In awe

Tag: training run

  • [609] MMT Tr1 and WTF50

    MMT Training 1 was finally here. We did the first 32 miles of the course. I waited a year for this.

    MMT stands for Massanutten Mountain Trail 100 mile endurance race, a run I have been doing the last couple years and is very if not most important run for me for the entire year. Last year, it was my biggest race. I finally “conquered” it. But still, somehow I am back at it again this year for old time’s sake.

    It has a series of training runs leading up to the race day. Today was the first of four. I refer MMT both as the trail the race runs on, the mountain itself, and of course the race and the training runs. Everything is MMT. We often call the trail the orange trail or just orange because it is the color of its blazes (trail paint). We have many of our club runs taking place on it. The running club mainly started because of this race many many years ago (and the other race called BRR, but that is another story).

    The day was as cold as last year. We met at Signal Knob. I arrived at 5 am like before and got myself a parking spot. Parking wouldn’t be an issue since half of us would carpool to the start. Signal knob was where we would be finished at. The group met here around 5:30 to sign in and then carpool to the Caroline Furnace and we would run back to Signal Knob Parking.

    The key to this is slow people would get a ride and fast people would finish first, then someone slower would drive them back to their cars. It always work out everyone would get a ride one way or another and no one would be strainded.

    This training is a point to point run as will the next one. Only the third and Chocolate Bunny Run would be on a loop.

    I got a ride from Tony just like last year. We arrived and waited. This year, the ride was more subdue. I only know Tony, John, and Lorraine. Only John was talking the whole way. I didn’t mind. John was funy and my role model. People mentioned I am trying to be like John to show up at every running event. Little after 6:30, (maybe 6:40) we were given the go signal from our RD and off we went. There were about 40 of us.

    We ran up the Moreland Gap Road. Soon we were sorted out by our pace. It was the same road we ran on a couple weeks ago for the Boyer’s Furnace 50k. I like seeing familar ground.

    Kevin slowed down to run with me. He was the guy who finished Western States last year and was also at the Boyer’s Run. We talked about it. I told him not to wait for me since he is a faster runner. He was defintitely excited for me. He got into Leadville this year, so I am excited for him too. The other guy, Charles did Leadville last year, so it was really cool. Charles was not here today. I unfortunately did not put my name in the Leadville’s lottery, so there is nothing for me in hoping to get in. Thinking back, I should have. There’s always next year, or join the Life Time Fitness to get an entry.

    When we got to the Orange trail (MMT trail), Kevin and a bunch other guys took off.

    I was with a friend, Lorraine, whom I met at the Iron Mountain the last few years. This was her first time on the Orange. I liked to play the host, since she was on my training ground. She is a faster runner than me, but she held back to run with people so as not to be lost. I was pretty sure she has prepared for the run, so even if being on her own she should be okay. She is an experienced trail runner, who probably started running before the time I learned to walk. We stayed pretty much together until Edinburg (aid station).

    It started snowing and also strong winds (gusts at 50 mph) were in the forecast. Lorraine was wondering if trees would topple over since the ground was saturated. We started seeing signs of strong winds. The howling from the winds was all around. Yet, we were not being blown very hard yet. There she and some others decided to head back to Caroline Furnace using the service road that ran parallel to the trail. It would be still quite a run for them. We had ran maybe 10 miles on the Short mountain so heading back would be just as long, but at least it wouldn’t be a full 32 miles as the course is called for. It is easier to get back from Edinburg than at the later station.

    It was 10 am, I made it to the first cutoff and decided to move on to Woodstock. We had to be at the next cutoff before 2:30 pm.

    I was moving fine but alone. Now I moved a bit faster with no one in front. Not long later I caught up to two of my favorite runners, Jeff and Jamie. They were usually faster than me but Jamie rolled her ankle and Jeff hiked with her to make sure she would be fine. Jeff gave her his trekking poles to use. Then he used some sticks he found for himself as in the year before. I always like him. What a gentleman. I slowed down to hike with them to Woodstock. Jamie was hiking but in a pretty fast pace.

    We talked on various things. These two runners made me very happy as usual. I ran with them during my MMT races. Jeff has done MMT 100 and the Old Dominion race many times as a young man and until now. He gave me advices to be prepare for Old Dominion. He said expect the the heat. They ran it in 95F. Actually, last year when we met at Old Dominion, he pointed to me saying, he and I have to do this race. He has a buckle already but me, i’m in the hunt. At the time, I laughed it off, no, Old Dominion is too hard for me. Now, here I am taking it on!

    They say to set “realistic” goals so we won’t disappoint ourselves. But I say, let shoot for the moon.

    I arrived at Woodstock by 1 pm. About the same time Wayne and Cheryl arrived, the two of my other good friends. I was excited to see them.

