In awe

Tag: report

  • [684] The Ring (70~ Fatass Run)

    Those who know, know, what the Ring is.  It is not a secretive run, but is a 70 mile *free* run and with the club, some call it a fatass.  It was started as a fatass of two runners who wanted to be the first to run on the newly built Massanutten trail.  Now, it it is more than a fatass because we have a race director and Virgnia Happy Trail’s signature aid stations and each one is captained by an experienced ultra runner. A free race that rival and surpass in quality of many paid races.

    However, the race is not widely known to people outside the Happy Trail club.  And there are some prerequisites for the registration that at least one to many are a bar to get over.  It was that runners must be familar with the course, since it is unmarked, this is usually meant having done one of the MMT 100 training runs or one of other runs there such as Boyers, Elizabeth, or Catherine Run.  This restriction excludes a lot people who are not from the area or part of the club.  RDs screen the signups and weed out those who are not qualified.

    I think the mystery of the race involves how hard it can be.  I have done the Massanutten Trail 100, which is known as a kicking rock good hard race.  The Ring is just like that, hard, and on the same Massanutten Trail, but without most of the road sections.  To many, including myself who have done the MMT100, we were surprised by how difficult the run is.  Might be because it was my lack of training for it since it is not a real race per se and because it was free.

    Also, another mystery is the signup is through the club’s own website, which is a bit hard to use and the registration opens almost unannounced.  Opening date for registration is posted in the club’s calendar, but I guess only the die-hard runners of the club monitor it.  I have in the past missed the signup (openning date) and by the time I realized it, the registration is closed or race is full.  You got to be on top of the signup game to run in this. The signup page is also a bit intimidating because it asks you for the day of the week and splits out some random number that in the past, related to the closing of the stock market to find your position on the waitlist.  It was a mouthful of what the heck lunatic is this website. In the past, I was confused by it and stayed away from the signup.  Today, it is only used to combat spam or robot (AI) signing up.

    Third mystery, maybe the name.  Obviously, it was vaguely refering to the movie of Lord of the Ring (The Fellowship of the Ring).  The run itself has nothing to do with Frodo or Bilbo. Well maybe it is a bit adventurous heading to Mt Doom. Or maybe to rid of the Ring of obsession.  I don’t really know.  We ultra runners are bit of obsessive cuckoo.  Probably the name came about because the first two runners who ran around the mountain loved the movie or maybe it was during the time the movie came out.  The name probably more has to do with going around the two mountain ridges in a circle around Fort Valley.  Maybe again it is about how hard it is, almost impossible but inevitable, we would get it done in some epic fashion.

    Forth mystery is the lingos, staying on Orange.  It was the mantra of not getting lost.  The course is not marked other than following the orange trail blazes (orane paint on tree trunks and rocks).  So for those who know, we would advise each other to stay on Orange to avoid getting lost.  The funny thing, though we all know this, yet we still get lost out there.  So it is like an inside joke of sort about being lost on the trail.  They also say don’t pee on the fence. I still don’t get that though.  You get the shock I know, but why?  Maybe of the rocks I think. The attempt running on the Massanutten is like peeing on the fence.  We knew not to do it, but still do.   Curiosity got the better of us.

    What makes me want to run it?  The run has been around a long time, since 2001 or 2002.  Runners in our club are proud of it.  It is like an initiation or a rite of passage thing and a badge of honor.  You have to have run the run to be a truly badass. So, now I finished it, I am a bona fide member of the club! 

    Many of our runs in our clubs involve some form of doing it on the Massanutten mountain, the Waterfall 50k (aka slang or abbreviate as WTF, yes really the expletive), Boyers, Catherine, or Elizabeth Furnace, MMT100 and its training runs, and the Chocolate Bunny. I have done many of those runs the last four or five years.  I fall in love with it.   So I was familiar with the mountain and trails and when people say it is a hard race, why not give it a try.  How hard can it be, right? Also, friends and others have return to running it again and again, so it got to be fun. To me it is more a FOMO, fear of missing out to be with them to make history.

    Why I didn’t do it sooner?  Because, yearly since I started trail running, I traditionally went down to Damascus (VA) on Labor Day weekend to run or help in a race called the Iron Mountain, another hard hard race.  That race conflicts with the Ring every year since both occur on Labor Day’s weekend.  This year, the other race was initially not going to take place because Hurricane Helene, which caused significant damges to the area and trails near Abingdon.  So I immediately decided to do the Ring.  I got in during the signup period.  It was a done deal even after I knew the Damascus race was happening.

    Another reason, maybe a more real reason for me is that I have been envious of people who were doing the Reverse Ring every winter while I voluntering at the event and I wanted to run in it too except of its requirement that runners must completed the Ring first.  Everyone knows I could do it without having to do the Ring first.  But rules are rules. One has to run the Ring first before doing the Reverse Ring.

    This year, A few of my friends who I ran the Massanutten 100 together two years ago, decided to take a crack at this.  To me it was like a reunion run with my pals on the infamously hard trail.  I got to suffer it with them once more time.  I guess it is a guy thing.

    I prepared as usual, meaning very little the weeks leading up.  Doing more mountain runs would have help!  The night before the race, I was scrambling at the last minute looking for headlamps, shoes, batteries, and other running stuff needed for the run.  As for food, I do

    ordered a chinese carry-out fried rics for breakfast.  We knew the first 25 miles won’t have any food and packing something to eat for the long run seems wise. However, I was too lazy to pack sandwiches or what not except a candy bar I had left over from a previous run. Ouch, ya. It almost derailed my race for lack of food in the early stage.

    Water was also important.  I was smart enough to pack some carbonated beverages in my drop bags, two cans of Red Bull for energy at night and that was pretty much it.  I trusted the aid stations would tilt me through. And they did.  John who ran with me asked me for one of the Red Bull, so I gave it to him.  I drank the other one and it helped both of us through the night.  John decided to nap, which we all kind of made of fun of him for being a softy.  It was his MO though to nap on the trail.  You can see where or who I learned it from to sleep while running in my 100 mile races. John.

    So, at the crack of dawn, we assembled at the Signal Knob parking lot, our base, start and finish line.  There were 54-55 of us.  It was more than the lot could accommodate.  At early pre dawn hours and the race or run, which does not start until 7 but by 6 am, already had a full lot.  Some had to do shuttling from a nearby sister lot at the Elizabeth Furnace Campground. I was lucky to get a parking spot. We should have carpooled.

    After gotten out of my car, I saw many friends and chatted and fooled around till the race start.  And thus, I forgot about carrying an extra bottle of water.  I had everything I needed so I believed, turn sheets, map, my pack and I turned in my drop bags.  We could have two bags this year, one for roving  that goes from station to station and one to be placed at Woodstock, the second to last aid station. I think the reason is there are not a lot of volunteers to take bags from Edinburg to Woodstock, which is like a 30-45 min drive and back. I think was a wise decision from the race management.

    We started out at one end of the parking lot, used a short back trail (Orange) to run back to the other end before crossing Fort Valley Road to head to Elizabeth Furnace side, then climb up to Shaw Gap. 

    I ran with two buddies, Charles and Costi.  We were mostly hiking it since Charles said he wasn’t trained for it and neither was I.  We were the last two runners.  Costi dropped back to talk to us.  Along the way we picked up Michelle of West Virginia who said she met me at C&O 100 last year at her first 100 and knew I would finish that race, which I did and she wanted to  stay with me to finish the Ring.  Not sure if that to stroke my ego, I do take pride in my pacing ability.   Though I know today is not to pace anyone since I am not sure if the pace we were doing would carry us through. 

    To pass the first cutoff, we would have to do a 21 min pace.  I hiked around that pace, so I knew I would need to run a little bit to not get behind on the pace.  Note, the first cutoff is at mile 40, at 9:30 pm, a long way to go (14:30 hours), so it would be hard to control the pace for that long.

    We hiked up Shaw, did make a slight booboo by following a white trail instead of Orange/Blue (the Tuscarora Tr.). We had to backtrack. Then we descended to West Veach and hiked up east side of Veach, from there it was a long hike to Milford Gap – 13 mile long. Volunteers (Amanda, Larry and Andy), all are my friends, were there to refill our water. So glad they were there.  I knew there wouldn’t be any food, so I joked about having miraculous pizza, which was a reference to the Reverse Ring because they managed to bake home made pizza on an improvised rock oven there.

    I felt I was on pace at Midford.  Maybe just a tad 10 mins ahead, which was really good for having done 13 miles in 4 hours and only off by 10 mins.  Leaving the aid station, Charles already gone on ahead since he had a faster pace, I joined up with Karen  from there to mile 35. She was a stronger hiker. By then both Costi and Michelle had dropped back due to my aggressive pace.  I held onto Karen’s pace.

    Along the way after Kennedy Peak, we ran into Dr. Cooper, who has gotten lost, and went off trail with Charles and they were coming back toward our way.  This saved us from going off course too.  I knew about that particular turn because, I got off trail there many times.  Together, we descended to Camp Roosevelt.  It was not Cooper’s day because he had to double over from time to time to calm the crambing.  I arrived at Camp Roo by 3:00 pm, which was 30 mins before the suggested cutoff. I knew I was on pace.

    Cooper and Charles stayed behind to rest a bit while Karen and I pressed on ahead to tackle Duncan Hollow, Big Run and the Waterfall climb.  Charles was dejected that his drop bag was already sent ahead to the next station by accident. Mistakes were made is all we say. Later, we found out he ended up dropping there. Poor Charles.

    The afternoon sun shined on us.  Soon after a few miles, my water was out.  I did not fill my own water earlier at the aid station but handed off the pack to a volunteer, so it was likely they only filled it half way and I did not recheck it or likely because it was hot, I drank a lot more and water was empty before I knew.  Oh well, it was what we could do.  I knew I would not die of thirst today, it only made the run a bit uncomfortable for couple hours.  It was kind of ironic, I would be suffered from thirst when Duncan Hollow and Waterfall are known for being wet and have a lot of water all around. I wish I had carried a water filter. Too late for that, as I was feeling sorry for myself.  Then all a sudden Karen fell down in front. 

    I ran up to her to see if she was alright.  She bruished her chin, elbows and knees.  Not sure what had happened, maybe kicked a rock or root something.  She seemed alright but the air was knocked out of her.  Her strong marching pace was gone.  I left Karen before we got to Peach Orchard, while she stopped to use the toilet or so I heard she said. I did not look back or offer to wait, knowing, it is anyone race.  If I stop, I would not finish. Later, I think she dropped at Crisman.

    Going down on the Big Run was not hard but time was flying away.  At the bottom of Big Run was the Waterfall Trail that many dreaded.  Interestingly, I didn’t see any waterfall. It is just the name of a very steep trail.  I called it  our first big climb of the day.  I knew we climbed Veach and Shaw, which both were quite big climbs, but they were nothing compared to this one because of the steepness.  I was stopped to mentally prepare myself and then hiked up in one breath (one take).  My friend Jeremy and I came out to hike the Waterfall two weeks before, and every 10 steps, I had to pause to breathe. So today, I thought I would be doing the same, and it surprised me I was doing much better.  I had wanted to reach the top by 6 pm but then settled with 6:30 as time slipped slowly by.  I made a second booboo when I reached the top by following a false trail into a thicket.  It was soon impassible and I turned around and found the correct trail to take.

    Reaching Crisman Hollow was a welcoming sight.  There was real food and really my first real meal.  A volunteer handed me a freshly grilled cheeseburger, with pickles, ketchup, mustard, and the whole deal. Mouth-watering good food. That is the signature service aid station of our club. There is joy and laughters. And I got all the water I needed.  Several other runners were around.  Really first time during the day to see any other runners beside those few I were with earlier.  Charlene was there and her companion John2, who was crewing her.   Cooper got lost and arrived there before me by taking the Chrisman Hollow road instead, so  ended his run there. He was retelling how he got off the wrong turn by following some streamers, I did too and almost got lost there where he took the wrong turn.  I had the map on my phone and was smart enough to double check so I found the right Orange to go (Orange there can be confused with Yellow).

    As much as I wanted to stay for a bit, I had to cross Kerns before nightfall. It would be dark in two hours. Kerns is known for being hard, rocky, and slow to traverse.  I had less than two hours to do it.  If after dark it might take 3 or more hours and it would mean not making the first cutoff.  I got to say, it was easy doing it in the daylight. I reached Jawbone when I had to turn on my headlamp, maybe by 8:30 then.

