In awe

Tag: Easter

  • [672] MMT Chocolate Bunny Run

    (2022 and 2023 report)

    Chocolate Bunny is the 4th and last official training run for the Massanutten mountain 100 race (MMT).  I am not sure how many times I have done this training run, probably twice.  It is always take place at night on the Saturday before Easter, so it is known as the Chocolate Bunny Run. 

    It covers the hardest section and final section of the race (about 25/26 miles). Most runners would be going through this section at night. It makes sense to train this at night.

    Night run has an spooky feeling and beautiful at the same time. We were blessed that all my Chocolate Bunny runs happened on a clear night with moon rising. 2022 year we had a full moon, but this year though was the final quarter. I didn’t notice it because I was already passed the Waterfall Trail.

    Last year, the Chocolate Bunny was canceled due to a mountain fire in the area.

    I have come to love the Chocolate Bunny run.  It is very cool to run at night with some of best people, whom I call friends.  I believe it is only one night run we do as a club other than the MMT race itself.  Rumors had it the club used to do a no-light night run and Bull Run night run. Probably, local law enforcement did not appreciate a bunch of runners running around somewhere in their parks, and we no longer do it except the Chocolate Bunny.

    Indeed, as fate would have it, someone (not one of our people) broke their foot on the Big Run Trail and called the police for help at 4 am.  No one was pleased to try to locate the missing injured hiker somewhere up on the mountain. We denied, it was not us. I hope the club was not implicated in it and we will continue to have Chocolate Bunny Run next year.

    This year I am not running in the race and so I have skipped the first 3 training runs (also it was because of scheduling conflict).  I was debating whether to sign up for the last training run since it happens over Easter, and there was church event (Good Friday) and then Saturday Scripture reading through the night, and then Sunrise Worship on Easter morning). I tried to do them all, but in the end, it has to be one or the other, run or church.

    My friend Jeremy will be running in the MMT this year.  So I had a private training run with him in the day time. 

    We also did a made-up MMT 3 training run a week before, which is almost like the Chocolate Bunny run but in the day time and the course was 10 miles longer.  We covered it in 12 hours.  We were proud of our ability to pull off a training run on our own without support, but placing couple water drop.

    On the day of the the Chocolate Bunny, we again went out to the course early, waking up at 5, and starting our run at 7:30. We ran part of the MMT 1 training run, since Jeremy hasn’t done that section before, mostly we wanted to cover the Short Mountain Section, which was about 10 miles.  Then we hiked up Edinburg Gap, for an out and back of maybe 4 miles, so ended up having a total of 18 miles for the day so far.  We knew we have to conserve our energy for the night time run.  So we finished our morning run around 2 pm and went into town (Woodstock) to get rested, food, and be refreshed.  In truth, we were almost spent all our energy.

    The afternoon was hot, so there was nothing much to do but to head to the Chocolate Bunny meeting point and hoping to catch some sleep in thr shades before the run.

    We drove separately and I arrived later at around 5:30 pm. I thought I was being there early to get a parking spot but many other runners were already there.  Fellow runners and friends: Bob, Jeff and Laura  were about to set out early.  When I found out, I asked if I too could go with them.  They said yes. There really no need to ask.  It was a training run, everyone could start whenever they want but it is good to have accountability. 

    I wanted an early start because I am usually the last runner to finish.  By starting early, volunteers would not have to wait at the end for too long for me to finish.  I quickly looked for Jeremy to see if he was interested in the early start.  He was. So the five of us, start at six.  Robert P. too started out early after we have left.

    We had to be careful of not to run too fast to pass the first aid station at Gap Creek ahead of volunteers showing up. Generally, it takes me about two hours to cover the Big Run section to Gap Creek. By 7:30, we already got to Crisman Hollow Road.  Larry (Rusty) our RD (race director) and his wife drove by as we came off the trail.  It was a good sign we would have aids at the aid station.  About a mile later, we arrived at Gap Creek and we were greeted by cheerful volunteers. They were my favorite people, Ram, who paced me last year and Amanda who I ran with a few times in other events.  Kevin, our trail boss was also there (he and his people are in charge of marking the course for the MMT 100 each year).

    This was my first time getting to Gap Creek while sun had not set yet. 

