First year running the Cat [2021], I did the half Catoctin (we call it the Cat/half Cat). It ended up being unsatisfied, because it was too short. It was too easy and I was not challenged. In the past, the half cat (25k version) was for former full cat runners who had reached a certain age. It was created for (or inspired by) Tom Green, who missed running the full Cat and he said, if there is a half distance, he would do it. Tom is a respected, local famous runner, and in his younger days, he did many legendary runs (famously known as only one who finished the first grand slam in ’86). I was blessed to get to know him recently when I was connected to him for his advices on how run Western States successfully. Tom was its 10 times finisher.
Cat is nothing like the Western States, but it is our local version of a badass race on a hot hot summer day. The first year I ran it, the age restriction and other requirements were lifted. Now half cat is always sold out. Many people prefer the shorter run.
This race is hard. It seemed benign that is is only 50k (32-ish miles) for 16 miles for the half, but it runs almost like a 50 mile. I was pushing it to finish under 9 hours. The course cut off was 9:15-9:30. This year we had extra 15 minutes, so it was 9:30. The last couple years, the RD gave us a few minutes of early start!
In 2022, I successfully finished Cat, the full version. I was blessed with a cooler temperature.
Last year, 2023, I attempted a repeat, but ended in a fiasco. I did not emerged from the trail until 2.5 hrs after the final cutoff. My friends and volunteers were waiting at the finish for me. It was a hot year. It was quite embarrassing. I vowed to redeem it. I have to show I can run the Cat in a hot year too.
So comes this year. We had a normal summer temperature on race day, about 85-90 degrees. It was Still hot but not sizzling hot like last year. Maybe because I had heat trained for this year so it did not feel as hot. We had high humidity in the morning but it did feel better later in the day. My shirt and shorts were drenched with sweat and ice water (from aid station) for the full duration.
Note, I heat trained because of Western States and Vermont 100, both are known to be hot races, so heat was not a big deal when I do the Cat. It was hot but was not as hot as while out in California as the Western States hot. I did not fainted nor had heat related issues.
I ran smarter than last year. I came in with the full experience from former years. I ran slower earlier on but would not give up on any freebies. I was not able to get a reverse split (4:22:00, the first half, and 4:40:00, second half, 7% slower). If it was downhill, I ran. If it was uphill, powerhiked. At Aid stations, be efficient, know what I want ahead of time and stay as short as possible, mostly to get water, get some fruits and sugar, say hi to a few friends who volunteered, and head out, were stuff I rehearsed in my head. I treated it as if it were my goal race. Bringing my A Game.
Last year, I got into trouble with my pacing early on because, I was not watching the clock and had too much fun talking to people. This year, I was more agressive at checking my pace every mile. I kept my conversation to a minimum, as one should regardless. Someone said, we had to keep our pace at 18 min per mile and I did just that. Padding extra minutes by running faster whenever I could like on the flats or downhills.
The first half was unevenful. I was in back of the pack. I tried to catch up to people whenever I was possible. I was surprised when I passed Addie maybe about 5 miles in. She usually was a stronger runner than me. She did pass me back in the second half and finished almost 10 mins before me.
I reached first aid station mile 6/7 at 9:45 am, 1:45 into the race. This was a little slower than my first attempt, but was an exceptable time. I gained a bit of time by the second aid station (3 miles later), reaching at 10:35. We had to get to High Knob, mile 16, by 12:35 pm, while on paper is 6 miles away. In actuality, it was about 8 miles away and had significant descent and big climbs. 2 hours were barely enough. I arrived at 12:22 pm. In former years, I would have been pulled but this year, we had like extra 15 minutes.
I knew, trying to get back to Hamburg Rd under 2 hours would be tough. I did reached it by 2:15 pm.
My split was like the former year (2022). Once I reached Hamburg, I knew getting to Delauter Aid Station, 3 miles away, would not be an issue.