    The descent to Moreland Gap was not easy.  I knew that, having done it two weeks prior.  So, I did not arrive at Moreland until 9 pm, 30 minutes left before the cutoff. It was what I hoped for.

    At Moreland Gap aid station, I caught up to John and possibly Lisa.  She dropped at Moreland while John and I were trying persuade her to join our misery in climbing Short Mountain at night.  We knew it would be a piece of work (hard) to tackle Short Mountain.  We resupplied at the wonderful aid station.  Tom S., a friend, got us everything we asked.  Temperature was already dropping.  John seriously said to me, while half jokingly, that we needed to pack winter gloves for this night hike.  My hands were cold and stuck them inside my shorts pockets.

    Nothing much could be said about our trek over Short Mountain.  We passed couple people. The name of the runner escaped me.  I think couple of them later dropped. Short Mountain seemed harder than Kerns and rocky. We were battling fatigue and sleepiness. When we arrived at Edinburg Gap, it was midnight.  There were maybe 7-8 other runners around, which made our arrival very festive.  First time to see so many people.  I met Demitre, Collen and others.  I finally caught up to Charlie too.  He was the person I have been chasing but everyone said he was swift.  He was with another friend (Caleb) as he was headed out while I just arrived. His wife was there crewing. It was the last time I saw Charlie since he is way faster and gone on ahead.

    I stayed at Edinburg for about half an hour to change socks and replenished everything.  I don’t remember what I had eaten, but probably something good and hearty for the next climb. The aid station was not bad.

    Indeed, on a normal day, the next section should not be too challenging.  It was about 7 miles and should take maybe a little over 2 hours.  It was longest section for me that night timewise, taking me 3.5 hours.  I arrived at Woodstock at 4 am.  I think mostly it was fatigue that slowed me down.  However, I was moving.  This section I was alone, by myself.  I saw a headlamp far ahead and followed it but did not really catch up to anyone. 

    At Woodstock, again it was a party.  There were many people there (runners).  Some were sleeping, others were on their way out.  I asked for wipes and cream for lubing up.  They had all kind of things but runner’s stuff.  I carried them in my pack but it wad too much work to dig them out of my bag. 

    As for food, I had a good ginger broth, then headed out.  There were others sitting around still, covered with blanket.  One might have been my friend Robert.  I was too rush to notice. We were two hours ahead of the cutoff, so in theory, a nap is quite appropriate.  While I was tired, I wanted to get the run done.  We only had less than 13 miles to go. I wanted to finish it before sunrise.

    From Woodstock, it was a gentle climb for like 4 miles before descending to Fort Powells.  It was uneventful.  One runner followed me out, hoping to keep up with me.  I did not wait but maintained my pace.  By morning, some time after 6 am, I arrived at Fort Powells.  There again, running friends Nick and Samantha, filled up my hydration pack and resupplied me for my next stretch. This was the coldest time of the night (or day now), temperature might be low 50s or high 40s.  I was covered in a blanket, sitting with Caleb to take a breather.  Michael, a runner from behind us, came in and then took off running.  I then set off chasing after him.

    We had just 8 miles left.  4 miles on road/ with a bit of trails, and always uphill climbing to Signal Knob.  It was a gradual uphill so I just had to be patient.  With going at 2 miles an hour pace, I knew my estimated arrival time was 10 am, so there was no need to rush rush. 

    At top of Signal Knob, I stopped to enjoy the morning sun.  The antenna tower was an amazing and  welcoming sight after the all night climbing. I said to myself, I climb 65 miles just to see this. Our wonder. Our Mount Doom.

    The descent from there was definitely the hardest of the whole course.  I had no idea even though I had hiked there a zillion times.  It caught me by surprise.  There were only four miles left, so had to suck it up and took it slowly.  The last mile was a joy.  I could almost run it.  People then were waiting for me at the finish. I could not wait to tell the whole world I did it.

    I stayed to cheer the several who were behind me, including Robert, Caleb, and John, who came in as this year DFL (dead last runner). He was awarded with slices of cheese. I’m sure he was proud of it.  I think that was so goofy. Charlie waited for all his friends to come in. We laughed and ate.  Tracy was serving.  Q was around cracking jokes, asking of we wanted to do it again.

    The run was amazing.  It was hard and well earned.  As much as I would like all those who started with me to finish with me, but like any races, some made it and some didn’t.  I was not fast and I was around many who did not finish.  Many (30-40 other runners) finished ahead of me and I never get to see them, like Siqi, who finished second and Dan came on first at 16 hours and something.  The run has a group component as well as individual.  It is meaningful only what I put into it.  While placement is important in a race (to some) but what more was having fun.  I think I had a nice day being out there.  It felt like an accomplishment to join the cohort of others who are part of the fellowship of the Ring.  I am so grateful for all the volunteers who made it all possible.

    Most welcoming sight. The end of the final climb before descending for four miles. Mt Doom of our quest.
    A runner asked if we get to see the overlook! You can see Shire (Front Royal) in the distance.  I didn’t know we do get to see it if we stayed on Orange. Some runners didn’t know Orange goes that way and missed by staying on the fireroad.
    Camera really makes the sun so beautiful. What a joy to see the sun to my sleep deprived eyes
    Another view from Signal Knob

    So, I have overcome the Ring.  That’s that.  Q, the former RD, sneakily asked if anyone of us would want to do the winter version, called the Reverse Ring, because you do it in the reverse direction.  I think all of us said no.  He slyly let us know that the registration is open already.  For Fear of Missing Out, I put my name in. I’m third.  John was first to register. Until then, I got to train.

  • [637] Burning River 100

    Last year (report here), I could not finish the race even when I was so near to the finish (mile 85-ish, stopped at Botzum Park, 8 am).

    This year, I decided to challenge the race again, Burning River 100, at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, near Akron, which is south of Cleveland. Akron is headquarter of Goodyear (Didn’t know that). I flew into Cleveland but stayed in Akron. On a side note, I wish to be back to visit Ohio in the future.

    Burning River was indeed on fire one time in the past due to pollutions and it rallied a massive clean up and environment movement across the country. Today, there is a water treatment plant there and a nice park system along it. And so it was almost pleasant when we ran along it.  The river still smells bad in certain portions (and has a strong chemical smell near the treatment plant). I assume it is so much better today than couple decades ago.

    Early Start: We had an option for a 2 hour early start at 2 am this year.  This would give those of us who are chasing cutoffs in a normal 30 hour race two additional hours to finish. Last year, I was thinking if I only had two extra hours, I would be able to finish!  My wish was granted!  Note, this year, I finished before the 30 hours, but it was still good to have the buffer time, so I did not feel pressure of getting it done before the aid stations close.

    However, the trade off was, the early starters would not have supports from aid stations until closer to 6 am, which means about 4 hours of unsupported run. Aid station opening times, were based on a 16-ish min pace, my pace in the early part of the course was closer to 12-14 min-per-mile pace, so I outran my supply line. This included not having water, fluid, and food. Nada. It was a bit tough. Also, overall awards were not given (or included) for the early starters. These restrictions were I think to discourage the faster runners from starting early (The fastest runner in the early start finished after 26 hours).  Definitely, it was not intended for the sub 24 runners. It did not stop me from trying.

    I made sure I carried enough water for the first 4-6 hours. It worked out fine for me.  I carried a candy bar and ate it during the early morning hours.  By the time, I got to a fully aid station with real food (Oak Hill), around 8 am, I was hungry.

    Two races/rationale:  I knew I wanted to do Burning River after last year disasterous ending. I would not want the clip to be on my shoulder.  I signed up right after the registration opened to get the early discount. Note, this was before I knew I would be running the Vermont 100 (a week before).  I knew it would be hard on my body to do two 100 races back to back. I wanted to run Vermont as well as Burning River and there was no way for me to wait for another year. I just had to do it and finish both. I did finish Vermont last week, report written and posted.

    Also a friend of mine would be there too.  I think it would be fun to do a race together.  I have done a few races with her in the last few years. I like going to races with people I know.

    So, since it was my second time around, I drew from my previous year’s experience, mainly to not stay too long at aid stations, especially, the earlier ones.

    Doing better. What killed my race last year was staying over 30 minutes at Oak Hill and Pine Hollow, which was too long (so, out-and-back course, I used over 2 hours at aid stations). Those two hours could have been on the trails for 6-8 miles. Normally one only needs a few minutes at an aid station.  If I had done that last year, I would be within 5-8 miles from the end, with two hours to go (enough time to make a dash for a finish). I tried to avoid last year mistakes.

    Drop Bags. I packed only one drop bag this time (and ended up did not need it). Since it was an out and back course, we would pass each drop bag location twice (unless it was at mile 50, the turn around point). I left my drop bag at Kendall Lake.  A related note is the less you pack, the faster you get out the aid station. Normally, you need less than you think (such as changing clothes, shoes, or socks, or food — these are good to have, but not really essential). Drop bags are good at a race that has fewer aid stations.

    Sleep/pre race:  I confess it was hard waking up at 1 am to get to the race by 2.  It was an weird starting time. I ended up feeling like 3 nights without sleep. I woke up just a bit after midnight so I could be at the race location at 1 am. I was ready.

    I started out the race with Randy, another friend.  I did not know he was running in it, until before the race, the race director gave a brief introduction of calling out the who’s whos. Randy was their race oldest participant. Randy is a strong runner and had outran me in previous 100 mile races we have done together such as the Massanutten 100. In fact, that how I met Randy, was at the MMT100 training run several years ago!

    I finished. Long story short, Randy and I finished the race together when he found me snoozing at one of the last few aid stations. I latched onto him and paced with him and we arrived to the finish under the 30 hours, with a time of 29:35:21.

    Now about everything else with the race!  The Weather – Last year we had lot of rain, so the whole trail was wet and muddy  — ankle deep mud. Not this year.

    Course: This year was dry, and the course was very runnable. There was only a little bit of technical sections.  Note, we did have a runner felt and broke their wrists while running and needed emergency service. The course is not dangerous, but risks of falling are there. We had about 30% on road, then like 65% on single track trail and the rest were harder stuff.

    Temperature. The race is usual run on a hot day.  This year was no exception. Some runners ran without wearing a  shirt. Some had ice bandana. For me, I felt I had enough heat training (after Western States and Vermont 100), I did not have to do anything special for the heat.  My body has adapted to it.  I found it was not too hot. It helped too that I had the earlier start time, to get through the early road section before sunrise. There were some folks though who had to quit the race because it was too hot (from medical issues like dyhydration or heat exhaustion).

    Hot – The heat was unavoidable. It was impossible to avoid the hot sun in the later afternoon, especially near the mile 50 turn around point where the course is exposed to the afternoon sun for about 12 miles (3 hours).  I reached the turn around by 3 pm (13 hours).  I was aiming for a 26-ish finish.

    Race start line’s atmosphere. We lined up at 2 am.  Having been to last year race at 4 am, 2 am start was much subdued. We arrived before the race was set up. I usually arrive to a race an hour ahead.  So at 1 am, there was no music. I think too was to avoid waking up the neighbors. There were one or two other runners warming up and milling around.  Couple volunteers were beginning to layout the starting chute on the road. There were a few police cuisers setting up the blockade on the road.  They would later lead us out when the race start.  Some of the restaurants had just closed (they opened late till midnight).  So it was just a weird feeling walking down the street in the middle of the night.

    By 2 am, we had quite a size of runners.  I think there were 42 of us (out of 220) choosing the earlier start. (17/42 DNF, 40% typical ultra rate, I was hoping the numbers to be lower). I think most of us who chose the early start finished. When the gun went off, we shuffled out the gate.  I was running along with Randy.  I was quite happy to see him.  We talked and such.  Soon we picked up another runner, Doug, from Illinois. 

    We had quite a good time.  The trail was not packed like last year at the 4 am start. I never like following a long line up on a trail (the conga line). We still see runners this year, but it was not crowded.  We ran with 5-6 other runners.  We were all decently spaced.

    Finding direction and trail marking. One thing I usually worried was getting lost.  The race provided the Race Joy app.  Randy found it was useful to have turn by turn direction and other announcements.  I could not get mine to work (I think because I had the power saving mode on). I did have a backup gpx offline map, so I checked that from time to time to make sure we were on course.  The trail marking was generally good (It was heavy marked at every 0.1 mile), still some turns could easily missed because their flag markers, and turn signages are very tiny (like an index finger). They could  easily missed at night.  We ran the first 4 hours in the dark!