    After Gap Creek we climbed up to Jaw Bone and crossed Kerns Mountain. By now, the fast front runners caught up to us.  It would be a night where many runners would pass us while we were on Kerns. By 11 pm, we reached the Visitor Center, our second and final aid station, which is also about the halfway point. I estimated that it would take another 4 hours to finish the run.

    Jeremy by now had run on ahead. My other friend Wayne who started at the normal time caught up. I checked back my previous run, and it seemed tonight I was a bit slower.

    It could have been the food I ate that was not settling well, by the time I climbed up on Bird Knob, I felt I wanted vomit. Note, others also mentioned similar experience.  It could be a flu or something going on (looking back). We were spreading germs.  I was lightheaded and was feeling unwell.  Robert P. passed me and it was kind enough for him to stop to check on me.  I told him I was not feeling well and possibly due to lack of salt.  So he gave me some Salt-caps and tums.

    I slowed down my walk hoping my body would recover.  After about an hour or so, by midnight, I felt a bit better but by now, I still could not bring myself to run, but at least moving faster.  I am guessing there were 8 miles left.

    The climb up on the purple trail (Brown Hollow) was long and tough. More runners passed me.  I got to meet a new runner, Ian who had gone too far and missed a turn and he was backtracking. He helped me too so I was aware of not going too far.

    I gave him some tips that MMT 100 is doable as long as one keeps on pressing and not give up.

    He and I ran the next four miles together always staying ahead two runners who were trying to catch up to us.

    It so happened the two runners that kept chasing us were also our friends (Emily and Lance). It was good we finally learned who were behind us.

    Now there were only couple miles left. I haven’t gotten lost yet.  A volunteer joked with me earlier saying don’t get lost out there.  I tried not to.  The trail was more familar to me by now where I kind of know where to turn except the last hill up to the finish.  Somehow I got off the trail and for a brief time unable to locate it.  It took me 15 minutes trying to find it and then hiked out. I almost gave up and just bushwhacked out but ended up finding the trail again.

    My fellow friends were waiting for me at the finish.  We cheered, laughed and chatted till wee hours when the cops showed up to look for a missing hiker.  So the party ended for me.  I made a trip home.  The rest of the trip was uneventful.  I made a pitstop at a Sheetz gas station and slept till I was good enough to drive again.  Coffee helped. Days later, looking back, we were grateful to make it back home safely. 

    Lessons/thoughts:  None.  I just love to be out there whether alone or with a friend or in a group, it was a good run.  My weekend was all of the above.  We thank volunteers of sacrificing their sleep and time for us to be able to enjoy and train up on a race.  Actually, it is better to sleep at the trail after the run instead of making the long drive home. I would still be able to make it to the Easter Worship on Sunday.

  • Day472 MmT Tr4 Night Run

    TL:DR; final shake out run before the real thing

    I went out to redeem myself from being kicked after 13 miles on my last training run a month ago. This time, I said I would keep with the pack and avoid the cut-off. This is the last official training (actually bonus training run) for the MMT 100 race. I joined them for 3 of them.

    This one was specifically held at night to give us the feel of the night and final portion of the race. We met at 6 in the evening and I was there a little after 5 in the afternoon. I lie around trying to catch some sleep, knowing I needed it. There were 20-30 people running this, much less than before maybe due to Easter and also it was a night run. Not all of them will be doing the real race in May. Many people have no vested interest to show up in the middle of nowhere for a night run. We started off on time at 7, with about an hour of daylight left. Many only do half of the run so they could go back home and sleep.

    We went into the woods

    I knew my own pace and settled in the back. I passed a couple others I knew who probably would not run the whole thing.

    I recognized Amanda from previous training runs. She and I had about a similar pace. I told her, I would make the cut off this time. She asked what time I think the cut off would be? I took a random guess maybe at midnight, 5 hours (as it was about 5 hours last time, and I was cut). That would be my goal any way to get there before midnight, There being the Visitor Center, our first official aid station. We were spoiled by RD’s wife set up an unofficial aid station at Gap Creek (around mile 6 tonight, I think in the race it would be about mile 70) just before we made the hard climb to Jawbone and Kerns Mountain.

    I was strong  climbing up to Jawbone. I waited for Amanda at the top. She seemed to be having a bit of trouble. Later on she said she had some stomach issue and threw up in the second half, but she did finish. She actually looked stronger this time than when I first met her.

