I did a perfunctory showing at the Icy 8 this year. I was hoping to put in a 50k but came out just about 4 miles short. I ran 28 miles.
I ran it last year (report). We had the same format, 8 hours, 4 mi loop or 8 mi loop to choose from. We could run as many loops as we want until the time is up.
I finished with 3 long loop and a short loop with 20 minutes left. There was not enough time to do a 2-mi exit loop. I could have been close if I did it.
My take of the day was sharing the trail of two runners who are heading to Western States 100. I thought they were the same person until after the race and found they were not the same. My goofball.
Also during the race, I was watching the Wasatch’s lottery drawing. Two of people I know got in. My other friend though did not get in. I was rooting for him though. I might still end up going to Wasatch this year to either crew or pace. I would definitely love to step on those mountains again.
My focus was not there at Icy 8. So I lost a lot of time listening to the Wasatch drawing.
My feet and fitness too were not there for me to push hard enough to finish up four long loops.
The day was good and sunny. A good day. We had mud too, lot of it.
We saw many familiar faces. I wish I could stay longer, maybe to camp overnight in one of the cabins or camp sites.
We were rushing back to a club event in the evening. Yours truly had to be there to receive his award for runner of the year. I felt embarrass when I realized I was up against truly great runners in our club. 🤭
The next day though was my favorite event, a local 10K called For the Love of It, which I have been taken part almost every year. It was the location where I started running, 8 years ago.
It brought back a lot of memories. I love the sunrise. The fast run and the local community. The photos were free. I have not done a short race like this for a long time because last year I was focusing on the longer ultra trail races.
This is the second half of the last post when I got too tired to finish.
Waterfall 50k (WTF50k) was like a walk down the memory lane when I attempted the first (virtual) waterfall run in 2020). I don’t remember why I even wanted to look for trail to run in the middle of a cold winter back then. I might be training for something. On a cold Christmas Day in 2020, I decided Waterfall was the hike for me, and I downloaded the trail notes and drove out by myself. At the time I had not met my trail family. I did everything by myself back then. I wanted to get into this run many times but I was not able to because I always missed the opening signup date, so I did many things by myself. The way of how the club work was not known to me at the time. This was back in 2020.
Ever since, I had kept my eyes on the Waterfall 50K run each year to run it in person. It was usually occurred on the coldest and nastiest day in our winter. Finally this year, I got to run both the MMT training run 1 and the Waterfall all in one weekend. That was a lot going on and as in my last post, mentally I was toasted, more on this. But now I have my trail family, and it is quite fun to see the same people over on both days.
Two 50k back to back is kind of crazy, but hey, as an ultramarathon runner, we kind of get used to it. Still the course was not an easy one.
This year WTF50 fell on another coldest day in the winter. The whole day was below 24 F (probably was between 18-24), and we knew it would be cold the whole day. Waterfall course would be mostly the last part of MMT, with Kerns Mountain, Duncan Hollows, and then Bird Knob. Duncan Knob is the extra and also going up Waterfall is not part of the MMT100 but it was worth it.
My memory of WTF was the nasty river crossing on Orange and I thought that was the Waterfall mountain. Nope, that was just the Orange trail, was it it at Gap Creek or Duncan Hollow. It was just nasty mud stepping on a creek up the mountain.
I never really found out what so bad about the real waterfall mountain climb until this year when I actually ran on the course. It is on Orange as well, but there is just one steep climb up to Chisman Hollow Road. Now I finally got my geography straight in that part of the trail from the parking at rt211 to here.
I arrived early as I usually do for all races. We were scheduled to start at 8, I made sure I was there before 7, I think I arrived around 6:30. I was not the first car but there were three or four others already arrived. Some had stayed from the night before. I could tell from the way they parked. Some were still sleeping inside their cars.
Again the day was so cold. I got out my car to stretch but quickly jumped back inside. Soon many other cars started arriving. We filled the lot. I checked myself in with the RD (Q and Burr). We had a group pic and some pre race briefing and we were off. They said we would have a clear day (no rain or snow in the forecast) but apparently they (weatherman) were wrong.
I was with my friend Amanda. I met her during my first MMT, wow it had been so long ago, since 2022. It was like a reunion since. It brought back memories. Amanda is well familar with the Orange trail since she had done the ring (twice I think) and this year she is preparing to do the reverse ring. The Ring is to run the whole Massanutten trail (70 miles) and the reverse Ring is to do it in the winter from another direction. I haven’t done the Ring myself, so I don’t know if it true that the Reverse Ring is way harder, but that what everyone said.
I followed Amanda and pretty soon we were climbing up on the Waterfall Mountain. The course was dry. But the climb was unforgetable. It was so steep. We hiked up. They had doughnuts for us at the top.
We reached Chrisman Hollow and we continued up to Kerns. I was more familar with Kerns having ran on it so many times for the MMT100. You can say I memorized every rock there. Kerns was my downfall during my first MMT, so it is always in my mind as being hard.
Today though it was not that hard. Yes it was rocky. And the leaves made it hard to run on. It started snowing when we reached about halfway. I was fine with it, but our group speed slowed down. There was another runner in front of us, but unfortunately, I did not get her name. We hiked the whole Kerns together until Jawbone.
