bib for lottery races like Vermont and Western States.

    I was banking on my luck I could get a ticket. In January, I put my name in.  Lo and behold, I got picked (for both, Vermont and Kettle).  They are not related, but I felt pretty lucky and thrilled.

    Training:

    I am not too proud of my training last six months leading up to this. I slept in too many mornings and got too much to do at night.  Excuses I know.  Life never gives much of a break. Weekends were usually packed with other things than running. There were runs but not the type that is gear toward doing a 100 miler.  For one, I have been going to church more frequently and that they take up a big portion of the morning on a Sunday (even though the service is only about an hour). Afterward, there is usually a meal time and the hot lazy afternoon and before long it would be dinner time and bed.  Even on days, I squeezed my running in, I could usually stayed out for a hour or so.  I lacked the long all day running I used to do.

    My most productive run for a given week is usually on Monday mornings at a local park before going to work.  It is usually just 3-4 miles for an hour, but the trail gave me a good workout.

    So ready or not, the race weekend arrived and we made plans of getting to Milwaukee, Wiscousin to run this Kettle.

    Preps/Travels

    Pace charts/aid station charts were provided by the race.  I just twerked them a bit for my own needs.  Aid stations were plenty.  I counted like 27 of them, one at every 3-4 miles.  A few were farther apart maybe 5-6 miles, but most were quite closed and it could get by with a handheld bottle.  I used both my hydration vest/pack and a bottle just because I did not want to stop too frequently.

    We flew from DCA to MKE two days prior the race just to be sure we got plenty of time for bib pickup and for friends and relatives we were going to see. Everything were smooth sailing.    MKE is a smaller airport. Car rental is right at the airport and everything were done relatively quick.  We got our car and drove about two hours first to Waupaca. 

    Side Trips:  At Waupaca, we had lunch at Dink Dock and took a lake cruise around their many lakes on the boat called the Chief for $20. Unfortunately the storm interrupted the ride, we were given vouchers for a future ride. People, and businesses were exceptional friendly.  I noticed that while running there.

    The next day we went back down to Milwaukee to have lunch with a friend, and then we drove out to Nordic Trail at Legrande for the bib pick up and photo (pre race mug shot).  We then stayed the evening in Whitewater, a nearby town. Whitewater is the recommended place to stay for the race.  There’s no camping out.  There’s a campsite at the north turn around point, but hotel is usually the perferred housing.

    The race does not start until 6 am, which I like, rather than the typically 4-5 am for 100 milers. I had some time to stop by Walmart the night prior to stock up my drop bags but unfortunately I ended up not using much of what I brought because I was running too slow to stop at an aid station.  We will get to that.

    The race:

    Parking was fine.  The lot was open just for the 100 milers only.  We arrived quite early like 4:45 or 5 am. Many cars were already there. We might have set the alarm for 3:30. I was as ready as I could be.  I turned in my two drop bags, one for Nordic and one for HWY 12.  Nordic (also the start and finish) to me is like a halfway point mile 64 and Hwy 12 is around 78 and 86.

    The course is two different out-and-backs, north and then south.  So most aid stations and drop bag stations we would come across them twice. 

    The first half (64 miles) we did the first out and back (plus a little lollipop loop). I was pretty sure I could reach at least 50 miles. My goal was at least get a 50 mile. But the final 38 miles, I had my doubt if I could make the cut offs.  I told friends and family I would try to pull every trick in my bag to have it done.

    We had a beautiful sunrise, first day.  The day (morning) was mild around 65F plus a some humidity but I am used to it being from Washington DC area. For locals, they were saying it was exceptionally hot and mucky.

    The first way out was uneventful.  About 200 of us ran out. I ran at my best pace of 15-16 min-mile pace. The grass and rolling hills made it hard to pick up the pace.

    I made some friends (several ones all called Tom) around my pace then I locked in to focus to have as many miles under me as possible.

    I had the pace chart and mile aid station memorized.  Always, going out was easier.  I got the first five miles done in about an hour, which put me running at 12-13 min mile pace.  The trail was not particular hard, rather, it was wide open, with gentle rolling hills. This section called the Nordic would come to bite me in the end.  A camera person was there taking our pictures.

    I believe I did not stop at the first two aid stations.  I thanked the volunteers and then moved on.

    By noon, it was warmer. Aid stations started having an ice bucket around.  I took ice bath/shower.  Not that I really need them but having the cold water running down my back was quite a refresher. That was the best time I had, thinking back.

    My goal was to get to McMiller. That was like a third of the way in. It was also a crewed aid station and drop bag.  I did not have a drop bag there but Caroline who was doing the 100k did, and I was thinking of smooching off her stuff because she packed a lot of fruit cups the night before.

    When I arrived at McMiller, the place was too busy.  I liked the cheering and all, but I could not stay because it was like a carnival.  I pushed on to Hwy 67 and Scubbernong. 

    By then, I had a steady running friend, Tom Clancy.  He has done the race last year and so he was showing me the place, like what a Moraine is and what a Kettle. Kettles are bogs or swamps and Moraine are hills, so Kettle Moraine means hills and valleys, 100 miles of them of heaven and hell (the slogan of the shirt I was wearing that day from Wasatch).

    I ran at my own pace and so did Tom but we always ended back together at an aid station. We were aware how heat and  the hilly trail were affecting  us. Many around us were already expressing that they would drop once they get back at Nordic.  The race allowed downgrading halfway through and still receive a 100k buckle.  I was tempted as well.

    I told Tom I might too drop at mile 64 on the way back.  Tom had pretty much made up his mind. I tried not to hang around him too much to get suck into his pace.  Tom eventually pulled ahead of me and was gone by the time I headed back to the Bluff, mile 56. Later, I found out he had 30 minutes plus on me and I eas jealous.  You see, that was my target time arriving for Nordic and I was 30 minutes slower and it did come to bite me.

    Evening settled in.  The night was cooler.  I caught up with the 50k runners.  I passed some 100k runners too including Caroline.  She was still on her outbound, so I knew she was a bit behind cutoff.

    My aim was to get to mile 64 before midnight.  My pace has slowed down a lot by then.  I basically death walking the last 8 miles. I got back to Nordic at 11:57 pm.  I knew I was behind pace but was still in the game.  The cutoff at Nordic was 12:25 am. Volunteered helped me find my drop bag and I got a cup of soup.  From my drop bag, I picked up a new head lamp since the one I had on was going dim. All in all, this took 8 minutes.  I left the aid station at 12:05. 

    Some runner had dropped and there was a pacer ready to pace.  I did not plan to have a pacer, but since one was offered, I gladly took.  At the time, I thought I was the Dead Last runner (DFL). There were still a bunch of 100 milers behind me, but many chose not to go back out, a few did and would later caught up to me.

    Jennifer, volunteered to pace me.  I told her, likely, I might not make it and morning was the farthest I could go.  The cutoffs were getting tighter, and if we get cut or I gave up at an aid station, she would have to arrange her ride back.  She was fine with that. All she wanted was a night run (walk), since she was training for a 200 miler. I was just hoping to reach the turn around point by morning before the cutoff.

    My pace was mostly a walking pace. And I ran when I could on the downhills.  It took us two and half hour to get back to the Bluff.  Jennifer did not rush the pace, and she did what she could to remind me to drink, eat, run, and helped with some of things at the aid stations.  By the time I got to Bluff, the blisters on my feet were getting worse, so I decided to pop them then.  A volunteer gave me a blister band-aid.  I placed it over it after draining out all the fluid. This probably saved my race. 

    I found the reason I had blisters was the sock I was wearing had a hole and all the sand are going in from there.  I didn’t have an extra sock to change to until Hwy 12, where I had my drop bag. So, only goal now was to get to Hwy 12 to change socks.

    The blister popping thing took a whole lot time.  I lost maybe 10 minutes.  Plus, my muscle had cooled down so it was hard to start moving again. 

    Duffin was only about 2 miles away, but because I had sat down, it took nearly an hour to get there.  I lost in total 30 minutes and this was crucial, a time that I could not make up.  In the end, I missed the race cutoff by 35 minutes. Another way of giving up a race.

    At the time, I placed my hope that I would be running faster once day light comes. True, I did move a bit faster at day break, but it was not enough.

