Just go for it and see what happens
"Just go for it" that is what I decided to do after weeks of trying to dial in my race plan. I knew that if I could to just get into a comfortable groove and get to the last aid station around mile "25.5" without too many problems even if I blew up I would at least be able to survive the last 6 miles or so to the the finish. With that in mind I toed the line, but before all of this I had to make it to the starting line on time and so my morning began.
3:45 am wake up call. eat, shower, get dressed and off to "Monte Sano" So we got everything together and loaded up and headed for the mountain around 5:15 am, little did I know my Navi would take me half way up a mountain to a dead end and by this time it was around 5:45 am (thoughts of not making it to the race on time are starting to swirl in my head) and my heart is starting to sink into my stomach, after trying and trying to get our barrings on this still dark and foggy mountain side, I can't for the life of me figure out where we are, after a few moments of panic and anger I decide to find the nearest gas station in hopes of finding someone with a clue of where we need to go. Luckily the clerk knew exactly where to go and we where only about 10-15 Min's away. After making our way up this long and twisting mountain road we arrive around 5:15 am "wow that was close" I check in, use the facilities, get my handheld and gather in front of the Race Director with a whole 5 Min's to spare.
6:30 AM Little Loop/North Loop/South Loop (11.89 mi)
After a few simple instructions and a prayer (god knows I would need it) we were off down a paved road to the "Little Loop" (2.3 miles) this loop we would only do once and was basically an easy loop to get you warmed up and the throng of runners strung out. After coming through the 1st aid station and making our way out to the North Loop for the 1st of 3 times, I was about 4 Min's ahead of my 5 hour goal pace. The North Plateau Loop is 4 miles in length and it basically across the ridge down a nasty 1.5 mile descent through a hollow and back up a 1/2mi/1.0mi stair stepped climb that climbs back to a bikers parking lot and then onto the cabin road back to the main Aid station @ (6.3 miles) I arrived there in a time of (54:46) about 6 Min's ahead of schedule and feeling good. Quick bottle and food exchange I charged off to tackle the (5.59 mile South Plateau Loop) Not much to talk about here at this point, just flat with a few small rollers and a nice wide jeep road that offered amazing views. This road takes you along the plateau ridge and back to a small single track section shoots you out to the main Aid Station. I arrived there in a time of (1:43 for 11.89 miles) feeling good and looking to put some more time in the bank.
North Loop/South Loop (21.84 mi)
As I mentioned earlier the North Loop is across down and up, as I headed toward the nasty rock filled and leaf littered descent I decided to try and shed my 4 running mates that I been running with for most of the first 12 miles. At this point I assumed I was running at least in the top 15 in the 50k race, as I hammered the downhill and got a gap I just tried to maintain a solid pace to the base of the climb, as I hit the lower slopes for what would be my next to last time I maintained an easy leg turnover and tried to chop up the climb. I knew I had put about 2-3 Min's into the group behind me as I could see them on the lower slops of the climb as I jumped off the trail and headed down the cabin road back to the pavilion. (This was the last time I had company for the next 16 miles) I reached the main Aid Station in a time of 2:22.29 for (15.89 mi) I again got a new bottle and food and headed off to the South Loop. This is about the time I experienced my first twinge of a cramp, I was a little concerned being that I was on top of my nutrition and hydration, but kept the pace even and got back into flow. This did howerver start the battle to stay ahead of the cramps and fatigue. So I downed some endurolytes and another gel and before long the legs felt normal and I started to cruise again. I had to actually keep from getting to excited so not to do something stupid. I just keep the pace nice and even as my body and mind felt one with the trail. After reaching the small road turns you straight back along the plateau ridge. (30 min's) I made great time back and with that clocked my fastest time for that loop in around 49 Min's and a time of (3:11 for 21.84 mi) I now enter the pain cave!
One last time North Loop/South Loop (31.07 mi)
I now start the North Plateau Loop for the last time and again I try to hammer the downhill section a method that my fellow Highland Rim Runner Jaydn has passed on to me. After reaching the hollow I maintain a solid pace to the base of the final climb. As I hit the climb for the last time my legs are screaming for me to stop and I finally relent to the burning ache that has now taken residence in my hamstrings, I struggle and claw my way up this beast of climb and finally pop out at the bikers parking lot. I catch the cabin road back and actually welcome the smooth .25 mile pavement section back to the pavilion and clock my slowest time for the loop in a little of 40 Min's, not way off the previous 2 loops but still slower. At this point the fatigue in my legs and mind had finally taken hold and now I enter the pain cave. I stumble through the last aid station @ mile (25.84 ) in a time of 3:53 Min's. I check in with my crew to get a new bottle and food. I think I alarmed them a little as my wife thought I looked pale and my eyes where a little hollow looking. After they got me refueled and on my way Rhonda ran beside me for a little ways, I think to make sure that I was OK more than to make sure I ate something. (I did a quick systems check my self and I was good to go) As I hit the South Loop for the last time I knew I had a little over an hour to make my way around the last 5.59 miles and I should be able to make my 5 hour goal time. After settling in to a steady pace my tired legs are starting to shuffle and I catch a small rock that sends me flying and leaves my left hamstring and lower calf cramped after a quick stretch I was on my way again knowing that the race wasn't over and I had to concentrate even more. So I down 3 endurolytes and a powerbar gel after about 10 Min's I felt better. I regained my normal tired shuffle and tried to reach the plateau ridge road as fast as my legs would allow. As I finally make the turn onto the small ridge road I looked down at my watch that now reads a 32 min's for that section and I knew now baring something crazy I should easily reach my goal. After what seemed like an eternity I reach the small single track section and make my way back to the road and then onto the small blvd. back to the pavilion. As I dig one last time my legs respond and I cross the line in a time of 4:48:09 for 10th place a new PR and one relieved dude. This race was in so many ways different from my last 50k. I truly raced the whole 31 plus miles. As I look back I definitely found a groove and entered a place that I have never been mentally. It really took me sitting down to write this to remember all the happenings that went on during the race. In the end I had a great time and I have to thank my wife and her best friend Rhonda for all their help "they were huge". I now search for a new adventure and one that I hope will be as fulfilling as this one.
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