    After reaching Jawbone, we continued on the ridge of Kerns Mountain, which was the hardest section tonight I think. By then the sun had set and the moon rose over the mountain.

    Moon rose over the other side, I think is Duncan Knob, which in the real race was where we would be coming from

    We had a full moon. However, I was having a hard time seeing the trail. Several times I ran off trails unknowingly. Amanda was pretty quick with downhills. I noticed many people were pretty quick with their downhills. I have not built up my trust with my feet to be willing to run downhill. I was a bit rusty. During my first training run, I was going to train on this aspect, but I pulled my hamstring and was out for 8 weeks. Actually, now 12 weeks since, my hamstring is only about 98% healed. There occasionally still is a slight pull or stiffness. Long story short, I haven’t had the opportunity to truly train on the fundamentals for this race. My breathing and muscles are pretty good now after three months, but I could have been better with my foot technique.

    We finished Kerns Mountain by 11:22 pm and we reached the true Aid Station at the Visitor Center before midnight. I was happy to have caught up with the others. They didn’t want to run on the road portion. I love the road and was able to catch up. There were five or six others there, but when they took off I was not able to catch them again.

    The next section was uneventful. We climbed Bird Knob. On the last training, I felt this was a hard accent, but, today, it was not too difficult for me. Amanda was behind me for a little while but then she disappeared (later she told us she was throwing up). Her pacer, Ram, was with her. I was by myself until the road portion. I made all the correct turns. I caught up with another pair of runners, Tracy and John. We climbed the Roaring Run together. They were much faster than me with the descent.  I wouldn’t see them again until I reached the finish.

    The remaining 6 miles were long and boring. It was mostly downhill. I passed someone camping by the trail. It was around 2 am and I hope I didn’t wake the person. I crossed numerous streams. When I ran this section a month ago, I was able to keep my shoes dry, but this time, I stepped into every puddle and crossing. It was hard to see at night, so might as well just walk right through them. I realize what is difficult about night running is you lose your depth perception. The creek might  be an inch deep or a foot deep. They look the same. Same with rocks. Sometimes when I step over rocks instead of on top of them, I might drop down 4-6 inches and it was always a surprise how further down I get. Your mind might tell you it is a little drop and it ended up you being a couple feet down. It can be very scary and easy to lose your balance.

    My hope was to be able to finish by 3:30 am. The time ticked by and that goal became unreacheable. There was just maybe a mile left. It was always so near yet not there. I finally made it back to the start at 4:00 am. Amanda was just 15 minutes behind me.

    —-

    Reflecting on this, I was 15 min late too, if there was a cut-off. When in the actual race, I should aim for 8:30-8:45 for every 25 miles. The race is 102 miles long. We have 35 hours to do it. So I am really on the borderline of being cut since I used 9 hours for 26 miles, meaning 36 hours for 104 miles (you should always add a few miles for a long race for contingency like getting lost/off trail, or inaccurate course measurement). I would be cut at maybe mile 94-96. I realized tonight, I tarried about 30 minutes at the aid stations, otherwise I could have finished by 3:30. I also waited for Amanda for about 15 mins. In theory I could have done it within 8 hours. If I could be quicker on race day at aid stations, I would be fine.

    I compare myself with my fellow runner Amanda because in the last three training runs we were the last to finish. I think on race day, both of us are in danger of being cut. I know I am a tad faster than her, but not by much. She definitely improved dramatically since I first met her. She is my metric. I am thinking of working her into my race day’s strategy. I have not decided yet, whether going out fast, then she will catch up to me at mile 70 and hopefully then we will finish together, using each other for support. Alternatively, I will keep at her pace throughout (but if she screws, I will be as well) at least until mile 70 and then I will break out. This would be ideal. It’s a lot of trust to put my race into someone’s hand. This benefits me from not going out too fast, yet I think I don’t have the patience to be slow on race day.

    Theoretically I have a couple more weeks to fix what needed fixing, however, this is likely it. I plan to go for two more runs to fine tune it but no one can tell what will happen.

  • Day471 BRR volunteering and Easter

    The Bull Run 50 mile Race, took place last weekend. At the last minute, they reopened their registration, however, I already had other plans especially since I signed up to volunteer at one of their aid stations. It would be bad karma to promise to serve and then go back on my words.