    After Duffin, we entered back onto the Ice Age Trail to Hwy 12.  The time was around 3:30 AM now, the next aid station is 4.3 ish mile away. I knew I need to reach there by 4:30. At the time, 5 other runners had passed me.  It was both thrilling to know there were runners behind me as well as disappointment, that I was moving too slow. We were all pushing to make the cutoff, so being slower, means the chance of making it was decreasing. It was then I tried pushing more effort to keep up with other runners. 

    Eventually, we caught up to three runners. We stucked to them.  Joe (not his real name) decided to stay with us, since he did not have a pacer.  He stuck with us until Rice Lake aid station.

    Jennifer encouraged me to try passing two other runners in front of us.  She said, we had to get to hwy 12 before 5 am.  The station seeemed to be forever far away.

    We did reach it around 4:57 (I think). Kuddo to her for getting me on track.

    I went in and went out.  Our friend Joe was doing something that took mych time and so he stayed a bit longer.  I used the potty and then headed back out.

    My legs were cooled off again and I found it was difficult to move again.  The next two miles were mostly uphill.  Joe was stronger and soon pressed ahead.  Jennifer stayed with me.  At first I thought she might prefer to pace Joe over me. 

    Then she asked me to take some gels and caffiene pills.  I did and in no time, about 20 minutes later, I was surging back and caught up with Joe.  Since now is any body game.  I left Joe behind and continued to run forward.  I believed Jennifer went behind to see what she could do to help Joe.  Joe refused her help.  So we continue climbing up to Rice Lake.  We saw many runners returning from Rice Lake. Our time to be there was cutting very close, so at the final mile before getting there, I broke out to my full sprint hoping would make the cut.  I entered the station at 6:27, just made it. Little in-the-know tip, Kettle’s aid station captain there later allowed even several other runners who missed the cutoff to continue and they did make it to the finish on time.  Kettle aidstation closing time was on an even split pace.  It is a dangerous game to bank on the mercy of the aid station caption though.

    And so, it was now 18 miles remaining.  10 ish miles to get back to Bluff and 8 ish mile from Bluff to the finish.  We had 5.5 hours to do it. On paper it was possible. But doing it was another matter. On the way out, it has taken us nearly 6.5 hours, so I know it is a tough run to cut down an hour for the way back.

    We soon saw Joe came in to Rice Lake.  He was about 5 minutes behind. However, he had decided to quit. I believe his bruised toenail was bothering him, plus his wife was there.  

    We too saw a female runner, she did make the cutoff by 1 minute, but she too called it a day.  After me, I believe there was a runner who came in after 6:30, but later caught up to us at the Bluff and went on to finish on time.  So in theory, it is possible to still make it back.

    Now going back to the Bluff was very lonely since, I was the last runner.  We tried to make it back to Duffin.  On our way back we caught up to a young runner, however, the dude seemed done. Little did we know, he was the 17 year old runner who later surged back to life and also finished under 30 hours.

    We had to reach Bluff by 10 am.  My goal was to get there by 9:30. I knew if I get there by 9:30, I could finish. I arrived at 10:03 according to the aid station splits.  I thought that would be it and I would be cut, however, the volunteers there cleared me to continue. Caroline was there to cheer me on.

    After Bluff, we had Tamarack aid station at mile 95. I was still in the game is I could get there by 10:30 ish.

    However, my body was shutdown after getting the Bluff.  The 2.8 miles to Tamarack took over an hour. 3-4 runners then passed me. Until then, I thought I was the last runner. They all made it to the finish in time. I had nothing left.  From Tamarack to the finish, we had to one hour to do 4.8 miles.  I kept thinking of past event like the MMT 100, where I have seen runners made it (Caroline and Randy, etc, they all hustled to make cutoff at the final few miles and I was wondering how they could do it).

    The trail was getting easier, but there were still a lot of small hills.  I lost all the energy and was not able to climb hills or even run the down hills.

    And so, that 4.8 miles took me 1.5 hours.  I stopped checking my watch, knowing it was impossible to run to the finish in time to be under 30 hours.  I was hoping maybe I could get a 100k buckle. Slowly I made it to the finish.

    There were some still volunteers there.  I received a great cheer as I climbed up the final hill.  I was handed the 100 mile buckle.  I didn’t care any more.  A finish is a finish thought if it were unofficial.  Later, we checked the results, I was included as a finisher.  For that, I am more than glad.

    So…lessons learned…

    In every way, the race has gone smoothly for me.  There was storms forecasted, but it did not come.  We saw some lightning in the distance but never near us.  My feet were in ok condition minus the blisters.  The pain was mostly manageable until I got back to the hotel.

    I was asked, which one was my best 100.  I don’t have one.  They are all different. I like the ones I could finish.  I like the most recent one as well as my very first one. I think, it was more the journey than the destination itself.  I did reach the finish.  I was happy about that.

    Motivation/motive was a big thing.  I was asked, why did I pick Kettle Moraine. There is no easy answer.  We beat up our body. We endure a night without sleep. We brave the storm.  It is more than the buckle itself.  To me it is a journey to do hard thing.  Then, I did it with people who happened to be around.  I was grateful for Tom to be my early companion.  Though I wished he had stuck with me to the end, but everyone had their own plan.  Then there was Joe, he too could have made it, but he said his toe was really hurting. I was beyond grateful for my pacer, Jennifer, she was one of the pacers I had in many 100s I did.  Who would have thought, when I needed the extra push, there was readily a good pacer who would stick to the end.

    She did everything correctly.  We ran a negative split, which was really hard for a 100 miler. Unfortunately, it was not enough. For a long time, I could not get over that it was not enough.  Then I realized, I should be so thankful, I did a negative split at the hour I needed the most. And grateful for all things. In the end, it was memories, treasured memories for rest of my life.

    This for the month of June. I also ran Highland Sky the week after Kettle, I might or might not get to that race report.

  • [703] Buffalo Marathon  (May Update)

    Back in April I went down to Elizabeth City to run the Coast Guard Marathon.  A friend who ran with us there (Dan), recommended us to do the Buffalo Marathon in May.

    As it is my habit, I picked races from after hearing someone’s recommendation.  Dan has done it like 10 times. It got me hyped up.

    I am happy to be getting back to doing (road) marathons after a several years of running ultras especially hundred miles. I have not had a new state for a long time.  My goal always was to reach 50 states by when I am 50.  It is a tall order since I have only couple years left.  It would require me to run 10 or more races per year to reach my goal.  So far I have only completed 15 states.  Of course I am a nucklehead.  I have visited 22-25 states already but only ran a road marathon in 13/15 states.  I am a purist to count only the states I have done a road marathon.

    Anyway, I was very happy to cross off North Carolina this year, a state I ran a 100 mile not too long ago but not a marathon.

    I quickly checked my phone to do some planning that night as I was coming back from the race to check if there’s a schedule conflict and plan out the logistics of how to get to Buffalo.  I have gotten quite good with signing up races.

    Lo and behold, the first thing I saw on the race website was the race was sold out.  Oopsie.  They allowed adding our names to a waitlist.  So, it was time for some praying and constantly checking my position on it.  We were like in 200th place.  I suggested, why not join the charity program, since the registration itself was around $200, the charity program only cost about twice the entry fee.  It was not an impossible amount to overcome. It was for a good cause.  We are not rich. Actually, money was getting tighter because of the nation’s economic condition and the on going war in the Middle East (gas price being high and other comsumer goods rose along with it).

    So that was a disappointment.  We reached out to the Race Director/or the support hotline. to asked to be allowed in, we don’t need the medal or shirt, just a bib.  You know with a race for 3000 people, 1-2 more would be that much to break a race, or so we thought.  We could carry our own food and water, since we do that all the time for ultras.  The answer we got back was not what we wanted to hear but fair.  Rules are rules.  We were directed to the charity route.

    So we decided to wait like everyone else and were not willing to spend extra to get in. 

    Every morning, I would see my name moved up a dozen of so places.  After watching it for a week or so, I believe, I would get in by end of the month. 

    After another week of waiting, my name was pulled from the waitlist along with 200 other runners, It seems the RD opened the flood gate to let everyone in.  I was super excited that now I could make concrete plan for the marathon.   

