[631] Old Dominion 100

Last year, I went to the Old Dominion 100 race not to run in it but to crew for a few friends. Never in a million years, I thought I would run this. Why? Because it is too fast for me to finish. I am a slow runner. But as things have it, by providence hand, I not only get to run it but finish it as well.

This race, I knew about it for a few years and I knew at the time that it was not one I could do. Not saying it cannot be done as a first 100.  I just struggled with a few DNFs (races I Did Not Finish) and so I was reluctant to try, like why signing up when the odds are not in my favor to finish. Old Dominion to me is on another level hard, and where people run to demonstrate their speed in ultrarunning.  The race motto is you and the course and in one day (meaning under 24 hours).

People I knew who were stronger runners than me struggled to meet the cutoffs in this race.

Last year, I watched my runner Greg finished and several others too, Tek, Wayne, Larry, Scott, and Sean. Some of them barely made the final cutoff of 28 hours. They are so much a better runner than me. I was at Elizabeth Furnace watching Wayne came in just under the cutoff and at the finish as well. I knew first hand the stress and effort it takes to get across the finish. I was thinking if I could pull something off like that.

So I have been holding off from running in this race. In fact, my desire to run it was very low compare to running the MMT 100 (Massanutten), a race I just did. I love MMT and wrote many entries about it the last three years.  Astude readers would know I wrote nothing about the Old Dominion, even though they both share similar/same course in the same location.

At the time, maybe around 2019, I was training for my first “ultra” (50k/50 miler), I got to meet a guy, Carl by chance. At the time, I didn’t know his family was deeply rooted in the MMT race, and I asked him which 100 miles to do near me if I am to pick a 100 mile to run. 

His word to me was to run the MMT first and then do Old Dominion. I knew he was not bias in his answer. I gave me some thoughtful tips. It was funny now a few years later, after I did the MMT 100, I got to meet Carl again and I told him, hey, I am running the Old Dominion. He laughed and said, I never told you to run both races in the same year! What!? true. I did that to myself.

Ok, how did I get into this pickle?  Running one race, MMT 100 is hard enough, adding on doing the famous Old Dominion two weeks later is just insane.

Fortunately, I do have my friend Wayne’s footsteps to follow. He did just the two big Virginia races back-to-back last year.

So what make me to jump the gun to do such a hard race like OD100?

It started with the Western States 100.  WS100 and OD100 shared similar history being initially a horse race.  Then some guy decided to run on it and finished within one day (his name is on the internet/WS100 &OD history). So Western States 100 mile run was born. The enthusiasm spred to the east coast, VA especially (the RD at Old Dominion explaining in details at the race briefly each year). And two years later, Old Dominion had their first 100 mile run. There was some history of how someone, might have been the race director Pat, that led to Old Dominion. The race has been part of her family. The race is family run for almost 50 years. There is no big corporation sponsorships.  They pride the tradition. How the race is today is how it was back then.

And very soon there were also other 100 mile races such as the Vermont 100. In short, these group of races, became part of the ultra grand slam.

I signed up for Western States 100 this year, which is a big boy race, I decided to why not give a shot at the grand slam as well. I know, logically it doesn’t make sense, like one race is hard enough, but let do three more other hard races. But the flip side, is how much tougher can it get. Let suffer it all at once.

Old Dominion, being the first race of the grand slam series, and maybe the easiest, I should give it a try. If I finish, the dream lives on.  If I do not, that would be the end of my grand slam attempt.

I went in hoping to finish, but also knew from computer’s prediction at ultrasignup page had me at a 30 hour finish. So, there is a high chance I would DNF, since 28 is final cutoff. This race awards a buckle for those who finish under 24 hours, but allows anyone coming in under 28 to be a finisher. Ultra signup predictions have been usually correct for me in the past.

My game plan: I did the usual work. Prepared a pace chart. Studied the course. Watched some race related videos. Prayed/hoped for the best. Physically, I have been running one race after another, so that wasn’t an issue.

Looking back, since I have done MMT recently, I had still the memories (muscle memory) of some of the harder parts of the course such as Gap Creek (Duncan Hollow), Moreland Gap, Crisman Hollow Rd, Duncan Knob, the Edingburg to Elizabeth Furnace, and Veach Gap.  Even Sherman Gap can be considered like Shaw Gap.  MMT and Old Dominion shares many similar trails. Old Dominion just has more road portion (I believe almost 3 times as many), about 60+ miles of road and only 40 miles of trails compares to MMT, which was like 20 miles of road and 90 miles of trails (I firmly believe the course for MMT is longer).