    I set off for the last leg toward Signal Knob parking lot along with Jamie and Jeff as they set out. We were in a group of about 6-7 people. There was Daisy and friend, Aaron and Nathan. Wayne took a bit of time so I didn’t wait for him, knowing he is fast himself and can easily catch up.

    This section to me should be the easiest. Last year, I ran through this. I had expected to run through it again, hoping to beat last year time. We had about 12-13 miles left. We had at least 4 hours to do it. The elevation would not be much since we would mostly descending.

    Wayne and Cheryl caught up. I decided to do a good deed for Wayne, who was being held back to stay with his friend Cheryl.

    So I said to him to let me take over. I could stay with Cheryl and Wayne could run to the finish.

    Initially, everything was fine. We descended from Orange after meeting the Blue trail (Tuscarora) from our left. We turned left on the service road. Jamie made a call to the RD (race director) to let him know she is ok and would expect to make it to the end.

    We caught up two other runners Aaron and Nathan, who signed up for MMT 100 this year and out on training run, just like most of us. Jamie and Jeff were on a hill over. Our progress thus far was not bad. I hoped we could stay together all the way to the end.

    Time passed quickly. We came to the last mountain, going up to the Meneka/Bear Wallow/Sidewinder Tr.

    This is part of the Signal Knob loop. To me, this is home tuff because we only have about 4–5ish miles to go. It was 3:30 pm ish, so we still have 90 mins before 5 pm when sun would set. To me, that was plenty of time and finishing before sunset was not an issue. Often times in the past, I would run down from Signal Knob. It is easy on this side of the mountain.

    I had the gpx course file loaded on my phone but I was not using it. There is no need.

    Cheryl had improved of knowing how to use the directions from her watch. (see the story on New Year, when we got lost).

    As we were decending from the mountain through a series of switchbacks, her watch threw her a curve ball saying we were off course. I was pretty sure we were on course to the parking lot since to me, there should only be one way off the mountain (and now I checked, only one way, unless bushwalk). Our way was the quickest.

    However, we came to a fork on the trail maybe 3 miles from the parking lot. I was joking with her of asking which way we should be turning.

    She was confused. Her watch was not working. I took the left branch, still being on blue (but my friend hadn’t learned to navigate by blazes). The right is the trail was to Mud pond/ mud gap was on a different color. I knew not to take that trail.

    She asked me to check my trail note. I refused. But I know my trail note did not mention this trail. Cheryl believed we were close to the finish but as we hiked on, it seemed taking longer than expected and it let her to believe we were really lost because in her mind, we took the wrong fork and we should back track.

    Sun was setting. Wind got stronger and temperature was dropping fast (from 60 to upper 20s, that it was around freezing). The temperature has been dropping throughout the day because a winter storm was on it way across the nation. The same storm system that caused a deep freeze through the US later in the week.

    Cheryl started to panic that we were lost on the mountain and probably we would be frozen to death. To me, we were not lost, and I clearly knew we were only a few miles away. I told her before we would come to several side trails like that and a stream crossing below.

    Her panic became a near total breakdown. Tears streamed down. She was not moving much. I urged her to keep on going as probably we were only half mile away from the parking at the time.

    Nothing I said had any effect since she held onto the idea that her watch was infallable. Convincing her that I know the way or that we were on the right path only caused greater distress because I said those same words before couple weeks ago and got her lost ;). She kept repeating it is just like last time (meaning we were as lost as last time). I stopped responding to that. It is not like last time.

    Later the next day, I was validated with a friend who confirmed his watch was also wrong at that section. There are many (technical) reasons why the watch is wrong (I won’t discuss it here). I ended up pulling out my phone and showing her we were on the race course. I am not sure if she believed me then. She followed me. Otherwise, I would have to run down to the finish to get some people to come up to lead her down.

    At the last mile, the sun had completely set. We were going up on a small climb. She said, there shouldn’t be any more climbing, which was a correct idea I shared with her before, but this little climb was there from the year before. So I knew we were still going the right way. No point in arguing with her.

    I continued to urge her there was only half a mile left. She later said that was longer than half a mile. She was right (half mile only starts at the group campground, where Orange met Blue), we were not at the campground yet. I didn’t intentional lie. I was just was not sure exactly how many miles at the time. I judged the distance based on my map and it showed 800 meters. I knew we were very near.

    Then we saw two volunteers (Tonnie and her friend). They were either out to look for us or out for a night run. They urged us that we were less than half a mile away. We could see the Fort Valley Road. Cheryl said, she did not remember there was a road there. I told her, this location was different from when we started in the morning. All trails look the same to new trail runner. Road meant we were near to the parking lot and in no time, we popped out the forest. RD cheered us and relieved that everyone was accounted for. We were given warm soup/ramen and bread. They cleaned up and packed up. I was just glad the ordeal was over. Cheryl’s husband thanked me.