    Since Buffalo is also where Niagara Falls is, there is no way I am not checking that out.  I’ve been there several times but still it is magical to see it again.  So the race was just an excuse to see the Falls and also my girlfriend has been telling me about the original Buffallo Wings were originated at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo (where they have a real anchor!).  She went there with her friend.  I wanted to go there too. She was a sailor and she told that they have an anchor in the restaurant. We did try to look for the anchor but I did not find it.

    So there was a lot I wanted to see.  I always thought Buffalo wings means meaty chicken wings or that they were made of real buffalo meat but never thought that it was invented or originated from the city of Buffalo.

    If you know me, I have this weird desire bucket list going on, I want to eat the Orange chicken in China or Orange County, Peruvian Chicken in Peru, and Singapore Noodle in Singapore.  Little did I know, all those are American inventions or something like that when a friend busted my bubble about Singapore noodle, or there’s no Orange Chicken in China. But Buffalo chicken is really from Buffalo! So I had to try them there.

    And I did. We went to the original Anchor Bar the first thing when we arrived in Buffalo.  By the way, Buffalo (well might have been JFK but then we landed, redirected to Buffalo for the night before continued on to Washington) was the first city I entered when I arrived in America many years ago.  So it is some special place for me to be in Buffalo.

    After a hearty meal at the Anchor Bar, we went over to  Canada side.  I wanted some bragging right that we stepped into another country for the weekend! 

    What about the food?  Nothing much to be said about the chicken wings.  It was a cool thing.  Niche and nice. They are like any chicken wings I had before.  I ordered the orignal flavor.  I like the spicy sauce.  The Burbon flavor was better than the original sauce, which I glad we ordered.  I wish we had picked a sampler.  The meal was good.  I would have like a pint of beer with that but we had to cross the border and I did not want my breath to smell with alcohol or to appear in any way under the influence and prevented our trip to Canada.

    Border crossing:  There was a long wait to cross over to Canada.  Flip side, apparently not many wanted to enter the US due to our president wild talks. Canadians don’t want to come to the US any more.

    The border guard asked a few usual questions, and we were then cleared to enter Canada.  This time was a lot easier than in my previous trip. I was happy to be cleared and on our way.

    Because our trip was on Memorial weekend, hotels doubled their prices.  We found a place near the Falls, about 10 mins walking, a motel.  It was decent, clean, and good enough for a night. Canada is decent place.  I was there couple years ago for a marathon too. So this time was like I know where to go and see the stuff I missed.

    With long sunset, we had a few hours to walk around.  We had good weather the first day.  Sunny, slight breeze, and it was very comfortable.  Normally in a previous trip, I would run along the rim of falls from one end to the other, maybe like 2-3 miles.  I think I did a 10k before, just running on the trails there.  I had the same idea this time but our time was limited and we were there for a marathon on Sunday, so we did not want to tire ourselves on the first night with running.

    What we ended up doing was walking across the Rainbow Bridge back to the America side and visited the American Falls and various points.  This was my first time being on the bridge (I drove across it before). The view was just Amazing.  I highly recommend others to do this.  You get the full view of the falls. 

    Being already full from the Anchor Bar limited me from eating more.  At the American side, there is a cafeteria/gift shop that had a lot of fast food restaurants   I ate there before on my previous trip and I was drooling to eat or order some to take back to the hotel that night.  However, because I was already full, I did not buy any, just looked.

    Canada side too has a lot of eateries but I did not get to try them.  Kids and children were everywhere when we got back to Canada. 

    We crossed the bridge twice.  The border guard asked is weird questions like where we were from, when we were trying to enter the US border and where are we were going. We clearly presented our US passports and said the US.  Later, they explained that many people made the mistake between Canada and the U.S, like trying to enter Canada instead of the US but ended up in the US side, and so the guard thought we went to the wrong border.  Hmm. OK, I gave him the benefit of doubt.

    Canada side too was asking when did we last visited the country, and we said just a few hours ago. They probably did not expect people to walk across the bridge back and forth. They probably did not know we are ultra marathoners, and we can walk.  We later told them we were there to do a marathon!

    We headed back to our hotel that night and retired early hoping to catch a sunrise.

    The next day the weather was not so good.  It was cold around 50s and started with a light rain then got heavier.  Still we wanted to see the Falls one last time before leaving.  But it was too cold, so I ended up at a Starbucks for the next couple hours.  Note, I wanted to go or remembered there was a Tim Hortons there but this time, there’s a Starbucks at every corner and no Tim Hortons.  Tim Hortons has good breakfast if I remember correctly.  So no breakfast for me that morning because I could not find a Tim Hortons.  We saw a McDonalds.  What did I ended up eating?  I don’t remember.

    So I went down to see the Falls with strong wind blowing and I was drenched from head to toes not long after.  Our check out time was 10 am, so we had some time still to browse around.  Somehow, I got lost on my way back to the hotel (unintentionally) and wandered around the whole neighborhood the next hour.  I went maybe a mile out of the way and past the hotel, until I started to recognize some previous landmarks and QEW, the road we came in. We got back to the hotel around 10, immediately packed up our things and checked out.

    We had promised to meet up with our friend Dan in Buffalo around noon at the Convention Center.  So, we started our trip back to the US.  I wish we had an extra day to visit Toroto  too, for some dimsum, but that would need to wait for our next trip to Canada. 

    We got to the race convention around noonish.  The rain was coming down still and I was  wet again.  So, we beelined to the bib pickup, got our bib and headed directly back to the car.  Our hotel check in was not until 3, we probably could have done an early check in.  Next, we went for our meal.  I found a Korean restaurant nearby, actually, our first choice led us to out of business restaurant and had to drive across Buffalo for another.  In the end, I got my hot spicy soup.  I could not remember what I had, but it was something good. Maybe Bimbimbab.

    We got to the hotel by 3 pm, checked in and settled in.  Changed out the wet clothes and shoes and started preparing for our race the next morning.  Unlike many other races, this one starts early at 6:30.  So, we sould need to be at the start around 5 am, which means up around 3:30.  It is a 15 min drive to downtown.  So we set to leave the hotel by 4:45.  We found out by 5 am the roads around the Convention Center were already blocked.

    Somehow our friend Dan navigated us passed the barricades and we were able to park two blocks away from the start.

    We were early and the Convention Center did not open until 5:30.  We waited with everyone by the door to be let in.  The air was humid and seemed we would have a hot day.  Forecast originally predicted rain and cold. But, we dodged the bad weather.  In the end it was 70s, no rain.  Cloudy, a perfect weather for a run.

    I did not have a drop bag.  We entered the Convention Center to use its bathroom.  Then we waited some more, not too bad, mostly for the line to the bathroom that stretched many miles. They did have potta johns outside but I think everyone preferred the nice indoor bathroom. When it was time for the start, we walked out and crossed the road to the other side, there were people directed us to our starting place.  I did not want to line up too close to the front, but the crowd was great and there was no where I could line up, so I was put with the 8 min pace people.  I run around 12-13 min.

    We sang the anthem.  People around me were excited.  I made a few friends, many were their first marathon or first half marathon. We all started together.  The Full Marathon pretty much ran the half marathon course first, then we did a second half by ourselves.

    I prefer doing the first half with all the people, the second half was quieter.  I did have my beer.  Read on.

    I was just recovering from my 100 mile the week before, also, I was not in great shape, so it was hard for me to run.  I tried.  First mile gone by.  There were still a lot around me.  Slowly people passed me.  Mile 2, then 3, and 4.  Slowly, I drifted back to my pace group.

    Then there was an urge to pee.  I looked over the potties lined at each aid station, there were always a line.  I did not want to stop for too long.  So I held it in. So mile 5, 6, 7.  I think by mile 8, I found an empty porta-potty and I stopped to pee.  An accident.  The person before me didn’t close/lock the door, so I thought it was empty and opened the door.  Oopsie. So I waited till it was my turn.   and when I could let it out that was the best feeling in the world. I didn’t care about my time by then.  I knew I would finish.  Eventually.

    We got to the Harbor.  I saw the small light house.  We passed by where we had our pasta dinner with the RWB people the night before.  That was interesting.  It was my first time on a navy ship. It was really cool.

