Dirty German 50 Miler; 26 May, 2013

Finally another 50 miler! I was really excited for this because I hadn't done one since MMTR and was itching. Although, I was not NEARLY as nervous for this one. I spent a long weekend in Colorado Springs and did a lot of walking and hiking there, topping it off with a Pike's Peak climb on Tuesday. Leading up to the race, the backside of my left knee was bugging me like crazy... Runner's Knee? I don't know, but it still hurts. Drove up to Philly on Saturday evening and stayed in a nice hotel with Keefer. Dinner was a clif bar and a gatorade...

Sunday morning (race morning) downed a banana and then stopped at McD's for a coffee and bagel. Arrived at Pennypack Park just as registration was starting and took #2 #1, then picked up packet. After picking my outfit I took #2 #2 and waited by the start. This was definitely NOT a Horton race for several reasons: 1) RD was not yelling at anyone or being frantic; 2) the race started ~7 minutes late; 3) the competition was not like a Horton race (more on that later).

Countdown and we're off to the sounds of polka music. This race is a 50 miler, 50k, and 25k. 50 Milers run a 3.5 mile loop back to the start, then complete the same 15.5 mile loop as everyone else, 3 times. I felt great and was not straining the pace, but was right behind 3rd and 4th place (Tony and James). 1st place guy shot off like a racehorse and I never saw him again all day. 2nd place snaked past and ran with #1 for a while. I ran my own pace but stayed not far behind James and Tony, then between the start and AS1 I saw James and ended up catching both him and Tony shortly after AS1. They asked if I wanted to pass and I said "no, just wanted some company". So we ran together at a pace too fast for me but I felt good. They had the Garmins (I wore no watch) and we were clocking low 7s, even high 6s for a while. I felt out of my league with these veteran ultrarunners but again, I felt good. By the end of loop 1 James had fallen off a bit but me and Tony kept at it. He pulled ahead but stopped to use the bathroom and then we were leap-frogging all of loop 2. By the end of the loop, I was ahead of him and was pulling out of the start line as he came into view. Loop 2 was nice because we were passing many of the slower shorter distance runners so I wasn't alone. Loop 3 was different... Also, during loop 2 Tony's crew told him the 2nd place guy dropped back so he and I were #2 and #3!

Loop 3 was slow. The pace of loop 1 and the 35 miles behind me were hanging onto my legs and dragging. But I kept on. I walked so much at MMTR I wanted to see what I could do this time around. After AS1 I stopped to get rocks out of my shoes (there were 2-3 stream crossings each loop) and I kept feeling like Tony was gonna pass me. But I kept running; even the short, steepish climbs were still runnable for the most part. I was feeling great but was hitting the "I'm ready to be done" point. Just AS to AS... 3 more, 2 more. Sometime about halfway through Loop 3 some dude I hadn't seen all race BLAZED past me like he wasn't even trying. He ended up 2nd place... I knew now I no longer had a 2 place buffer to get on the "podium", so I had to stay strong. I guess it was good enough because I came through in 3rd place with a time of 7:41:42. The guy who was originally in 2nd came through a few minutes later, and then Tony ended up in 6th, I believe.

Course: Mostly trails, 2-3 miles of road each loop (too much!), no memorable climbs, but some fun single-track.
Fuel: Had my 1.5 liter pack with Nathan electrolyte tabs, 4 gu's. I ended up going through my pack 2.5 times... never drank so much in a race. AS was usually pbj, goldfish, or potato chips. Loop 3 I started downing a cup of soda (first time in a race) and a cup of water.
Weather: 75 with a slight breeze and clear skies

Overall a great race. If you are close to Philly I would recommend it, especially as a first time 50 mile. The swag is AWESOME and the staff is great. It was only their 3rd year so they have room to improve as well. Good bratwurst at the end too! My knee is still hurting as I write this (Wednesday morning), but everything else feels really good. Hoping to be good to go for the North Face trail marathon on Saturday!!

Tech-T, Hat, Beer Glass, Drawstring bag, and Authentic Handcrafted German Cuckoo Clock! (3rd place prize)

Promise Land 2013

Driving to Promise Land Youth Camp on Friday evening with Zach Quigg and Andrew Dodson, I knew this was going to be an amazing weekend. Zach was running PL for the first time; Andrew, Dylan Vining, and Lane Ruchte were all running their first Ultras; and after completing the LUS last year, I have made a good number of friends in this incredible community and now I got to spend my weekend camping, fellowshipping, and most importantly, running in the mountains with them. Food was great, weather was great, gear set out, tent and sleeping bag laid out, teeth brushed and water vest filled up; I was ready.

