[655] Naked Nick 50k

It was my third year going to Naked Nick, which is a low cost, usually cold weather 50k run in Leesport, PA (Blue Marsh).

Per tradition of last year (2023, 2022-no report year), we departed on Saturday, visited Baltimore for Celtic Soltice 5 mile before heading to PA.  I did not run in the 5 mile because the race was sold out when I tried to sign up.  It was fine. I stayed at the finish line enjoying the fire bin while my friend ran.

It was a different experience cheering someone than running in it myself.  I did not like the 5 mile race in the first place because it was expensive when I ran in the previous year and it was crowded (3000+ runners). Rumor was they lower the cap this year, so it did not feel as crowded. 

Also I did not like to run hard before my big race the next day. My friend did a double header.  I did not mind  being a spectator this time. It was like a win-win situation for me. I did not really want to run but get to cheer others. We spent the rest of the day in Baltimore, just having a time off, which something I have not done in a while.

As for Naked Nick, it was always foolish to sign up this race after my 100 miler. Still I did it, like the past three years. With a week coming off from Devil Dog 100, my legs were in no condition to run.  I went in with the wait and see attitude. I had in mind to possibly drop after the first loop (which gave my friend a scare, when she did not see me on the second loop, thinking I might be hurt out on the course, but I was alright, and running ahead).

The race this year had 300+ runners, which is a big crowd of runners for a trail race. Anyway, it did not feel that crowded to me once the race got underway.

Yes, why I was doing it is curious.  I think because it was hard, yet doable that got me to sign up year after year, for three years in a row now.

The race was two loops, 15 miles each, out and back with a lolipop like loop at the top, i.e., a stick and a loop at the end. The course was well flagged, though I still saw a few went the wrong way, not sure how. There is always some one who get off course.  There were two aid stations, plus one at the start/finish where we could stop between the loop.  We ended up having an aid stop at every 3-4 miles, which is not bad for an ultra. We can also have a drop bag at the start/finish area.  I did not really use my drop bag except to stove my clothes between loops and to hold dry clothes to change into at the finish.

We had decent weather. Dry, but cold in the 20s early in the morning but the temperature warmed up to 40s by mid afternoon.  No wind.  It was doable for some of us to run in short sleeves and shorts.  I think those are crazy.  I wore a few layers and started shredding mid run, and I changed out into shorts (and it was cold) by the second loop. Then layered everything back on as evening approached (the run was 9 hours). The race is “walkable” for some as long as you build enough cushion early on.  It billed as walker friendly for the 25k (the one loopers).

My first loop was about 20 minutes slower than my past years.  I felt I hit the pace correctly with not many people passing me and I passed maybe less than 10 people, who later passed me back. I finished the first loop by 11:45 am (3:45 h:m). I was aiming for no less than 3 hours and no more than 4 for the first loop. Ended up more toward the 4 hours.  A fellow runner (David) told me the cut off for the first loop was 12:15 pm (4:15 h:m).  I had plenty of time.

Unlike past years, I was not in a hurried and knew I had enough time to finish even if I had to walk.

On my second loop, I went out with Christine and Marish. Marish said he could not run and I should run ahead of him.  We chatted a bit before I took off. 

We had 5 hours and 20 minutes to do about 15 miles.  I reassured him he had enough time to do it.  We calculated that we had to maintain a 20 minutes pace, plus 5 mins at each aid station, and still would be able to finish. 

Christine was aiming for 4 pm finish (8 hr), and so was I, meaning we had 4 hours and 15 mins to do it. She and I ran on. At times, Christine would pass me.  I later passed her back when I felt stronger.  We chatted a bit when we were together.  She usually not too far ahead or behind me.

I invited her to do Boyers Furnace in a couple week. She said, she is looking to do the Twot, another famous race in my area that I haven’t done yet, but I do know a lot about it.  I found out I met Christine at the Catoctin 50k this year, when we both were waiting for her friend Tina.

I did not remember my finish time from my previous years during the run, so there was little to aim for, I thought it was 3:30 pm (7.5 hrs).

 I was pacing according to how I feel.  It was a mix of run and walk.  My second loop took also about 3:45 (h:m), maybe 5 mins slower.  It was actually maybe 25 min, since I stopped for aid station for maybe 5 mins at end of the first loop. I finished by 3:30 pm, total time of 7:30 on the course. I felt I did great. Legs were tired.

Later I checked my previous year time which was 6:45. And 2022 time was 6:40.  I was about 45-50 mins slower this year.

I was feeling a little bum of not matching or nearing the last year’s time and I was significantly slower this year. 

Anyway, I felt it was always good to have run.  The run was great  for my recovery from the 100 miler, and for that I am happy. Because, once I am recover, I could run more.

For rest of the day, I watched some people I have met on my run finishing the race.  I cheered them.  They came in not long after me. David from Bethlehem, PA, finished his first 50k.  He was a cheerful young man. I was happy for his accomplishment. We took couple pictures together. His whole family was there to celebrate. He seemed to be able to run way faster than me, but he dialed back his pace according to his coach’s instructions.

It was a long journey home.  We had some rain and snow during our drive.  We had couple pit stops. I did not have to drive.  I came better prepared this year with dry clean clothes to change out and food for post race. The race served hotdogs and potato soup, but I like eating my own snacks too.

I was able to change into clean warm clothes at one of the stops  and was super comfortable for the rest of the way.  It was also good that because I did not run too hard, I was not overly tired for the trip home.

Next up would be Boyers Furnace 40 after Christmas.