    Anyway, I continued to run.  I saw Dan, he was a mile ahead of me.  I tried to look for Caroline, but somehow did not see her.  There was the young man I saw at the start and he was struggling with a leg cramp.  I offered him my bars but he refused.  I told him not to give up since the halfway point wasn’t far away. He did finish.

    Then mile 9, 10, 11.  Almost halfway.  I was still moving great.  I started to look for my pacer.  There were still faster people running past me. 

    Then I saw Caroline up ahead.  Poor her, hmm.  I usually catch up to her around halfway.  She asked if I would run with her.  Surely, no, not today.  While, I was not targeting a particular time, but I wanted to run my best.  So I passed her. 

    Mile 12, 13.  Not much I could remember.  The second half were way less crowded.  There were always someone in front of me. I started to get into my pace.  I was not passing people and less people were passing me. 

    I stayed with a guy who said it was his first marathon and he did not train for it.  We stayed together until mile 18.  I again offered one of my candy bar.  I told him, don’t eat it all, but eat it a bit at time when he is feeling the wall.  He did not carry any water or gels.  So he was screwed.  But I told him to run and walk and he will finish.  I did not get to see him again. I hope he finished the race.

    I started slowing down myself.  I think mile 20 or 22 was the the turn around point.  I was running through a neighborhood, and they offered me beer.  It was quite refreshing. By then, I really did not care about time.  I stopped and had a good cup of beer.

    I knew just few more miles and I would reach the finish.  The course was good enough to have mile marker at every mile.

    RWB people had their aid station at mile 25.  I made it my goal to get there to thank them and for their pasta dinner they hosted us the night before.

    I also wanted to chase down Dan.  At Coast Guard, I came in before Dan, so I felt I had a chance.  So I started to lay down the fire and pick up the speed.  I did beat my Coast Guard time by a min or so, but Dan was no where in sight.  Later, I found out he finished 15 mins ahead of me, likely bested me by a mile and half.  He is in his 70s, with 321 marathons under his belt.

    Caroline came in 15 minutes after me.  At the after race lunch, I met some local famous runners (forgot their name).  They made into the evening news, for having done like 100 marathons.

    Overall, I enjoyed the marathon.  I was running my best.  I used to run faster, hopefully, I could work on my speed and get the time down to 4 hours.  I have long put away my dream of being Boston Qualified.  That requires me to run sub 3 hour. Impossible for me now.  I run just to enjoy and to go to new places. 

    Our next stop will be Ohio for the Air Force Marathon in September and then The Marine Corps Marathon in October in DC.  Yes, we are doing the military challenge.  Too bad, the Navy and Space Force, and Army don’t have a marathon.

  • [702] MMT 100 race report (DNF)

    I stopped at mile 50.  The day started well. The weather was cool in 40s. The day was looking good.

    I was not fast but believed I could pull it through by fast hiking. 

    That proved me wrong. 

    The first aid station, I was 30 mins from the cutoff.

    By second aid station at Woodstock, my time was slipping by couple minutes.  I was hoping to hold the slippage.

    Then came Fort Powell, mile 26.  I slipped again by couple minutes. 

    I was still in the game as long as I held on the pace.  It is now past noon and sun was at its hottest.

    I climbed the road, went around the reservoir.  Then it was the Side Winding Trail to Meneka Peak.  This was my trying period.  I had to make several breaks.  Then I walked the four miles down on the other side.

    Eating and drinking was hard.  I was feeling light headed every time I tried to pick up my pace.

    Randy, my crew, was concerned.  He told me everyone came into Elizabeth Furnace looking beat up.  He helped me through and got me ice for my cap and pack.

    Out I walked Elizabeth Furnace going the wrong way.  The volunteered corrected me, and I went the wrong way second time, unable to follow the course ribbon.

    Then my fellow buddies, Charlie and Caleb left and I followed them up Shaw Gap.  This by far the hardest climb for me.

    Rain then came.  It cooled me down.  I could descend the other side to Shaw Gap aid station.  There Randy met me one last time.  He said he might not be at Hebron, mile 55.  I agreed.  He needed his rest before pacing me at 2 am.

    I knew deep down, possibly I might not get through the next three aid station before I see him. 

    I reached Veach with 15 minutes to spare.  From there, we had 3 hours to get to Indian Grave, mile 50.  In my mind, I misread or misremembered my arrival time at Veach, thinking I had 4 hours instead of 3 hours to get to Indian Grave.

    My chart says the cutoff time was 9:25, but my running companion, I newly met, mr. Vinny, told me it was 9:30.  So, I did not felt the need to do a full pace press to make the cutoff.

    As we decending at the Indian Grave trail, I thought, we had about a mile to go, Vinny told me we had 2.5 miles left.  We picked up a female runner on the way down. She asked if we are going to make it.  I checked my watch with about 30 minutes left, 2.5 miles, likely not but I will give it a try.

    So off I ran as fast as I could.  I got to the aid station at 9:30 thinking, they might still let me through.  I received the bad news, they said. I was pulled.  I accepted it.  On the bright side, I could go back to camp Caroline Furnace and have a good sleep.

    I needed it. My head was still spinning.  I could not eat yet I was hungry. I could not drink but was thirsty. I was tired and hurt all over.  I just wanted to crawl into bed.

    My friend Charlie made it to mile 54.  His friend Caleb went on.

    I thank you for the volunteers and race management for making the race possible.  There will always be next year.  I will train better and finish it next time.

  • [701] April Update

    Don’t ask me where the time gone, it is May already.

    April – Ran the Bull Run Run 50.  Unfortunately, it was half finished.  I dnf – dropped out/timed out halfway at Fountainhead, with 13 miles left.  Hopefully, I write a full report when I have the time.

    Then after, I ran the Coast Guard Marathon.  It was hard, but I finished.  The weekend was enjoyable.  I always like going to a new place, Elizabeth City.  The town was small and we ate at a local restaurant (forgot the name) or what I ate.  –(Hoppin Johnz and their signature piece, Hoppin John – coffit pork). Can’t remember how that tasted like, more bland and cold meal, but the decors of the place was nice — remember their chandelier and paintings hung on the wall. We stayed in Suffolk, also was my first time there. Hope too I have time to write about the run.  I struggled with the heat and pace.  Almost thought I could not finish after mile 20. Then I passed my friends. I limped in.

    Then, I went for a trail work trip.  It was a great day spending some time on the trail and friends I have not seen for a season.

    A lot seemed to have taken place but very little time to write about.  Some other news: Volunteered at C&O 100 and cheering my girlfriend who ran in it.  It was an adventure, (I got sick) I wish too I could have the time to write about.  Also, I went to Arizona to help a friend in a 300 mile race at the beginning of the month. I might have wrote about it in the last entry. I wish I could write more about that while it it is still fresh.  Definitely, it was a defining moment for 2026.  I was there for a week, but time flew by.  I thought I could use that week off to catch up on life and everything.  I did, but not as much as I wanted.

    Some good news: I got into Vermont 100.  Finally after 4 months of waiting. 

    -I got into Buffalo Marathon.  Will be exicited going there duing the Memorial Weekend.  There are a few things to do.

    -Signed up for a new race series – Army 10, Space Force 10, Soon Navy 10 (Miler).  We locked in for Air Force Marathon in Ohio and Marine Corps Marathon this year.  Yes, we are doing one of the Challenge Series after we ran Coast Guard Marathon. We had hope, there are other military marathons to do but 10 milers are the best we can find.  Most of the races are within our driving distance except for Navy and Space Force.

    Before I knew it, MMT 100, my first 100 miler this year is at hand (near).  This race is very dear to me and those around.  I am crazy and nervous about it because this is the first time I did not train for it. I am hyperventilating crazy when I start to think about it.  Not only that, I have 4-5 more hundreds coming up like a train.  I am going get beaten up this coming weekend and more.  Not the way I wanted, but will see.  Hopefully, it will restart my training session for the rest of the year.

    Various reasons of the whats and why it is like this.  We are given with a limited amount of energy, focus, and time.  Sometimes, something got to give. Writing this journal took 15 mins.  There are many things I wanted to do including slowing down sometimes.  I want to slow down and write more, but clock is ticking so got to go.  Until next month, or post. Hopefully, not for too long a break until then.