    I was not lost, but the way Cheryl’s reaction or crying made everyone there believed I let her the wrong way or on a longer way. It is credible because couple weeks earlier I did lead her the wrong way and everyone knew that. So here we were again. RD was being diplomatic saying, it would be interesting to review her watch tracking later. I am pretty sure the tracking would support me.

    I was a bit miffed. We missed the 5:30 cut off by a bit, so really was a DNF. I think we arrived around 5:40/5:50. We could have made it earlier if we did not slow down the last several miles, doubting which way to take. I was not doubting but I had to wait for my runner to make up her mind of which way to take.

    Anyway, for me that day, getting in by certain time was not too important. It was but then wasn’t any more. I was glad no one was hurt. I believe it was a good object lesson for my inexperienced friend. I like giving real life practical training to new trail users: The to-do and not to-do when one is lost. Cheryl certainly learned/relearned many of the things I taught her during our first hike on the new year day.

    #1 Lesson: again: dress warm for the weather

    #2 always expext the unexpected. Murphy’s law

    – expect to stay out longer than planned.

    –map/directions. who didn’t bring a paper map but relied only on technology? gps is not 100% accurate especially out on the trails. Have a second and third backup, such a phone and a paper map and a friend. Someone didn’t print out the turnsheet RD provided for this run!

    -Eat real food and water. my runner got tired/to the point of exhaustion by consuming mostly gels throughout the day. Gels work for marathon, but not so much for ultras. Ultras you have to pack your own food on your run

    -being independent. Most trail runners are pretty independent. We help each other, but each one is expected to know the way and handle the course by themselves

    –Preparation sums it all up. With preparation, you could handle most “emergencies”

    We had to get home early because many of us would be out on the trail again the next day to do the Waterfall 50k. I will leave that for the next post. (Basically, I dnf-ed at the waterfall, but that is for the next entry).

    Aftermath. This is pretty much a rerun of the new year post. Cheryl said no more trails for her, but her other friend told me pretty sure she would return. Soon a few days later, she messaged me about the Elizabeth Furnace Run in March, on the day the registration opened. So, I guess we are headed back out soon 😉

    My friend said, she learned roads are good because you can’t get pick up (rescue) if you are not on a road when you are lost.

  • Day530 Holiday Lake TR (2)

    Training Run – Holiday Lake

    When I said I will be going to Holiday Lake for a training run, my friends and family reacted in disbelief. They think it was too easy for me.

    Do I really need to train for a 50K? Not really but I thought the place has good trails and elevation to help me with either the BRR or the MMT. Best of all new trail I have never been on before. Indeed it has some good elevation for training. I have been bored lately and needed a new place to excite me. Holiday Lake gave me a feeling of adventure.

    There seems to be a pattern with my training. Three weeks back, I was training for a 100 miler (MMT). Last week I was training for a 50 miller (BRR), and this week, I trained for a 50k. I guess next week would be a half marathon or shorter.

    Holiday Lake is about 200 miles south from my home. It takes about three hours to get there. As always I’d go anywhere for a race or a run. It got to be big enough to get my attention to put in this much work. Holiday Lake 50K has been ones I wanted to do since I know about ultras.

    Actually I was out at Signal Knob one afternoon probably in 2018-2019, doing a hike on the Meneka Peak with couple friends and afterward, I wanted to run around it again. During the run, I met a guy, he was also doing loops there but in the opposite direction. As for me, I was probably training for the JFK 50 at the time, my first real ultra. He was much better runner than I was. As we talked in the parking lot, I asked him any races he would recommend me because I was new to ultra trail running. He gave off a list of races and one of them was Holiday Lake. Of course, later I looked up his name, he was one of the first place winners of one of the races he recommended (Highland Sky). He might got first too at Holiday Lake too, but I don’t remember. Those were during his younger days. I didn’t recognize a celebrity when I came face to face with one. All he said to me was the RD knows him if I mention that he told me to sign up. (I tried to sign up for Highland Sky too, but got on the waitlist this year).

    Now, four or five years later, I finally get to run it. This weekend though was just a training run. The real race is next month. I missed its first training run the previous weekend, because it was in conflict with BRR1. This weekend was their 2nd training run. It was perfect for me.

    I had been reluctant to sign up in the past because it is a winter race in February. I always avoided winter races in the past because I did not like running in the cold. Eventually I got over it. You just bundle up more.

    This weekend was like the past two weekends. Early waking time. This time I slept earlier. Woke up at 3 AM. Started the drive at 4 AM. Arrived and met many people at the 4H Club Center at Holiday Lake.