OD100 is probably one of the few 100 mile courses that is measured! Those who come from marathon running background could not believe that trail races are not measured in the same way as road races (there are a lot of handwaving estimates)!  This OD100 course is measured like a marathon race with a Jone’s wheel (something like that). This is to my favor of not having bonus ultra miles.

  I was able to tap my friend Ram to be my safety runner from mile 75 to mile 86. He was good to keep his words and showed up. I spoke with him maybe back in March during a BRR 50 training session, and I even forgot about it until he reached out during race week and asked if I still need a pacer. He was a godsends. Initially, I was prepared to run it solo, like in many of my other races.

Pre-race: Having been to last year pre-race briefing, this year was not much different. We went over the race course. I think the course briefing was way better than last year. At least the powerpoint presentation was less confusing. There were arrows overlays on photographs of various tricky places.  Maybe I was more familar with the course, the briefing made more sense to me this year than last year.  Maybe because I was running in it I paid more attention to the briefing.

Boyer’s in/Boyer’s out was confusing in the past, but not this time. The emphasis was to make a left and another immediate left onto the (purple?) trail. RD said don’t trust your strava Gpx file here, they were known to be wrong. Also, I crewed my runners at Four Points last year, Four Points in/out (mile 32 ish, and mile 47), was not that tricky to me. Lastly was Woodstock tower split, the signs there were easy to follow. Kim, a friend and race official told me repeatedly to watch for the race signs. Woodstock in/out, was easy. Indeed, they were clearly marked which way I should be turning. In years past, runners have gone the wrong way at these few locations.

I enjoyed the post race briefing time. I met up with some friends. Vlad, a runner, I met at Devil Dog and Bull Run Run 50 (BRR50) was there. We were surprised to run into each other again. I helped him set his dropbags.  I met Steve C from Charlottesville, whose name I came across a few times but couldn’t place a face to until at this race. Tek also there, she had done OD100 a few times, and I met her there last year and at the C&O100. She and a few others (and Wayne, plus Fernando) were ones who inspired me to go for the grand slam and all and while proving to me that the body indeed can take the pounding of week after week of ultra-marathon running. She and those few others runs a lot of ultras weeks after weeks.

There, I also got to meet Charles and his wife. Charles and I did MMT together and also Boyer’s 50K this past winter.

Special mention here, also Kim O. (daughter of a former winner of OD100) was first to greet me when I picked up my bib. I knew Kim like forever since I started running ultras (at Eastern Divide 50k and the whole race series, now no longer available) but never knew she has a deep connection to this race until last year. She expresses in the past that she would like to run this race very much. Secretly, I wanted to run this race to show that slow people like me could finish OD100 too. Maybe it will serve as an imspiration for her to take that step  to  sign up.

We dispersed after the meeting. People wanted to get a good sleep before the race. I wanted to get a good meal. The RD mentioned four or five Italians nearby. Instead, I beelined to the one of a few chinese carry-outs a mile away. I chose Happy Family and Young Chow fried rice. Yes, I picked rice over pasta! I stopped by a Food Lion to pick some snacks and drinks. The fried rice was for breakfast. Unfortunately, it didn’t taste that good at 3 AM the next day and it didn’t taste like Young Chow fried rice I expected but more a regular fried rice except with bbq pork added as protein. The Happy Family was good.

I camped in a field near the start. We had cooler weather around 50F. Unfortunately, the interstate I-81 is like half a mile away, and it was very loud at night. It sounded like sleeping next to an airport runway with planes taking off every few minutes apart. I found sleeping in the car to be quieter, but then it got hot unless the windows are down. I survived the night like taking a redeyed flight. A hotel might have been a better choice.

The race started at 4 AM.  I had goosbumps going out with a bunch of really good runners.  I was at the race last year as a spectator but this year, I was a participant. It was hard to believe.

The whole field of 100+ runners rushed out. They were indeed very fast. My friend Tek and I were only ones left at the start. We were the stragglers. We took the walk and run approach and not very long we were left alone on the horse track (race starts and ends at Woodstock’s country fairground race track). I didn’t Keith S. was behind us at the time. He might have woken up late. Their were a handful who did not check in at the time the race started. Keith was a guy who ran 117 x100 milers, just an incredible guy. He got a sub 24 buckle here a few years ago.