  • [700] March Update

    In a blink of an eye, March is gone and April is here.

    I accumulated a pile of journal entries to be written.  I know every weekend was busy but now I cannot remember why.

    March 7:  Naked Bavarian 40 in Leesport, PA. Was it a good day?  We drove up the night before and stayed in Reading.  We had dinner with a friend of Caroline.  He brought us a lot of sweets – I had Cream Cheese and Lemon cake for breakfast the bext morning.  We were at the start bright and early and got the first parking spot, maybe first 20 spots.  I got my bib.  Caroline and Jeremy ran with me on the first loop for 20 miles.  I went back out for the second loop.  The cutoff was quite close but I made it and finished, avoiding the DFL (dead last).  Finished 10:01:38

    March 8.  Reston 10 (X) Miler. A race I have done almost every chance I got in my local area. Somehow, I got Caroline to join in my craziness.  I finished with a time of 2:03:34. We will see if next year too, we will do it again for 3 year in a row.

    March 14: Elizabeth Furnace 50k.  A lot of my friends ran this one, but I was quite slow so I was near the last place and only saw a few people. Scott started late but caught up and passed me.  Same for Dan, who passed me could hours in. I kept on trucking along and made the last cutoff at Elizabeth Furnace.  There I left my buddy Bill from PA to finish the final 10 miles.  My time was 10:36.

    March 21:  Terapin Mountain 50k.  A lot can be written about this if I have the time.  We went out the night before and camped out. It was beautiful. We had a slight rain.  The course has some big climbs, water, but mostly roads/fireroads and was easy until the final third, maybe mile 27-28.  We had one big humongous hill (mountain).  Barely made it through the last cutoff with 5 minutes to spare and finished in 8:34. I avoid the DFL.

    March 22.  Virginia Half Marathon. As if the weekend was not enough, we (Caroline) were crazy enough to go and we ran a half marathon a hilly course the next day, mostly just to stretch the leg out.  I had a time of 3:01:28.

    March 28. Lucky 13.1 in Tucson, AZ.  2:34:19.  A lot can be said about this.  Is it my first far away half marathon race?  It was hot, and fun one.  I was out in Tucson to support a friend running a 300 mile (Arizona Monster). I had a free Saturday morning, so why not sign up for a race. It was the only running I did out there.

    That was my March.  I had very little training done but a lot of races.  I hope that April would be the other way around, more training and less racing.

  • [699] onto D700 (February update)

    Why I have not written much?  Time. Not much time to write.  There are other priorities in life.  Also I have not been running much.  Another reason is writing requires thinking.  I have not had much time to sit and think.  Every day is rush rush to do this and that and at the end of the day it is bed time and then another sunrise and another month flew by and before you know it , it will be Easter.  Lastly, the app I used to post has changed.  I like the WordPress app but finally gave up on it because some settings I made, and it was no longer work with my blog.  I switched a “new” app called Jetpack.  It is not bad, but I am not used to it. I like the old WordPress app. I was one of the few holdovers who refused to migrate to the newer app. So, very little blogging done.

    Since the last post, I ran in two races.  Holiday Lake and the Reverse Ring and last weekend, the Massanutten Training Run #2.

    Holiday Lake 50k:  I was looking toward running the race with friends.  Like every year, I wanted to run it fast.  This year was not a fast year.  Jeremy, my buddy paced with me on the first loop.  We got through just shy of the cutoff.  After that, the second loop did not have a cutoff, but I did not know.  I was trying to finish before 3 pm.  I came in a bit over that.  Don’t remember my time.  8:03:43.  Three minutes over.  One of the last three runners to finish.  I could blame on the snowy icy condition that made me a tad slower.  Snow and ice was all melted by the  second loop though.  In theory, I could pick up my pace and run faster. I was out of shape.

    Holiday Lake was on the same weekend of the make up day for Angela Ivory 24-hour run.  The race I originally signed up to run, but could not because to snow.  The date then moved to the same weekend as the Holiday Lake.  I will wait till next year to attempt a 100 mile in Delaware.  As far as I know, it is the only 100 mile run available in Delaware. Caroline went to it and had a great time.

    Also due to snow, I could not run the Mid Maryland 50k that was scheduled for end of January 31 and was then rescheduled for this coming weekend (in March), which conflicts with the Naked Bavarian 40 race I will be doing. Note, we all be running fully clothed. Nothing scandalous here. Naked I think is a ket word for no frills and not getting a shirtsl.  More will be written if I do finish.

    The next run I did was the Reverse Ring 70 Mile.  This is a counterpart to the Ring I did in the fall (post). 

    Because it was in the winter, there was risk that it wouldn’t happen due to snow and the weather.  Last few weeks, we had two or three ice/snow storms that made the trail inaccessible.  Suddenly, right before the event, weather warmed up a lot, and most of the snow melted. We are talking high 40 – 50s F and it felt like summer to us, having been in the 10s on most days.  I could not ask for a better weekend to run it.

    To us, here local runners, running the Ring and the Reverse Ring is like a badge of honor. It is the most crazy thing we runners can do and brag about.  “I run the Ring in the winter.”  Of course, there are harder stuffs out there like doing the Barkley or The Wild Oak.  Those truly are ones people can brag about.  There are many other races too nowaday.  Some did the Swammie, which is another run I have my eyes on.  The Ring though is our local version of the big boy run.

    So, I have not been out on the course since mid January when I ran MMT training run #1.  I wanted to go out the week before right after Holiday Lake race to check on the part of the Orange trail that I was not so sure of, especially the turns at Duncan Knob.  Scotthorn and Duncan and Gap Creek intersect with one another always confuse me in the past and even now. Because of snow and ice that weekend and I was also pretty tired after the race, I did not go out to the trail.  The time I got to finally see the trail was on the race day itself. I have to just trust the motto to stay on Orange (the blaze color) for the course. The motto of Staying on Orange sounds easy but there are yellow, blue, white, purple,  green (is there green?) They all look the same at night under moonlight/headlamp light. 

    By Wednesday night, pretty much at the last minute, our beloved Race Leader Daisy gave the Go Ahead Signal.  So I packed up running things that I needed and made several calls to my friends and crew get them into place.  Everything sounds simple and well planned, but what the heck, I just like let things fall and hoped that they all landed feet up. Guess what?  It ended up better than expected.  My pacer at the last minute Friday night was still calling around for a ride!  I told him to reach out to my friend Jeremy, whom I did not know if he would come or not.  Just hoping that he would.  He did. They coordinated and got each other to where they needed to be.

    Caroline drove me to the start during the bright early 0400  Saturday.  The race started at 6. The sun was just about to rise. There I turned in my one and only drop bag.  It had a dry pair of clean shoes.  Plus a shirt, some snacks, two cans of Red Bull, some socks, pair of headlamps, and misc stuff like toothbrush, which I did not get to use at all (I was chasing the cutoff). They said keep the bag small and light.  Mine was average.

    We would see our drop bags at various aid stations minus couple remote ones like Crisman Hollow and Milford.

    There were many familiar faces at the start.  The Daren brothers.  They are local farmers and they joined us in past events.   John C and Charlie are my friends.  Charlie said I could stay with him.  Amanda, someone I ran with at my first Massanutten and quite an amazing runner when she first told me she did the Ring that year.  Back then I had no clue what the Ring was. 

    Then there was Robert P, who I am forever thankful for introduced me to his friend in Utah who was my pacer for my Wasatch 100 when I attempted my 100 mile Grand Slam in 2024. 

    They are my dearest friends.  I ran with many of them before.  They were running at about my pace.  Charlie said he would stay with John and I could too join up with them.  I said we will see.  John as I know is a fast bunny.  I like to go at my own pace rather than trying to keep up with faster people.  If it happens we would be going the same pace later in the race, then we be staying together.

    I had my friend Wayne to pace me at halfway after mile 46 during the night. It was something I was looking forward to.  He paced me several times in the past at other events such as the Devil Dog and Grindstone and we always have a good time.  He is a seasoned runner and highly respected runner.  He also went out with me to Wasatch and the whole idea of me running the Grand Slam and my motivation originated from him. Though if asked, he humbly said he has very little part in it.