I did not remember when I arrived. Likely it was around 3:00 pm ish. We had 7 miles to get to the finish by 5:30. They said we could run at a fat man pace and still finish. I knew I should have enough time but I wanted to be back before 5 pm, as a matter of pride. I wanted to be under the previous course cut off (5:15 pm).
So it was an all out effort. My legs were tired. Addie and others passed me here. I also passed some other people. This section was mostly downhill, so I could run a bit without much effort.
We reached White Rock. I passed Karen, a strong runner in the first half. Now I was passing her because she seemed to reach her limit. The time was 4:26. I knew there was 2 miles ish to the finish. I believe I could do it by 5 pm, running at 15 min a mile.
Downhill now was hard on me. So I slowed down. The trail was rough. I reached the river at 4:58. I knew, There was no way for me to get to the finish by 5. So I took a bit of time in the last quarter of mile. I crossed the finish at 5:03, the total time was 9:03.
Afterward, it was a party. This race, we had plenty of food and drinks. Tom Green was there. My other friends too. Ike Kim, I ran with him during Old Dominion finished an hour before me. We talked about Western States and such. Many were happy I finished that race. Sun Lu/Lu Sun too. We talked about our other friend Wayne doing the Iron Stone 100k on the same day. Lu ran it last year with Wayne and said, he would not do that race again since it was quite dangerous on the ankles. I was going to go to the finish for that race, but I took quite a beating at Cat. The plan was scratched.
Normally I don’t chafe at shorter distances, but the Cat had my private area all burned, inner thighs too. I was quite uncomfortable. I went and changed to fresh clothes. Still, going home was a better option. I was not sure I could survive a three hour drive to PA, but going back home was only an hour drive. I stopped at a rest area to get sodas and food to keep me awake for the drive.
Also, by 6 pm, most people had left. Even the RD was ready to drive off. Addie and her friend Christine was waiting for another runner. We found that the runner was last seen at 5:30pm at the last water station (7 miles away). Note, this was two hours after the station was supposed to close. I and others decided to hike in looking for the person, after the expected arrival time had passed. I hiked up about 2 miles to White Rock. From there, we walked with the runner down to the parking lot. By 8:30, it seemed we were not getting any nearer, so we phoned down to have a car pick us up at one of the cross roads. Addie and her friend drove up for us. They picked up the runner. I and everyone else (search party) finally reached the finishing lot by 8:45 pm. We hiked down because the finish was not too far away and there was no need for us to take the ride back. It was extra 3 hours to do 2 miles (note, I did this section in 40 minutes earlier). We were crawling! Luckily, no one was hurt. We got everyone back. The runner was not looking too good, but we got her down the mountain. She went about 10 miles beyond her ability, probably 5 hours longer than she expected.
It was the same lesson learned at last year. Obey the cutoff time. Don’t push on once the cut passed. We could have got her back by 5 pm if she had remained at one of the aid stations before they closed. Once the station closed, it was too late. I wonder too what time the runner left High Knob (mile 16)! Was it one of the oopsie, this one left after the cut? I was barely made the cut myself. She had to hike out by herself. Plus, all the volunteers and friends were waiting for her at the finish, just like they did for me last year.
The race advertised as no sweep, no ribbons, no sympathy, old school tough course on the hottest day in the summer. Still for runner’s safety and volunteer (sweepers), 9 hr sweeping duty was a bit over the top. I have done long sweep myself for another race, but not like this. We noted, it would be better, if there a second sweep halfway (8 miles ish). Plus, also, runners should be pulled once time expired. I think though the runner was not pulled because there was not enough cars to drive runners back at some of the remote aid stations. It is an old school race. I have been in such situation too to walk out when pickup was unavailable.
The race is changing. This year, we had plenty ribbons at near the finish so that runners know to make the turn into the parking lot. Also we have sweeps in recent years. Plus, we had an extra 15 minutes! Many people were able to finish the 50k because of the extended time.
In awe 