Out we went slowly.  It didn’t bode well for us, but I trusted my friend because in many races, her pace had enable her to finish even though it might seem slow at first. She is a stronger runner than me. In ultras, you have to be a tortoise vs the hare.

After few miles, Tek felt behind my pace, and I left her, keeping my own pace. I was not going to wait for anyone in this race.

The morning dawned and I moved from aid station to aid station.  The race had about 22 aid stations. Some were small (like from the back of a truck at Boyers in/out) and some big, with tent and food.  Most food choices are simple cookies, chips, and fruits. I knew if I want solid food I had to wait till 2 am in the morning at the Veach Gap aid stations since those two are served by the Virginia Happy Trail Runners (my club). So, I just had to preservere until then. (There were pancakes and sausages at cold spring, not saying there isn’t real food available during the daytime, but few).

Slowly I reeled in runners. Some I tried to talk to them. By mile 20, I was pretty much caught up to the bottom 13 runners, (not much), but I could not run any faster. It seemed this was where I stuck. Over time, I learned these two runners, Sean and Marshall, were from Roanoke and Lynchburg. Together we spent the rest of the day running.

  They are friends and know each other before the race.  We kept near a 14 minutes pace. They believe with this pace, we could get a sub 24 hour finish. They asked if I was aiming for sub 24, I said no way, and that bus had left a long time ago.  I did not believe with my pace could get the sub 24.

After some calculations, I had to admit that Sean was right. 14 minute average pace would get us the sub 24.

We could not believe why others went out so much fast.  I knew each year only a few could get under 24 hours. In theory, there should be more runners around our pace. So, there were 90+ people ahead of us going for the sub 24 hour pace, we were thinking a bunch of them will blow up later. We would hope to catch up to some of them. At this time, I don’t know the numbers of how many did not finish.  While running, I did not see many giving up. Supposedly, this year, we have more than average numbers of finishers.

In my mind, I want to pass about 30-40 runners to feel safe of not being cut.

I stayed with Sean and Marshall. It was their first time running a 100 mile race. They were very efficient at aid stations. Usually, they got out before I do. They both had been in high pressure situations where speed is everything in their professional life (including working at professional football level), so they understand the time value dynamic between running and stopping at an aid station. We were quick with our aid station transition! I never seen anyone moved this quick through an aid station in a hundred mile race.

Slowly we reeled in a few more runners by halfway. We passed about 10 more or so runners. There were still 80+ runners ahead of us.

My pace was pretty steady by mile 47 (Four Points Aid Station).  The first 50 miles were mostly on the road. I knew the bottom 50 miles would be harder.

By halfway, Sean and Marshall were no longer keeping up with me. So I went alone doing what I have been doing the whole day, that was to keep moving.

The day was not too hot, but I was given ice in various aid stations. Ice kept me cool. 

The ATV trail, an infamous section, was not too bad. I did get some hot spots under my right foot from the gravel and sand. I saw some ATVs on the trail but they all parked while I went by.  It had been my biggest concern of sharing the same trail with the ATV, I would be breathing all the fumes, smog and dust. It became a non-issue.

Night came, I passed a few more runners. Now it was about 30 runners behind me and 70+ were in front. I came across Charles.  He was usually ahead of me. Unlike at MMT, he did not stay back with me to talk and run. We did talk when we were at aid stations, but usually he was ahead of me.  I was lucky to be able to finish with him in the morning.

My pace slowed down a lot during the darkness hours but I knew I would get to Elizabeth Furnace (mile 75) at about 10 pm.  My pacer/safety runner, Ram, would be meeting me here at 11 pm.  I was an hour ahead, and I thought I might miss him.  Fortunately, he arrived early and we recognized each other voices in the darkness at the aid station parking lot by chance.  He hurried to the Elizabeth Furnace aid station to pace me.

I took at least 10 minutes to change shoes and fixed my feet for the midnight run. This was probably my longest time spent at an aid station for this race.

We would be going up Sherman Gap, the hardest climb in the whole race.  I knew about this tough climb before this race. It is infamous of being hard.