    So up we went up the Signal Knob after starting and caught the morning sunrise.  It is interesting to note how much easier it was to go up at the Reverse Ring and to descend this mountain during the Regular Ring. 

    Pretty soon I was joined by Andy and Robert.  Robert stayed with me most of the time. Andy was always lurking behind.  I felt like I was being chased. We chatted and talked on various things.  Time slipped by quickly as we lollygaged.  He stayed near the start the night before and met some people at the bar.  He shared how a random stranger happened to be the father of one of our runners.  I thought that was so cool.  In no time, we reached our first aid station — Woodstock Tower.  The goal was to get there within 3 hours, but it took us 4:10.  Slightly behind schedule, but no big deal since it was not a strict cutoff aid station. I could still be in the game as long as I move a bit faster at the next section.

    Caroline was there. Later I found out she drove back home to get something and rushed back to the race to meet me at Woodstock.  If I had held my planned pace, we would have missed each other.

    She got me the things I needed. Refilled my water and out I went.  I did not wait for Robert. Maybe in my haste, I tripped over some roots.  I landed on my thumb…not sure how, maybe I was trying to brace the fall.  My thumb took the hit and started bleed on the edge where the nail and skin meet.  Nothing can be done but to suck on it. Up I got up and continued.  Soon Robert caught up to me.  We pushed on to the next station at Edinburg Gap.  Originally I planned to arrive there by noon, but now I was an hour behind, I thought I would not be there until 2 pm.  There will be a cut off at 4 pm at the 3rd aid station.  I wanted to get to Edinburg with three hours to spare to tackle The Short Mountain.  So I was rushing and made up the lost time and arriving at Edinburg at 1 pm.  Robert came in a little after me.  John and his two friends were in front ahead of me.  I got some food.  Caroline gave me the coffee that I saved in the morning.  That was great and best thing in the world.  We filled up a bottle of coffee for carrying out.  Then I bookied out leaving John and everyone behind. 

    Again in my rush, I missed a turn while hiking up on the fire road.  Luckily John and his two friends were right behind and called out to me.  I was saved and turned around.  John and team were faster runners and soon I lost sight of  them on the Short Mountain.  We had a cutoff right after this, so everyone was hustling.  We had exactly three hours to get through this.  I was trying to make it before the cutoff.

    I told myself to slow down with the first real technical trail, and eventually I would make it out.  Indeed by 3:45 pm I arrived at Moreland Gap.  In time before the cutoff. 

    John and his friends too were still there.  Caroline was there again with a lot people I know. Bruce.  Simon.  I had my lunch from a can of chicken soup, my favorite trail food and off trail food. She got me the Red Bull I asked for.  She said, she looked around the car and found it.  I swallowed that.  I packed some food out with me to attack the next and possibly the hardest section, Kerns Mountain.

    Up we climb Kerns.  The goal was to get through it before sunset.  Kerns is always a troublesome place because it is so rocky that it was impossible to run fast.  Having been through Kerns so many times now, I have memorized all the turns.  So again, a bit slower than the last section, I got through in about 3 hours, arriving at Crisman Hollow just before 7 pm.  It was still light.

    It was normally a no crew station.  This year, the gate was open for us (our event) so   Caroline could drop off my stuff like a pole, a jacket, and some drinks.  I did not ask for them but they were all helpful.  Without a pole, I would have a hard time getting down the Waterfall Mountain and through Big Run and Duncan Hollow.  Also because evening was approaching, temperature was dropping rapidly to 30s.  The jacket was came in handy.  My friend Jeremy and Wayne were volunteering there and they got me out as quickly as they could.  Also John H and Charlene were there.  People who are kind and helpful.

    John and his gang were no where in sight.  I did not know Erin dropped.  And Amanda just left a bit earlier.  My friend Robert came in not long after me.  We kind of left the aid station together. I was like a few minutes ahead of him, but his headlamp was visible to me.

    This was another hard part, to descend down the Waterfall Trail.  Luckily there was no snow or ice today.  The descent was uneventful.  I caught up to Amanda at the bottom.  There we climbed Big Run together.  It only took maybe 40-50 minutes to get to the top.  It might have felt a long time.  Now it was completely dark. 

    From there we headed to Duncan Knob.  The place was always confusing to me in the past.  Scothorn, Gap Creek, and Duncan, they all look the same.  Anyway, just follow Orange they say.  I paused at every turn to check my map.  I heard story how someone I knew stuck there for 12 hours during the night in a previous Ring event.  I was praying, let it not be me.  I got to get to Camp Roosevelt before 10 pm. 

    8 pm went by.  Then 9 pm.  It was about 9 miles.  So in theory should take about 3 hours since we were moving at 3 miles an hour.  However, I think it was a bit longer, 9.5 miles.  So accounting the extra half mile, I would have to run on every down hill.  Glad there were a lot of that.

    Then 9:30.  Robert who was behind me, too got nervous decided to break into a run.  He passed me at Duncan Hollow when I was struggling with mud and swamp.  I tried my best to chase.  He was soon out of sight.  I knew, I should have about a mile left.  And then out I came arrived at Camp Roosevelt with everyone there. 

    It was a happy reunion with all my friends.  John, Phil, Charlie, and Robert too were sitting around.  Dan and company were getting burgers for us.  Caroline helped me changed into night gear.  We heard it would going to snow that night.  I wanted to bundle up.  The next segment is not hard, it was just long.  25 miles with only one limited aid station at halfway. 

    Wayne was ready to pace me.  Jeremy reminded me to change out my headlamp.  It was a great advice since one I was using died.  So I picked up a fresh one.  He gave me caffeine tablets for the night.  I forgot mine.  I tried my 2nd can of Red Bull, but it did not taste right, so I could not drink it. Caroline helped refill my water and changed my socks and shoes.  I was now ready.

    Robert left 5 mins ahead.  Wayne was ready.  So we chased and passed Robert on our way up to Kennedy Peak.  Through out the night, I felt John and his team were on my tail and occasionally I would see their headlamps.  But in truth, they were an hour behind.  It might have been my halucination. 

    I now the fastest one in our group except that we were moving really slow.  On ocassion it was like 1 mile an hour.  I was struggling with every hill.  Milford seemed forever far away.  The wind picked up and it started raining at 2 am.  Wayne said, we should move faster to try to reach Milford before it changes to snow.  I agreed.  Yet I was battling sleep deprivation.  The caffeine pills Jeremy gave me, I misplaced them and could not found them.  I must have dropped them when I tripped over a root. Wayne gave me his gels. Oh well, we fought through the night.  Soon we saw a headlamp coming toward us.  It was Jeff Pence, another my good upbeat trail friend.  He was wondering why we were so long in arriving, so he back sweep from milford.  He is a local farmer so had the permission to be out at night.  Boy did that lifted me up, so now the three of us rushed toward Milford. 

    Milford though a limited aid station was sufficiently provided me with everything I wanted.  I had my water refilled.  They had oven baked pizzas.  I had some broth, some cake or something. This was a limited aid station because volunteers had to hike in over couple miles carrying all the supplies.  It was staffed by the local people. Larry and Jamie, also good trail friends, were there taking care of me. One of the Darren brothers was there.  Was I glad they were there in the dead of night.  I stayed till 2:50 before moving out.

    Now, there were only 12-13 miles left.  It should be easy.  We had to get to Veach, descend it.  Then climb up the other side.  Some Ridge running and soon we would be at Elizabeth Furnace.  I was estimating, that I could arrive between 6-7 am. In four hours max.

    Weather was getting bad.  Snow started falling.  We got to Veach when it was still dark.  Climbing out out of Veach was not too bad.  It was a gentle climb.  Up we went for like 3-4 miles.  Once we got to Ridge, I thought then it (the end) would be near.  However, I think we hiked another 7 miles. It seemed forever.  Soon it was light.  Snow now came down heavier.  The trail was almost covered by snow.  The hard part once the trail is covered, it would be hard finding the way.  My feet started feeling the cold.  It got numb and then my toes started hurting because of the cold.  Our pace was slower because we did not want to slip.  Trail got a bit more technical.  I was thinking how much longer before we start descending. 

