In awe

Author: Antin

  • Day440 Rock ‘N the Knob Marathon

    Here is a big post. A fellow runner Greg, who ran this did a video. He gave a better description of the course better than me.

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    With couple (decently hard) ultras under my belt, Rock ‘N the Knob was not an impossible race, though this one literally knocked the air out of me. I think I say this for all my races. It was hard hard, yet it was only 26.2 miles. It felt like I was running 30 or 40 miles.

    I came into the race humbled by last year experience of doing a Half Marathon there under 4 hours (report). Note normally I could run a Half under two hours. I also became familarized with the race organization since last year (I ran their Camp Anderson 8 hr event). These people are involved in some hardest trail races in the Atlantic region (e.g., Black Forest, Eastern States, and World Ends), none of those races are within my ability to do at this time, except for this one.

    There was no doubt I would finish it. The question was more like when and how soon. We had 9 hours to run the full marathon. I did not really set a goal how fast I would do it beforehand but while out on the course I was kind of aiming to finish under 8 hours after talking to a few people. It was a soft goal. I really believed I could do 4 miles an hour, so 8 hours were not that strange. Spoiler, I finished at 8:25.

    Last year I started way too fast and then choke around mile 3 with cramps and all. I was gentle with myself this time and I did not try to keep up or pass anyone. It really came with the experience of able to lock into your own pace and ignored everyone else. We had a strong field too because most people were gone by the time I get going!

    I actually started way back of the crowd like the last 5 or so people and did not push on the quarter-mile of the road portion. I remember in other races the road usually is where I would push hard because you want to get into the woods with a sufficient lead over the slower people since most people slow down a lot on the trail.

    We entered into the trail portion at a speed I liked. Of course everyone slowed down too, but not too slow. I knew I was at the right pace. We were kind of walking for another quarter mile before the line thinned out even more. We trail runners would roll our eyes at those walking on this portion so early on since it means they were not properly trained for trail racing. I was a patience guy though and used this time to chat with the couple runners ahead of me.

    The guy in front of me remembered me from the Laurel Highlands Race I did in June – but unfortunately, I didn’t remember him. For me, I usually only recall people by what they wear and the hydration pack they carry. We ran for a mile or so as the crowd continued to thin out more. I used the chance to pass him, since he was pacing his friend and the pace seemed like unbearably slow. Normally I don’t pass people this early in the race. I called myself the course unofficial sweeper because usually I am the last couple guys on the course and you kind of know who would finish and who would not especially in a trail race.

    Miles flew by under me. By mile 6, we reached our first big climb. The race had a name for each ascend and descend — as a way sometimes to demoralize/tease runners rather than for identification purposes. I don’t recall the name of that particular climb but it was a long climb like going up on the side of a cliff. Many of the big climbs were like that. They were not impossible but nearly there. I talking about getting down on hands and knees if not careful. I doubt unless you are the top 10, everyone would walk up these climbs. For me, even walking up on them were tough. On some of them, we had to crawl.

    Unlike in my previous race, this time the hill really got me dizzily out of breath. No matter how many ultras I had run before this, it was a challenging section. I was no longer able to keep up with the group pace. I was not necessary in a group, but the people I were with ran on, Greg and Dina I think, whom I kind of stayed with for an extended time. By the way, if you want his perspection, check out his video recount.

    This was when I also caught up with Jenn at the top of the climb as we pulled into an aid station (Raven’s Nest, I think).

    Initially Jenn was just a random runner. I wanted to pass her quickly and leave her behind. No more waiting for people – I told myself.

    I did not really stayed to chat or what not with anyone at the Aid Station but left for the next section as soon as I could. This was mostly downhill for next few miles. We reached our second long climb. Jenn caught up to me. I was kind of surprised. We leapfrogged each other couple of times afterward. Jenn was one of the nice runners (everyone were nice, but she was especially so) because she offered me her food, not that I needed any, since I packed my own as well. We did chat a bit by then. I don’t remember what, but I showed her my granola bars. We got to the third climb – I called it the waterfall but the real name was Beaver’s Dam or “I’ll neetle do this again” as the director called it.

    By then I might have a bit of heat exhaustion. I could not keep up with Jenn, not that she was going fast but I was definitely not feeling great and slipping in my pace. I did not want her to wait for me or anything. And she didn’t. It was everyone their own race. We just passed a runner who was sitting in the creek. He certainly did not look good. Later he told me he threw up 4 times.

    We continued the ascend. Not long after that Jenn was way ahead and was out of sight. I felt like I was about to faint by then so I quickly looked around for a place to sit, maybe that would help. This was from my experience of previously fainting on the trail when I had Lyme Disease. You kind of know all sudden that you don’t have any strength left and you feel as if you were walking on air.

    I sat on a tree stump or a limp of a fallen tree. Then immediately I started throwing up all I had eaten and drunk that morning. It wouldn’t stop, like a fire hydrant, stuff kept gushing out in torrent. The poor runner behind me arrived and told me it had happened to him too – he was the guy we passed at the creek and he asked if I were OK or needed anything like salt tablet. I did not have strength to reply. I did not feel ok. I wanted to quit the race right then because I had no more strength to move or do anything. I was done. He told me to sit for a while and I should be ok as he had sat at the creek. I listened because not like I had a choice. I was too weak to move.

    Throwing up was good because I was no longer fainting. But now one of my ears was ringing. It was as if it got stuffed or maybe like swimmer ear. I didn’t pay attention at the time but later on it was very distracting to me when I started to run. I felt I had vertigo.

