The course begins with an uphill climb on pavement of about 3 miles. Then for the next 13 miles or so, the course follows the Appalachian Trail, which could not be rougher if someone planted the rocks in the ground.
The temperature is 40 degrees at the start, and the skies are totally clear. If I weren't running 50 miles today, this would be perfect weather. However, I fear it is going to get a little warm for the Polarbear.
4.0 miles 37:35 (9:24 avg./mile)
This is all uphill, but it is mostly on a smooth surface, and I am still fresh. Therefore, I am off to a pretty good start for this year. My right ankle is taped for the trail portion, and the tape is just starting to get broken-in.9.5 miles 59:22 (10:48 avg./mile)
These last five miles are some of the most tedious portions of the trail. On almost every step, there is the chance to bruise a foot or twist an ankle. Furthermore, the trail is still fairly crowded and passing at this point is next to impossible.15.7 miles 1:13:01 (11:47 avg./mile)
These 6.2 miles are just like the last 5.5, except now the pack has spread out some and there are chances to pass. Phil Young and I are rolling pretty good through this section, and I reach the cliffs six minutes ahead of last year's time. I quickly cut off the tape and change shoes from my Nandi to my Traverse.16.7 miles 9:40
When I get down on the towpath beside the C&O Canal (or what is left of the canal), I try to go as slow as I possibly can. My goal is usually to keep these miles between 9:30 and 10 minutes.17.7 miles 9:55
Okay, this is perfect! All I have to do is hold this exact pace for 24 more miles and then I can pick it up the last eight miles on the roads.18.7 miles 10:38
Phil Young had been running with me, but I think I took the trail a little fast for him. In addition, the temperature is now at least 60 degrees, and he runs worse in the heat than I do.19.7 miles 9:49
One of these years, I would love to know if these mile markers are spaced evenly or not. Every year, it seems like my miles are fast and then slow. The mind has a lot of time to wander during 50 miles.20.7 miles 10:56
Then again, some of these miles have a little uphill portion when the canal comes to a lock. Last year this mile was slower, but then I went from an eight minute mile to a nine minute mile.21.7 miles 9:43
I train and run eating Access bars every two hours. However, this year I forgot to pack them, and Access bars can only be mail ordered. Therefore, I have no idea what is going to happen. I am eating bagels and drinking Sustain and Powerade, but only time will tell if I crash and burn.22.7 miles 11:35
This is pathetic! I can accept a 10-minute mile every now and then, but it is way too early in the race to start having an 11-minute mile!23.7 miles 9:40
Okay, this is better. I am trying to get into "the zone," but I can't quite get into a good rhythm and hold it.24.7 miles 11:39
I am almost half way through this race, and I already know that I am not going to set any personal records today. Martha and the kids are great crewing for me.25.7 miles 10:31
The temperature is slowly rising into the mid-60s, and the humidity is really low. That means all I have to do is drink a lot of liquid, and I will have no problems.26.7 miles 9:33
The key at this point in the race is to not think about how far you have run or how far you have yet to run.27.7 miles 10:43
There is nothing I can do about these 10-minute miles, so I just accept them and keep moving. This is in some ways really a race and the mile times matter, and in other ways, it is purely survival.28.7 miles 10:23
I see Martha at an aid station and she tells me I am not drinking enough since my Camelbak doesn't need to be refilled. Actually, I have to agree with her.29.7 miles 10:04
I begin drinking more, and start thinking about how many miles I have left. Hey, it's only 20 or so!30.7 miles 9:32
The towpath is boring, and the only thing to look forward to is the dam where you leave the tow path. Around each bend in the river, I look and listen ahead for possible sounds of the dam. I know, it's still 10 miles away, but I have to look forward to something.31.7 miles 11:21
Even though this is my fourth time running this race, it still amazes me that no matter how easy you run early on, it still hurts after 30 miles.32.7 miles 10:02
Look at this mile. Maybe my second wind is coming and these miles will just fly by now.33.7 miles 11:10
So much for that idea. I guess I will just slug these miles out one at a time.34.7 miles 12:21
I have got to speed up or I might as well start walking.35.7 miles 10:29
This is better. Now if I can just keep these under 11 minutes per mile.36.7 miles 10:24
Okay, two good miles in a row!37.7 miles 11:49
So, I have to have a slow mile sooner or later. There is an aid station coming up called 38 special, but for the past couple of years, it has been close to the 39-mile mark.38.7 miles 10:59
38 special is just around the corner. Oh, to see my support crew again.39.7 miles 10:59
I pass through the wonderful aid station and see Martha and the kids. Unfortunately, I do not change my shoes and the next time I will get to see my crew is at mile 44.40.7 miles 11:42
Okay, one more mile and then we can get off this towpath. I think if I average 11 minute miles from here in, I will finish at around 8:55.41.7 miles 13:05
Wow! Talk about staggering to the finish. I am not really that excited to be off the towpath after a mile this slow.42.2 miles 9:24 *half mile split
I know this split is probably more than a half mile, but there is an aid station where we exit off the towpath and then everybody walks up the hill to the eight miles to go sign. Oh, by the way, this race is 50.2 miles.43.2 miles 10:53
Okay, just let these miles roll. The road we are on is nicely rolling , and I am walking some of the uphill portions. It is starting to look like I won't break 9 hours this year. I think I have to run 10 flat minute miles from here to the finish, and it doesn't look promising.44.2 miles 12:10
This is the last stop that I will see my wonderful pit crew. Martha has the camp stool set up and my DS-Trainers waiting. I change the shoes, drop off the Camelbak, drink a cup of Coke, and head on down the road. Something clicks, and I can almost smell the hay in the barn.45.2 miles 8:29
Click is right! I am cruising. I am passing people like they are standing still. So, what if some are actually standing still. I wonder if I can hold anything close to this until the finish.46.2 miles 8:58
Okay, another great mile and here comes another aid station. I grab another cup of Coke and stride on down the road.47.2 miles 8:38
It is awesome some of the compliments and comments you get from other runners. For example, looking good, nice stride, where did you find that energy?, and have you been walking until now?48.2 miles 9:19
Well, I knew it was too good to be true. Even though, I am running a good pace at this point, another runner still comes up on me for the pass. And to make matters worse, it is a female. However, I manage to hold her off for now as we continue to pass plenty of other runners.49.2 miles 9:19
As I am getting another cup of Coke, she passes me, and I lose contact. She is definitely into her zone. However, it is okay because there are a lot of other runners to pass, and nobody else is passing me!50.2 miles 8:25
What a finish! I learned the drinking Coke trick from Melissa Belleman last year. Fortunately, she had a baby in September and couldn't run and smoke me again this year. It is great to finish strong because only one person wins, but everyone has a chance to look good at the finish. The Coke helped, but I think it was definitely "the shoes."Official Finishing Time 8:54:16
134th out of 818 finishers
This is only my third best time at this race, but considering I didn't have my Access bars, and it was definitely on the warm side, I will take it. Recovery (or at least the perception) gets easier every year, although I think the Access bars would have helped. Anyway, it is time to head home and go to sleep so that I can set up our church, The Life, at 6:00am tomorrow morning. Until next time, remember to never stop running and praying while doing so.
Darin