    This BROT (Bull Run/Occoquan Trail) 50 Mile Race is the race I have been wanting to run but was never able to catch their sign up. I joined them a couple times on their training runs (BRR #1 and #3) recently. BRR stands for Bull Run Run and is how the training runs are named. BROT is the abbreviation for the trail name and I think it is the official race name.

    When I heard the registration being reopened, I was torn. I needed some longer runs for my 100 mile training. A 50 mile race would be about right. However, being this near to the 100 race, it might not do me any good. I am about a month out from my race.

    I knew I was going to volunteer when they made a call for us. And volunteering was fun. We made a lot of runners happy. Our station was the first stop at about 7 miles into their race. Many faster runners did not need anything from us. The course was an out and back in both directions, with the race starting near the middle (Hemlock Overlook). We were stationed near the Bull Run Park end point, so we saw runners coming toward us and back again for a second time after a turn around at Bull Run. By 9 o clock, all runners had passed us. We then were able to close the station and go our way an hour and half ahead of our scheduled time. There is no official cutoff at our station, but the extremely slow runners knew and was partly encouraged by our station manager to drop from the race if they couldn’t get to our station by 9-ish.

    I brought my running gear with a hope to do my long run right after volunteering. I explored the Bull Run Park end of the trail. Because it had rained the previous night, the park wouldn’t let the race take place in a loop in their park (the usual turn around point for this race). Thus, I think the race was about 2-3 miles short from a true 50 miler, but I don’t think runners mind. The Bull Run’s end was indeed extremely muddy. I ran there out of curiosity to check and did a loop around the park, the part other runners were not allowed in. By the time I finished, I was like 2 hours from the last runner of the race.

    The trail was open to the public. I felt I was far behind from the pack so people wouldn’t confuse me as being in their race.

    I did not have a goal when I first started. I hoped I could get about 20 miles in for my long run day. While on the trail, I felt great and decided I could push for a 50K. I knew running a 50 mile was out of the question since I started late in the day. I planned to push for 10 miles out toward the Fountainhead side where runners were and come back before getting back to my car. I already had about 10 miles in and just needed 20 miles more for a 50K.

    I passed by their finish line (and it was their starting line too) at Hemlock Overlook. It was past noon, but no one had finished yet. I went for a few more miles and saw the first place runner coming in. He was ahead by 3 miles of the 2nd and 3rd place. He cracked a joke saying if I see the second place, to give a shout so that he would know how close the second place is behind. There was no way a second place would be on his tail that day. I did see the second place a long while after. I kept running until I was at the Bull Run Marina, which was another Aid Station. By then I think 5 or 6 runners had passed through on their way back to the finish. Normally, Bull Run Marina is my turn around point.

    It was still early in the afternoon. I had about 15 miles. I still needed a few more miles before turning around since I wouldn’t be going again all the way to Bull Run. So I ran to the next aid station from there. In this section, I saw more runners coming through on their way back. When I reached my turn around point (my mile 19), the midpack runners arrived. These runners walked the hills more often. They are still strong compared to me. They were all fast. All of them passed me. For them it was their mile 40. I haven’t even reached my mile 25 yet. I hustled with them.

    I was pretty tired by the time I got back to the Marina. It was after 5 pm by then, a bit later than I had hoped. I was out of water. I was pretty sure they wouldn’t mind if I asked for some at the station. I forgot to bring my own filter. In the past, when I ran on this trail, I used to be out of water too and had to filter water from the creek. While I was debating to stop for water a fellow volunteer recognized me and called. I, therefore stopped and asked for their water. Of course, they filled me up. Their station would be open for another hour and half.

    I was nervous I might get to my car after dark and the park might tow my car since where I left my car does not allow overnight parking. I had about two hours and at most three hours before sunset. For some reasons, I felt my destination was much farther away and I might not make it.

    At least five or six runners caught up to me in this stretch. Probably 30-40 in total had passed me by then. They were all rushing to the finish. These were the 11 hour finishers (strong runners). About a mile out from their finishes, they were all sprinting. They all knew they were near and there was a bit of a competitive spirit among us. They didn’t know I was not in the race I think. Of course, I couldn’t keep up as I had no reason to. I still had five miles to go before reaching my car, beyond their finish line. I walked by then after I made my turn off toward my trail away from their trail which leads to their finish line. I was hitting my bonk. I was at my mile 27. My water soon ran out again, but I knew I only had a few miles left to go. I had my gels leftover from my last weekend race. They came in handy. I slurped them and after a mile or so, I regained my strength. I reached my car before 7 o clock with the sun still up. The fear of getting there after dark was moot because we have like an hour more daylight.