    After a few minutes, I was no longer throwing up, I felt I could stand up again. I made it to the top of the climb, which was not that much since we had climbed a lot already. I was at mile 16 by now. I slowly walked to the next Aid Station – I think it was the Heaven Hairpin at mile 18. The section was not hard after the climb. I remebered running it last year and was probably one of the few runnable sections in the race, but this time, I was walking because that was all I could muster. Once I arrived, I plopped down on a chair a volunteer offered up. Volunteers served me with water and sodas and chips. I might had the look of a seriously ill runner because the way they treated me. My friend Aaron was there. He was sweeping the course for the half marathon event. They had an earlier cut off time but they ran almost an identical course, just without a six mile side track nor the six mile extra loop at the end of our course. I was about 20 minutes from my cutoff. Time was not a concern to me at all, though the aid station captain was kind of concern about me she might have to cut me. I might have rested way too long at the station. The next Aid Station was at mile 20 about 2.4 miles away. I knew at least I got to make it there. The time then was about 2:20 pm. I felt much better physically when I left the station. Aaron asked if I wanted to run with him as he would sweep the rest of the race. Hell no. Any day would be fine but not today. It was kind of a joke at the beginning of the race we made – I said I would see him out on the course and we know probably not likely since sweeper means being the last person, and we know I wouldn’t be that slow to able to meet up – but we did anyhow.

    The next section had one of the steepest climbs and descends. We climbed to the top of a ski slope, ran to the bottom and climbed back up and ran to bottom again and guess what, climbed back up the third time all within the two miles. I believe we might have done half of the course 6000 ft of elevation within the two miles. So it was mostly walking for me and very slow walking. Time flew by.

    I had part way with Jenn for maybe couple hours earlier or even 3 hours since the Beaver’s Dam but on the way up on the final climb after “I need a sherpa”, Jenn showed up at the foot of the hill. I caught my breath and waited while she caught up. Of course I was suprised to see her again because she should have been miles away by now. She explained that she and a friend (Carrie/Careen) had wandered off the trail the last mile and only finally found the course again. She was dispirited (and frustrated) and wanted to quit and was going to if we get to the next Aid Station aptly named the “quitter row.” She surely can run, so it was mostly a mental thing.

    This was her second marathon and I don’t blame her for quitting. I was thinking of the same too. Though physically I think she was doing fine. She was just in an emotionally turmoil. Running or not running at this point in time did not matter to me. I felt I did my best. We were 5 minutes from the cut-off by then (I didn’t know at the time but Jenn did and might have felt pressured by the deadline). My body had recovered enough to run by now and I was able to keep up with Jenn’s quicker pace. I did not try to convince Jenn to go on or to quit. I felt I should give her room to sort it out at the Aid Station. It was her decision either way. Ultra/trail races can be dangerous and if the runner doesn’t want to be out there it is many times more so. I didn’t want her to get stuck out there and be miserable.

    Even without Jenn I believed I could make the last 6 miles in two hours to finish the race. Jenn seeing me prepping when we arrived at the Aid Station and asked if I was going back out. Sure I said. She decided not to quit as well and rushed me through the Quitter Row.

    What so tempting to quit at the Quitter Row is that was conveniently located next to the start and finish line.

    Our friends though wouldn’t let us quit. We too wouldn’t quit. The final 6 miles were just one long descend of maybe a mile or two to the bottom and then a last scary ascend. It was a section I truly enjoyed in this race because I finally felt like I was in my element again. We were greeted with the last and final aid station at the bottom. There was no time cutoff at this station. Then we had couple almost impossible climbs back up.

    This was the Cadillac Alley because a Cadillac was found here a week before the race on a narrow trail where it was impossible for car to get there since we are miles away from any roads. The Cadillac was still stuck there on race day. There is a lore passed down of what actually happened.

    I was pretty strong at this point in time in my opinion but my legs were cramping occasionally if I was not careful at the way I bended them when crawling. We literally crawled our way up on our hands and knees up. Several times I slided back down as I climbed and it was frustrating. I just couldn’t get good traction.

    Jenn started showing signs of fatigue too. She felt at mile 5 earlier in the day (I wasn’t present at the time) and her knees were hurting she said. She took several breaks during this final climb (I felt I didn’t need to stop) – and she apologized to me repeatedly for her delays. I did not rush her nor leave her behind this time. Her boyfriend charged me to get her through this section at the Quitter Row and I felt a bit responsible because of that, also by now I was pretty sure we would finish the race, and there was no rush to finish quickly or beat the cutoff (I might have saved 5-10 mins if I went on ahead without her but so what). In my mind we had to go slower than half a mile an hour to not make the 5 pm closing. Jenn and I were pretty much hitting a 4-mile an hour pace (This is fast for ultra). However, I think time was mostly on Jenn’s mind as every so often (like every half mile) she would update me on the mileage and time, which I didn’t ask her to do it. Her watch was still working. For me, my watch died at mile 18 so I was no longer fixated on the time or distance (because I forgot to charge my watch the night before), but in general I was kind of aware the pace and distance – it just comes instinctively having done so many races even without someone telling me.

    The last mile was flat. I was already basically in my celebratory mood. I was strong and was getting stronger with every passing mile. I ran and led the way here. We caught up to a few people. I told Jenn we are not taking prisoners – basically we are to pass them as quicky as possible. We finished strong at 8 hrs and 25 mins. I think the guy who encouraged me to rest did not make the cutoff as Jenn later told me we only had 5 minutes to make it to the Quitter Row and he was like 10 minutes behind us. I did not see him again even at the finish.

    I think a dozen or so dropped from the race. (90 ish people signed up, about 60 or so finished). I don’t think the friend from Laurel Highland finished either. This was kind of sad. I saw the last person came in.

    This was one of few races my friends were there and we relaxed and enjoyed the food. They exchanged stories and jokes. I had a great time winding down – like did you know a game trail runners play called hashing? It was a game to get a bunch of friends into the woods. Someone would leave behind signs using chalk/flour and the group would follow and leave new signs. Basically I think you get lost in the woods together. We talked about stuff like that. I felt so good to be in the company of runners.

    It was a good hard race. I always love a tough one. My friend compared it to a mini 100 miler of the Eastern States. I can see why. It had many climbs and technical challenges. Jenn too was a good trail buddy and I was glad to met up in the final portion. We finished it together.

  • Day439 Interlude

    My head is swimming with races. I hope I have not bored my readers with so many race reports. Yes, this is not normal, but racing is back in full swing.