    Wayne thought the cutoff was at 9 am and urged me to leave him to run ahead.  I said I would not even if that was true.  Because of the weather condition, we should stay together.  I could not and would not leave my pacer out on the trail.  Two are better than one.  Slowly we made our way down.  Once we descended sufficiently, the trail got easier.  There was no snow near the bottom.  I think we were back on 3 miles an hour pace.  Eventually, we started running.  Wayne then said, this part he knows well familiar with.  Me too.  We saw Elizabeth Furnace Campground.  Then , just a mile left.  I arrived back at the Signal Knob parking lot at 8:40.  So my finishing time was 26:40.  Not bad.  It was a faster time than my Ring time diring the summer, by 20 mins. 

    Jeff B (another Jeff) prepared a wonderful breakfast.  Toast with Grit.  Good grit.  I was too sleepy by then. After the meal, I went to Wayne’s car and we both dozed off while waiting for rest of runners to finish. 

    It was good seeing Amanda came in.  She was paced by my good friend Ram.  Phil came in next. Then Charlie and John came in.  It was a high finishing rate.  They had their story of not staying on the Orange.  Robert came in last. Robert also had his story of following John and Charlie off to a wrong trail and added like extra five miles.  The younger guys took off leaving Robert behind.  He perservered and finished.  Everyone got off the mountain safely and earned our badge as the Master of the Ring. 

    What a weekend.  I could not remember much.  Snow was beautiful.  It was a good time.  I would have made it if I was by myself.  However, it was infinite 100 times better to have good friend Wayne being with me during one of the loneliest stretch. My friend Jeremy waited for me to finish before heading home.

    It is one of the races/events only way to experience it is to do it.  I am just grateful I got to try it and got it done.

    The following weekend, I ran the MMT training Run #2. The highlight was having good food from Jeff.  It was another beautiful day.  There were many friends on the trail.  We did it.  I finished the day running with Dave and Jesse.  But most of the time, I was by myself. 

    I like to capture all my memories and such.  The run is like life.  We moved through from place to place.  Unless I write it down, I would forget.  Many things happened in between.  And that is it.  A long hard race. That a small window of the joy I had in the last month.

  • [698] Jan, for the record

    FTR, very little running and plenty things to do, but finally got a breather to update my blog.

    MMT 1 – training.  (50k) Was going to do a report, but very little to say.  It was my most anticipated toward event since Devil Dog 100. We  started early and shuttled to the start at 6 AM, lined up.  Wayne was there. Was going to do a no-wait pure focused run.  Yet, the first climb up on Moreland Gap put me at last of the pack.  There’s John and some other people behind, but found out they intended to drop out early at the next aid station.  That put the fire in me of not get cut.  It was then just me, Laura and Ram to duel it out. Since it was not a race, I eased up a bit by midday and took on the role of the unofficial sweeper.  We three finished relatively same time in the dark (7pm). I stayed a bit to catch up to the amazing RD Larry who will attempt the Thru Hike this year (his YT channel is up, DishragHikes, look him up).  Pretty much in line of last (2024) time. Was wondering if I have pushed my pace, I could have got it done by 5 pm?

    Next Up was a new race I have not done.  Angela Ivory 24. (100, though aiming on 50k that weekend) Signed up late and missed the free 50k option and was going to check out the event for a future 100 mile attempt in Delaware.  However, winter finally arrived and we had some icy snow condition that changed the plan around.  Race was deferred to a later date.  So I elected to cancel it altogether because the make up date is in conflict with another race.

    Mid Maryland 50k. It would have been my third time.  Weather again had another idea.  The race was canceled.  Caroline and I attempted to check the course anyway.  I wanted my premium even though I won’t be able to do the race at a later date.  It was an ice field and my memory of the course escaped me.  It was difficult to way find.  If I had time, I think I could do it.  But I was under pressure to get the run done, so we pretty much make a big figure 8 loop and called it a day. While Caroline could run on top of the ice, I had much harder time and kept punching through the ice layer.  It was not a fun experience with ankles being turned unexpectedly at every step.  My crampon did not stay on, I think they were too small for me.  The rest of the afternoon was shopping at REI trying to look for better Yaktrac.  Well many others have that idea too, because they were sold out.

    Where did we go this past weekend?  Oh, Uwharrie 40.  It was not my race.  Later did try to sign up but was full them.  The race was too far away, 7-8 hour drive in NC.  Supposingly 5 hours on Google Map but accounting for traffic and rest stops, it was one long trip.  Caroline ran.  I went back to the hotel to rest and later picked her up. I could have planned better to bring along my outdoor running gear to check out the local trails.  Indeed, town was about 30-60 mins away. Trail was well marked.  I was out walking about a bit, but got nervous after finding it is a hunting ground and I did not have a map with me.  I did not want to wander off trail too far. Yes, could have printed out a trail guide and I would be set.  I did not want to interfere with the race by running on the course itself, since banditing a race is a no-no in many places.

    I rolled my ankle right just before all the snow during Bull Run Run Training Run #1.  Also no report.  I did not officially signed up, but we were doing the run in reverse.  Let say there happened to be people from my running club there. I did take food from their aid station. Thanks Larry and volunteers. Totally unplanned, which Caroline was mad of me for diverting to after church.  Too long a story.  We got separated and the rest of run was not going to take place once we happened to meet back up.  I rolled my ankle that morning, so it would not be too sad if I had to cut it short.  We finished the run when the sunny day became dark and gloomy. Winter storm arrived that night and froze us in place for the next couple weeks. We also got to see the trail work project I took part in six months ago. I did not take any photos.

    That is all for January. For next year, maybe Long Haul, Forgotten Florida, and maybe Donna 110. Forgot maybe another Feb race, oh possibly Uwharrie. Big Horn for this year is still open. The Mid state Massive too.  I learned in Bible study this week about Balaam and his talking donkey, why did God tell him to go and then prevent him when he went.  There seems to a lot indecisiveness and unclear direction.  I might need a talking donkey myself to sort out which races to sign up.

  • [697] New Year 2026

     (last year‘s Vision vs this year)

    Every year I seek for something that inspires me and propels me foward to a new year.  A few years ago, it was a combination of long distance running and standing on top of a mountain.  2024, I received it and stood on top of the high Sierra. To my wildest dream, I did the Western States. It was an unforgetable moment. Breathtaking beauty. It might have been once in a lifetime. Of course I wanted more of it after that and thinking of Leadville and The UTMB.

    I long for that in 2025.  That brought me to back Utah for the Wasatch and back to the valley of Shenandoah of Old Dominion where I did some of my hiking and running.  I hope and drive myself forward to 2026 and 2027, to seek for something  much more.  Life is exciting.

    The last 10 years, I ran 99 marathons/ultras, actually more ultras than marathons to a ratio of 2:1 (68 ultras and 30+ marathons).  I also earned 7-8 Dnfs along the way (They are races that I did not finish, all of them being ultras).  So it brings the number of races I finished around 91-90 races.  In 2026, I hope to run 9-10 races to reach the perfect 100!  That will be a milestone for sure. Or really, I won’t make a beep once I cross the 100.

    I started running in August 2016.  My 10th year running anniversary is around the corner.  Thus, I wanted to reach 100 marathons in 100 days!  Joking. But would not that be cool for 2026 though? Is it even possible, of course not. A 100 mile takes me 30+ hours to finish. Anyway…

    Here is my new year resolution:

    Resolve: 2026.001 Run 10 marathons/ultras.

    Resolve: secret goal:001.  A few years ago, I embark on plan001.  I think it is time to bring it to a close.  What is plan 001?  I almost forgot what it is.  Only last year was I think I know.

    Resolve:  2026.002. A lot of Caroline’s goals are becoming my goals. One of her goals is to visit the Grand Canyon.  Marking late March or Late November the date. Putting a circle on that.

    Resolve: 2026.003.  Visit Cape May. Put another circle on that

    Resolve: 2026.004.  Run the first landing 50k! woohoo.

    Resolve: Running is every part of my life, and as I shift from going back to my hiking adventure  instead of running, I need to resolve to hike more.  2026.005

    Resolve: I signed up for some pretty hard races, MMT, and Eastern States, Vermont 100, Devil Dog, and Hennepin. I need to train for them. Resolve to train hard for my races. 2026:06

    Resolve:  My friend Jeremy is running a 300 mile race.  I don’t know if I could be there to crew him.  I resolve to make the time to go out to Arizona to crew. 2026.07

    Resolve: 2026:008. Every year I said I would excercise more and eat healthier.  This year is the year. Same every year.

