In awe

This week run was similar to one I did last week. It is spring so we have a lot of rain. As you can guess, it makes running “fun”, meaning running in mud and being wet and cold.

I take it all.  Give me the toughest conditions for me to be ready for my future races. No complaints.

We ran a 50k on Saturday.  In truth, it was not as muddy as the weekend before.  We started our race with slight sprinkling. The temperature was warmer, at least by 10 (F) degrees than previous week. It was around 60F, so some runners ran in t-shirt and shorts. We knew rain was coming, so a jacket or a rain poncho or a houdini was a must.

I dressed pretty much like last week to make sure I was warm. I had long pants, long sleeves, an inner layer, and a jacket. It was not raining heavily, so I didn’t put on my rain poncho. I figured once it came down heavier, I put that on too to keep me completely dry. I was probably only one wearing hiking boots.  Someone noticed and said, are those boots! Yep! The heaviest pair I got. At least they would keep my feet from mud, and that was the plan. Rain did get in later on, but for half of the race, my feet were totally dry.

We started on time. Several of my friends and running buddies were there. We started together but everyone quickly spreaded out.

Paul, the dude I recently met from Rock n the Knob and other races, like the Naked Bavarian, the previous weekend was there also. I was surprised to see him. We joked around. Since I arrived early, I was standing at the front of the line with Caroline and others. Paul joked we should go a bit to the rear. He was right indeed. We being slower runners shouldn’t try to claim first at starting out the gate.

So I went all the way to the last place. Paul shifted back too but to about middle. So I went to join him.  He seemed to be familar with the course because he told me instead of trying to be first out the gate, we should get to the part where the trail narrowed and he and I would slow down to block off everyone from the rear. We were joking of course. Usually everyone slow down to a walk once we hit the trail. We saw some frustrated runners trying pass people there. For me, I knew the race will be long, and those who were trying to pass at this point, would get overtaken soon.

I ran this race, the Seneca Greenway 50k the last several years and so I knew that the race would get harder toward end.

The first few miles were the happiest miles. I ran with Paul for a bit until he left me, which was fine. He usually is faster. He has improved lately. Caroline my other friend was already long gone.  Adeline, another friend, was a few paces in front but then she dropped back once we reached the creek near Riffleford AS.

Adeline usually is much faster than me, so once she slowed down, I did too. My shoelaces came undone a few times and I made frequent stops to have them tied again.  It was unusual. Usually I double knot them so it would stay. They wouldn’t stay tight for some reason, probably due to sand and mud from the previous weekend that got into the fabric and the laces lost its elasticity.

By mile 4-5, I caught up to my friend Caroline. She was a happy runner, singing and leaping here and there. I followed from behind. Her pace was decent. We crossed a bridge, I took a wipe-out but was ok.  She said something about suck it up, showing me tough love. I know, either turn around or press forth, there was no sitting around. I got up and caught back up to her. Everything was ok and I wasn’t hurt, just maybe my bum and pride.

We arrived at our first Aid Station. It was at where I expected. I have done this race a few times, plus the Stone Mill 50, which was on mostly the same course, they used the same location for their stops too, at Rt 28.

Here, I decided to leave Caroline behind. My goal was to catch up to Paul and the initial pack of people I started with. Slowly, I reeled people in one after another. The pack has dispersed but I recognized most of the runners when I passed them.

We crossed another creek and came to Mike and Mike unofficial stop (AS). Unofficially, because they said to pretend that they are not there, they were to support some biking event. I knew he was pulling my leg. I saw no one biking on a rainy day. These two were my “coaches” for my Stone Mill training runs back in November.  Mike helped me at Devil Dog 100 each year, usually by reminding me to put on my jacket and then rushing me to the cafeteria for some hot food. They had true ultra food at their aid station and the food was glutin free. They proudly advertised it. Mike was grilling some hot food for us.

It was good to see Mike here. I started to feel tired, so I stopped and chatted for maybe 10 minutes. Mike E just finished a 200 miler two weeks ago. It was a race I wanted to do. He gave me some information for next year race (registration will start on April 1).

Now it started to get colder and rain was about to get heavier. Reluctantly, I left to continue with the race. I had to keep moving to stay warm. Once stopped, the body was cooling quickly.