    Once, we reached the road section around mile 15, Doug and I picked up our pace, and we left Randy behind. 

    Doug is doing the midwest grand slam. This is his second race in the series. He finished Kettle Moraine earlier. (We were waiting for Doug to finish the next day and somehow missed him when he came in (we might have been looking for our drop bags at the time)).

    At this time, the fast 4 am runners started too started to catch up to us.  It was fun to see them running so fast, passing us by.

    First aid station stop. My first aid station was at Oak Hill, mile 22.  I reached it around 8 am.  It was first full aid station with pancakes.  I probably, did pass Valley Picnic or Robinson field and had water refilled, but I don’t remember now. All I knew was I was glad to reach Oak Hill because I was getting hungry. Water was not an issue for me. I carried a full pack, plus a handheld bottle.

    I did not leave a drop bag here, so there was not a reason for me to stay there long.  After taking a few pancakes (probably top off on my water too), I headed out.  I felt comparing to last year, I did great. Only spent 3-5 minutes here instead of 25-30 minutes. It put me on a 26 hour finishing pace.

    My next goal was Pine Hollow Station, mile 33.3.  It smacked at a third of the way, which makes pace calculation easy. I normally divide my race into 4th or third (like at every 25 miles, or every 33 miles). 8 hours, every 50k would put me on pace for finishing a race.

    Crew and spectators.  I remember coming into to Pine Hollow quite early, maybe around 11 am.  It was not as hot as last year.  Pine Hollow, like Oak Hill is a crew accessible station, so we had a lot of fans cheering us as we came through. It was good to be near the front pack (even though, we started 2 hours early). I went through this station quickly. I was suprised that unlike last year, Pine Hollow is no longer a drop bag location!  I did not stay here too long.  I got some watermellon slices and some popsicles, refilled my water and electrolytes and headed back out. 

    Other events occuring concurrently. We had some marathon distance runners joining in at this stage.  They outran us regardless of their physical fitness or age. They had two different start times, like us, I think 6 am and 8 am. Those I saw were probably from the 8 am.

    The next section would be Kendall Lake and Silver Lake (mile 50). Kendall Lake was my dropbag location (mile 40, and 60). It is also a crew accessible location.  I passed by them uneventfully. 

    By now it was around 2 pm (12 hours into my race) and heat was getting there. We had a long straight-away on a rail-to-bike trail (about 6 miles).  They called the bike and hike trail.  The Rt 8 aid station at mile 45 was my savation both for the out and back.  It was so hot by this time.  I stopped here for the longest time, to use the port-a-johns, eat, and drink. This aid station was more crucial to me than Silver Lake at mile 50.

    The good thing about running on the out and back course is you get to see the whole field of runners of those who were ahead of you when they turn around and those coming up from behind. It was a joy to wave and cheer them or receiving their greetings and cheers in return.

    I saw Randy after 15 minutes from reaching Silver Lake, the race halfway point. So I knew I was two miles ahead of him. I did not know if he were able to catch up. Indeed, he did later the next day.

    Randy had his struggle during the night. He told me he considered quiting at one time but a runner Laura Range urged him to continue. He also took a fall.  I had a few close calls because some areas were rooty. They both finished! That with running ultra, one minute you felt it was the end of the world, and the next moment, you were alright. He was pretty ok when he caught up to me.

    My struggle during the night was sleepiness. By sunset, I was feeling it. I have been going to bed early around 8 pm, so it was natural for my body to want to sleep once at nightfall.

    My goal was to get back to Pine Hollow by 9 pm, which I did.  I knew then I had 33.3 miles left. I knew I had 13+ miles to do.  I reached Pine Hollow around 8 pm and mile 75 around 10 pm, which was then just a marathon left and everyone can run a marathon! A finish was guaranteed.

    Night time running. There were families and friends at various locations through the night cheering for us. This of course, was not permitted. Spectators were only allowed at a few selected locations (such as Silver Lake and the finish) and not at various places in the Cuyahoga Park even though there were parking lots. Fans did obey the race rules earlier in the day to stay away, so normal park visitors could use the park, but by night time came, they bended the rules a bit!  It was good for us runners to have a bit of crowd support like at 2 am in the morning. Well, the crowd might be from relay exchange points (but I could not tell for sure).

      I remembered passing through those places in the dead of night with no one around except for park rangers or local police in the previous year.

    I was feeling the effect from fatigue by the time I reached Oak Hill (mile 78).  I kept telling myself, it was good to get here before midnight than at 3 am in the morning like last year. In my low points, I recalled how much worse it was the year before, and this year it seemed I am flying through from check point to check point. A helpful volunteer helped me filled up my water, and later I saw him back at the finish.  He and I ran Vermont 100 the previous weekend and we both were wearing our Vermont 100 shirt!  Randy teased me of being a show-off of running two 100 milers back to back at the finish. He took a picture of me. He joked I should point at my shirt where it says Vermont to let the world knows!

    Randy has been to Western States too and ran a fast marathon time (I believe a BQ’d time) in his younger days.

    The rest of my race from mile 22 was a blur. At some aid stations, I slept.  I slept on a bench at one of the parks. Runners would come up to me and woke me up, asking if I needed anything, defeating my intention of trying to sleep.  I set an alarm clock too.  The few minutes of shut eyes helped, for I was swaying around while running.  Cuyahoga park (or Summit Metro Park) has plenty of benches to sleep on. I already scoped out places during morning, knowing I might need to stop by some of them at night to sleep.

    Randy, I believed caught up to me at mile 12 at the Chestnut aid station or the one after that around 5 am (It took me about 6 hours to go just 15 miles).  It was good he saw me resting in a chair otherwise he would have passed me without me realizing.  It was around 5 am, and hour before the trail get lighted. I quickly got up and followed him out.  It would be nice to have a pacer, but if a pacer is not available, a friend or anyone in the race to run together is fine too. My sleepiness was gone.

    We ran the remaining section together. I had a great time to catch up on his stories and his struggles of the night. I was glad to see him all fine.  We were estimating our arrival times.  He thinks it would be 6-ish or 7 o clock.  I was guessing more like 7:30.  We want to make it under 30 hours (8 am). The other runners who were running around us were probable going for 6-6:30 am. Randy asked if I wanted to run to the finish.  Nope. I have recovered enough to run now  but I was also happy with my current pace.  I was sure I could finish, and there was no need to rush.

    The final section was mostly on the road, which is my element. They made us do the longer way back with going down some hills and climbing back up.  It was all worth it when the finish line came in sight. Randy and I ran it in.

    Friends waiting at the finish. We stayed till the end watching other people finish. Lynne and her friends were there to cheer. One of her friends from Toronto ran this race under 24 hours.  He had a previous finish. Jennifer, another of her friends also ran the 50 mile the previous day, she was working at the finish line handing out medals and serving meals.

    Aftermath. It was a great race. I finished with a time of 29:35:21.  There were a lot to do after finishing. I was hungry, sleepy, dirty and wanted to get back to my room.  The first order of business was of course to take a finisher photo.  Lynne was quick to took some for me. Then, Randy and I went to look for our drop bags. Then we changed out of our dirty clothes. We went back to the finish line (they only served pancakes, so it was unappealing for me, because I was looking something more substantial). Randy and I decided to go for “lunch” in one of the restaurants at the finish but we did not realized at 9 am in the morning, none of the places were open.  Brain fog at the time. Both of us were in need of much sleep. Food would have to wait.  Randy slept in his car and I slept in mine for a couple hours, before attempting to drive back. 

    Lynne had checked out earlier and drove back to the DC area. If I have known earlier she would be coming back to DC, I could have carpooled with her. I stayed an extra night and flew the next morning. This concluded my journey.

    Swags. As for thoughts and such, it will need to wait for future posts once things get sorted out and if I have any thoughts. I have done so many races, and many of them were A+goal races. It is like having too many good things. It just need some time to appreciate.

     Ram (my safety runner during Old Dominion 100), congratulated me.  He waited till 2 am at the start to text me a well wish. He was tracking me and knew I finished. What a thoughtful guy. Saying this because other of friends and family were asleep at the time. Not that I care to have supports, because everyone else have their own life. Virtual crowd support, though good to have, could not meaningfully affect my race.

    It was such a good race.  I ran some tougher ones like Western States, Old Dominion and Vermont where the stakes were high and everyone was watching.  Those races were good also. Burning River was my personal set of grand slam (Massanutten, C&O, Burning River and Grindstone) before I embarked on the traditional classic grand slam. Burning River, though not easy, reduces the level of stress (and competitiveness) down a notch. Compare to other races, this was like a vacation and a fun run.

    Aid stations were fun and volunteers were great.  I am grateful for the supports and friends (and coworkers) who made this trip possible.  Last but not least, thank to Mordy who recommended this race to me a couple years ago! I almost forgot the guy, because of him I went. Plus, Tek, and Lynne too who had done the race couple years ago. From their stories, I was hyped up about it.

    The swag from the race was a nice big thermos to keep drinks cold or hot. I love it more than having a race shirt. Some chose a shirt or a bagpack. Also, the race sells stuff as well

  • [Day597] Devil Dog 100

    Devil Dog 100 is so good, I could not stay away again. See last year (report2022). I ran a 50K in 2020, then a 100k the following year, and a 100 miler last year. I came back for a repeat. This race took place in the first weekend of December. A good hard race to cap the year.

    At least that was what I was thinking when I saw the registration open. I don’t dredge this race, since I did it last year. But some previous unpleasant memories from the 100k and 50k, put a bit of fear in me. And as the race day approached, I was asking myself why on earth did I sign this up again.

    First, I do not enjoy running in the cold very much, at least not for straight 32 hours. Second, we usually get rained on. Again this year, rain came whole night for at least 8 hours, heavy at times. Third it is a loop course. Granted there are benefits of getting back the same place every few hours, which make having supporting easy (aid station, etc), but the repetitiveness is something only certain people enjoy. I sometimes do like turning mindlessly and rumbling through. Often, I much prefer having variety more than to do loops over and over.

    There were probably a few more reason why I prefer some other race than this. Maybe it was the transportation of getting to the race, or the duration of a 100 miler. I also hated the course – nothing really wrong with it but the rocky gravel road on a portion of the course hurts my feet after long hours on it. Enough said.

    If I hate it so much why did I sign up? It was a spur of the moment. I wanted to do a 100K since I haven’t able to finish it on this course. The year (2021) I DNF’d it still causes a hard feeling. They give out a special award for first 100K ever. I don’t know what the reward is but I covet it. When I get to the signup page, I saw the 100 miler, I said, for two more loops, I could finish a 100, why on earth do I want a 100K. I figured at the time those two extra loops should not take too long to do, so as always, I went for the longest distance, I did and signed up for a 100, simply as that.

    Second reason was probably my ego. Last year, I finished it in 31 hours, and I felt I could have done way better. This may be the truer reason. But guess what! I finished even slower than last year coming in 31:45! I will explain it in a bit.

    Last year, the Devil Dog was only my 3rd 100. I failed at MMT 100 last year, but finished Rim to River 100 (2021) and Rocky Raccoon 100 year prior (2021). Devil Dog was a redemption race for the failed MMT attempt and the DNF’d of the 100k version in 2021. I was very happy to finally finish it. It was the only hundred I did that year (2022).

    Enter this year, 2023. I ran MMT 100 successfully. A big part was probably the things I learned from the Devil Dog. I also ran Blackbeard Revenge 100 in March, which was an easier race. I did DNF’d at Iron Mountain again. Plus the Burning River 100 in Ohio. Plus, I DNF’d at Grindstone 100 in the fall (though, I don’t think it was my ability that I did not finish, I chose not to run that hard to stay with a friend). So came Devil Dog, with many 100s under my belt (at least three) as preparation. I was certainly well prepared for this race. I did not carry as much mental baggages entering in as last year.

    The tips I wrote to myself two years ago and last year were already ingrained in me. Aid stations – use them, drop bags, use them all. Being efficient – sure, if I don’t need to stop at an aid station, I won’t stop, if I do stop, get back out as soon as possible, and stay no more than 5 mins. One of a very good tip is not to change your shoes or socks if you don’t have to – if you do, try only do it for one foot, like one sock instead of both feet. Usually, it is only one foot that is acting up. This saves so much time! Instance 50% improvement!