    Resolve:  2026:008.  Read the bible more.  Seek God more and be well balanced on the inside.  2025 was a tumultuous year.  I hope to get a clearer focus as 2026 and 2027 come into view.

    Resolve: 2026.009.  I settled into a grove of what to do the next year based on the stuff I did not get to do the previous year.  It was almost a cookie cutter.  I started this journey a few years ago to challenge myself to real the “next” challenge. I resolve to seek the next part.

    Resolve 2026.010.  I resolve to be clearer with my goals and vision and know my mission for the next year.  Mission is always the same.  However, it can be stated and apply differently to the new circumstances. It might need some reformulation. Finding an inspiration. Vision though has to be inspiring at least to myself.

    Resolve. 2026.011. I resolve to add more resolutions.  It doesn’t have to stop there.  Maybe part of my downfall is stopping short. 

    A few years ago, I read a fellow blogger on new year’s statement instead of making new year resolutions.  I came up,  borrowed a verse from the Bible:  Knock, and the Door will be open.  It has been a tremendous run with that verse alone.  It taught me to be bold and Daring.  I have not turn back on doing hard things.  I soared high beyond I could dream.  While, I would love to continue on this theme, I got a new one for 2026.

    2025 taught me my limitations and to live in what I am capable of (especially in light of my DNFs).  To some it seems a step backward, from reaching for the sky (see my plate).  I think it is part of growth of being realistic of part where I could change as well as also pushing the dream of doing great things.

    An important theme I picked up during the Virginia Marathon was:  He went leaping and jumping and praising God.  Thus, this will be my personal theme for 2026, continuing to do the impossible with joy and help others to do the impossible in the name of Jesus.  (Acts 3:8-9)

    *My dear Friend Caroline said I have two different visions for 2026 in two different places on my Blog.  I was shock, really!? where? Oh one at the Blog I wrote the other day and one at my race plan that is always being modified on the racing page.

  • [696] Thankful for 2025

    Wow where did 2025 go?  Not long ago, I was writing resolutions for the new year, actually, I did not write one for 2025 but reused one I did not published from 2023 (part1). Now I will be doing again for 2026 soon and maybe also for 2027. They were goals I have been working on for the past few years.  They are still my current goals.

    It is challenging that I have not made much headway into them.  So same this year. 

    Why/why not?  I think I have too many things to focus.  Some were not explicitly stated.  Well they are distractions too, I got pull into many short term goals.  Or seriously, I need time to sit down and decide again what my real goals and priorities are. Better control of what to take on and what to decline.

    This year has been a good year, that I survived.  Last year, I was too hung up with the Western States race and I said this year, I will take a step back and do things I enjoyed the most. I did tame down a bit with my running.  2024 was an unbelievable year in term of achievements and time commitment I gave.  2025, I did not train as much or as hard.

    I did still do a lot of running.  Most of my weekends were around either running my races or involved with Caroline’s races. We said we will do less of them next year.

    Stats:  I did 29 events out of 52 weeks.  A little more than every other week! Many of them required long driving for flying to another state.

    I ran 6 100 milers (2 dnf).  2 Marathons. 4 x 50 mile (2 dnf), 1 x 100k (GSER). 2 x 40 mile, 1 x 70 mile (the Ring).

    I reached 4895 measured miles (life time). Of course many of my training miles were not logged, maybe 4-5 times this amount.  The earth circumference is 24,901 miles.  I’m not there yet, but it is almost 1/5th of that.  The reason I mentioned the earth is with a team of 10, last year we finished running around the world.  It is a distance dream that maybe one day I could do it for real.  I might have already did enough miles to equal to the distance of going around the earth once (if included my training runs over the last nine years).

    Here are some race highlights of 2025.

    My good races:  Grindstone 100, finally finished this after 3-4 tries.  I lost count how many years since I got hook into this race.  Last year was the most brutal DNF.  This year was its redemption. No, I won’t go back there next year other try other than more camping at the Twot.

    Vermont 100 – squeaked by this one.  Hope to do it one more time.  Third the charm they say!  As well as Virginia 100, I squeaked by it, but it was very satisfying.  It will be my motto next year.  The only reason I finished was the song: “He went leaping and praising God.”  I was the lame man whom God made whole again!  The race felt like a meraculous healing. Then, the latest race was the Devil Dog 100.  I just grinded it out.  I was thankful I got it done.  Hope to run it again in the foreseeable future, at least for 2026.

    Massanutten 100 –  I was a pacer to a very good friend at the MMT100 for 2025, the only year I sat out because I was too exhausted.  God is gracious I was able to help a runner that totally aligned with me own goals.  As a pacer, we tried to get our runner to the finish, but ultimately, it was the runner who puts in the work.  It was thrilling we got it done.  I signed up for next year to run it myself. It will be me, myself to be in the driver seat again.  It is a thrilling race to write about.

    Old Dominion and Eastern States 100.  Both, I did not finish.  Old Dominion was harder than I anticipated.  Same for Eastern States.  Eastern States was at the level I thought where it should be.  I needed to work hard at it if I want a finish.  I think Eastern States is easier than Grindstone though and even easier than Massanutten.  Some of my friends disagreed.  Just my opinion.  I felt Eastern States is “rubnable.” But I am strong on hill climbs, so it makes it easier.

    Thank you Caroline for being at my every race this year.  Whether they were successful or a failure, it was a good run.

    Trips:  I was proud of being able to camp out on July 4th weekend on the Grindstone course.  It was my one and only backpacking trip of the year.

    Holaday Lake.  50k++ Nothing to write about the race itself but my time surrounding the race was memorable.  Most of my trips are also races.  We went to Farmville and ran on the High Bridge.  It was my first time to visit Farmville.  I passed through several time but this time, I actually knew where I was.

    GSER – 100k in Atlanta.  I went there almost every year since 2020.  Last year and this year were most memorable.  I got to show the city to Caroline.  Of course she’s been there before.  What so special is we ran 62 miles through the city from Kennasaw Mountain to Stone Mountain.  We rode the train around Stone Mountain and looked at the carving on the rock face. Not sure if I will be back next year, I hope to be.  There will be scheduling conflict with the C&O 100.  Not that I plan to run the C&O, but I likely will be there to help out.  I love my local races anf the Harper Ferry area too.

    Utah – DC Peaks.  I learned a lesson about winter running.  Got to met friend and pacer.  I went out twice this year, one for Wasatch to crew a friend and one for my own race.  Happy Caroline helped me there. The race itself was too short (because I dropped out early).  What we did other than racing left behind better memories.

    Savannah.  (no report) It was a busy trip.  My goodness.  I think the journey what captured my imagination.  We came back when it was snowing and our plane/trip took us to Baltimore instead of DC.  We took the train back to Virginia.

    End of the year, it made me to think about what I accomplished what I set out to do for next year.  I think my one goal this year was to finish Grindstone (and Eastern States, alas).  All other goals were pretty much incidental.  I am happy the year did not broke me too badly. 

    Relationship wise, it has been a roller coaster ride.  I don’t even know what to say.  There are successes and failures.  Not sure if that is appropriate to call them successes/failures like races.  They were Events, high points and lows.  We finished a course of counseling. There were many crying and times of joy.  More laughters than crying.   We trudge on.  Relationship is not like races.  There is no redo.  There are a lot changes in the future expected.  One step at a time.  To me life is like a 100 mile race, there will be slow portion and fast, we go from one aid station to the next.

    What’s next.  That will be part 2.  Somehow, I need to align my current goals with those coming up. I mean for the next few years too. I will be evolving.

    Personally, I already signed up for races: MMT 100, Eastern States, Devil Dog, Vermont, Hennepin (new race for me, In Oct.), and Kettle Morraine (new for me, in June).  It is quite a load.  The one I will be stressing the most will be Massanutten and Eastern States.  I will be perpetually training again.  Also, Thinking of Angela Ivory 100, should I or should not I?  Likely not, but would like to, and that for another day.