4:30 came early. I woke up a few times in the night but overall slept great. Beat the crowds to the coffee line, and had a bagel and a piece of banana bread for breakfast. Got dressed, relieved, took some immodium, and waited by the warmth of the fire, thinking about the 34 mile journey ahead. Soon we were all lined up, and after a prayer we were off with a “5, 4, 3, 2, 1…” (Horty never starts late, but I think he looked at his watch just in time!).

We were off. I was toward the back of the pack but tried to maneuver my way up along the left side of the road. Soon I was past the crowd and looked right to see Zach right beside me. Good! We could pull each other up that long climb. My goal was the “End State Maintenance” sign and I made it just past there to where it gets real steep. Walked most of the rest of the gravel road, but as I got onto the single-track I stayed with a small group and pretty much just mimicked them: if they ran, I ran; if they walked, I walked. That went well until we hit the downhill where I caught up with then passed Rudy, and got out onto the grassy road. Here I encountered my first inconvenience: side stitches. I’m not sure why. I had popped a gu at the first aid station and was sipping on the electrolyte drink in my bladder. I was forced to pull back on the reins a little bit where I should have been bombing down the hill. Soon Rudy and Guy caught up to me so I stuck with them. I knew if I could keep up with those guys I was doing just fine. We stayed as a group past the ghost aid station, and all the way up to the Parkway. Rudy pulled ahead and I think Guy stopped to fill his bottle, so I was just trying to pick out people in front of me on the downhill stretch to Sunset Fields. My cramps were gone by this point and I was going at a good clip. Sunset Fields probably had the best PBJ I have ever had, and I am so grateful to the volunteers for that! I hammered the techy downhill pretty good, then got back onto grassy road. Passed a few more people on the way to Cornelius Creek, saw my old English teach Mr. Gribbins and then hit the gravel road. I saw Rudy in front of me again and I knew I couldn’t catch him but I would try to keep pace.

                Finally off the pavement, I plucked along to Colon Hollow. I was feeling fine on the gradual winding climb of grassy road on the darkside… initially. Eventually it got to me and I was just so sick of running on that never-ending grassy road. Up again, down again, turn again, endlessly circling the mountain. Just when it seemed it would go on forever, I started going down and knew that was a good sign. Saw a guy sitting on the trail and he wasn’t looking to be having the best time, so I gave him some shot blocks and kept going. Made it to Cornelius Creek again, got some salt, some water, and after inquiring about PBJ, was given a MASSIVE dollop of PB on some crackers. Walked back toward the split as I tried to get the PB down, but eventually had to toss it. I knew what was coming would require my attention. I had done the training run a week prior so it was still pretty fresh in my mind, and I knew where it was runnable and where it would get tough. I had seen Guy coming into the aid station, so I was motivated not to let him catch me!

                Passing the waterfalls was so refreshing. Despite the climb, this is probably my favorite part of the race. I wanted to stop and soak it in but knew I had to keep going. Plucked up the stairs and caught sight of Chris Bernard up ahead, so I now  had him pulling me. Jogging and hiking, I caught up to and passed him, prodded by his encouraging words. Soon after I caught up to Jack Anderson, who was CRUSHING his time from last year. I kept along, passing some hikers coming down, happy to see other people enjoying the beautiful day and beautiful mountain. Caught up to one more guy right as we pulled into Sunset Fields. I think I grabbed some chips and grapes or something… Heading out with two other people, we started downhill then all started hiking the uphill. Once at the top, it was all-out. Unfortunately, not all-out enough; two people, one of them being Guy, passed me like mountain goats. I was pushing as hard as I could but I was fatigued. I hit the last aid station, chugged a cup of water because I was empty, and started down the brutal gravel road. I knew after the sign it mellowed out a bit, and I had a runner in my sights to pull me along. I pushed with all I had down that hill, passing mental landmarks, occasionally checking to make sure I wasn’t about to be passed. Finally I saw that wonderful, blessed black squirrel and knew the descent was done and the race nearly so. With all that was left I sprinted to the finish, cartwheeling across the line in a time of 5:25:37, good enough for 16^th place (beat my seeding of #24!). Sam Dangc had given me the idea to try to for top 10, and boy did I try, but I was happy with what I did. Last year I had a lot of stomach issues, but this year I didn’t make a single #2 pit stop. I PR’d by 16 minutes, and moved up 14 places. Jack finished behind me, with a stellar PR.