    Many of the races that were planned for 2020 finally are taking shape this year or I already did them. As I mentioned a lot already – I ran the Laurel Highlands Ultra. It was a race I was afraid of initially because it was so long. Ya, but I ran also a 100 miler in February that was even longer than that and that seemed like years ago already. Finally, there was the Grayson Highlands Race, a 50 miler that I felt I was not ready for, but finished it.

    Somehow I squeezed in so many other races too, the Catoctin Half 50K and the Iron Mountain 40 mile – it was only 40 miles and I felt it was not worthy to be mentioned here. I missed out Camp Anderson this year. Finally I ran the Rock N the Knob last weekend (a race report to follow soon; written but not yet published), and surely it ain’t Camp Anderson. Oh same for the Senecca Race – it seemed so long ago. I did it. I couldn’t even recall all the races I did – like the Moon on the Falls or Lake Ridge two weekends ago.

    Up ahead I have Eu Claire Marathon in Wiscousin followed by a 50K and will close the year with a 100 miler at the New River Gorge. There is also the Devil Dog 100k to really cap it off, but we will talk about it once that gets closer.

    My friend has been talking about it – whether he will be there at the New River Rim Ultra. He was originally going to pace his friend but his friend is injured and likely would not able to run it. My friend is too fast to for me – and so I am reluctant to ask him to pace me instead of pacing hsi other friend. As pacer you need to find the right temperance and pace – I fear I might be thrown off pace by this friend. Also I have been to the course, it was not technical enough to require pacing.

    Breath. I have been thinking what is next for next year, and that my friends, I will reveal them next month as it has been a tradition of mine.

    Conclusion – it has been an unbelievable year. I got in my goal races and there are just a couple more and we will be done for the year! I am healthy so far. Pray I will be that way till the very end.

  • Day438 Lake Ridge 12 hrs Run

    Call it a lack of discipline on my part when I signed up for a race I know I shouldn’t since it was so close to my marathon date. But I am an addict to running, I confess.

    I had a free weekend and it felt weird of not running in something officially sounding event. I want to go somewhere far since the pattern has been to drive couple hours way each week to run.

    The race Lake Ridge Endurance Run was held at Lake Claytor this year. It was their inaugural event. They had it last year but it was low key due to the pandemic (officially it was canceled/probably for insurance- liability issue) and was a fatass event for people who were willing to show up.

    This year was for real. I drove down to Lake Claytor in Dublin, Virginia. I had a camp site reserved but there was very to no sleeping to be had. In the end, I didn’t sleep.

    I could pick my start time at among the four choice 1 pm, 7 pm, 1 am the following day, or 7 am the following day. The race ended at 1 pm Sunday, so the 6 hours had more choices and no choice of start time for the 24 hour people. Almost all picked 1 pm since that was the most logical choice. No one wanted to run at night if they could help.

    I originally chose 1 pm for sanity’s sake. But I accidentally/incidentally woke up late that race day morning and arrived to the race just 5 minutes after it started. I blamed the hour long traffic I encountered while traveling to the race site or the side stops to get breakfast and lunch, or partially gotten lost when I didn’t check what I entered into the GPS and it took me to another part of the Lake Claytor that was 5 miles away from the actual race site. It was not a good morning. I packed on the morning of too hence a bit late getting started on the road. The trip was 5 hours drive away. I was lucky that I was only 5 minutes late! But late is still late and missed the start.

    There were not a lot of us, about 20 ish. Many were signed up for the 24 hour event. I signed up for the 6 hours but felt the distance might be too short, so I switched to 12 hours. This meant I would be running from sunset to sunrise. I always wanted to have a night time training (without sleep) for my upcoming 100 miler. This was a perfect opportunity to do it.

    By midnight, the wind picked up a bit, not strong but soothing. The temperature was supposed to drop to around 50 F, but I felt hot though. I picked up my long sleeves when I arrived back at the aid station but didn’t wear it.

    The adventure started. It was not much to be said. Time flew by. I did loop after loop. Sometimes I passed people during my loop, other times I was by myself. It was lonely when I didn’t see anyone. There were only 20 of us. Actually by night fall, half of them were already finished (The 12 hr people who started at 1 pm were done and so were the 6 hour). I was the only one who started at 7 pm. My chance of seeing anyone was slim. One was attempting a 100 mile, and I was hoping to get to see him on the course. I ran pretty much at his pace. In the end, didn’t get to see him – I think at one point he was at the station when I was there.

    I like night runs due to not able to see things clearly. I like the sensory deprivation. I sometimes tried to close my eyes and run, except that I would trip on rocks and roots. I called them branches because they were like branches laying across the path. I tripped on the same root on every lap! Luckily each time, I didn’t fall. Only in the morning after the sun came up did I see what I have been tripping on. They were wickedly big roots.

    One point at night around 3-4 am I got spooked. I don’t usually afraid of ghosts or creepy stuffs. But earlier in the night I was scared by some deers and some smaller critters, probably a raccoon. I saw their shining eyes staring at me. I jumped. I knew they were deers in my head but still the hairs on my back did not believe me. It was an auto response. At 3-4 am, there were no animal but the cool wind blew on my back. I felt like it was a spirit. It was a section of the course that the temperature noticibly dropped a few degrees and it was especially windy. I was genuine scared. I did not want to be out on the course any more.

    Then came 5 am and 6 am. I knew the night had passed. I was uplifted. I knew I was out of time to do one more left. My race would end at 7. I tried very hard to get back by 6 so I could do one more lap. I came in at 6:24 am. It was not enough for one more lap unless I run at a 7 min pace. (Sun rose around 7, probably like 6:45). I went back out for one more lap even though I know it wouldn’t make it. It was the best lap – mostly because I was happy.