    I also have a crew this time as well, a very good crew. I met a guy called Wayne at MMT 100 and at Old Dominion 100. He came to help me at Grindstone too. We have developed a bond. He is even crazier than me in running as many hard races as he can. He also paced me during the evening hour until to the finish. He set up his own private table with buns and congee (rice portridge) and other stuff at the start/finish aid station (Remi). So when I came in, I have everything I need within arm reach. He had two chairs setup. Yes, they say avoid the chair. Then he paced me in the evening hour from 5 pm to the finish, about 18-19 hours for over 100k. He is a unicorn! I was so happy to have such a friend.

    I did it almost like last year. I slept in one of the cabins like last year, bunking with the course #2 finisher, I didn’t know at the time, but it was just like last year, I met some super fast people the night before the race. The guy I bunked with last year also finish like in the top 5.

    Anyway, I went to bed around 8, and was pretty much up by 2 am. I tried to sleep until 5 ish and then got up for good. I slept in the clothes I would be running in. The race started exactly at 6 am.

    We were lucky too. Earlier in the week had been colder with temperature below freezing. But it warmed back up to 60 ish by race day. Rain though originally was to come on Friday night got moved to Saturday night. Unfortunately, this destroyed a lot of runners, including almost me too.

    This being my second time around, I was not as nervous. Several people around me were. There was a woman from Toronto (Shanon), she would not introduce herself to me, but I ran into her couple times as we prepared to go. No hard feeling. She talked to the lady next to me instead to me, so I still got her life story. Canadians usually are friendly. Maybe my vibe did not go well with her, so she ignored me the whole time. This would be her first/second time running a 100, I think it was second time in the US. I would want to know so much about Toronto, but atlas. Not meant to be. I wanted to ask her why she picked this race. We started out the first loop together, but soon I was second to last runner. She seemed to be a strong runner. Not sure when or why she quit. Usually, why traveling that far, you want to finish nonmatter what.

    I don’t mind people getting ahead of me. I still walked at my pace. Soon I caught up to a few, I still was walking the course. In fact, I walked the first two loops. Total about 43 miles. I was moving at a 15 min pace! I surprised myself too. This was not a power walk I was talking about two years ago. It was just my normal walk! I never realized before I could walk that fast. I don’t power-walk any more because it tired me out easily and because I never trained to power walk. My advice is only power walk if you are trained for it.

    The first loop, I got it under 6 hours. Note, first loop is three miles longer. The second loop, I did it in 5.5 hours. By 5:15 I was back at Remi, with my pacer waiting for me to head out for the evening loop.

    The reason I chose to walk the course was incidental. I said to myself that Wayne, my pacer, is a fast runner (faster than me). If my pace died on the third loop while I am with him, it would be embarrassing, so I better preserve my energy and save it to run with Wayne. I plan to do the last 50 miles under 12 hours or so I thought. I was actually expecting to finish around 10 AM. I thought I had a good chance even by walking it.

    Little did I know, I drank a bit too strong of the Gaterade early in the second loop and it was giving me a slight stomachache at the beginning of the third loop. So I did not eat much at the aid stations.

    By the third loop, it caught up to me and I began to feel tired. We made decent time by walking to halfway, but I could not run with Wayne as I had hoped. I moved along by half shuffling and half walking. I tried to eat as much as possible to make up the lack of food earlier. By 9 pm, I got to Toofy, mile 56. I was still on schedule, but the next 6 miles really took a toll. Instead of 2 hours, it took me three.

    The rain came. Before leaving Toofy, I had put on the rain jacket (thanks to Wayne again to get me a head to toe rain jacket). If I had this at Burning River, I would have finished that race. I did not get wet at this time. I stayed warm and dry inside. However, from Toofy to Temi (mile 56-62) is 6 miles, I suffered. I could hardly moved for some reason, likely from lack of calories. I did not arrive at Remi until 12:15 pm. Initially, I was on target to get there by 11 o clock or earlier. I lost about 1 hour in that section of 6 mile! I noted I did over-stayed at Gunny for 15 minutes and overstayed at Toofy for also 15-20 minutes. Meaning I was moving 2 mile and hour (30 min pace). Loop 3 took me 7 hours. If Loop 4 also takes 7 hours and thast loop also taking 7 hours, I would not have enough time to finish. I would arrive at 2:15 or 2:30 pm, exactly as what ultrasignup predicting, and that being over the 32 hour cut off.

    Anyway, I met fellow runner Meghan on my first loop. She was initially near last position with me. However, she said she could run 84 miles under 24 hours on a course harder than this. In the third loop after Camp Toofy (aid station), she passed me. I knew I could be in trouble when she passed me by. Long story short, after finishing, I looked her name up, and found she DNF’d at the next loop. Rain in the middle of night took a lot of people out. Rain probably caught her too just couple hours later. I was sad when I saw her name on the DNF list.

    I was surprised many stronger runners than me were washed out. Meghan had four chidren. She hired babysitter so her husband could be on the course to help her through the night. It was sad she could not finish it. I might of not let her quit if I was around her. However, at the time, I was not doing well either. I believe Meghan almost made it to the fifth loop.

    I got into Remi at the end of the third loop. It was past midnight. I knew I need to get back out as quickly as possible. Wayne got me a bowl of congee. I went to take care my left foot because there was a hot spot. It was too late because a blister already formed on the bottom. I popped it. Put on new socks. A volunteer helped me put on my shoes and tied the laces. God bless her. She also refilled my water bladder.

    By 12:30 we were out again. 15 mins was a bit too long but I needed that break. Soon I had my energy back. I tried to make to Gunny on a 20 min pace. Gunny was about 5 miles away. I made it there under my estimate, by 2 am ish. My strength continued to sustain. I told Wayne I wish to make it to Toofy (loop4) before 5 AM and back to Remi by 7 AM to start on my last loop. Loop 4 was finished in 6.5 hours. I hit all the targets.

    We got to Toofy by 4:55. I gave myself a 5 min rest. This was the longest 1.2 mile ever from the bouncing bridge to Camp Toofy. We passed by it earlier three times, but it did not feel as long as on the fourth loop for some reason. I think it was at least 3 miles long.

    Sun came up as we near Camp Remi for our last loop. I told Wayne, since he had got me through the night, he could go home and rest. There was no needd for him to go back out. I could finish the race on my own now since it was now morning. I did not stay at Remi long. We had to make it to Gunny on our last loop by 9:00. This may seem a lot of time, but it was not. Those who could keep a 20 min pace, should have no problem, but at this point, I was struggling to even get a 20 min pace. I was planning I would need two hours.

    I started running. We saw 5-6 guys ahead. These were the guys who would finish with me. I saw them earlier on the second loop. We were now back together. Slowly, I passed them all. We entered Gunny at 8:40. 20 minutes ahead of my estimate, but a bit behind the 20 min pace. I grabbed a drink and headed back out. My friend John and Charleen were there recording our time.

    Once out of Gunny, we could take a breather. The next cut off wouldn’t be until 11:30. We had 8 miles left. Wayne recommended me not to go too hard because the trail is slick. Wayne had monitor the Western States 100 lottery drawing the day prior and let me know I got selected. He wanted me to be healthy to be able to run in Western States next June. So for Devil Dog, we had to take care of ourselves and not to race for time.

    We managed to get to Camp Toofy by 11:15. Originally, I was to be there before 11. The station does not close until 11:30, so I was still good, but slightly behind pace. I know I would definitely finish. The required paced from Camp Toofy to the finish was like 22-24 min. I had almost 3 hours to do the final 6 miles. As long as I keep moving even if I was as slow as during my third loop the evening before, I should be able to finish on time.

    My pacer, Wayne, set a good 25-26 mins pace. The rest (six) of us follows. He said I could move a bit slower but not too slow because then I could start cooling down and it would be hard to get me moving once cooled off. Indeed, a few times I stopped for bathroom break, I found it was incredibly hard to get back on pace. The last stretch was the hardest as in any races but particularly this race. It was more technical. There were more rocks. More of everything. There were also hills. It is about 6 miles long. My goal to Rally to its halfway called Point Charlie (unmanned water point) by 12:30 pm. We arrived around 12:40 pm. I had 1 hour and 20 mins to do the final 3 hours. In earlier loops, this section only should take about 45 minutes.

    Unlike last year, when I thought my body might slow down even more here and I might not be able to finish it. This time, I was pretty sure I could finish. Out of the six guys among us, two had pressed ahead six miles out. Two remained with us until here and then put an extra effort to be ahead. Because they are slow at the technical sections, I was able to stay on their tail. Ben and another guy Jon were not that far behind me. This was Ben N. 3rd Devil Dog 100. We pretty much finished within 5 mins of one another. In theory, I could run the last three miles. However, consider, my running pace might be at most 5 mins faster than my walking pace, I only gain at most 15 mins by running. I might finish at 1:30 instead of 1:45. If it were six miles out, by runing the final 6 miles, I might have come in at 1:10-1:15. My pacer was right. He said the finish is now certain, urged me to consider the bigger picture because the trail here is dangerous after the rain, we needed to finish it in a safe manner, so I can have a chance at next year amazing race.

    I did get a second wind, and my walk gait was a bit faster. I entered the finish line full of joy. My friend Caroline came out after church. She looked for me at the last half mile and found me. Same for several other families who were looking for their runners. It was very exciting at the last few minutes of the race. We all pretty much know one another. No one here was cut or unable to finish now before 2 pm. We all who were still on the trail made it in. The sweeper came in within minutes of the closing. My last loop took 6:45 hours. I could have got it under 6.5, or even 6, but a finish is a finish.

    I was excited to see Caroline. She took all the final photos of me. Mike Edwards who helped me last year at the finish line did the same this year. I just found out this guy completed a 200 mile this year and he will repeat it next year. It is a race, I wanted to do myself. I salute him. He ushered me into the mess hall and got me something good. Hot tea etc. He took care of Caroline too even though she did not run. I had a good bowl of bean, cheese, and taco type lunch. My bowl was filled to the brim. I didn’t know what it is but it was good. Bob G. was there. It was so good to be praise by this famous Bob. This race was his creation, literally. He was part of the original crew who came up the concept behind it. It was quite cheerful to see all the behind the scene people. Even after 32+ hours, the place was alive! I did not suffer a bit of sleep deprivation this time around.

    Photo taken by Caroline, about half to a mile from the finish. I thought we had arrived when I saw her. Did not know we were still quite a way out. There were three or more climbs left.
    Taken by Caroline, from the finish line. Last year, I struggled up this final hill.
    Picture by Charleen on the very last loop at Gunny, mile 86. Rain finally stopped

    Same as last year, my friends were instrumental in getting me to the finish. They said it so all me, but I know if not for them, I might have quit in the middle of the night. This would have been a very different report. It was certainly good to have a pacer. Wayne stayed with me for the entire 3 loops. He even had to walk/run 1-2 miles to his car, since crew were not allow to park near the start and finish area (for safety to runners, friends and spectators). So he really had a 100k day in around 20 hours. I know if he was by himself, he might able to do 100k in 17-18 hours or less. I ubderstand it is just as hard running way slower than your pace as in running faster than your nornmal pace.

    Coda/Epilogue: Caroline and Wayne already said they wanted to be with me at Western States. I kind of allude to this. I was on my second loop when my name was chosen to run in Western States. It was a live drawing happening on the west coast at the time. My phone started going off with congratulatory messages. It is a coveted race like the Boston Marathon, except for trail runners and there is a lottery system unlike the Boston Marathon. Everyone on course too were offering me words of congratulations. People I did not know were calling me out, saying that guy got into Western States. Amanda Lichy, fellow runner and friend and a volunteer at the Devil Dog was third person who congratulated me on the course. How did the word get out so quickly! I was double happy when I finished the Devil Dog. I had something to look forward to. With these two friends, I felt I definitely will do well. I lined myself up with a 2nd pacer too (Susan, who is a local trail runner in Sacramento). They have been constantly giving me tips how to run the Western States, even before I finished the Devil Dog (and to go for the Grand Slam! More about that in future posts). Everyone was enthusiastic! In a sense a race is never fully finish! There is always a next one.