                I felt awful when I finished. That course hurts! I sat around a little bit, expecting Zach to not be too far behind me. Eventually hunger and the need for a shower overtook me, so I followed my gut. Hung out and talked to other finishers, with Rudy, with Sam, and with Lindsay as I watched Todd, Alexis, Keefer, then Vining, Lane, Major D, Zach (after much concern!), and Andrew finish. It was a great day and I wouldn’t have spent my Saturday doing anything else.

                I am graduating from Liberty in 2 weeks, going home for the summer, then attending Ordnance Basic Officer Course and EOD school starting in October. I am hoping to come back for MMTR, but the fact is it may be a very long time until I can run another Horton race. This deeply saddens me, but I know I have another chapter of life to open. Dr. Horton, if you are reading this, I want to sincerely thank you. I can’t say this about many people, but you have truly changed my life in a way that I will probably never fully appreciate. It was Holiday Lake 2012, when after being injured throughout the winter, I badgered you for a refund. You, of course, declined, and I ran. That was my first 50k, and it was when I found out how much I love running in the mountains. If you had given me that refund, I may have never run, and I would not be the person I am today. I have learned so many things about myself, accomplished so many goals, and made many friends because of you. Again, thank you and God bless you.

                A good day for PR’s, first time Ultras, and fellowship with a challenge. Promise Land 2013, I salute you. You kicked my butt, but I like to think I put up a good fight. Many MANY thanks to the aid station volunteers and kitchen staff at the camp; you have no idea how much you are appreciated, and the race could not happen without you.

White Lake Half Ironman

Here it was... My first Tri. I was nervous, excited, confused, and scared, but excited more than anything. Got to El Casa De Woody on Friday afternoon, unloaded the car then went on a little 4 mile jog with Alex. Came back, relaxed, went to walmart to get some supplies, then had AMAZING chicken lasagna made by Brandy. Later that night Erik and Shannon arrived, and after packing my transition bags, checking all my gear, and laying out my clothes, I hit the pillow for a great night's rest. Morning came and I had a bowl of oatmeal with PB (my go-to pre race meal) and we packed up and hit the road. We stopped at McD's because I really needed coffee so I could relieve myself before the race. Got to White Lake, checked in, put the bikes in transition, and waited for a little while. Because the water was 54 degrees, they gave a duathlon option, but I said "Heck no! I came here to do a TRIathlon". So we got into our tri shorts and wetsuits, did last minute checks, then stayed inside until about 5 minutes before our wave start. We got some pictures on the dock, then slowly crept into the cold cold water.
The gun signaled our start, and it soon felt like all swimming technique I had disappeared. I paddled, walked, and splashed as the group start collided and vied for position. Fine by me, go ahead! Once the crowd thinned out I crawled, breast stroked, and side stroked through the water. Everytime I submerged my head I felt like my heart was going to stop. It would be a while before I got out of the water, but honestly? I enjoyed it. Even when water splashed in my face, the wind blew, girls passed me, and my goggles fogged, I was having a blast. At last I caught sight of the dock and after 1.2 miles of "surviving", I was climbing out and unzipping my wetsuit. I tried to smile at Brandy and Shannon but I could not move my face. Getting into transition I took my time; Alex was right behind me and he and Erik and I were wanting to try to stick together. Erik came out of the water about 3 minutes later so I just waited. Had some energy bites and we were all headed out.
As soon as I got on the bike I lost sight of Alex and Erik. I wanted to stick with them but I was just feeling really good. Kept up a real good clip but boy did I have to pee. After realizing 20 miles in that there were not going to be facilities, I pulled over and relieved myself. I felt like a new person! The road was marked every 5 miles on this pancake flat course so I tried to keep a steady interval of fluid and nutrition intake. Some gus, some blocks, and alternating between water and gatorade. Despite having a constant headwind no matter which way I turned, I was legitimately enjoying this bike ride. I was passing a good number of people and maintaining a strong pace. From about 30 miles on I was never out of top gear, though the bumps on the road were driving me insane! I finished my gatorade as planned and pulled into the final transition area after 56 fun miles.
Change shoes, shirt, helmet, and shades off, hat on. Let's go! I felt great coming out of the chute; smiles and thumbs up for the cameras and I was out on the road. Soon after my legs got a little sluggish but overall I felt fine. The first 4 miles flew by and there were aid stations about every mile where I would grab a cup of water or heed and a handful of goldfish (so good!!). The ice cold wet towels were a real treat. Miles started to feel slower though I knew I wasn't really slowing down. The out-and-back course let me see a lot of people in both directions so I got to be motivated and motivate others. Reached the turnaround and started back, knowing I was just 6.55 miles from glory! I passed Erik and Alex going the other way at the 9 mile mark (6 miles for them) and they encouraged me to keep pushing. I felt fantastic throughout the whole run, keeping up my fluid intake, and taking two gu's during the run. I came back to the gas station at about the 11 mile mark, then the last aid station at the 12 mile mark, and for the first time of the day, I felt like crap. I had told myself I would sprint that last mile all out, but I quickly discovered that would not happen. I kept up the pace, but I knew I wouldn't be going faster. The final stretch appeared and I pulled into the finish area amongst cheers from strangers and from Brandy and Shannon, then as I heard the director call my name, I was done. And I was SAD!
I guess it's because with 3 events it feels like 3 new races, but the time flew by and I did not want it to end. I'm not trying to sound arrogant, but I really wanted the race to be longer. It was so much fun, probably the most fun race I have ever done. I had some trouble breathing when I finished (I think it was aqualung) but after several bottles of water I was ok. Alex and Erik pulled in about 30 minutes later and I caught sight of them as I was packing up my transition area so I ran over to cheer them in. We all had a great race; Erik and Alex had been battling injuries but they both did great. We grabbed some pizza, checked our placings, packed up and headed home. Thankful Shannon was there to drive so I could be absent of mind in my tired state. We got back to Alex's, had a showerbeer (so good!!!), then met Major and Mrs. D at the pub for burgers.
Awesome weekend, and I have decided I want to attempt the full distance ironman. So that WILL be happening in September. Stay tuned.