    I finished strong. People congratulated me on finishing. I love the race a lot especially seeing the sky getting brighter and everything was alright on the last lap. I put in 52 miles (only 48 miles were counted, the other 4 miles were done beyond the 12 hours so they were not counted). It was my first time doing a 12 hour race so I was not very good at managing my time. Looking back, I could have squeezed in that last lap if I had spent a bit less time at the aid station.

    This post is not much a traditional race report. The course is 4 miles long. Mostly runnable trail. Some sections had a bit of root and rocks. I ran on all. Those who were not used to the distance or the trail complained about it being rocky. A few ate dirt. I almost did many times but my balace was good (I trained myself by running on a balance beam or road curbs). The elevation was not much but over 10 loops it started to get to me. I think I had done over 3000 ft change overall. Aid station was at the start. I was able to keep the pace of one loop every hour. People volunteering were nice as always. We had people serving us through out the night (I told them to sleep, we runners can help ourselves). We could set up our own station too. I did but did not use it. Their food was better than mine. I stopped at every lap and that might have been way too much. If I do it again, I might stop only every 3 laps.

    It was a small event so everyone would know everyone after the first loop.

    suggestion to self. Prepare a whiteboard/and (own) extra dry eraser makers to count loops. They had electronic tracking, but for sanity sake, I like something visible and tangible. RD gave us some markers but their markers dried up by middle of the night due to usage/exposure.

  • Day437 Iron Mountain trail run/race

    Be thankful, I say. I ran and finished the Iron Mnt Trail Race (IMTR). I did the 40 miles this time. Actually it was my first time though probably won’t be my last. I signed up for the race in 2019, but I got sick that year (caught Lyme Disease) and did not make it to the start – I could barely walk a mile at the time. Last year, the race was canceled due to Covid19 pandemic. Finally, here I was I ran and crossed the finish line in decent time. It was an almost perfect race.

    I like races where I struggle and overcome what seems to be unimaginable challenge. I guess readers would like such stories too. This one was not like that

    For me the IMTR was too perfect, like a fairy tale. I did not struggle much. It was too easy and I was a bit underwhelmed when I crossed the finish line. It was like that is it? That is the end?

    Granted I did not run the 50 mile event but the 40 miler. It might have been different if I had done that. 40 though was a magnitude easier, at least for me.

    In the end I have to be thankful. This race has been something I dreaded. It has been on my schedule for so long. I actually wanted to test myself on it. I have been good at marathons. This year I have done a few 50 mile distances. However, when it comes to trail running, I am still a pretty poor runner, meaning I usually finish near last. Placement does not bother me, but I want to do better and I also do not want to be cut from a race. IMTR was to face that fear of doing a race on a technical course in a longer distance event than I am comfortable with.

    To tell the truth, I enjoyed the two training runs (hosted by the race director) more than the race itself. Maybe, during the training run, running in the hot sun was much harder (and I did not finish my distance that time but had to cut short the training). Also, I had to keep up with the faster people who came out to the training. Lastly, it was a smaller group, and we were kind of know each other, having been on the trail for 5-6 hours together, whereas at the race, there were couple hundreds and everyone was too intensely focused in their own race.

    The race though was like strolling for me. I was not in a hurry. The weather was nice and temperature was like 15-20 degrees cooler. Most people run better in the cold than in the heat.

    I ran a fast start since the first portion was flat and on a paved bike trail (the Virginia Creeper Trail). It went rather well. It was probably a little too fast that had me bonking a few miles later when I hit the mountain. I’m not blaming it, it just turned out that way. I did not really come into a race with a strategy except to run and finish before the cutoff. I was pretty sure I would make the cut.

    The next 10 ish miles were truly on the mountain – mostly climbing on a single track trail to Iron Mountain (?). There were quite a few climbings. My body became a bit exhausted. I was out of breath, and people then were passing me right and left by then.

    One of the runners (E/moon, her trail name) caught up to me. We were on the struggle bus. Mostly she was one telling she was bonking. As a competitor, we (I) shouldn’t share about our weaknesses while on the course. But sometimes, it helps to admit the reality. I told her too I was having trouble with my race, though giving up on a race was out of the question for me, but apparently it was a real possibilty for her. When we reached the Aid Station at mile 15 (Skull Gap), her face was green and she almost turned in her bib. She later credited me for getting her through and back out the station. I didn’t know if I said anything encouraging. I was just waiting on her – like hurry up lady.

    We pretty much hang together to the next station. By mile 21, I knew I got the race in the bag. there was no way I would be cut and not finish. We were on pace to finish within 10 hours even though we were not moving that fast (and 1 hour ahead there and I was expecting 2 hrs ahead of the final cut off). We mostly walked all the hills and gently ran all the flats and downhills. E said she would be moving slower in the second half.

    She shared about her last 41-mile run she did couple months ago and it took her 14 hours, she thinks this race would be the same as that. She and her friend were attempting the Scar Challenge at The Smoky Natl Park. I told her I was there too that July 4th weekend. I did 65 miles over like 3-4 days. They were attempting 70-ish miles in 24 hours, but she dropped about 41 miles into the event. We got excited sharing our past adventures – at least I did. We might have passed each other at Smokies.

    She was very strong in attacking hills. I was more a downhill specialist as a city boy. I love flying downhills. Well, I tried to run as fast as I could – because going downhill is easy for me – you just have to watch where you step. It is like water flowing down the hill.

    We pretty much ran the rest of the race together. There were probably only 60 of us on the whole course for the 40/50 mile distance. We did not see anyone else after the start until halfway when we finally were able to pick people off. We were able to pick up speed in the second half and caught up to a few other runners. This was a relief to me because it meant we were not lost or last. This was the kind of racing I like – to catch up to people and passing them as fast as possible. I did not say that to E but she was good at passing runners. I didn’t check, but we might have done a reverse split on this ultra – the runner’s holy grail to run the second half of a race faster than the first half.

    For her though, she likes the views. There were not any vistas but she likes the foliage and the moss and the ferns, and the light and shadows on the trail. She pointed those out to me as we passed them and indeed it was a very nice day for running. The course is beautiful if only you know where to look (and appreciate) otherwise it is like any other trails. The weather was much better than when I did my training runs there couple weeks earlier.