  • [Day594] Space Coast

    Little did I know there is a bigger excitement (or plan) for me for next year. The news of me getting selected to run the Western States next year put a different light on everything, including the things I originally planned to write like this Space Coast Marathon. The year is not over yet for me. I also lost for words and my memory from Space Coast seems a little too distanced away for me to recall.

    Why is that? I will try as best to remember about this race not too long ago over the Thanksgiving weekend and then will move on to the next post. Because I have still a lot to say, because a lot had happened this few days.

    Space Coast crossed my mind as a race to run from time to time. First I wanted to see rockets. Second I wanted to see Cocoa Beach. Actually, I don’t really want to see the rocket itself. What I wanted to see was the launching of the rocket. I like to see the monent when force pushing the rocket upward exceeds the force of gravity. As a little delusion myself think I could see a space launch there every day, like fireworks at night, right?

    As for Cocoa Beach, it is because of Mario Kart, and it probably has nothing to do with reality. I was glad when I found out Cocoa Beach actually exists though it might not be like in the game. Space Coast Marathon actually takes place near it. It seems silly to pick a race because of a childhood’s memory of a video game. But anyway, those were my reasons. Finally, of course to cross one of my 50 states races.

    I did not plan to go down to Florida to run Space Coast this year because, I thought my schedule was too full already. In the beginning of the year, one of my friends wanted to go. So I started making plans, like checking for airfare, researching the race, the race cost, the registration, the pre-race instructions and so forth. Then I found it takes place during Thanksgiving. I was then reluctant to sign up because airfare would be higher and traveling would be hectics with so many other people flying during the holiday.

    As the day of the race approached, the airfare lowered a bit and I bit my tongue to commit, even after my friend backed out from going. I was able to find a time where I did not have to fly a red-eye flight for cheap ticket. I also decided instead of flying out Thurday or Friday, I flew on Saturday to save some money and also to spend the holiday at home. I could come back immediately Sunday night. The schedule just worked out. I saved a night or two on hotel too.

    Car rental was cheaper than I expected. There were offers of $5-$15 car rental. It was too good to be true. Indeed. I won’t call it a scam but it was close to one. If it is really a scam, the government would have shut it down. The reason for the low prices was because they were located off airport. The company I picked, while promised free shuttle pick up at the airport once I arrived, did not show after an hour of waiting. There was a phone number to call but it connected to an auto prompt system. I then checked on the company’s reviews (yes, should have done that first), everyone said it is a scam and the wait for a car is very long and they would nickle and dime you. The moment I saw that, I understood, I have been fooled. Instead of waiting more time to connect to a teller, I walked back into the airport where they had counters for the national brand car rental companies. I randomly chose one on the spot I know should be cheap. Went online to make an immediate reservation. I got my car in less than 5-10 minutes. Easy. The car was immediately ready for pickup without a hassle. I lost money with my first rental, but I figured I do not have an energy to fight for my back. The second rental was not too expensive either, maybe few times more, but the total was still way below the national average. I had car rentals that were more expensive than my hotel bills. This here was still relatively cheap, I think between $15-20. Much cheaper than hailing for an Uber ride.

    I stayed at a cheaper hotel as usual instead of the race’s host hotel. The same afternoon, I went to pick up my race package. I believe mailing the race bib ahead of time was not an option. We had to pick it up in person.

    I stayed a bit. The package pick up was the same location as the start and finish line. Not exactly the same but they were in the vicinity. I also learned that parking spots would be hard to come by at the Cocoa Water Front Park.

    For race day, we had several different options where to park. I parked at the public library which was about maybe half a mile away. I did not mind the walk. There were closer parking lots maybe within a quarter mile from the start, but I felt I might not be that lucky person to get spot and also after the race finished, I might have a hard time getting out among all the traffic. Library seemed to be the location not affected by the race day road closures.

    Geography. The race is in the city Cocoa which is different from Cocoa Beach. About maybe 7 miles away. It is not too far away. I did not know that until I arrived (I am not that good at remembering what I read in my research). The host hotels and my hotel were in the island over. I stayed on Merritt Island. Due to time constraint, I did not explore the place much. I do like the place because it reminded me of my former country in Vietnam, at least just a bit because of the tropical weather. Florida is pleasant to visit in the winter. It is a place I want to stay after I retired as do so many people.

    Instead of visiting Cape Canaveral or Cocoa Beach, I decided to walk around the area near my hotel. I walked maybe couple miles to a buffet place and had an early dinner and then walked back. By the time I got back, the sun had set and it was the right time to sleep because I would have to be up early.

    I believe the race started at 6:30, my memory is a bit vague now. I had to be up by 3:30 AM to be at the race parking lot by 4, to fight for my spot. They do have a shuttle on Merritt Island, but I did not want to depend on the shuttle since I wanted to stay around after the race and would not want to be bounded by the shuttle’s schedule. I believed I was a bit late arriving than what planned, but I was at the Library a little after 4. There were other runners arrived but I did get a parking spot.

    Then it was the long wait for the start. It might seem long to wait for two hours but by the time I walked from the car to the start, there was a decent amount of time spent. The place already had people, milling about. Soon more and more arrived as the shuttle buses came. I got everything I needed. There were about a thousand marathon runners and maybe twice as many for the half marathoners. The place probably had few thousand people, plus volunteers, vendors, and friends and families.

    They offered drop bag service but to me the weather was perfect and I did not need to wear a jacket, so did not have anything to drop off. I guess, it was good to change into clean clothes once the race is done.

    I spent my time waiting for the bathroom. Since, I arrived early, the line was not too long. I also spent my time walking around. It was good to know exactly where I was. I am not a map reading person. I could read map but I prefer to actually walk the place to know my location and soak it in. Walking around served as a warm up. So yes, I walked around for two hours before the marathon start.

    The course is easier than most other marathons I did. The start and finish is located in the middle. It is an out and back to the north for a half marathon and another out and back to the south for the second half marathon. We as marathon runners would run both the north and then southern route. There is no way of getting lost except when near the finish when we arrive back at the city Cocoa or unless they start to close the course, then yes, one would need to know where to go.

    The half marathoners could choose which ever direction they wanted to run beforehand (the bib is color coded, so one can’t change their mind on the spot). The north side has a stricter time limit while the south side does not have time limit other than when the full marathon ends at 7:30 hours (and when the break down the aid stations and reopen the roads). They also have a sweep wagon to pick up runners. North runner would start first before the people who were running the south course.

    We started in the middle of the street. North bound half marathoners started with us in the dark. I don’t remember if I wore a headlamp because it was still dark. With so many people, generally you don’t need one. Some did. I think I didn’t wear one. The streets I believe were lit.

    I started at the very last wave. They had informal corrals. I met an older gentleman, probably the oldest runner on the course. His name was Bob. He has done Space Coast 8-10 times. He told me about the roads etc because I said I don’t know where to go because I had not really study the course. He said he knows the course by heart because he would be coming in after they take down the directions, etc.

    The morning was nice. Since I started very last, I was slowly catching up. I passed different pacers. I don’t remember but I felt they had more pacers here than at the Philadelphia marathon, at least for the slower people. Soon I caught up to the 5:00 pace groups. There were two pacers. One would run an even pace and another would do run/walk. I think that was pretty interesting.

    My goal of that day was to beat the 5 hour people. I know I don’t want to join the pace group but would go on my own.

    Soon I caught up to the 4:45 and then passed them. I was straining to see the 4:30 people. It was not my day. The weather was getting warmer. I was tired soon. Miles went by. We had aid stations every two miles or so. Some neighbors would also set out their tables with adult beverages and some had nice fresh fruits, breads and snacks. Some only leave a cooler with a sign letting us know the snacks or food are for us. Not many people are brave enough to try stranger’s food, besides I think, everyone remember the rule of not trying new things on race day!

    For me I had an iron stomach so I would stop at any stations available but avoid the official ones due to crowding.

    I felt the crowd support and atmosphere was great. It is a small town, so it would not be like Philadelphia, but people were welcoming and I had a good time.

    The road was closed for us. Though some residents (one, at least) did try to drive among the crowd of runners. Some runners were trying to report that to the police or security officers.

    I did fine the first half. It is usually the second half that give me trouble. I got to the halfway point, and went out for the south route. There I saw the the fast marathoners coming in for the finish as well as the half marathoners.

    I ran with couple people. I saw Bob a few times, usually at some turn around points and I waved and encouraged him. He remembered me and pressed on. I know for him it is a harder race than it was for me.

    I had few more miles left before finishing. The 4:45 pacer passed me back. I was trying to hold off the 5:00 pacers. The finishing loop was pretty exciting. We came out at the park where the expo was and people who finished were staying around to cheer. It was where they served food, drinks and music. So I thought it must be the finish around the corner. People were cheering me on, so I ran faster.

    Little did I know the finish was maybe half more to 3 quarters of a mile. It was to the end of the road that is far far away near the bridge that crosses to Merritt Island. Interesting indeed. Of course, after finishing, runners would have to walk back to the Park where the party was held. Fun indeed on tired legs. Usually, there were friends waiting and walking along, so it would not be too bad.

    I finished under 5. I think around 4:53 (too lazy to look it up). I was torn whether to stay at the finish and cheer for people who were about to enter in or walk to to Park to enjoy myself with food and stuff.

    I chose to walk back. And cheered at the Park and scammed runners like I was scammed earlier by saying the finish is just a little more around the corner. Fun. Some runners were jaitbaited but some knew the course and would not be fooled.

    I stayed for three more hours or so. Soon there were fewer people finishing. They were already taking down the baricades on the road from the Park to where the finish line was. Some runners coming in around 7 hours to later were confused as where to go. I acted as a race course volunteer and pointed to people which way to go. Some had family or friends to guide them. Some I ran with with them.

    Soon after a while, it seemed nobody would appear, I decided to walk further up the course to try to find Bob. I found one runner who was still on the course and I asked him, if he had seen Bob. He said is here wearing such and such color. I said yes. He saw him. He said while at a mile out, there was a bus/van to pick up runners since they would not make it to the finish by 7:30 hours. Many got on the bus, but not him (the guy I was taking to). He said there would be no way for him to quit a mile out even if the time has expired. He though was not sure if Bob has quit. In his opinion, Bob would not do so. I didn’t think so either.

    So I waited a bit more. Bob did show up. I ran with Bob to the finish. He came in under 8 hours. I thought he was the last runner, but there was another runner after him. They gave him a medal and he was considered an official finisher. I was so happy for him.

    I learned a bit, that is never give up even if it passed the impossible. Even though the race might close at 7:30 hours but they might also still keep the clock runners for those who refused to quit.

    The rest of my day in Florida was uneventful. I went for sushi. Then I had to make my connection home. The airport was as busy as it could be. I got through security without any issues (through the pre-check line). It was a long wait for my plane at 9 pm. It was delayed and so forth. The food court was too crowded. I was hungry but was not willing to wait in line. Anyway, it was as expected a long trip home. Also about the car rental, I had forgotten which company I got my car from and that was fun little trip I took driving around to find out. Later, I found my rental agreement and everything was solved.

    Overall, I enjoyed my travel and my run. I saw many runners. Some were very grateful when they arrived at near the finish to see me cheered and encouraged them. One lady complained that she had to run still a bit more. I shared with her, she does not have to, she can stop here, however, both she and I knew it wouldn’t be a finish. She reluctantly ran the course. Later she came back to thank me. I asked, does that last mile worth it? She said certaintly, beaming with her medal in hand.

  • Day451 Stone Mill 50 (second time)

    The race came the week after the Rim to River 100 mile. Initially, I was not going to run it since it was too close to the big race, but after finish the 100 mile, I felt why not, I feel fine, let try it.

    I was not running for time and in most ultras I did this year, I was at the tail end group. I am usually not fast, but I finish. On average people usually finish around 10 hours. At Stone Mill, thanks to their extended time (2 hours) I was not the very last, but I did finished near the 12.5 hours, which is my average time for this distance.

    In the past, I did not race in the winter, because I don’t like being in the cold. Not that Rim to River changed my mind on cold weather running, but sometimes you have to suck it up and do it. I ran Stone Mill last year, (SM-Report1). It gives me an edge for this year because a lot uncertainties were already known. I felt it was a minor race or a long run and there was no pressure in finishing.

    As for what motivate to do it? I wanted to be out in the woods again. Last year it was cabin fever, and this year, there was that same desire, maybe was cabin fever too, but I was outside all the time! Also, I felt ready. Just a feeling if I don’t do it, I would be missing out. The race registration cost was cheap too.