    The race director introduced himself. Everyone said hi Brandon. Everyone was quite friendly, totally unlike BRR or MMT training run — MMT and BRR have friendly people too, but I felt once you leave the capital area, people are much nicer. I had similar experiences when I was in West Virginia, Atlanta, or Pennsylvania and Texas. Anyway, pasture is greener on the other side.

    We had a bunch of college students maybe they came from Lynchburg. I have been hanging out with older people in my trail community where the average age is around 45-47, and today the average dropped by a lot because most were teens and twentys. I felt a bit younger and it brought back memories when I was first year in college, my running club leader brought a few of us out to a lake to run. It might have beem Holiday Lake or similar. I did not remember it until today. Due to we got lost during the run, but I will save that for maybe another post.

    The training was on the exact course as the race. We would do a loop around the lake. It is a 16 ish mile loop. Two loops would make a 50k.

    We grouped up at the parking lot at 7:30. After a short speech, we walked to the start. There we took group photos, then the RD gave the G-word, we went off.

    The first quarter mile was up the road out the camp. We then turned right onto Lakeshore Trail, doing clockwise direction on this run. I think they did the reverse direction last time. On race day, we will do one in clockwise and another counter clockwise direction. Some think this is a fair way thst you get to climb or run down both sides of a hill.

    The day was beautiful. We had one of warmest winter days and I was in shorts and tee shirt. The morning was cold but it warmed up to near 50F, about 15C, perfect running temperature.

    I enjoyed the trail tremendously. It validated me for driving 3 hours and waking up at 3 in the morning. It was not too technical. It was very runable. There were a lot of roots and uneven surfaces. Some rocks, hills here and there. There were a few tough climbs. It dispelled my fear that the course would be entirely flat. I almost canceled the trip when I checked strava the night before and got the impression that it had only couple hundred of feet of elevation (I might have read the course 10K profile instead of the 50k). The reason I did not cancel is I was not ready to replace it with something else. I did not have time to study the map for another run, say The Wild Oak Trail, which a lot of runners were out there that day and I only learned of it afterward on Facebook. Anyway, no regrets for choosing Holiday Lake over Wild Oak. My run ended up with 1200 feet of elevation gain (for one loop), which is every good. Not hilly but enough to help me with my training. It was less hilly than the BRR training, maybe about half as much.

    By 4 miles, I was with Kristine and Chris and Ruby. Ruby was leading from maybe 100-200 feet away. Kristine and Chris have been in front of me the whole time. I was only a few steps behind.

    We were all new on this course. Everyone else, the more experienced folks already passed us ahead. Actually we passed some college kids at beach/picnic area. Ruby was one of the college kids, but she was new to the trail. I and rest of us assumed she knew the direction and did not pay attention at where we were going. As you know, we got off course. Chris is a city runner so he was not so keen on turns and such (I only noticed later). I ran with Kristine before, and she has a better sense of directions but I guess not by much. I had no excuses though. She was following Chris and I was following Kristine. I am supposed good at paying attention to turns by now. I remembered passing a turn and my spider sense told me, we should be turning here, but I kept my head down and followed Kristine and Chris. We went for maybe quarter mile to half a mile until the trail crossed a knee deep creek and no bridge was available. It was then, we were thinking no way we would want to get wet, crossing a creek. We did not see any streamers to indicate we should be crossing it and it seemed to be not the way to go. Bells were ringing in our heads that we were off track. While the group was debating to go across or not, I decided to turn around to find the last streamer we saw.

    The group then followed me. Pretty soon we found the turn we had missed. Ruby was starting to run out of steam and got left behind. I waited for her and adviced her and also anyone here as a PSA (public service announcement), when one is running on a new trail and the direction is iffy, stick to a partner. She was telling me not to wait for her.

    Note, don’t feel as a runner in a strange place that you are a burden to other runners that they had to wait for you. I remember while doing the MMT training run, the guys left me on the mountain, and it was not very nice.

    It was the reason, I stayed with Kristine and Chris even though I could run faster than they do. Three pairs of eyes are better than one.

    The rest of the run was uneventful. Ruby went for a mile more and turned around at 5 mile mark. Later some college kids also turned around. They were part of Ruby’s group. I told them that Ruby turned around early.

    The course uses trails, double track (forest road/atv trails), horse trails, and country roads. We were running in a pine tree forest. I think it was peaceful.

    There were a few places we were unsure of because we did not want to get lost again, but usually when we started to have doubts, we would come across a streamer that the race director put up, reassuring us we were on the right trail. Note, I also had a map on my phone, but the scale was too big to tell me anything useful (strava map).