    The rest of the race was uneventful. E/moon asked me to pass ahead of her a few times. In the end, on the final 8 miles, I did. No longer holding back, and it was downhill. She hinted that she was not going to die and risk her life running down the hardest part of race. I trained there before and by now I was not afraid of the last few of the steep hills. In fact, I love it. I reached the finish line and was about to go back out looking for her but she was only just a bit behind me and finished it under 10 hours too, reaching her goal. Her goal became my goal as well.

    One benefit of the race was to prepare me for the next one. I will have a big one in November. I need some technical hard trails to train on. This race was perfect for that. As advice to future runners of IMTR, go to the trainning runs. The race was not hard with some practice, but the weather plays a big part. Finally, there was a cookout at the end. I see myself doing this race year after year.

  • Day436 Moonlight Marathon

    Blackwater Falls – The sunset had set and moon had not risen yet. It was a bit cloudy and the forecast was 10% chance of rain. The breezes were nice after couple weeks of extreme hot whether. I felt a few drops of rain but the atmosphere was like any big marathon. There were 700 of us. The band just finished their performance and the Race Director gave us our final instructions. This was the inaugural race of Monlight on the Falls Marathon.

    We social distanced behind the starting line. People had various neon glow lights on their body and everybody had their headlamp/shoe lamp/waist lamp. There were a lighted arch for the starting and finish line. Yes it was out of this world and alien feel – maybe a rave like atmosphere. We couldn’t see faces and everyone was just a shadow.

    This was my first marathon for this year. While I have done several A+ races (ultras) already this year, marathons are something special to me. My last marathon was a year ago. I felt like ages.

    So standing at the starting line I was giddy, jumping/bouncing up and down. I found my pace group and gathered with them. We had the Beast Pacing as the race official pacers.

    The 10:00 pm start was for the distance challenge runners – this group of runners could run as much or as little as they want. Their goal (well most of runners who did the challenge) was to run all night until 7 am in the morning. I originally wanted to do that and really tempted even at the last moment (we could switch our race distance at during the bib pickup). However, wisdom had it for me to go with the marathon distance, since I will be doing an ultra the following weekend and I did not want to mess that one up by over-exhausting myself on this one. Not good to double up. But the marathon distance should be just fine. In fact, I already did around 20 miles that morning hiking and running around the park. A night marathon is like something cool to do before going to bed.

    Marathon distance started at 10:05. There were at least a hundred of us. I started way back of the group, not planning to set any record here. I ran through my final mental checklist – like what am doing here? There always that doubt like that, e.g., can I do this? Marathons are no joke. Sure, I have done like 20+ marathons already, but this one was in West Virginia. The guy next to me quietly said that this was his first. Our pace group (I too) assured him to have fun out there – and wished him good luck (good- luck-have-fun, GLHF).

    I did not specifically trained for running a marathon this year. I had been busy during spring with training for the two ultra distance marathons, but not a normal marathon. They are almost whole lot difference. Sure, running anything is running in the end. Ultras are much slower (‘easier’ some would say) than a regular marathon. Most of my recent training has been like 13-15 miles and there were doubts rising in me – 26 miles are whole lot tougher. Silly me right? I had no clue what pace I should run.

    pace: I know definitely I could finish within 6 hours, that would put me at 4 am finish. However, they did not have 6 hour pacer. The last pacer was 5:30 (5 hours and 30 mins). So though I didn’t know if 5:30 was appropriate, I decided to try it.

    The course was almost an out and back with a little variation on the way back by going a detour to the waterfall. It was dark but we could hear the fall whenever we passed by it. It was an exactly quater-marathon distance (a little over 6.5 miles). This would mean I would run the same course four times.

    It was easy to settle into pace. 5:30 pace was just right.

    Of course, even with wearing a head light it was hard to see the course ahead. Everything was dark and it was like running blindfolded. Those who had not trained for night runs might be a bit disturbed by the sensory deprivation (for me it was an ASMR delight). I was going strong. Typically, I do my runs at night, so night time my body naturally responds well and ready for running. I counted it as my strength.

    The course had several inclines (at least 4 going out). I hit each hill well. Sometimes I walked but mostly I could run up on them. Many people later said this course was one of the most hills they have done. For me, it was pretty typical. I had done ultra races that had steeper and longer climbs. I told myself to go slow. I had four laps to go. It would be a long night.

    Not long later, the quarter-marathoners and half-marathoners who started later caught up to us. They were an excited bunch. They quickly passed on ahead. The road was wide and we could use both sides. Also not long after, we reached the turn around point and the horde came rushing back. The first couple hours were festive since constantly there were people around going in either direction. As the night wore on, there would be less and less runners as those who ran the shorter distances finished.

    I was one of the few who carried a camel pack. I did not need to rely on aid stations, though there were plenty chances to stop by one (like a mile apart). I only filled about a liter of water. It was enough almost for the whole night. I had some gels and gummies as well. I also packed a peanut butter sandwich. I started eating that bit by bit not long after into the run. You get hungry by midnight. Unlike in ultras, aid stations for marathons have no food. Smart ones carry their own.

    I got to say – I was irked by many runners who went to the aid stations picked up a water bottle, took a slip and then dropped it on the road. So the whole side of the road was littered with gels and half filled bottles. I ran too many trail ultras and am used to not to waste food or litering. Gosh, we would be DQ (disqualified) for doing that. So it irritated me when I see runners doing that – but the Race encouraged the mass to run this race and so this was the big marathon culture. I understand if 1st or 2nd place runner doing that, but 700 hundred of us? How much time does it take off the clock of just throwing the used bottle in the trash bag?

    My take away was I ran a steady lap. My second, third and fourth lap hit an exact pace. It was amazing though. I ran mostly by feel too! I looked at my watch now and then. I walked when I felt like walking and ran when there was an easy section. I finished 15 minutes ahead of my pacer. She stopped for bathroom, so I got a little carry away and got 15 mins ahead of her. Not upset but thrilled.