    I ran plenty of races this year. Mainly for trainings and experiences that I thought I needed for doing the 100. 100 itself was not the end goal. I wanted to be a stronger, and more durable runner and run farther. People who could run long distances capture my fancy. I never thought I could do it myself back then or even a year ago. A little baby step here and there got me to where I am today. 100 distance is still daunting but it has become a little less so. I was afraid of the 50 mile distance a year ago, but now it is just a longer run.

    I enjoyed especially Stone Mill not for any special reasons. Given it is close to where I live is a plus. It is on trail. I saw a lot of local friends. Top of all, I did not expect this, but Stone Mill was my recovery run to destress the whole year of anxiety in preparing for the Rim to River Race.

    Recently, due to my mom’s poor health, I was faced with a decision to run or care for her. Of course, it is not one or the other, but it affected my recent trainings, though did not derail the 100 mile. With any race, being on the course is a miracle. I am more grateful because it is not just me but others who make it possible even if indirectly.

    I arrived early to the course and the lot was nearly full (because there were the early starters)! I stayed in the car to keep warm until near the start time before walking with the rest to the real starting place.

    You can signed up for an earlier start (it was not widely announced but was offerred in an email sent near the race date – the race is friendly to older runners who might need 15 hours, not a typo). The race director gathered us together. He made some announcement, I did not hear what he said (he did not use a bullhorn) since I was in the very back. It was probably about the course markings.

    Right on cue, he sent us off. He said he gave us five extra minutes at the end for some weird reason for he held up a few people from crossing the starting mat (I think to straighten the mat that was covering the timing device or wires) but I knew based on last year, he would give us an hour extra (unofficially/unnounced). Sorry for ratting on the race org. here.

    I know the cutoff time was not a concern. Still I wanted to finish within the 13 hour limit.

    Last year, it felt forever to get to the first aid station, this year, I was there in no time. It was pretty much the same sensation for most of the race. There was no point where it felt draging. I was mostly running by myself this time. The trail was empty but me – I figured, I am like a mile back from the bulk of the crowd. There was no pressure trying to keep up with anyone. Normally, I don’t want to be the last one, not because of embarrassment but you do not have a heads-up if a turn is coming, unless you are super good at finding your own way or being attentive to the trail. I don’t like looking for my way. I am one of those head down runners.p

    By the time I got to the first Aid Station (Rt 355), the morning has dawned. A fellow runner tripped. I felt sorry for her because I remembered her passing. Even the best of us fall. She had the image of an experienced runner unlike those around me. I forgot her name or number now. She was anxious or undecided whether she should stay in or quit. She did stay in because later she caught back to me. She did not say much and passed me.

    I started to catch up to people. I might have passed 20 or so runners by now. Quite a few. I know the race was still too early to be passing people but I would not want to be in the back. Some of these runners were a bit chatting loudly. I didn’t like that, so I wanted to pass them.

    We ran around Seneca Lake. Then we went to the 3rd Aid Station. Last year, I made a longer stop at the second Aid Station and took some pictures. Not this year. Last year I was freezing, but this year, we had warmer temperature, though later it got colder. I took some candies from Aid Station #2 at Long Draught. When we arrived at Aid Station #3 (Riffleford Rd), I refilled my hydration bladder and took more food/snacks. I was as efficient as I could be.

    The signage for this year improved. Last year was already good but this year was at another level. They were so much clearer. There were tapes on the ground marking the wrong way / do not enter and there were plates with clear arrows on trees at tricky turns (portion of this course is out and back, especially at Seneca Lake, couple three-way turns can be confusing for the new runners). This year, they were consistently marked the same way with the same material. The plates on the trees stood out. It was not that I need markings to know which way to run, just want to praise the race org for good course marking.

    I had no problem at all the first 15 miles. I ran through Muddy Branch just like during training. Mile 24-25 would be our first dropbag location and also the race halfway point. By now, I reached a group of stronger runners. They ran around the 10-12 min pace maybe, but I felt comfortable following them. For a while, there was a dude blocking the trail. He was a slower runner, but no one told him to step aside for us nor anyone was willing to pass him. About 10 of us were following him, and I was in the last position. We followed him at least over half an hour for two to three miles. Our group eventually passed him when he took a break. I was a bit annoyed by this, but our actually time lost at most was 5 minutes.

    As we got near Pennyfield Aid Station (the race halfway point), I felt stronger and surged on ahead, leading a new pack of runners, but unfortunately I rolled my ankle at that time as we were about half mile from the aid station. I am usually shy in leading anyone and when I lead, things like this tends to happen. They probably think I was showing off. It rained a bit during that time (11 am – 12). The rain came as forecasted. Light rain. The rain made me cold. I limped into the station.

    It might have taken me way more time than I wanted, I stayed for maybe 15 minutes. Yes, way too long. The fast people I was with left and even the slower people arrived. But I took time to change out my wet clothes and socks. My fellow friends (don’t know their names but seen them before) got me hot food and drinks, etc. It was a VIP treatment. I did not ask them but they came to me asking what they could get for me. I was busy with changing. I then had my lunch of the food they brought to me. Giselle, she is in her 80 and she still runs! I ran with her during one of Stone Mill trainings, she was glad to see me at Pennyfield. She was attending her friend who was sitting next to me. Yes we had chairs and might cause me to overstayed! She said, I come out to their every races now. Indeed! It was maybe my 5-6th time at their events.

    The pain on my ankle subsided. I warmed up after a mile or two of walking. I did walk-run. I was familiar with this method of running by now (recalled I learned how to do walk-run last year here). We were on the canal portion. Though it was not long, it was boring to run on. I don’t know why. The scenery was beautiful but just plain flat easy trail put me to sleep. I saw many others walking as well, but now we should have done 26 miles. I remember starting my watch (I knew I did not have enough charge for the whole 50 miles, so I only recorded the final 26 miles – Watch recorded it being longer; it should be maybe 24 miles). I felt like Rocky, with some heroric music playing in my head. Off I went. The next few miles were on the roads before we got back to the trail. As I started running again, I finally caught back a lot of people, because all of them were walking. I saw a fellow runner (Dan), whom I have seen earlier and I considered him one of the fast people that I wanted to keep up with, we later kept the same pace and were together for the rest of the day. We were running uphill, when most would walk.

    I reached Stone Mill ruins, like at mile 27-28, the namesake of the race. Dan seemed a bit low in energy and I encouraged him to keep up and he did. If he keeps at it, he would see a lot of people bonking – those who reach the proverbial wall, where they become super slow. He was checking his phone, but as I called to him, he got back on pace. Indeed, we passed a lot of people. I believe this section was what separated the normal marathon runners from the ultra runners.

    Soon a few others, a newer group of runners joined us. Dan (my newly made friend) led us for six miles to the next aid station at Rt 28 at an amazingly steady pace. This was the longest run without a station and also the toughest physically and mentally.

    After reaching Rt 28 aid station (don’t remember the mile, maybe around 32-34?), Dan was clearly showing fatigue – I think the faster pace finally got to him. He did not eat at the station. I hardly remebered him taking anything. I only remembered him asking for gatorade mixed with 50% water for his hydration – that was all the calories he was getting. I felt sorry, like I had used him to urge him to pace the group at 10-12 min pace (with no breaks!). I felt I had caused him to run harder than he should. Just my observation, not a critique. He waited for me while I got my food.

    The next section was longer (Seneca Greenway/Seneca Ridge), maybe about 8-10 miles, but we were back in residential areas, which means there were more sights to relieve boredom from the run. And there was an aid station midway, something I usually forget, because I set my mind on reaching Riffleford, but it was there at one of the road crossings. We took turns leading. Dan was doggedly keeping close. I did not discount him then. He was still in it but our pace was definitely slower.

    There was a guy called Jeremy. He did not introduced himself to us but other support crew called out his name. Maybe he is famous or a lot people know him. He was a quiet guy. He was normally in front of us and quite a strong persistent runner, sometimes our gap was wide, like quarter mile but we tried to keep up to him, keeping him in our sight as much as possible. We first saw him a long distance away, gradually we came up behind him. It was just me and Dan at the time. My eventual goal was to pass him. Everyone here would not easily give up like those we saw earlier. If we were able to pass them, they would remain strong. Jeremy and Dan were exactly that – everyone was resilient. There was an older woman too. She was always on the next hill (mountain) over far in the distance in front of Jeremy. Jeremy, Dan and I eventually caught up to her. Yet she would stay on our heels.

    We reached back to Riffleford. I saw more familiar faces. The Virginia Happy Trail People managed this station. I know some of them. Dan changed out for warmer clothes because evening was approaching and temperature would drop. I did not pack a drogbag for this location but carried my jacket on me, so theoretically I didn’t need to stop for too long. He had his headlamp back on his head and so I did too. We had maybe an hour of daylight. We have 8 miles left and we were 1 hour ahead of the cut off (2.5h to the final cut), there was no way for us not finish unless a freak accident occurred. I was still kind of holding that I could finish by around 6 pm. Because I was talking with Dan and self-absorbed at times, I missed a turn after leaving Riffleford, but luckily, I noticed it soon, either thanks to being more observant or the spider sense or just normal running ultra experience to notice when something is out of place. We backtracked.

    Jeremy was probably half a mile out in front. We were kind of slow at getting out the aid station. Jeremy later asked me what was taking us so long when I finally caught up to him like an hour later. He said he thought we were behind him. Getting lost did not help. Jeremy talked to me, but unfortunately, I was unable to understand his accent. Was it southern, country, west virginian, or maybe a combination? Not sure. I had to guess at his meaning every time he spoke. It was like I could almost understand but couldn’t. It could be I had runner haze too, now so late in the race. We were buddy buddy because I was gone for a long time and finally showed back up. However, now my concerntration was to press with all speed to the finish, leaving both Jeremy and Dan behind.

    I did not stop at the final aid station at Rt 355 Aid Station but immediately went out after reported my bib (we had to sign in/out).

    Everyone else stopped. I passed 5-6 people before the Aid Station and maybe another 5-6 at the station. I felt I had an edge.

    Night came. The final four mile section, though did not take me long to run earlier, but at night took me longer due to darkness. I had my light on at the brightest setting (recalling in West Virginia where I tripped and fell so many times, I did not want a repeat). There was no one immediately in front of me but a lot were behind me as I could see their headlamps bobbing behind. I did not get a chance to pass anyone else.

    The hill was alive with runners with their lights and sounds. It was all uphill. Behind were people who previously stopped at the Aid Station. Probably 10-15 people were behind me. I had to tell myself keep calm and keep a steady pace, but the adrenaline was pumping hard. I felt I was leading for the first time. I know we were near the end. I imagined being the fox and they were the hounds. Everyone was straining to reach the finish.

    I beat last year time by 20 mins. Jeremy came in about five minutes after me. Dan came in maybe 8 minutes a bit later after me. Good job! In ultras that is very close. A guy who said he almost beat me, he was like 30 seconds behind (a friendly competitor). It was very cold then. We grabbed our food and said our goodbyes. Dan wanted to go home immediately. He talked about his wife being away. I kind of wanted to celebrate it with him. I stayed a bit before going home. It was a good day.

    I ran it almost like last year except better (or maybe the course was shorter this time). Last year I was unsure of my ability and this year, I went in like I could not lose. I like having friendly companions such as Dan. Last year, I had two army guys, and I was the reluctant third camper. Giselle warmed my heart too. I only first met her this summer, but she remembered my name. Unlike her, I can’t recall her companion’s name. We all ran together before. I saw her couple times during the race. She was not running in it but was out on the course supporting her friend. She cheered and waved at me.

    My evaluation – it is a city race but also on trail. It is probably the hardest trail you could do in my area (oh, I forgot Devil Dog, we leave that alone). We had some entitled city runners, who littered on the trail. I was annoyed by that.

    Seriously, it was a good introduction to trail racing – like it was to me last year. After I have done some tougher trail runs, coming back to this race was a bit overkill, but then it is like visiting your high school reunion. I am proud to be a big boy now. I still might do it again, maybe quest for a daylight finish. It is a local race for me and I enjoyed seeing familiar faces as well helping new ultra runners.