    I did the first loop in 3 and half hours and the second loop in 4 and half, a total of 8 hours. The race cut off time is 8 hours. This was a training run, so I did not push myself hard. I am sure on race day, I would be going faster, especially on the flat portion. I won’t DNF. Also I got lost a bit on my second loop because I was going in a reverse direction. Somehow I missed a streamer back around the picnic area and I did not remember which way we did during the first loop. I later was able to find my way back. That might have taken half hour off the clock. I think I could do it under 7 hours.

    Now in hindsight, the course was actually quite easy. The full course is consisted of two trails, the Lakeshore trail (blazed blue rectangles) and the CT – Carter Taylor, blazed with red rectangles. Lakeshore trail goes around the lake and is 6.5 miles. Carter Taylor is also a loop, and maybe is 10 miles. So the race is doing these two loops, gives 16.5 miles. They are like a figure 8 with one loop on top of another.

    I ended the run feeling pretty well. If I had a companion, I would have gone out for maybe a 3rd loop too. I believe I was the only one who ran two loops that day. They thought I was crazy, but it was just a normal training day.

    Beautiful trail and pine forest
    A warm day, we were almost at the end
    I like a wide open trail
    walking to the start, a bit chilly in the morning
    young pine forest, I think they were replanting pine trees

  • Day493 Pre Race Day (actually TR week 7 or 8)

    Bring all up to date, probably this is the conclusion of the IMTR training arc. We reached the race weekend. As normally, there is not much happening in the last week before the race.

    As some already know, I wrote ahead and not really much in real time. I wrote this at the end of training week 7 and before begining of week 8. I won’t report on week 8, because I don’t want to hold off the race report for 2 weeks after the race. So I am skipping a week to bring everyone to real time. Tomorrow will be race day! Hopefully race report will follow soon after.

    Supposingly, I should already reach my peak training a while back, maybe at week 5-6. However, I was not peaking then. Week 7 / 8 should have been the tampering period. But tapering doesn’t exist in my vocab. Which means, I am just a few weeks behind too. Ideally 10-12 weeks for training would have helped for this race. I have been pushing my training cycle shorter and shorter. This time I am in trouble for having an overly short training.

    Main question is what must I do to get ready for the race day with the little time left. I think I have to focus on food a bit more. The strategy is to eat (sugar (gel) pack or something like that) just before the couple big hills. I need to put those in a drop bag at Skull Gap (mile 15-16). I need to prep some sandwiches. I need maybe leave a couple Gatorades. Races usually provide sport drinks but they usually either overly diluted and lack enough punch for me.

    I probably need to eat something by the time I reach Hurricane Gap. When I come by Skull, pick up some food to carry along toward Hurricane Gap. Race day, pack light, maybe 1 L of water. Normally I carry 2 L. Don’t spend too much time at Aid Stations. Do Quick in-and-out.

    These 8 weeks, I did three (on site) training runs (two of them were reported), one of them was a secret run I did last weekend, not sure if I will report on that. The first two training runs were productive. Not any particular reason that the third should remain a secret, but I don’t feel like writing about it since there are so much other things on my mind. Also Because I should have been tapering, I don’t want tell the world I went and did a double 25 mile run. It is like a last minute rush to put in as much as miles as I can. You all know the body doesn’t work like this. It is what it is.

    Like what I wrote in the last post, I wish I started my training a bit earlier maybe in early June, I am a few weeks short for this race. In June, I was a little too discourage and tired after the MMT saga. I did a marathon but that was not much as a goal for the IMTR. The break before the marathon and after provided a nice change of pace in my 6 years of constant training.

    My summer training did not really kick off into a higher gear like last year. I could blame it on the summer heat. We had some serious heat this year. It was a combination of things. The after effect from MMT was still lingering on me into the summer. I know I should get over it. Plus, my body generally was not what it used to be. I got exhausted easily. I did an ultra in July, Catoctin (8 hr for a 50k run). It was a good run for me, but timewise was not impressive. It could be maybe a sickness like lyme or covid (a long term effect of covid-19, though I don’t believe, I ever gotten it). It is frustrating to be constantly out of breath. I could not really kick into a hard run.

    It made me wonder is it me? Is it of my lack of training? There is nothing to compare myself to. Do I compare to 6 years ago before I started running, or to last year? Or even 6 or 3 months ago? At the MMT I was considered stronger than now. I pulled a 50 mile then quite well whereas many around me were dropping off like flies. I don’t call myself to be strong now. Every season is new and this season hits me like a curve ball.

    What was the Goal again? Reminding myself, I signed up IMTR to challenge myself to run faster. The Distance itself is not a problem for me. I can do a 50 mile today and any given weekend. However, I don’t usually have the ability to run it under 12 hours. This whole training was to step it up.