I decided not to put on my rain poncho at this time until I get to the aid station, since it was a hastle to take it off to fill up water and my water was about to run out. I wanted to wait after refilling water to do it all at once. In the end, I didn’t wear it. My friend Caroline got very cold, but unfortunately, I was not with her to give her my poncho. She survived.

Trail became much worse and there was nothing dry but mud everywhere and on occasion there were pools of water, and they were so large there was no point but to go through it. My boots got wet on one of these crossings. I could not wait till reach the turn around point. There was nothing there, but it was a goal for me to push on. I put in more effort to catch up with people. We reached the road section. I saw three or four runners ahead.  I was glad some slowed to a walk.  I kept my pace and soon I passed them.  I told them the next aid station, Berryville Road should be near, though exactly where I was not sure. 

I reached the aid station. It was at the creek crossing (the Stone Mill Big creek crossing). They also had our dropbags. It was good to be refreshed. I recognized one of the volunteers. He said we finished together at the JFK 50. I did not remember. It must have been awhile ago. The next section was not too memorable. It was muddy and swampy. This section is same as the Stone Mill and I used that knowledge to recall some familar trail markings I would come across.  All trails look alike for first time runner. It was hard for me too and I challenged myself to recall some specific things to keep myself from boredom. I remembered crossing two open fields, ran up some hill, and more fields, then couple bridges and a river crossing before seeing the highway. Often you hear it first before seeing it.

I passed more walkers and reached Rt 28.  A runner felt on one of the bridges.  I told him I did too earlier. He seemed to be struggling and had a knee brace on. I hoped he could make it. He said he was ok but he was limping. I believe the aid station was only a mile away.

From Rt 28, we had about a 8-9 miles stretch.  It was less muddy here on the Seneca Ridge but we had many (big) hills to climb.  This is the section that I usually get hurt or “destroyed”. The elevation here kills me each year. Hill were runnable but after 4-5 of them, legs just could not manage any more. I knew this would be a good training for me.

I was able to catch up to more runners, including Paul after mile 20.  I joked with him on how many people he and I had blocked so far. He spreaded his arms to try block me from passing him. I knew we were only goofing around. I was hoping he would stay my pace, but not long later, he had dropped farther and farther back. He asked me how many more miles to go. I said, probably 4 miles, but I think now looking back, it was probably 6 miles instead of 4. Sorry, I always underestimated how long this section section for me.  This section always seems too long.

I made it to the last Aid Station, Riffleford at mile 27. It was half a mile to the decision point and another half mile for the marathon finish (total 28 miles). I had maybe 4 miles left, which included a run around the lake.  If I wanted to, I could take a shorter way back, but that only means a marathon finish. I wanted a full 50k. They called this part the decision point to whether choose for more suffering or have it done quicker. I think most would prefer the quicker end for a day like today.

I finished before 8 hours.  I hoped to finish before her. I came in at 07:45, and she did it at 7:59. I was hoping to see her come in at the finish. However, I was too cold to stay outside to wait and I went to my car to change into dry clothes and missed her arrival. I only saw her half hour later when she went to her car for changing clothes.

I was 5 minutes slower than last year. My friend said to be thankful and enjoy the day. Indeed.

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So what is the point.  I am training for some tougher races, especially the Western States, plus the rest of the grand slam, which some are equally as hard or harder even.

People want to know how my training been.  It is like that. Tough.  Sorry for not posting much about my training because there was nothing much to share. I know the actual race (WS100) will be even tougher. I don’t have any confident on finishing. I gave myself maybe a 10% chance. My friend said stop being wishy washy. Yes, I hope to get my odds above 51-49.

Of the four grand slam races, I got into three of them. This week, I made certain to get into the last one (Vermont 100) through a coaching program. They would accept 5 entrants who are willing to be coached through their affiliated training program. They still had rooms for one or two more, so I contacted the RD (M) and she put me in touch with the program manager (R) and who got me a coach (V). Yes, I will reveal my coach once I did my race.

  I am excited having a coach. My training will get tougher.  When I am my own coach, I took a lot of rest days. I expect my new coach will push me much much more. I want to earn the compliant every single week. He said he plans to me stronger. I thought it was gym, but he said he would give me certain workouts to make my legs stronger (like box hopping). I totally agree. I need to be stronger for my races.

conclusion.  I have my eyes on the big races, and use the smaller races as training runs. Things are looking good. Up next, I have some exciting news to share. Wait and see! Hint, 2024 International debut!

2023 Seneca Race report.  I have been getting slower every year