Groupie

To begin this post, I want to say thank you to Alexis Thomas. For creating and adding me to the Lynchburg Trail Running Club group.

Wednesday evening was my first run with the group, and it was a blast. We started at 5:30 and ran into the darkness. Was it my fastest? No. Most hills? No. Hardest? No. But was it fun? Absolutely. One of the best things about racing is simply running with a big group of people. When you take away the registration fee, the nerves, and the competition, what you get is an hour or more having a simple, stress-free, genuinely fun time on the mountain with fellow crazies who share your hobby. There is a time and a place for running alone, nobody would argue that. Heck, part of what makes trail running great is just getting away! But there is also a time for fellowship, and that is why I am thankful for this group, thankful for the ultra-running community, and it is the reason for this post.

This morning (Saturday, Feb 23): 5am wake-up. Coffee. Rain. Chilly. What was I thinking? Why did I tell Todd and Zach "yeah! 6am trail run is a great idea on a Saturday morning!"? It didn't take long at all to answer my question. We got to the Wingate first, still questioning if we should have just waited until 7 and start with the "slackers" as the later group was termed (no offence!!). Soon Todd, Dennis, Frank, Sam, and Steve rolled up, and after some jokes and the arrival of Grattan, we started. That's it. Just headed off into the darkness. And it was awesome. Nobody was trying to win (though Frank and Sam pushed us all when in the lead!), no judging; everyone was there on a cold Saturday morning in the rain because they love it and they wanted to be there.

Eventually the group fragmented, some others joined, and small groups did their own thing. Me and Zach hit some nice hills and got 15.5 miles. But that's not what I'm writing about. Had it not been for my friends in this community, I would have slept in, talked myself out of running, and had a lazy Saturday. But instead I got to enjoy time on the mountain, build friendships, pee in the woods, and go to Waffle House with my friends.

I know this is a lame post and is not full of wild stories or a detailed race report. It's simple. It's plain. It's just Saturday morning. And that's what today's run was, and that's why this post fits. I am looking forward to many, many more group runs in Lynchburg. I felt helped and invited, and I hope everyone else did. Happy Saturday everyone.