    Indeed, after stressing out about the 100 mile race for a whole year, entering into Stone Mill was easy. It was still a cold, long, and kind-of-hard run, but overall it was relaxing. I can’t imagine myself saying that a year ago. It was a low key – truly a way to de-stress after a crazy hard race I did at Rim to River.

    TL;DR good race, nice day, nice people

  • Day444 High Bridge Ultra

    High Bridge was on my race-to-run list since after finishing the Eastern Divide in 2018, but things got in the way ever since as usual, so after three years, I was finally free to go down to Pamplin, Virginia, to run this 50K, the High Bridge Ultra. The race is part of the trail race series by the Trail Adventure, and I have run all of them but the High Bridge (HBU). The other races for the curious are Eastern Divide (EDU), Old Glory (OGU), and Lake Ridge (LRU @ Lake Claytor). I might have reported on those at some point.

    I am least prepared for this event than any other races I have done. I could wing a 5K or 10K without training but to show up at an ultra unprepared is asking for a lot of pain. Physically, I think I am decently fit, as I usually could run a marathon or two every weekend, but I had been slacking the last two weeks on my training. It is kind of crazy to do a 50K as a first run after such long break.

    I could of course not show up to the race and not run it, like I did the week before for a 10 miler run.

    Those who know me, giving up on a race is almost nonexistent in my lexicon. So, even though I was not that enthusiastic about driving the 4 hours to Pamplin, I got into the car Friday night and drove down and camped out at a nearby park. Not that I couldn’t affort-affort a decent hotel/motel stay but it would hurt the pocket and I am feeling the pinch. A camping spot costs like $15-25 and with inflation going on now, I started see even the cheapest motels are costing $130-140 a night, so camping easily won out.

    Pre-race. Due to many things happening, I did not arrive at the camp until midnight. I am not unfamiliar by now in setting up camp quickly without in the dark. So a few minutes later, I had a proper tent set up. If it was not for there being a chance of rain, I might even sleep under the stars. I could roll and sleep anywhere now, bugs not withstanding. I did feel better though to have a tent.

    I set my alarm for 4:25. This time I said there would be no over sleeping like I did at the Eau Claire race. You learn a bit at each race and try to improve from it. Last race for me was the problem of sleeping and waking up. When the alarm went off, I forced myself up this time, though I was drowsy, I quickly followed the plan to pack up. Normally, it would take me an hour to pack up, but I told myself, I don’t have the luxury this time. I needed to leave the camp by 5 am and get to the race by 6. I even skipped the bathroom and breakfast. I had some munchies to chew while driving to the race site though don’t remember what I ate by now. I did this time around stopped by a convenience store the night before on the way down and I had brought bread, cereal, and milk with me. I didn’t eat them though. I remember in Eau Claire I didn’t have food because Mc Donalds were not open. This time, I was prepared.

    My morning haziness was quickly gone by time I got to the package pickup. I was greeted by familiar faces. I ran with this organization a few time, with the most recent race at Lake Claytor last month. They said, there is no way to not remember me after supporting me almost 24 hours that day (there were only like 10 of us in that race). I received my bib. We took the bus from Pamplin to the real starting place, somewhere 30+ miles to the east. The race starting location was not the same as our bib pickup location by design. This was a point to point race. 31.1 miles on the High Bridge Trail. We were to run back to our cars.

    It was my first time on the course. There were about 40-50 of us, not that many but maybe a third of us were first time running an ultra. I fondly recalled when I did my first ultra. I was no stranger to this distance by now though. Even without a recent run, I was not afraid to tackle this distance. As long as I can get to mile 26, it is a sure finish.

    We started on time. There was not much fanfare. 8 o clock came and the race director said go and we were off. The trail is wide, and can fit maybe 5-6 of us side by side. Mostly, I was running by myself. The morning was cloudy and warm. There was a chance of rain, but it never came until long after I finished. The trail was on a hard compact limestone surface. It felt like running on concrete. Initially, the hard ground did not bother me, but about halfway through, my knees and calves started to feel the pounding. I had to run off the trail a few time to rest my feet.

    The course was marked by every half mile by trail markers. So I was much more focused on my pace than in any other races. You could in theory have a very controlled run.

    A fellow runner from a previous race recognized me. We ran the 12 hour event at Lake Claytor a month ago. She and I had pretty much the same pace. There were no official pacers for the race. So I used her to gauge the proper pace to run. But by halfway, she slowed down and I lost her.

    In my mind, having done the Eau Claire Marathon, I know how fast I should be running. experience for that race was still fresh on my mind and was easily transferred to this one. I knew I was going way too fast. However, everyone around me were doing 9 mins or less. So we were running extremely fast for this event.

    pacing: I told myself to run at 12 min per mile or slower, for this event since my ever fastest 31 miles was 6 hours. I know I was not planning to surpass my best time.

    I added in a 30 seconds walk at the end of every mile to slow down my pace. I told myself I would keep doing that for as long as I could. The race director had warned us that this race would be deceptively easy, because the monotonous pace would cause us to run too fast. It means there would be no chance for our muscles to take a break — unless we are disciplined to control our pace.

    By halfway, I already found I couldn’t maintain my pace and I was easing off on the pedal. I still forced myself though to make a 12 minutes mile. Pretty soon, that was unsustainable either. I started counting how many more miles to the next aid station.

    Mile 20 seemed extremely far. I hit the wall again and again before then. Pretty sure, the first wall was somewhere at mile 16. Then 17, and 18. So I don’t even remember how I got through to mile 20. Mile 20 is important because it is 2/3 of the race in and to me it is more meaningful than the 50% mark. You know how after halfway mark, every step is one step closer to the finish. However, I want to consider how second half is usually harder than the first half. So I prefer setting the 66% as a mental halfway point, that every step I take should be easier than the first 66%. I must have passed through an aid station by then, but I can’t recall now. There was another one at mile 24. Then one more at mile 29. My concerntration was taking a toil. Runner delusion I called it.

    Mile 26 was my next goal. I know if I reached it, there would be no way I would not going to finish. I walk if have to in order to finish.

    My concern was not so much of not able to finish the race but how my body feels during it. I know for 100 mile run, I will be doing this like 4x. So I am supposed to be still fresh after doing a marathon distance. So during the run, I was comparing my breathing, and how my body feels and so I was pretending I was doing a 100 miler instead of a 30 mile race. Did it work? After 26, miles, I was just trying to survive, and I was no longer pretending it was a 100 mile race. It didn’t work.

    Ending. Mile 29 would be the last aid station. It was also the farest one apart from the previous one. The race director had warned us about this. For me, it was indeed very far especially when you are tired. I was mostly walking by now, 2 mins of walk for every 15-30 seconds of running. It took eternity before I arrived. After reaching it, the finish line was not too far away.

    A redeeming feature for this race for me was the final two miles on the road. I love and romanticize running on a single lane country road all the time because we don’t have that luxury or the deprivation in the city where I live (because we have the money to have sidewalks and bike trails and all the good stuffs of city living). My fellow runners think this is the most dangerous part of the race because we faced oncoming traffic with cars going as fast as 45-55 miles flying down the one lane road. Sometimes there were not enough room on the shoulder either. You pray hard the car sees you and would slow down. Others didn’t share my thrill of running with cars. They think this part of the race was totally unnecessary dangerous because they could have shifted the start line 2 miles back and we would finish it before we get to the road portion. But I love it because it got us out of the repetiveness of the rail to trail section. It was exciting playing frogger. It was really a short section (and most of the traffic were runners who had finished or family members/friends of runners). I think it was worth it.

    Is the race worth running? Yes, the race description from the race site is accurate. It is a good first ultra for the uninitiated runners. Because the course has very little of hills. And the direction to stay on the course is easy. It was just one straight way. The course passed the High Bridge, the race namesake, which is considered the highest and longest bridge (I think for railroad) of that particular era. So those who ran got a bit of history to see. High Bridge is worth the visit for those who are into history and landmarks.

    Small town. This Pamplin is tiny like any Virginian towns! There are like one or two stores. Some runners might also use this time to check out the more famous nearby towns such as Appomattox or Farmville. Aside, I can see why or how General Lee and the Confederate troops were being helmed in/driven to this remote place and ultimately surrendering nearby at Appomattox. Today, this region is still just as remote and not easy to get to (for lack of interstates). You get to experience what small towns in Virginia are like. Farmville, which we passed midway in the race, is probably the place to stay and visit for the out of town runners (unfortunately I didn’t do any sight seeing). A few people drove in the morning of from far away places. They had to be up like 2-3 AM. Or be like me, camp out in a nearby state park!

    Critique. A few said this is a once and done race. I agree. While High Bridge, the actual bridge is a historical landmark and deserves visiting, it doesn’t have enough draw to come back year after year. And the race was not truly a trail race. The ground was too hard. Those planning to do it, should treat it like a road race.

    I don’t regret running it though. I found it interesting and happy I did it.

    Out take. I ran it because I wanted to jumpstart my running again and also it was on my schedule. I think and hope it helped me to shake out my final preparation for an upcoming 100 miler. It did get my mind ready for that race, but in term of nutrition/gears and pacing, it was not an ideal shakeout run – because I came under prepared. It was not an ideal run for trophy either. It was more like a super long run … . Other than that, I loved the run.

  • 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.

  • Day419 Grayson Highlands 50

    Why running this race? The race promised a course that is beautiful, hard, and they have ponies!

    It was definitely hard even with long cutoffs and a shortened course. The beauty of the place does make up for the hard run.

    I love mountains. I love the view. I got to see the highland from up on the crest and ran through the vast grassy balds.

    The event I entered was the 50 miler. They had 50k and a half marathon. The fifty miler tested my limit (again). I believe it was the hardest race I ever did.

    My watch recorded about 6500 ft of elevation gained. Totalling about 42 miles (but my watch was paused for about 3 miles), so the total course according to garmin is maybe 45 miles long.

    I believe the course was cut short from the original 47.1 mile after reviewing the gps data. This is kind of a hot potato topic. First off, I ran according to the flagging. However, there were more than a few runners that ran according to the original published course, that I think added 2-3 more miles. It was a significant change. Some were not happy at all the course being shortened and blamed the RD for not flagging the course properly but it was really them of not seeing the flagging. To me the flags for the turn off was visible, but I could understand how it can be missed. I believe the course was flagged more than enough.

    I overheard the race director mentioned at the finish that they shortened the course. Not sure if he was referring it being shortened from 50 to 47.1 or from 47 to 45. For me the shorter distance was about right due to the elevation. Not sure if I could have made the final cutoff if it were 5 miles more. In truth, I hiked most it and after 14 hours out there, no, even after couple hours, I was asking myself why did I sign up a race just only to hike 90% of it. Was it worth?

    It was a hard course and I was undertrained for the hills. Toward the last six miles I had enough of it. I didn’t want any more hills. I was fainting and reached my limit. The last 6 miles were mostly uphill, at couple thousand feet of climbing. For those who planning to run this, expect the climb at the last hour. It added an extra pressure to make the cutoffs.

    As a redemption, the few miles near the finish were on a road, which made it a tad easier. Also I felt the aid stations were spaced about right at every six miles. There was only one that was about 12-13 miles apart, which was the hardest segment. I brought my own food, but didn’t eat them, except for some apple sauce. We could have a throw-away drop bag too, but I didn’t prepare one (not needed).

    I believe the RD originally wanted to put an aid station at mile 19-20 at the turnoff onto the Hurricane Trail trailhead, however he shortened the race by turning off to a service road to Hurricane Trail early, so no aid station. Well probably a volunteer/aid station at the turn off would help or after coming out from the Hurricane Trail.

    I was extremely happy that I didn’t miss the flag for the turn off. As in couple previous races, I missed a turn and I got really mad at myself, but in this race, even though I felt it was a level higher that what I used to do, I did everything perfectly. The map study beforehand helped. I didn’t use my map at all during the race even though it was on me. I had it mostly in my head. I didn’t have to use the gps (my companion Ryan downloaded the coordinates on his watch and it kind of help, but he got off trail too). I mostly relied on my spider sense and it was pretty accurate. Couple times I was saved by those around me.

    Pacing. Pacing was not allowed. I ran with the group of five or six runners I started with. I didn’t rush. I knew I was the last 10+ or so in about a total 100 runners (I finished 95). I think there were a dozen or so who started later, but those who started in the back with me were pretty much ran at my pace.