    As for the race, runners still had an hour left. They had 13 hours to do it. Personally, I don’t know if I could run 50 miles on that trail under 13 hours. I felt I might need 14 hours or more to do it. I only did about 30 miles and it took me about 8 hours. I think another 20 miles might take me longer. However, that was not my race. I was just happy I got my training run in. I reflected on if I were running my 100 mile today, what condition would I be, knowing I still have 60+ miles to go. I should not be this tired yet. I believe my 100 mile is on a harder trail.

    The next day of course, I was still tired. My friend from DC messaged me (the same guy I did the marathon together a week ago) if I want to do a bunny run since it will be Easter coming up. He likes to draw shapes using his runs. He planned to draw a bunny on Strava (gps map) this weekend. He planned the run, and I was there just for the fun. He called up a few others to join in. I asked him how many miles. He said 8. Eight was a reasonable amount I could do after a 50K. Some streets were closed. My bunny turned out OK. It had some extra features/an appendage, because I didn’t want to pause my watch for the road detours. Some of you already saw them on my Strava.

    Bunny Run for Easter Celebration

    I told him, his run was my recovery run. I was happy for my weekend. It was not a race but I got my runs done both the BRR and a little fun run on top. Happy Easter everyone!

  • Easter

    Day 111

    I woke up early and got to church for the morning Easter worship. We were told to come early, lest there won’t be parking spots available at the layer service. Normally, I attended the night worship, but today there was neither Sunday School (they called it Adult Bible Fellowship) nor night worship. I didn’t get to see my friend. Sunday is the day I get to see my best friend.

    I couldn’t really focus on the sermon. It wasn’t a hard one, just a three point sermon. One thing I was struck with was Christian can’t stop talking about Jesus because of his resurrection.

    Similarly, I can relate to that because I can’t talk about running and I think running is the best and greatest and everyone should join me! I talked much about running than anything else. When I wake up, I run. While during the day, I day dream of running. And when I go to bed, I still think of running. I am compel to spread the gospel of running.

    With plenty time left in the day, I went for a run, unlike other Sundays since I didn’t get to see my friend, there was no eating lunch together like we usually do. Our family doesn’t do Easter Brunch either. Worship was over by 9. I hadn’t eaten breakfast and my stomach was rattling. Across from the church was a McDonalds and so I went there and had an egg muffin. They substituted the sausage with bacons. I don’t like bacons. O well. I don’t waste food.

    I already planned to do a long run. So the food helped. Nearby the church was a paved trail (4-mile run and the W O & D) and I have been running there almost every Sunday for the past month. I attempted my longest run there yet what is called the Arlington loop. Basically run to DC and back in a big loop. The whole loop is around 18 miles (I think, it felt less).

    It was my first time attempting the loop on foot. I biked it last week. The day was nice 18-22C. I got to the trail I think before 10AM. Pretty much I was the first car there. There were occasionally other people passing by.

    I wasn’t particularly tired, having done a 12 mile run a day before. I had plenty of rest. I eased into a gentle run. It was a long run by definition. Not long after, I think at about mile 2, I was joined by a DC club runner, he was doing a little faster than I was doing around 9:30-9:45 min/mile. I followed him for the bulk of the way. It was good to have a pacer! I complained to him that he ran a bit too fast for me. I lost him near DC.

    I continued on and stopped for lunch in Crystal City, the store I wanted to at was closed, so I had pizzas and a lot of sodas. Afterward, I could hardly move and walked couple miles along the airport and I ran the remained few miles back to my car on the Four Mile Run trail.

    I didn’t timed it. I ran at least 14 miles. I know last time I biked, we had about 20 miles though we did not do the full loop that time, we biked halfway and turned around. I don’t think though the whole loop is twenty miles. At most it was 18.

    Once I got back to the car, I brought out my bike and biked the whole loop again. It was a fun ride and I finished it at much faster time. I wanted to bike around twice but changed my mind.

    After the biking, I started to feel a bit tired. I skipped the swim portion. I was going to hit the pool for some water exercises. The next day though waking up was a bit difficult. All my muscles and bones were tight. I blamed myself of not stretching after the run. Monday is my rest day, so no running.