    Evaluation. The true evaluation will be at the race itself. Honestly, my fitness level is pretty much at where I started 8 weeks ago. I might got a bit better. I talked of being easily exhausted, I think I improved a bit. It could have been worse. Honestly do I think I can run it under 12? I think I can do it in 12:15 as of today. Yes it is very close. 15 mins is all I need to make the cut. This is just a prediction.

    I looked up my last year time. My pace was 14:28. For this race I need to run at 14:20. So I finishing in 12:15 is about right. Last year, the last guy came in around 12:12. I hope I won’t be the last guy, but even if I am, I need to beat 12:12. I am glad, the person was not DNF/DQ for coming in after 12 hrs. Some race is strict (e.g. Devil Dog), one second late would mean a DNF. There is hope for me.

    A lot things will need to work right on race day. I do hope against hope, to get it down to 12 hours. Praying for a miracle. I felt I should be able to make all the cuts except the finish line.

    I was hoping the whole deal of training would give me the confident to say, I could run it. However, honestly I can’t say that. Readers will have to wait till my race report to find out.

    Looking ahead – IMTR isn’t the end all. I made a leap of faith to sign up for the Devil Dog 100, and it is hitting home. IMTR is kind of a prep for a later race. A small prep in getting me ready for DD100. A hundred mile is always a challenge especially the Devil Dog. I won’t go into much detail on it, except it requires the same type of speed I need for the IMTR. It is a nice lead into it.

    Plus I added a couple races to my fall schedule. I will write about those coming up. I am so excited about them. (meta: I know the current theme broke my site, and links to my race schedule and other pages are gone, sad!, I will fix it soon) My schedule is still there for those who know how to find it.

    I mentioned a secret training run. In my last post, I was on the fence of whether to go to West Virginia to run the Moonlight on the Fall Marathon or go for this secret run. In the end, I did not go to West Virginia, but instead went to Damascus (VA) to run once more on the IMTR trail. I know with so close to the race, no amount of training will help. I went because if I had stayed at home, I probably would skip out on any hard training, like I did the last couple weeks. Also, I miss seeing the mountains. So I went away quietly to do this run. Also I fear if I announced it, I would become stage fright and back out. It was a course preview. I did the same loop of the 1st training run on both days. I also helped mark part of the course. I felt good to contribute back to the race.

    Lastly, I combined week 7 into 8 because there were not a lot to say. My week (7) has been pretty bad, in term training. There was always something needed to do. Did I mention I needed to trim the brushes? And that took over my whole weekend and it was frustrating chores kept getting in the way of my training! I was angry about that of how much time it took me and it is still not done to my liking. If I have the money, I would hire a gardener/ landscaper. I know, I’m just venting here.

    I could write more about my secret training run, the good, the bad, and the ugly. There could be so much to say. I like the mountains, the alone time, the companion I had while marking the course. No bads…but this, I ate something bad the night before, and I had diarrhea in the middle of the run, and it was ugly. I didn’t have a stomach ache but fluid just decided to flow out where they not intended to flow and without warning. I literally pooped in my pants while running. No toilet paper was enough to contain the mess. I had to get off the mountain, and made a beeline to the hotel to clean up and then get back out on the trail. My car smelled like poop. Luckily I had a towel with me and that saved the seat. I almost thought my weekend training was toast!

    For future posts, a thought came while driving to Damascus. And a long drive it was, I started hallucinating from sleeplessness the last 5 miles, but we won’t talk about that. I like to share my running experience because to let others see my “glory”. Maybe that is running high. I had a lot of thinking over the weekend. I want so much for others share in my joy. My runs are the best about me. It mean so much to share them. I had a nice thought on a passage in John. Don’t mind me if this doesn’t make any sense. It is for maybe a future post.

  • Day459 BRR Training Run 1

    I wasn’t even signed up for the BRR – Bull Run Run (50K), but I was at their first training run the past weekend.

    In our area there is a famous Civil War battlefield, actually there are a few, but Bull Run is probably more so because it was Confederate first victory and the Union retreated in disarray in our backyard.

    The race is not about a remembrance on the war or its history at least to my knowledge. It is just a run that happened near the famous battlefield. No race is held on the actual battleground itself (I think that is the National Park’s rule across the nation that forbids running or similar activities in a National Park or on a hallowed ground).

    The BRR will take place along the Bull Run Trail starting from Bull Run Park and along the namesake river. And I think it will be an out and back. I am not familiar with the details because I never got a chance to run it. I think that generally the direction.