I was still with Amanda. Amanda was being nice of not passing the the lady in front until the lady stopped to use the restroom break before descending on Jawbone. We passed her. Amanda told me turn on Jawbone and we left Orange.
Amanda and I ran down. It was quite exciting. Now I could recognize the trails and their names, it brought back memories of how hard it was to climb up on Jawbone during my MMT. Now going down on it was a cinch. It probably only took us 15 minutes to descend.
We arrived at the first aid station. We were pretty much the last one to arrived. There Amanda went on to climb Duncan Knob, but for me, I decided to walk out with another woman, Angie whom we met at the there. Angie does not believe she had enough time to finish the loop, so call it a day. Though we still were responsible to get our butts back to the parking lot on our own power. Angie was hoping to get a ride at the net aid station. However, she did not know the way to get there without doing the full loop as laid out in our turnsheet. I don’t either, but I was guessing Chrisman Hollow should take us out. People at the aid station (Kevin and Carl) said the same. We also had the option to go down on the Waterfall at Orange. Since it was snowing, going down by that route was not a good choice. I was not sure on the distance, but our aid captain believe we could do it. I think the time was still early, around 10:30 or 11 ish. Angie agreed to take the road. Together we decided to hike out.
I did want to go up to Duncan but it was snowing a bit hard at the time, hiking out seemed to be a correct decision.
Angie is from NC. However she and her husband had done many of the runs with the club. She is not new to trail runner. She would be fine walking out herself. However, since she was on my training ground, I decided to accompany her. We talked about many things. They (her husband) will be doing Iron Stone 100k this summer, a race I was considering.
The walk out was uncomplicated. We just stayed on Crisman until we got to the Visitor Center. There was an aid station at the visitor. We had to be there before 2:30. Since we were taking the road, it was not an issue for us. Also we already dropped from the run. Soon other runners who finished the Duncan Knob loop popped out from ascending the Waterfall Mountain the second time join us on the road to the Visitor Center. We had some fun cheering them.
There was a runner, a very fast runner, one of the top 10. He did not know the way or had the trail note or map on him. He ran by following another runner. The person he followed was an unwilling party and the guy did not wait for him. He was chasing the dude from station to station.
So he asked Q and those at the aid station for direction. So they told him a quick version. Stay on White, turn on Orange, then turn on White. Orange, Purple, Pink, and back on Orange. It was a bunch of colors. We knew there was no way he could memorize all that. They simplified for him to turn whenever he sees a new color. It was a joke and we all laugh. We knew the guy would not get lost because he was fast and he was aiming to catch up to the dude who just left the aid station.
We too went out from the Aid Station heading toward the 211 Parking. We would not ascend to Bird Knob as others do but to keep on white to the picnic area and then turn on orange. There were only two or three miles to the parking. While on the last part, the first place runner (Barett) passed us. We initially though no way he would be one of us because he was so fresh. I did not recognize who he was at the time. He had his hood on.
We arrived just a little after Barrett finished. For us we ran 17 miles. He did 31 miles, almost twice our distance. The dude was not even breathing hard. It was like a light jog in the woods.
I initially wanted to go back out to do the Bird Knob loop since I still had time, but it was so cold out there. They lit the fire and offerred me soup at the finish, and I was too comfortable to go back out. I ended up just staying at the fire for the next 6 hours or so watching everyone finishing their run. That was my day.
I have not successfully finished Waterfall yet. The time requirement was quite tough. We had about 9 hours. But meeting the 2 pm cut at mile 21 is quite hard to do. I know I will try it again next year.
It was my first race of the new year. I was having racing fatique or hangover from last year. I am sure readers are too when almost every post is a race report. I was not going to sign up, sometimes it just a bit overwhelming to have a race or event every week.
In the end couple reasons got me to sign up. First, a race is always a good training run because I usually run at my best in a race.
Couple of people I know would be there. I drove up with Caroline who introduced me to her friend who finished Western States 10 times. I knew Tom Green would be there, but whether I could talk to him was unknown. My friend had a high certainty I would. There are many good runners in our area (or club) but actually to be able to talk to one is kind of hard. He is no just anyone, but a living legend.
The race started on time. We expected snow, rain, and heavy rain. They all came pretty much on schedule. We were dumped with a lot of precipitation.
The course was 6 loops, 5 miles-ish each and would give us 31 miles.
I ran as I normally would. I carried a heavy water pack. I didn’t mind. I normally drink it all without having to refill it. I dressed warmly, and purposefully overdressed for the occasion. I had a rain cover on me, a fleece, and an outer winter coat. I also brought some hand warmers and one time use rain poncho. I planned to use an umbrella too, so I had it in the car at the ready.
We arrived early and got a parking spot right in front of the start/finish pavillion. This came in handy because at each loop, I could go back to the car for my stuff and it served as my own aid station. I was not planning to use it, but since it is right there, I could if I wanted to. Many people set up tents and tables for their relay teams or their runners in the grassy area. It reminded me of Rocky Raccoon or Pemberton 24, races I did, that more like a camping trip. I did not have to set up my tent, though I had it in the car.