    I was together with about 4 ladies and a guy (Ryan) for about 26+ miles. Ryan was doing his first 50 as well as two other ladies around us. Ryan and I stayed together until mile 35. Originally after mile 9, Ryan took off but he might have ran the extra 3 miles and I met him back at my mile 20 and from then he was with me for the rest until he needed a restroom break at Camp Store Aid Station.

    One of the ladies took a nasty fall. Her left knee was bloody and so was one of her arms (right?). They bandaged her up and she continued on. I ran with her from mile 9-15, then she took off. I didn’t see her again until at the finish. I think she got lost at the Hurricane Trail, as many people did.

    It was good to have a companion. Ryan came back after mile 20, we passed Fox Creek Aid Station together. We had to run up 6 miles to Scale Aid Station. This was part that broke me, at least for the first and not the last time. Ryan was there hiking with me all the way. We passed the two ladies at Scale who were with us since the beginning. They had some issue with shoes and also were having some health issue too. Not sure if they finished, but Ryan and I pressed on. Ryan asked if I heard what they said. I almost fainted too climbing up to Scale. I had a beer at Scale and it refreshed me. That was around mile 30/31. I left Scale feeling strong again.

    Ryan had some stomach issue after Scale. We tagged team to the next station. It had some climbing as well descending. We mostly hiked. I got to chat with Ryan a bit. He told me to run ahead and not to wait for him. I said of course. However, he was literally tagging behind me. We arrived at the Camp Store together. There we said goodbye since he said he needed to use the privy.

    I was concerned that if he stopped he wouldn’t start again, but he did continue. I checked the finisher list and he was there with several others. Glad he found couple companions.

    Without Ryan, the next 10-12 miles were tough. I kept pushing from 3 pm – 5m to the last aid station. I took some food. I had until 8:30 to finish, so finishing was guaranteed. This last segment was mostly on the road leading up to the Visitor Center, which is about 3 miles long, so one step a time up the steep road. In normal time, I probably could have run it, but walking was all I got after running whole day.

    Then we turned off from the main road onto a side trail. It was a steep climb, I think maybe for another mile. This was my slowest ascend I think. I took a step and then rested so forth until I reached the Visitor Center, where the finish line was. However, the course required us to take a 2 mile loop from the Visitor Center to two overlooks (Big and Little Pinnacle). For me, I just wanted to finish, the view was supposed to be great there. I only took a glance then got off the Pinnacle, back toward to the real finish line.

    Again for those planning to run this race, expect the soul crushing finish at the last few miles because of the climbs. However, it couldn’t break my soul. Those who have done ultras know, you just have to press on no matter how the course plays with your head. Just beware.

    Final word, as on how technical the race is other than the elevation, was maybe at mile 35-40. It requires some technical footwork to descend the Wilson Trail from the Camp Store. In a normal time, I might consider this the best out of all the “fun” trails I was on. It was exciting to showcase all the fancy footwork you have been training. However, I had nothing left in me to make sharp jerking turns and take big steps and dodge low branches and skip over slick rocks. I do love it thinking back. Over all, there are many favorites, this was just one of them. For those who is going to do this race, take time to enjoy.

    Oh, is the course muddy? A portion of it is muddy even on a good day. And for couple of the trails, you are hiking up a stream on a bad day. Yes, you run with wet shoes. Blisters and stubbed toes can be an issue. It is a race for the dirty and yucky and those with lot of patience.

  • Day411 Seneca 50K / 2021

    This was my second year running the Seneca 50K. I volunteed in 2019 and ran it last year at the beginning of the pandemic in our area. We were sitting on the edge whether we would have all the permits required for the in-person race.

    This year we had wave start at around 10 people per wave, with 3 mins apart. By the time I started, the trail was mostly empty. I was on pace with a 7 hour finish. I was not able to catch the previous wave, normally I would. I even had hard time keeping up with my own group.

    Our group of 10 started with a steady pace of 10 min pace. That was way too fast for me, but I held on for the first mile. I know, it is a mental thing. We all should run at a pace we are comfortable with. Both of my legs/shin areas started cramming up, which made every step very heavy. I couldn’t flex my toes. By the second mile, I couldn’t keep the quicker pace and dialed back to a more comfortable one, but damage was done.

    By third mile, the rest of my group had caught up to me. Plus probably a few more from one behind them. There were 10 of them, and they were like a train, behind me. I stepped to the side to let them past.

    For the next few miles, I ran and walked and met up with a guy, Carlos. He was hiking with his poles. He entered the event injured and only hoped he can hobble to the finish. All power to him. In a normal year, I would wait at the finish line for him, but this year, no spectator was allowed. We talked about races and he was sharing the one in New York called SRT 100k where they give you a map and you go out and find your way to the finish. The walk with Carlos for maybe a mile loosen up my muscles and I was no longer cramping.

    Then a lady and I after passing Carlos, began our chase for our group. I was still fresh by then. Our group of 10 was pretty much together. Slowly we picked them off. 2 or 3 each time. It was a long chase. By mile 15, about halfway, I was able to catch up to the front of our group, well maybe the 3rd or 4th place of our group. There was one guy I couldn’t see.

    The rest of the race, I was moving much slower and a few of them passed me back. I finished at 7:15 (h/m). This was 45 mins slower than last year.

    It was great weather. Way better. In fact the best for running. The course is dry. Last year, some sections were a bit swampy, but this year, all the mud can be avoided.

    My second half was way tougher. After reaching halfway, we had 7 miles running back. That section was super long. From there we headed back to Rifleford and in the past, this was a cinch. I had done this both during Stone Mill 50 and Seneca last year. This time, it seemed forever. It took me maybe around two hours for that section.

    Runners talk about to be able to flow with the trail. I did not find any flow at all. I was wearing a new pair of trail shoes. My body by then was spent. Legs were okay but I was just low in energy. I broke out my lunch. This year they said no ultra food provided, so we, at least for me, carried my own lunch. I made an advocado ham sandwich beforehand. It was 12 noon and I was hungry. By running and walking, eventually I got to rifleford.

    There was only 4-5 miles left. I might have been able to finish before 7 hours, but I was no longer into the race. This race has a decision point near the end. We could if we want to go to the finish line and earn the 28-mile marathon finish or make a loop around the lake for a 50K finish. We were way ahead of the cutoff, so people I was with chose the lake. I was mostly walking. It was very tempting to choose the marathon finish, if not for my other race (CRAW virtual). We needed a lot miles to run around the world, so I decided to add on 5 more miles, walking it if necessary.

    I caught up with a Marathon Maniac. I was one too since 2019. He is an older gentleman and he was walking too. So I said hi and talked to him. He is likeable and we shared stories. He has just done Savannah last weekend and going to do Virginia Beach Shamrock next weekend. He is from Oregon. Then we started running. He was relentless, and even ran all the uphills with no pause. We kept the pace to the finish. A lady behind us, commented that he brought good vibes and positive attitude to the race.

    During the course, I saw the two people I ran with during Stone Mill. Thank God, I was able to keep ahead of them, otherwise I would be stopped every minutes. They had an odd pacing timing. This race, I was kind of doing that too. It is like 30 seconds run and then 10 seconds walk.

    I was thankful I only gently rolled my right ankle early on, like at mile 3 ish. It was a new pair of shoes and I felt like I was balancing on a rollerblade. The shoe is warbly, maybe just my feeling. I like stable shoes. This pair is not it. You could shift to the left or right. Just a weird feeling that something bad would happen if I run on it. Luckily, it was a gentle roll and it didn’t hurt. I usually rolled my left foot though and every time it hurts badly. I am glad I did not roll my left ankle this time.

    I saw couple people tripped and felt. The lady I was following, tripped twice. There was a man ahead of me, he tripped and did a roll on the ground and landed back on his feet and ran again without a pause. Not sure how he did it, but that was some ninja skill. I was fortunate that my whole race was injury-free.

    It is rare I got extremely tired from a race. This race, I felt drained after I finished. I could hardly walk. After I got home, cleaned up, had dinner, and felt asleep. It was good. I then woke up in the middle of the night, had a second dinner before going back to bed. It was awesome. I felt great to able to race so soon after doing a 100 mile run. Of course, my time was not optimal, but it was good feeling.

  • Day389 Race

    I might be biting off more than I could chew this weekend for I am beat. I have slept whole afternoon on Sunday to recover.

    First off, I did the Devil Dog 50k puppy/corona edition. I first heard of the Devil Dog 100 last year from someone at the Eastern Divide. He did the Devil Dog in 2018.

    Second of all, I wanted to do some hill runs on Sunday in the Shenandoah National Park, However, ended up I did not have the energy to run it.

    The name Devil Dog itself is scary. I was reluctant to sign up to run it – first of all it would be a 100 mile (previous year, 100 mile is their thing) and I was not (still am not) ready for it, and second it is happening in the winter. I hate running in the cold and being miserable. Never in my dream to think running the Devil Dog.

    This year we had a break. Distance wise the race was reduced to a 50K, which is like 30-31 miles, so it is within my range of able to pull it off without stressing myself out. Second, even though it was forecasted wet and rainy, the rain came early the night of and did not rain during the event. Cold? not really. I could tough it out.

    The course though was wet and muddy. Less than a mile in we already had to run through big puddles of water across the trail. There was no way avoiding them.

    The race itself for me was anticlimatic. After doing Stone Mill nothing really scares me. I went to bed at the usual hour. Though kind of still awoken every hour (I set 3-4 alarms too). By 3AM was pretty much up. The race started at 7. I left the house a little after 5 and arrived at the race place at 6, when it was still dark.

    We had 4 wave starts of 20 person per wave at 5 minutes apart. I was in the third wave.

    People in my wave quickly disappeared. I was overly dressed for the occassion. Less than half mile in I was already overheated. I dressed the way I did because I was expecting rain and blustering 20mph wind with a windchill around 32F. However, the wind did not really come and the temperature was in upper 40s and might have reached into the 50s. So I ditched my long sleeves and was wearing the tees the rest of race. It was cold though whenever I stopped running.

    The course was a 10 mile loop in the Prince William forest (a National Park). It was a five mile out and a five mile back with some changes in between to make it a 50K. We ran the loop three times.

    There were couple “big” climbs. Big is relative of about 150 ft according to my watch. There was a long climb about maybe a mile long at the last mile of each loop. The first loop I ran up that hill but subsequent loops, I walked it. I walked most of the third loop anyway.

    My goal was to finish by 7:38 (hr:mm). This was according to my mental math I did while at the start. We did the first loop at a very fast pace (I think I went out at a 9 min pace). People in my group joked about “you know we are going out too fast right?” Indeed. We would be running for the trophy. I finished the first loop under 2 hours.

    10 miles in two hours does not seem to be that fast. However, one commented that the course seems deceptively slow. I was scratching my head what does this mean at the time. We seem to be moving slow, but we are actually was doing it pretty fast. I wouldn’t mind to have 2 hr per loop.

    During the second loop, I was maintaining my blistering pace (I was following #72 who was running at 11:30 min pace). At the time, what scared me is with 20 mile to go, meaning only 230 more minutes (about 4 hours) to finish. No way in my mind I said I would finish in 4 hrs. I was actually aiming between 7-8 hours finish.

    I did slow down though not because I didn’t want the 6 hour finish but my body couldn’t keep the pace any more. Those hills get to you. My hope was to reach the third loop by 11:00am. I didn’t arrive though until closer to 12 pm, 50 mins before the cutoff.

    I started my 3rd loop moving very slowly. I knew I had 3 hours to do it, but my feet refused to run. #72 passed me about a mile in and I did not see her again. We were pretty much at the same pace until then. A few others passed me too. At first I thought they were running fast, but in reality I was slowing down. I think I reached the halfway loop Aid Station (mile 25 for me) at 1 pm. It took me an hour to do that first 5 miles in the final loop, but about 1.5 hrs to do the last remaining 5 miles.

    I hit the wall. I think the main reason for that was I did not have a big hearty breakfast. I had some oatmeal but that did not give me enough calories. I was hungry through out the race. Aid Stations had sufficient food but I just couldn’t eat that much on the run. I seemed to be full at the Aid Station, but while alone on the trail, my stomach was rumbling.

    I finished at 2:30 pm. 8 minutes before my expected arrival time. I did not reach my stretch goal of finishing under 7 hours. But I take it.

    The race if based on the finishing time, would be my hardest 50K by far. Mentally, I don’t think it was that hard.