Holliday Lake 50k+ 2013

Friday night, headed to the dinner with Zach and Lindsay. Delicious lasagna, spaghetti, and cheesy bread got me all primed and ready for what would come the next day. “The King” got up on his throne to give his usual schpeel to include taunting, encouraging, challenging, and prize-giving. Another race, another night of no door prizes… I was exhausted by the time we left so when I got home a little after 9, I was ready to crash. Unfortunately, my roommate has a very obnoxious half lab/half husky that just gets extreme amounts of joy from barking. From the moment I walked in the door until the moment my eyes finally closed, that dog was whining. But I digress. Uneasy sleep with a few awakenings throughout the night.

4 am came way too early, but I got up, fixed a nice big bowl of oatmeal and a cup of coffee, checked and double-checked my stuff (I had packed everything the night before) and headed to Zach’s. Slept most of the ride and got to Holiday Lake 4-H Club at about 5:40. Moved inside, savored the warmth, and got all the last minute things together. Relieved myself after a long line, just in time for a beautiful National Anthem, a prayer, and finally the cheers of 350+ runners heading into the night to suffer the glorious experience of running 50 (or more!) Kilometers.

The race started out great. A little cold but the sun would eventually fix that. I had my 1.5 liter Nathan race vest filled with electrolyte tablets, some gu’s, clif shots, and sport beans… and toilet paper!! Ran with Jordan Whitlock and Holly Bugin for most of the first half, with some leap-frogging. The first 4 ticked by, the second 4 ticked by, and finally to AS 3 at ~12 miles. I was still feeling strong, though I bumped my watch during a pit stop so I was running free! Got to the turnaround in about 2:06 (about the same time as last year). I dropped my pack here after getting some nutrition out; I guess the tube froze so I could not get any liquid out of my pack. I was carrying dead weight. From this point on my system was: chug a cup of gu, grab some bugles and pb&j, and eat that while I drank a cup of water. The plan worked fantastic!

As was expected, I slowed quite a bit on the second loop, leap-frogging with Holly throughout, but maintained a decent pace and passed as many people as passed me. When I reached the AS with 8 miles to go, I was greeted by the news that I was the first LU student! Things went well until I got back on the Single-track by the road with ~6 miles to go. I knew this part would mess with my mind so I just had to keep telling myself to keep shuffling; no matter how slow, don’t walk! Finally reached the last AS and knew I was almost home. Downed my last gu as we went through the picnic area, and just tried to keep chugging, keep chugging.

“1 Mile To Go” spray painted in red on the ground is one of the best things I’ve ever read. I knew just a slight uphill, a tad more single-track, and then the road awaited me. I ran faster; when I saw cars I ran faster; when I saw the finish line I was sprinting. I could see “4:23:…” and knew I would be getting a PR today! Finished in around 4:24:30, was reminded that I beat Dr. Horton’s seeding (20^th, and I finished 15^th), and awaited my “Fastest LU Student” fleece blanket! Many nights will be spent wrapped in this beauty! Zach finished shortly after, and then I jumped in the shower, drank all of my bladder pack (wasn’t frozen anymore), and got a few morsels from the potluck. Lindsay came in about an hour after me, and then after sunbathing for quite some time, and talking to some of the friends I have made in this amazing community, it was time to head home.

While this race is entirely different from the rest of Horton’s Ultras, it is fun and challenging in its own way. There are not many excuses to walk due to terrain so it really wears you down. It truly is an Ultra RUN. Though I am a little dismayed I will not be able to complete the LUS or Beast Series this year, I savor every time I get to spend a day on the trails. The friends, the challenges, and the food! All make it worth it in the end. The same thing happens every race: I start asking myself “why am I doing this?!!”, and then at the finish I get the blues that it is over. Such is the life, and I suppose it always will be.

My many thanks to the Holiday Lake staff, the awesome AS and other volunteers, and Dr. Horton for the amazing races he puts together. I will see you at the Promise Land!!

New Blog

Starting up a new blog. I have done a whole lot since my trip to Rome this summer, including LDAC in Washington State; Army Basic Mountaineering in Fairbanks, Alaska; an entire semester to include Ranger Challenge; an amazing winter break that included a trip to both NYC and South Carolina, and added a great bike to my arsenal of gear. But I digress. I will pick up where I am: 6 days from my 21st birthday, having just completed the Holliday Lake 50k for the second time, and in the middle of my last year of college, after which I will begin the next chapter of my life as an Army Officer. Should be a ride and I am looking forward to it!

This blog will center around running and racing adventures, to include my future dabbling in triathlons. I hope I can provide some entertainment and maybe some insight through race and training reports. I don't know how frequently I will post, but if something big happens, it will probably be on here!

Blessings,

Dylan