    My thoughts? I like the race. I was reaffirmed that I still got what it takes to run a marathon.

    I finished and then walked a mile back to the camp. The moon was up. The night was quiet. The best time to run I think was now when it is just you and the pavement and the moon. I like the feeling of being minimal.

    There were a few people on the course still. Some wanted to finish when the sun is up, so they started a little late to time the sunrise. I don’t really care about waiting for the sunrise. I was not sleepy, but knowing I should still sleep because I still had a long drive home in the morning. So I showered (camp has a nice hot shower place) and crawled into my tent. I felt asleep no long after.

  • Day435 ACE Resort Half Marathon Part 2 and more

    Continuing from last week blog, I went to Thurmond, WV, and ran the inaugural New River Gorge Half Marathon Trail Run. I think that what it was called or it could be ACE Adventure Resort Half Marathon since the whole course was on their property and we had a free night of camping.

    I went mostly for checking out the trails for the November River Rim 100 Trail Run. I did not focus so much on my time. I only ce across this race at the last minute, when the River Rim 100 Race people did some promotion for them – mainly indicating that the River Rim would use the same trails for the starting and finishing portion of the race.

    I had expected the River Rim to be difficult. It might still be since I haven’t run it yet. However, after doing the half marathon, I don’t think I would sweat it too much.

    Basically, the trail for the half marathon were super easy. There were some hills but nothing over 1000 ft climb, I think at most was 100 ish. Most of the trails were wide and the grade was smooth and gentle.

    The trails were fairly newly made and they made it by bulldozing them. They were like roads and most of them were wide enough for a car to go through. The point is, they are not technical trails. I believe they were made for cars/bikes.

    As for the race, I did finish. They ran it like a city race. I think a lot ‘city’ people came out to support it. They had several different events, 5K, 10K, 10 miler, and the Half. I chose the longest distance. There were some ‘elite’ trail runners and they disappeared immediately after the gun. While the bulk of us slowly moved along the trail.

    The first mile was mostly walking. I didn’t mind because I was stuck behind a long train of people going up the mountain. The first mile was more technical – not so much something I couldn’t able to run on, but it was maybe too much for the city people. I overheard many were their first time on the trail or doing a run. For them, indeed it was a struggle. Later I passed many of them.

    We had 4 aid stations. I skipped the first since most people stopped there, I decided to get ahead of the slow group. I think I did the climb pretty well.

    We almost reached the top, when I saw a bunch of people stopped ahead. 10-15 of so runners. They said there were a bee hive by the trail and many were stung by the bees. One guy was stung six times on his back. A lady was squatting on the trail crying. She was stung in her twice attempt of getting across the hive. The sting was too painful and she decided to quit. None of us carry medicine on us that we could offer to her.

    The rest of us decided to go off the trail to go around the hive. That might have costed us 15-20 minutes. We had to bush wack and it was not easy. Some decided to turn back (and quit the race) because they feared getting poison ivy by going off trail. That was only two miles into the race. I wouldn’t blame them. Each had to decide whether it was worth it.

    I got past the hive. The rest of the run was uneventful. It was a hot day. We started late in the morning at 10 am – which is not a usually race starting time. I prefer 8 ish to avoid the heat, but hey, the organizer was trying to attract city people to the event I think. I could handle the heat. Note, on their event website, it was posted that the race starts at 8:30, but we later receive the pre-race email, that 8:30 would be the check in time and 10 o’clock would be the official start. The shift to a later start kind of irk me.

    I was not running so much for time. Normally if I do it for time, I would finish around 2 hours. But I mostly was at a jogging and walking pace, so it took me about 3 hours.

    They offerred us all you can eat tacos after the race. That was nice. I ate and fueled up. Then after hanging out a bit as there were still people out on the course. I spoke with one who finished around 4 hours. It was like a marathon for him. He was cramping up etc. It was his first half marathon. It was also during the hottest part of the day when he finished and he was soaked through by his sweat. Felt bad for him, but he did finish. There were others who took a tumble on the trail. I saw one with a bleeding knee.

    In the afternoon, I decided to explore a part of the trail that would be my November race but wasn’t part of this race. That was my whole purpose for coming here. Even though the sun was hot and I didn’t feel like doing more running after the half marathon, I urged myself to go do it. I found at least the trail I ran on was nearly flat! I think it was called the South Trail. I ran maybe 20 miles to Cunard and back.

    I also found that one of the trails had a water crossing. I was trying to keep my feet dry and tried to use a fallen tree and some rocks to cross it. Unfortunately the moss there were slipery. Even though the water over the rock was not that deep, I fell when I stepped on it. I tried second time and fell a second time. My gatorade bottle popped out on the second fall and floated downstream. I was not quick enough to recover it. I was fuming. I needed that water. I had a water filter on me, but there were signs from the park service indicating the creek water has high level of batteria from human feces and and we shouldn’t drink it. I had some water on me besides the Gatorade, so I rationed carefully to make my water last for my entire run.

    My lesson learnt was next time, just get my feet wet and cross the creek the most direct way instead of trying to do the extra effort of balancing on tree logs or rocks. It was too dangerous. Fortunately I didn’t seriously hurt myself except for falling into the water and had my shorts wet. I could have cracked my head or broke my arm (since I was trying to brace myself as I fell). I was grateful that only my butt was hurt.

    The rest of the run was uneventful. It was an out and back course. A portion was on the road. I tried to avoid the Waterfall Trail on the way back. I thought I found a side trail. I followed it and it led to a trellis. However, the trellis crossing was closed due to it being structural unsafe. Luckily I backtracked back to the Waterfall Trail because, later after getting back to camp, I checked the map, the path I was going to take would not have taken me back to my campground. I was glad, I had enough sense to turn back when I should.

    My purpose going there was to check out the course for the 100 miles. I reached my goal. I did not get to explore the entire course but I am happy nontheless because I think even the part I did not get to, would be easy. Basically, I shouldn’t worry about it.