    As for the trail, I have been training on it since last year for other races because it is the closest trail to my home, maybe about 4 miles away. To my joy, it is one of those trails that is not being “improved” on. All, if not all our urban trails are paved and widened so they are no longer are natural trails any more. I understand doing so allow greater access, but it takes away the joy of those who like the tough terrains. This one Bull Run Trail still has dirt and mud and all the nasty stuff (and feels authentic) and it is quite long (as least long enough for a 50K) and out of the way of development, so it gives the feel of being in the wild. Occasionally, we do see some houses or bridges.

    I have been eyeing and wanting to run the BRR (the race) when I first was interested in ultra/trail running, but the race is usually full by the time I find out about the sign up. As so, this year, I heard it is sold out. I have never gotten a spot. Also, back then I was nervous about doing it too and usually don’t pay a closer attention to the sign up date, because I think it was outside of my ability (I hadn’t run a 50K then). Now, my perspective has changed, after all I could run a 100k or more. I am no longer scared of a 50K. But BRR now has less a draw on me.

    I happened to saw their training run announced on Facebook, and no sign up was necessary. I jumped at the chance to run it with my local runners. A training run is almost like the real deal.

    My scheduling worked out. My other race, the Waterfall 50K was canceled for a 2nd time (a bit of a disappointment) but it opened up my Saturday.

    We had probably one of the coldest day this winter this Saturday. People said it was 16F but I think it was around 9F (-12C) when I started the run. The cold just sucked all the heat from me. I don’t remember if ever I was outside when it is this cold. Luckily it was not windy. I started at the trailhead near my home and ran to the training rally point, about 5 miles downstream. We were to meet at the Hemlock Overlook.

    I overestimated myself and did not arrive to the training place on time. Also initially I thought it was only 4 miles. I was dragging my feet somewhat in getting out the house, due to the cold, and I wanted to make sure I had everything for the day. Luckily another runner was also late. She came from Baltimore and had trouble finding parking. The group had left before she was ready. I ran with her till we caught the tailend of the group. It was good to have a companion.

    She ran at a much faster pace than I could keep up, so by 10 mile in, I needed a break, when we happened to be back at where my car was. Unbeknown to me the aid station was only maybe 3 miles further. I stopped at my car to change out my clothes and pants and lubed up. My shirts were soaked and the sweat on my hair was frozen. It was that cold. I got some rub burn I had to take care of – usually is the case when the clothes are wet. I felt better after changing and I ate some bread I had in the car.

    I caught back up with my new friend since she and her group stopped for a toilet break. On the way back, we stuck with her new group. Later though, one of the ladies was moving much slower, so I slowed down too and stayed with her. I became the group sweeper (meaning being last person). We got back to Hemlock and other people were waiting for us. We somehow took a longer route back (1.5 miles longer).

    My run continued into the afternoon because I wanted to add more miles. The day warmed up to 32. The ice on the ground melted and the trail became slushy and muddy. I finished with 27 miles. I originally intended to do a 50K (31 mi), but toward near the end I was low in energy and since it was not a race, there was no point to grind out another 4 miles to get the bragging right.

    Experience: I would say I enjoyed the training run maybe even more than if I run in the race itself. We had good support. People were nice. Even toward the end of the day, I was still meeting a few stragglers. Some started even later than me. I think it was special to bring out a bunch of ultra runners and it felt like a race day.

    I was not training for BRR since I did not secure a spot in the race. No one minded. The thing is we could just show up and do the training. I felt good to gather with other runners. I noted this is my first social run since the start of the pandemic.

    Note for self. I met an older lady during the BRR-TR who has done the MMT 100. Her advice to me is do all their training runs – especially the Chocolate Bunny (around Easter I think), which is a midnight run on the mountain. I think it is something I’ll be looking forward to do. This is important because from now on, all my trainings will focus toward the MMT.

  • Day381 reset

    After a big race, I need some time to reset. A bunch of thoughts colliding inside or still fermenting that are not ready to put into words yet.

    Life for me is hopping from one high point to another. Now it is like I’m in a peaceful valley.

    My mind is still pretty much being still in the race. It was one of the best race I had. I say this almost for every one of them I did. I rarely had a bad rotten race. They were all great.

    Racing for me – running in general, brings so much joy and goodness. I think of it as a feast. I was anticipating it months ahead. First the idea of doing something I never have done before. There is the unknown. I was wondering whether I can do it. A lot of them, the first thought is no I cannot do it. I am not there yet. Not even not there yet but it is impossible. Thinking back three years ago if you would say I will be running a 50 miler, it is just incomprehensible. It does not matter how many miles I could train for it. It just cannot be done. Even last year after having done it, to do it again in a year, you got to be crazy. That was pretty much how I felt this spring.

    In my Bible Study class, the leader said imagine what heaven is like a feast. I couldn’t really grasp it at the time. I ate good meal before, but nothing bring me more joy than being outside and run, esp run in a race. It is not so much about the competition but just knowing it is preformance time, just kick things to the highest level! I wish if heaven can be anything, I like to run and hike/camp all the time forever.