First loop was fine. We had the best weather of the day. You could even see the blue sky through the clouds on occassions. We knew it will snow soon though. I ran with Lynne, a friend who came down from New York. Boris too, I think I met him before. He is a triathlon guy. So he took off a bit faster. Another guy I knew from a previous race (Naked Nick and Rock-n the Knob), Paul, was even farther ahead. Based on their estimated finishing times, I wanted to be between Lynne and Paul. I looked at everyone’s predicted finishing time before the run, so I had a general sense who to follow.
After the first loop I was hot. I did not want to ditch my jacket though. Not because I would need it again, but I felt I need to learn to run when I feel hot. I think I kept it on for the second loop.
I finished loop one in 1:03. It was not fast nor slow. My goal was to maintain the pace if possible and it would be 6:18 ish finishing. My predicted finishing time was 6:00 h but I knew it was tough to reach because the course had a bit of hills.
Loop 2, I tried to keep up with Adeline, another runner, I met before, at OSS/CIA last year. She led me through the loop but I could not stay on her pace. I finished around 1:05 h as my split.
Loop 3, Not sure if it started to snow now. I think I caught up to Paul. He did not seem to doing so well. He carried a heavy pack for some reason, like me. Since it is just a 5 mile loop, we didn’t really need that much water. I carried mine just to be used to the weight as a training. I was not wearing trail shoes either, mine broke and I haven’t replaced them. The ground started getting a bit slipery.
Loop 4. Now we are more than 15 miles in. Snow had changed to rain. It was a good thing I stopped by my car to get a rain poncho. I assumed the one I brought was a winter one, but it happened to have short sleeves. It would do. Only my arms got wet. I also probably got rid of my winter coat by end of the 2nd loop. I was a bit cold now without my coat. The rain poncho though trapped heat well. It ended up balancing. I walked mostly. The Runner’s wall had set in.
Loop 5. I don’t remember much about this loop. I met couple people.
There were a long train of runners behind me. Some passed me. Melisa from the Boyers Furnace Run was behind me. I did not know that at the time but I heard a loud crash and so I turned around to look. There she was on the ground. Her friend and I went and got her back to her feet. The trail now was slick with wet mud. She stepped on one of patches and slided off. I recognized her as the birthday girl from Boyers run a week before. She did her first ultra on her birthday and now she was here to do it again. We finished the loop together. I was not sure my split for this loop because I did not check the time on Loop 3. I believed I came in at 5:25, meaning I was still hanging onto my pace.
and finally Loop 6. Last loop. If Loop 4 was hard, Loop 5 was when heaven opened. Rain poured down hard now. I stopped by my car to get my umbrella. I probably the only one who ran with one. I figured, I likely would walk more than run. Carrying an umbrella would keep my upper body dry at least. Little did I know my hand would be freezing and the umbella get heavier with each mile. There were less people on the trail now. Many had finished already. My goal was if I could to pass my friend Caroline. I believed based on Naked Nick’s pace (our last race together a month ago), I would gain about 5 miles on her by then, but she was no where in sight. I was really hoping to catch her and possibly Lynne. Though at the time I expected Lynne to be maybe 15 mins behind me based on her last year finishing time.
I started to run again even with an umbrella. I passed a few people. Winds were blowing strong. Some commented they wish they had an umbrella. The trail started to be flooded. At first I tried to avoid the water, but then it was unavoidable. I stepped through it. It was quite a joy. My feet were icy cold. To me, it made me run even faster. In my mind I was flying through the trail. It was slippery. I skided from left and right. Soon there was only a mile left. Caroline was still not in sight. I felt disappointed but then I knew, she must need plenty of time for her last loop then because by then it was closer to 6:30 (2:30 pm) otherwise she would not be able to finish, so it was good I did not catch her. I came in at 6:37 h (2:37 pm).
I waited a bit (10 mins) to see if Lynne was behind me after I crossed the finish. I was getting cold so I made my way to the car. It was too cold that day to wait for friends and runners. We joked about being selfish when it comes to our comfort. I haven’t eaten much that day so I knew I was behind on my calories. I had snacks in the car so it relieved a bit of the hunger pain. Rain came down hard then. I was glad I was back in the car. I had warm clothes and everything. We called it a day and headed home. I got treated to a nice meal too.
Caroline ran strong that day and finished the loop 20 minutes ahead before I came in. In an ideal condition, she would be able to do the 6th loop. I would not have caught her given my pace that day. It seemed the umbrella did slow me down on the last loop. I did the loop in 1:12 h. So, even if I ran the last loop in 1:03 or 1:05 time, I still would not have caught up. I would have to run under 52 mins, not an impossible pace, but a very fast 10 min mile (my 5k pace) on tired feet and hilly terrains to catch up. I was running a 14 min pace that day. The gap was too huge to overcome. Putting it down here, so next year, if I get to run this course again, I would try to reach under 1 hour per loop, possibly aiming for that 52 min on the last loop. Set high goal they say. Until next year.
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.
In awe 