Indeed, it was very hard.  It took me about an hour and half to climb it. It was slow going. Every step I felt like fainting and falling over. My safety runner constantly reminded me to drink and eat every 10-15 mins. We took breaks when needed.

Then there was Veach Gap.  My running club (VHTRC) served the two aid stations at either ends of Veach. It was like homecoming. Larry, last year finisher, was there as the station chief eith his wife. Jamie gave me a big hug while I was still drenched in sweat from just the hard climb and descent from Sherman Gap. The Veach East was boisterous. I flopped into the chair they had. They were efficient and refilled my pack with water. I was given real food. I don’t remember what, but I took everything. Also the coffee was great. I wanted to stay there for a long time, but they kicked me out after 5 mins.

By Veach-West (mile 87), I dropped off my pacer/safety runner.  I was able to move faster on the downhills and caught up to a few runners.

By now, I had 13 miles left.  Past 3 am. I remember thinking I had one hour to get to finish for a sub 24, joking to myself. There were 5 hours left in the race to the final cutoff and I knew the finish was certain.  It still took me another 3 hours before getting to the end. (6 am).

The final bit was an uneventful climb up to mile 97.  There was an aid station at 770/758. It was mostly constantly uphill. Ram gave me two gels packages before I left Veach. The first package got me to 770/758. The second got me over the Woodstock Tower.

Kim O, was driving around from the Woodstock AS. I got some encouragements from her when we met. She is part of the race org, so I guess technically she was allowed to be driving around to check on runners. My stayed at the Woodstock station was brief. I took a cup of coffee and left. I knew sun would be rising soon.

There was still 7 miles left. Descending from Woodstock was not too hard. I still had the energy to run. My feet had not locked up like at MMT. I had about an hour to get to town for a 6 AM finish.

By time we reached the last aid station at Water St, the sky was conpletely lighted. We had maybe two miles left and quarter mile to go around the horse track. It probably is measured in horse distances.

I reached the track as the sun was rising over the mountain. It took me maybe 5 minutes to go around. It felt like a mile long, but I had extra burst of energy. I forgot what was my official time, but I saw on the clock was still 25:55. I reached it under 26 hours. (My Official finish time is 25:56:16)

Having been at the finish line last year, I knew my expectation that there would not be any fanfair or greetings from the race director. It is low key. It was very subdue.  There was the official timer (Henry) who has been the race timer since the first Old Dominion race.  I was lucky that Charles’s wife was there waiting for Charles.  She greeted me and cheered as I came in. Charles came in a few minutes after me.  I waited for Charles before going to my car to change.

Later, after getting myself comfortable, I went back out to the course to see the golden hour finish (final hour before the race ends).

Several other people also came out to watch the race. Mordy, Tek, Terence from NY, and Janna was there. They are all my people. I met Mordy and Janna here last year too. It was a bit more festive than before. My friends Sean and Marshall finished and came in. They had their families there greeting them.

Then, there was the breakfast and awards presentation.  They let every finisher to give a short speech. I found it was very unusual but I enjoyed it a lot.  Last to be presented the award was John Kelly, the first place finisher.  He gave a good speech about Old Dominion being an old school race and that he enjoyed running on the country roads and surrounding trails the Old Dominion has offered. Indeed, he summed it all up for us. It was the same John Kelly who finished the Barkley this year.

My take-away:  There were many memories. I did not get to share about Jeff P. who was at the Mountain Top aid station. He got me ice and a popsicle, plus his presence was enough. The dude is a genius. He said the time he ran OD100, he cried when night came because it was so hot during the day. He knew firsthand what ice could do for runners.  He actually predicted/urged saying he and I will run the Old Dominion this year when we were at the race briefing last year and I blew it off as he got to be joking. Then he said, you don’t believe me? He ran this race like 10 times. I took his bet and signed up. If not for Jeff, I might not have been in the race. If anything, I wanted to be like Jeff.

I was able to spent some good time with several friends.  VHTRC of course was amazing to serve runners in the middle of the night at Veach. I was grateful for Ram to have paced me. His encouragements got me through the night. I was glad of making new friends, such as Amy from Florida, Terence from NY, Ike Kim from MD, Sean and Marshall, my fellow runners from VA. Why I love running ultras, because of friends and people I get to meet. This post won’t be as emotional as MMT100, but I glad I got it behind me. Now onto Western States in a few weeks.