Thursday, November 1, 2018

Bull Mountain Epic 50k

October 5

Amy, Ben, and I are driving to North Georgia on this early fall evening.  The calendar might say fall, but we are still in the heat of summer down here in the Deep South.  The temperature today in Huntsville hit 90 degrees.  Fortunately, the forecast tomorrow in North Georgia is supposed to be in the mid-80s.  We are staying in a hiker’s hostel just north of Dahlonega.  The place is very nice, and we even have a TV with cable to watch the ending of the Red Sox-Yankees postseason game number 1, which the Red Sox won!

October 6

I sleep well, and I feel like I am fully ready for this race.  Ben and I are running the 50k, and Amy is running the half marathon.  We are all ready to go at 8:00am when the half marathoners start.  The 50k race begins at 8:05am with the temperature in the low-60s.

Mile 10       1:59 (11:54 avg./mile) End of Loop 1

Due to user error, my watch did not save the split times at the aid stations, but I remember my times for each loop.  This course is a three loop course, and there is an aid station somewhere on each loop.  Each loop is different, but the start and finish of each loop is at the same location.  Ben and I stick together for most of the first loop until near the end when I trip and fall skinning up my forearm and hip.  Ben makes sure I am okay before he pushes on ahead.  It takes me a little while to gather myself back together before I start really running again.  I get to the end of the first loop right at the time I wanted—just less than 2 hours.  My right forearm is dripping blood, but I cannot find a paper towel or anything else to wipe it off.  The one aid station volunteer is consumed with talking to what looks like the half marathon winner.  So, I leave it as is, top off my Camelbak, and grab some potato chips and a pickle before starting loop number 2.

Mile 21       2:30 (13:38 avg./mile) End of Loop 2

I start the second loop having mostly recovered from my fall.  I feel good, and the dripping blood has at least dried on my right forearm.  I am moving well, passing a few runners here and there.  About halfway through the loop, I catch up to Ben and another runner.  I move on past them and end up passing about eight runners on this loop.  When I get down to the aid station, which is about nine miles into the loop.  The helpful aid station volunteers offer various towels to clean up my arm, but at this point, I decline since the dried blood isn’t doing any harm now.  I grab a couple of sandwich quarters and a small stack of Pringles for the trail.  As I cross the stream after the aid station, I douse my head and arms with stream water.  Climbing up from the stream, I pass a couple of guys, who then pass me back once we finish climbing.  As I approach the start/finish area, I pass the two guys again.  I roll into the start/finish aid station feeling very good and moving even better.  The only issue is that it is now officially hot!  I grab a sandwich quarter and begin the third loop.  Amy has finished her half marathon, but I haven’t seen Ben in several miles.

Mile 31.5    2:35 (14:46 avg./mile) FINISH – End of Loop 3

I begin the third loop feeling very good, but running cautiously due to the heat.  As forecasted, it is climbing into the high 80s.  The heat isn’t too bad, but if it were cooler, I think I could lay the hammer down on these last 10 or so miles.  Instead, I run conservatively.  When I get to a large open area, I run all the way across it in order to minimize my time in the sun.  On the other side, I take a break from running as I try to cool myself.  There is a breeze at times, but it is still quite warm.  On this loop, I don’t see any other runners—I don’t pass any and no one passes me.  I have to maneuver my way around a few horses, but otherwise I don’t see anyone.  Generally, I keep things smooth and easy.  Like most ultras, this section seems like it will never end.  Finally, I get close after about an hour of thinking that it can’t be far now.

Official Finishing Time          7:04:28

10th out of 45 starters (5th of 12 M40-49)

When I finish, I am disappointed that I didn’t break seven hours.  However, I am happy that I was in the top 10.  Ben and Amy are waiting for me at the finish.  Ben started the third loop, felt like he was going to throw up, and decided to call it a day.  We hop in the car and drive the four hours back to Huntsville where I will watch game 2 of the ALDS series between the Red Sox and Yankees.

My next race is going to be Hellgate on December 8.  This will be number 16 at Hellgate.  All of the fearsome five are entered.  I would have liked to have gotten another race in before Hellgate, but my schedule and activities won’t allow it.

Never stop running,
Darin

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