Notes
My Garmin died at 30.5 in the 3rd loop. I used Pam's garmin for the final loop, so have the splits from loop 4 (kind of... It did not find Sats right away so I missed about a half mile of that too). Anyway... now that mine is charged and I could not sleep anyway I figured I would upload and take a look.
More on the race and the day later.
OUCH!!!!
RR
I guess the best way to start this is by saying, I was on the fence about trying to do this back on August 1st. I was training for Clarence Demar and I didn’t know if I could take on a 50 miler a little more than a month after it. I had been interested in that distance though and knowing Robin, Greg and Lance were registered and spots were going fast (it sold out in less than 36 hours) I registered. I figured it would be better to try this with people I knew and people I could train with rather than waiting and going for something like this on my own. Having completed this race I know that was the right decision because I don’t think I would have been able to make it through this distance without them (and Ox) and their support. The training runs, trash talking (mostly listening on my part), predictions, planning, log entries and posts leading up to this were fun and sometimes inspirational even. So I thank you all for that and I also blame each of you for the excruciating pain in my legs this morning.
SC 11/5/11
Left the hotel around 5:30am and got to the school with my bin full of too much stuff at about 5:50 or so. Found the group and they had already staked their claim to an area next to the basketball court. I setup my stuff right there too and caught my first glimpse of “The Prize” the coveted Hoppity Trophy.We tried a couple attempts at a group picture, but it’s hard to get everyone in the same spot with just a couple of minutes before the start. So we got a partial group pic. I said goodbye to Pam and the boys as they were off to Boston for the day. A few minutes later the 50 milers were lining up on the left and marathoners on the right. Some guy yelled go and we were off and running. We got to the woods and it turned into kind of a walk/run thing as there was just no room to move around. I started with the group and I really didn’t know at what point we had split up. It took at least 2 miles for things to spread out and I was really happy to hit the second section of double track and move a little faster. But at that point I had no idea where the rest of the group was. I felt pretty good through most of the first loop except my laces were a bit loose but not so bad I could not wait to fix them on the turn. At the big water crossing, I took the left side around the first 2 puddles and thought, this is not so bad… Then I hit the deep stuff. It was cold and sloshy and I found out my SealSkins waterproof socks are not really waterproof. I just passed through the aid stations through the first loop. I thought I lost time in the first couple of miles and wanted to be in from the first loop at about 2hr 10 mins . Got in at 2:03 and felt pretty good.
After getting things together, getting my frozen shoe laces tightened and downing a 5hr energy, I started the second loop around 2:10 or 11. Saw Cremer not too long after I passed the Barriers then Lance, then Matt, then Robin. I was surprised that I was in front. But I knew it was early. I tried to run the second loop similar to the first but slowed it down on the hills and stopped at the aid stations for few seconds. Had a strip of bacon at Al Cats lounge. My feet were feeling much better with the laces tight and trucking through the water and mud was not really much of an issue. Definitely faded a bit towards the end of this loop but still felt ok and I knew at least starting loop 3 was not going to be a problem. Came in around the 4:15 mark and was doing ok but definitely feeling the wear and tear. As I was heading back out I saw Jim waiting for Cremer to come in so he could pace him on the 3rd loop.
I headed out thinking with Cremer having a pacer and maybe a better race strategy than mine, it was only a matter of time before he would catch me during loop 3. As I got through the first mile of that loop I had not seen him yet then at about 1.5 I saw him and he yelled something like “you’re killing it, you have a mile and a half lead”. I saw Lance not too far behind him and I thought they both looked strong. Then I made the left hand turn up through the first single track section and started thinking about how I could hold on to this lead. I pushed it at the beginning of loop 3, but was starting to fade after the water crossing. Made it to the aid station thinking I needed something to stop the slight cramping in my claves from turning into something worse. A small cup of chicken noodle and a banana seemed to help. That got me through to the next station at 7. I had a mini PB&J there and the volunteers filled my water bottles for me. The volunteers were the best. My Garmin died right around that point. I had to finish that loop without it and that made those last 5 seem much longer for some reason. I kept thinking Cremer and McPhee or Lance or all 3 would be catching me soon. I was fading and walking the uphills through this section. Finally came around to “The Abandoned Car” and was able to start picking it up again. At this point I knew I would at least be starting loop 4 and I think that gave me a small boost. Came in from loop 3 Just after the 7hr mark. Had the volunteers not only fill my bottles they put them back onto my belt for me. Grabbed a coke and another mini PB&J. Changed my shirt, downed another 5hr energy and got up to go… then realized I had Pam’s Garmin in the bin. I thought it would help to have it for the final loop so took the extra time to make the switch. This cost me a bit as it was about the 7:18 mark or so before I headed back out. It did not pick up Satellites for at least a half mile, but just having it gave me another small boost.
About 1.5 into Loop 4, I saw Lance and he was now ahead of Cremer. I gave him 5 on the way by and said something about “getting the jacket”. Cremer and Jim were not far behind him. The first few of loop 4 came easier than expected. I felt ok, much better than I had late in loop 3. Got to the first aid station at 4 had some bananas and cantaloupe, but had plenty of water with me so I did not stop for too long. Making it to the next aid station at 7 was hard. All single track sections from this point on beat me up. But at least I had that watch to count my way down through it. Ran harder when I could but the uphill walks were getting slower and the legs were getting heavier. Made it to the second aid station and a bluegrass band was playing Folsom Prison Blues. I stayed for the whole song, I needed the break. Filled up my bottles to prep for one last push. Gilley (from the training run) was there. He came over and asked how I was doing and he asked if I was going to be able to go Sub 10. I told him I didn’t think I could make that at this point. The last 5 of loop 4 were much like loop 3 except I had the watch and I knew how far I had to go. I kept looking out for Lance and Greg, I was sure they were catching up. Came onto the double track after the car and knew that last uphill would be over soon. Took that right at the bottom of the hill and walked the small hill up to where the signs split the loops. Then I started to bring it in running a bit faster again. I was so happy to see those barriers for the last time. I could now hear people at the school. I turned onto the field and about half way up I saw Pam taking a picture of me coming in The Stone Cat tried to hand me a PBR. I could see the clock was still at 9:5-Something I got closer and picked it up I crossed at 9:57 (could be 9:58… not 100% sure). I really did not think I could get in under 10 and was pretty happy about that. It was fun to see all the others in the group finish and cheer for them coming in. It was awesome to take home the Hoppity Barbie Trophy. I love it ! Again thanks to the machine for making this a great experience.
Heel up fast !!!