  • Day434 New River

    I wanted to use a cop out title Brain Dump 3 / Memory Alpha. Sorry, this is another filler post – skip it if you like.

    Why so many filler posts? I am lazy and have been also busy doing the same thing every day, that is to finish up the Race Back Across Tennessee (GVRAT) the rat race. I have less than 2 weeks to go. It ends at the end of the month. They kind of sap all my mental energy.

    I have less than 150 miles left. So every day I was cranking out about 13/14 miles. Back then – like even a year ago, this is an unthinkable number – no even a month ago I didn’t run that much. I really pushed myself this time.

    Hey, last year, when I looked at people who finished the GRVAT, I was thinking, how some of them were able to pull humongous miles daily. Here I am. I am not like the people at top yet, but I am nearer. I am currently ranked 119 out of like 3000-4000 people who are taking part in this virtual race. Of course, this year there were fewer runners registered. Last year, there were 12000 or more. Might have been as high as 15000 or even 20000 people.

    So every day, I am out on the road, doing my miles. This week was the first time of me running in the rain (this year). Almost every night was raining but one night was especially in the rain. I was lucky the other few nights either I ran after the rain, or rain was light or skipped our area or the rain was about to start but I finished my run. It was not a heavy downpour, but was enough to get a feel how it is like to do it. They say, you got to train in any weather especially the nasty ones. It was not that bad once I was wet. I actually liked it because it was cooler finally! I have been running in the heat ‘extreme heat’ they say or ‘killer heat wave’ as reported in the news. The rain was a relief. I actually ran fast during training that day, which is rare. Usually, I just dragged my feet and took my sweet time in my run.

    So these last 30-40 days, I have developed some habits of running after work almost daily because I can’t affort any days off. And on the weekend, I usually ‘travel’ for my runs. A pretty good habit but also means I have no life.

    This weekend, I am at the New River National Park. I will have a half marathon there in couple hours and also in November I will be doing a 100 miler here.

    This was a surprised half marathon race. I just happened to come across it during the week and I checked it out. The 100 miler has been on the back of my mind nagging me that I need to do some onsite trainings. So the half marathon came at the right time to kick off my lazy training for the 100 miler. Not like I have been slacking on my running but I felt I need to run secifically for the 100-mile race. One thing was to visit the site. So here I am.

    New River NP has been gaining some recognition in recent years and people are ‘flocking’ here to see this new national park. I think President Obama designated it. It has been a best kept secret of West Virginia before then, but now the secret is out.

    This is my first time visiting the New River. Actually, I’m staying at a hotel instead of camping out (as I should be doing both to save money and to be ‘closer’ to nature). Ya, I have been a bit lazy with the camping thing recently. I used be enthusiastic about camping at every (outdoor) places I go. But camping is a lot of work. I rather now to pay someone to have a roof over my head.

    Anyway, finally I got to train on the actual trail for my 100-mile race. I am nervous about the race for same reasons I have been worrying about other races this year. It will be out of my comfort zone in term of terrain, distance, and possibly challenge. I fear failure too. I did fail to finish the 100 mile distances twice last year. No longer do I have the confident to take on any races. Trail races are much harder and demanding. I ran with real trail people and saw how I stack against them. Not good.

    So here I am at the New River, hoping to explore some trails, do some running, and enjoying the outdoors of this new national park.

    Oh by the way, the drive there was long. I arrived at 2 AM last night – It was kind of my fault to leave late. Actually I am not in the Park yet, since I am staying in a ‘cheaper’ hotel that is half hour away. Got to go prep for my half marathon soon. Maybe will write about it next week.

  • Day433 brain dump2

    I had some ideas earlier this morning how I should write. Unfortunately, I can’t recall them.

    I enjoyed my runs. I have been doing some big runs/walks to finish the Virtual Race (Back) Across Tennessee. There are about 250 miles left, and I’m kind of on target to finish (ETA 9/5). I have to finish by 8/31 for it to be counted. So I try to run about 90-100 miles each week. So far, I am on target though it will be hard.

    Long story short is I spent a lot time on the road running the last few weeks and I was usually doing some late night runs. Safety stand point is not good but I enjoy the cooler runs and kind of like being alone.

    Was it tiring? Yes but I am better at it than last year. Not complaining much. The weather was generally more cooler this summer than last year. This week we had couple days of near 100F – hot. Even at midnight, it still felt extremely hot (hovering near 90F). Yes so hot I couldn’t run but only walked. It was only lasted couple days. Generally it was cooler. I got my miles in regardless. No rain so far on my run.

    The first week when I started to ramp up my miles, my feet were swollen after putting in 110 miles. I couldn’t wear my normal shoes. Just want to put it out there. Not complaining. Slowly, my feet adapted to the high mileage. There are nuggets of truth somewhere.

    Why I am doing this? Hard to explain. Those who are not in it can’t relate. We who are running the GVRAT are like fanatics. We love the race. We love going back out every day and get the miles in. Many did finish already and we are excited for each other. A few like me are still struggling.

    What is next? Summer is drawing to a close. Time flies. I am happy even though I was not racing much this month. I did a 5K – the Birthday Bash (Potomac River Running – Shoes store’s birthday). But my long runs have mostly filled up my racing craving! I wrote some about running to the Airport one night, or being chase by a storm on another, or this week – I had a close encounter with death to run right after a storm (by going through a fallen tree with a downed wire underneath). Sorry no space to write about that.

    Oh what’s next? I will be doing the midnight (moonlight) marathon in West Virginia in two weeks. I am hyped! Also hoping to finish the GVRAT by then! After that on Labor Day weekend, I will be running the Iron Mountain Trail Run (40 mile race). I have been waiting to run this race for 3 years. It is happening. With all the training and anticipation, oh I am giddy. Did I mention I signed up for the Devil Dog Ultra – I think I did. Wow, it means much.