    For me, racing is testing the limit. Yet there is the idea of let try it. It is hard but let overcome that fear. I did not say that just to prove myself. No it more like it is going to fun. I signed up somehow. The excitement only built up. By then I knew my ability that I could run it but whether I could do it within ‘spec’ that is within the required time for the course, that is a whole other issue. I did not know that even on that day I stepped on the course. Too many factors in play. I mentioned before that to finish within the 13 hours I needed to run near perfect race. Meaning, having good race condition, not tripping over roots as I am frequently do, healthy, and not getting lost. They all came together perfectly.

    I know my body. I know my speed. I did many test runs beforehand. Usually it is not as good as I wanted. I was having the feeling of not able to do it for weeks leading up to the race. You feel the body just does not want to run. Also it has become colder and night comes earlier. The week before my race, my right hip was causing trouble and my right knee was also showing sign of weakness – I had hard time climbing stairs. Not good for going into a race with a lot of hill climbs. But all these problems evaporated on race day. I ran my strongest ever. I was amazed how strong the body was. I could run up hills while people around me were dying/walking up. Even toward the end I was still full of energy. At no point I was out of breath. I did hit the wall around mile 34-35, but it was quickly passed. It is amazing because usually my wall comes very early like mile 15-16. Quick is a relative word. It took me an hour to chase down people who were around my pace. There were only few low points. My finish was strong. And I am ready to do again.

    I love running races. Thinking back to couple months ago, I was debating between running the JFK 50 versus the Seneca/Stone Mill 50. In the end I chose Stone Mill. It was not a wrong choice. I don’t regret it.

    Someone suggested that I should do both. At the time I said no way. No way I would be recover back to peak condition within a week. Stone Mill was a big enough project. I am not tackling two of it. But guess what. A few days before running Stone Mill , I was itching to do the JFK as well. I said I will decide once Stone Mill is over. The last few days I have been agonizing over it. This time it is not so much whether I have the ability to do it. I feel ready for it! My body almost completely has recovered by now. This would be a first – to do a 50 miler back to back!

    In the end (well I could still sign up for it) after a good night sleep, I decided not to run the JFK. It was more due to worry over COVID spreading in our area. The race will have over a thousand people, probably around 2000! This includes volunteers and crowd there even though spectators are not supposed to come – yet people will going to show up anyway. Events having 200 people such as at Stone Mill are already nerve shaking, JFK is 10x bigger. Of course there will be mitigation measures such as social distancing and wearing masks, but I really don’t know how to gauge the risk of attending to such large crowded event. This is all with Thanksgiving being so close too. If I come down with Covid attending the race, I would be bring Covid home too. So in the end, I did not pull the trigger.

    It does not mean there won’t be running for me this weekend. I am going to try a new training run call 48×48. No it is not a piece of wood. It is to run 48 miles in 48 hours (two days). The twist is we only do a run of 4 miles every 4 hours. This means little to no sleep. My friend told me this is a good training for the 100 miler. Because it testing the body ability to reset.

    That is so true. I am good with long run. I could run 50 miles withput pause. But if you ask me to run 4 miles and then 4 hours later to do it again, yike! So 48×48 means doing it 12 times. (I am thinking of adding 13th to it to make it over 50 miles, to compensate missing the JFK.)

    My goal is to start on Friday night after work, with my first run probably at 5/6 PM. The graveyard shift will be tough. I will try to catch some snooze between the runs. Saturday-Sunday night probably the worse. I have to do it till Sunday 5-6 pm for my last run. Oh this starts tomorrow!

    Hopefully I have some time to tell you guys how it was next week.

    Other things on my mind I hope to jot down in the future because with post being too long already, is the news of my grandmother’s passing during my Stone Mill run how that effected me and my thoughts on death. It is a lot to think about. Still too much to wrao my head to it. My brother in law said death is like a race, actually life is and death is the finish of it. I see it too, I like that, because death is not sad, but a celebration of life. My greatest joy in a race is when I finish it – the moment stepping over and celebration that follows. I am still festive.

    But I know this weekend, there won’t be time for much thinking. 48×48 is a tough one.

  • Day355

    After doing the RTK race, coming back to do my usual local run is too easy. Tonight I was flying through the run almost effortlessly.

    I’ve gotten stronger. This was the first sign after a month of training that things are going in the right direction.

    My Strava is telling me I ran my fastest half marathon so far, 2:38:11. I hope to bring it down some more. I hope to get down to my personal best of under 2 hrs.

    The run felt great. It has gotten much cooler in the evening. I felt a bit cold at the final two miles.Winter is coming.