    What does this mean? I look toward races like going to a retreat. It is a religious experience for me. I am shaken in a religious sense. I get goose bumps and electric feeling running down my back whenever I go for these long runs. I wish I can really explain or show how that is. Yes, probably I am a fanatic/maniac. I’m just somebody who enjoys running a lot.

    Presently, I am on a trip – a training run for the Iron Mountain Trail. I wish I can share all the high points! Yes, I feel I am on top of the mountain. Literally I was on one. Emotionally too.

    I don’t know how to close this entry without writing more. I looked into my Rim to River 100 Race. And I looked into the Annapurna Trek. All within this week. Basically I did the research that I said I should be doing. I am at a point in life – I wanted to do something big – like how am I different this year compare to before – and I am in a holding pattern at the same time. I need to push myself to the ‘next’ level. I can’t be comfortable at where I am. These trips are kind of like that pushing me higher.

    I have been trying to readjust my blog for transitioning to this new ‘phase’ such as posting only once a week. I changed blog name. I had a new tag (almost is my vision statement). I had a new mission statement. I kind of know what I want to be. Soon I will renumber my blog (starting from Day1 again but Vol 2) – still debating on to do it or not. Obviously I like numbering. I am very anal, but I also seek a new start.

    So I have been day dreaming on what it will take to hike the Annapurna (in Nepal). Who is with me?

  • Day432 mind dump

    I used to post every day but have switched to weekly posting. Why? Less for readers to follow and read.

    I like to write about my runs. I had good run each day. They seem mundane but each one is special to me. Something I love to blog about but I think my readers might have fatigue in reading the same thing over and over.

    Last night, I ran to Arlington. Almost wanted to circle around to the Airport and to headed DC and back to Arlington – they called this the Arlington Loop, which is about 15 miles long and usually can easily take 4 or more hours to do it. I could run it faster but I like to take my time with longer routes.

    Two Fridays ago I did the Arlington Loop after work. I didn’t get back to my car until near midnight. Of course I added in an extra 5-6 miles from work to where the loop starts. And also stopped by my company to finish up some work (that is another story).

    It brought back feelings I had before the pandemic where I used to do this route before church on Sunday. Actually, I used to bike around it and now I am running it – kind of a crazy feeling to know how much I have improved. Ya 13-15 miles each day, no problem when thinking back 13-15 used to be something I dread about and we only did it like in once a month.

    With the Pademic, there is no more church and I rarely ever go to Arlington any more. Also my work relocated. I am no longer going downtown into DC for work. So the run I brought back some memories when I saw the Airport and the Monument and the river.

    This time I ran at night. I don’t think I did this nighttime before. I always like night runs. Just a different feeling when you can’t see much and everything is a shadow. Sometimes creepy feeling. There is a section that always spook me near where I live. There is some kind of posts the use for fence at this housing complex. And at night I always feel like it is a torso and I jump each time I run past one. Then I would laugh at myself for being a scary cat. For this kind of feeling is why I like night run.

    Also it is lot cooler and calmer to run at night. It is kind of lonely too since usually I would be the only one out. I run late into the night.

    I have been thinking. I need to do an all night run one weekend. I think that would be cool. Yes cooler as temperature and cool as in something new to do. Except I do get pretty sleepy once it is past my bed time.

    This is more a filler post. Not much is planned for today. I finished the CRAW Region 5 two weeks ago. My team pulled us through. We were missing 10 miles on Sunday night. Several of them went back out and ran 14 miles and finished the region. That was huge. I was too tired to celebrate. I was too tired to go back out and run actually. But we finished it – like running over 150 miles over the two days. I didn’t expected that from them. I didn’t expect anyone to go back out and run it. Sometimes people are amazing.

    Last weekend was a less intense run. I went to Mt Rogers vicinity / Hurricane Trail. It was an awesome weekend and an epic run. Running like this feels me up. I was in a happy place. The main point was Hurricane Trail was less scary than what I made out to be. I will be going back next weekend. I wish I wrote about it. There is only so much time available to write. I can’t write about my every run.

    While away last weekend I signed up for a race – The Devil Dog 100. I forgot about it until I saw the charge on my credit card and wondered when did I make such a purchase. It was an arm and a leg. Then after some googling, yes, I did sign up in the middle of the night. There is no buyer remorse. I am hyped about it actually. It will be a hard race. Expensive but I think worth it. (I will be doing the 100k not the 100 mile one)

    Finally, what I want to say is I still have lot of running till the end of the month. I am doing the GVRAT (back again version) – the Tennessee race. I am still 100 miles behind. I need about 100 miles every week to reach it, but unfortunately I am pulling about 80-90 miles. It doesn’t mean I am doomed but it has been a struggle and continue will be until I am absoulutely sure I have no chance to finish. By the way, I hope to get to halfway across Tennessee this weekend and then there would be about 322 miles left. My projected finish is around Sept 10…of course I need and wish to finish it by August 31 to have it counted.

  • Day431 killing time

    I haven’t had much time this week because I have been running as much as I could. The cure for burn out is more running! I was very happy to run till I drop. Not the healthest way to train but it satisfied that craving for more running.

    I aimed to run at least 100 miles a week. It is a bit much from my usual of 50-60 miles. Any sane person out there wouldn’t attempt this.

    I feel like I can do it. It is just for a month. I am doing this virtual race across Tennessee and I need about 400 miles to finish it. 100 miles a week for 4 weeks.

    The week result has been good. I haven’t slacked off. I did about 10 miles a day during the week and on the weekend I would do 25 miles a day. So every night I walk or run for 3 hours. Weekend would be the entire day spent on running.

    On other news, I signed up for the Devil Dog Ultra. I am excited. Last year I did their lite version (50K), so this year, I will be running the 100K. Next year probably the 100M

    This weekend, I went down to near Damascus (Mt Rogers area) to do a training run for the Iron Mountain trail run. My day was great. I ran with some fast people and we hung out with the race director and his wife afterward. The most happy reason of all was I could put in some long run. The trip costed me a lot of money. On the next training run, I have to think of a cheaper alternative.