Mohican Trail 100 Miler 2004

June 17

It is Thursday, June 17, and I am two days away from making my fourth attempt at finishing 100 miles.  Three years ago, I went 68 miles at the Vermont 100.  Two years ago, I went 69 miles here at the Mohican Trail 100.  Last year, I staggered through the darkness all the way to 2:30 in the morning before dropping out at 76 miles.  This year, a couple of things are different.  First, I have a pacer who will be with me the last 35 miles.  Last year, my nephew was with me for about 12 miles before I dropped out.  That was all the farther he was going to go.  Another difference this year is that my family all came up with me today because Nathan’s baseball season ended last weekend.  Finally, I am currently devouring about two dozen Buffalo wings.  We brought the sauce with us from Buffalo Wild Wings, and Martha cooked them up to perfection.  I determined about a year ago that eating Buffalo wings two days before a race was advantageous.

June 18

It is now Friday morning, less than 24 hours from the start of the race.  I am driving down to Columbus to pickup my pacer, Brad King, from the airport.  My goal today is to stay relaxed and make sure I have everything planned and prepared.  After picking up Brad, we drive back to Mount Vernon and eat lunch at Arby’s.  I have two regular roast beef sandwiches and curly fries along with lemonade.  Then we head over to Kroger to stock up on all of our caloric needs during the race.  Here we meet our first problem—Kroger’s is out of Nestle chocolate milk.  This is a key part of my race eating as each pint delivers 400 calories.  Therefore, after going to a couple of other places, we finally find plenty of Nestle chocolate milk at a Sunoco convenience store.  We purchase 11 pint bottles.  We also got bagels, Cliff bars, Powerade, and a bag of chips.  Half of this stuff is for Brad.

We arrive at my parents’ house, put all of our stuff in the refrigerator, and take up residence on the couch and recliner.  About 5:00pm, we all pile into the Expedition and go up to Mohican for the pre-race meal and briefing.  The meal is the standard spaghetti and meat balls with bread and salad.  The pre-race briefing is a never ending stream of useless information.  The only thing I learned that was not know already was that the river crossing would not be happening this year because the water level is too high.  However, the various other stream crossings will provide plenty of wet feet opportunities.

June 19

I have my alarm set for 3:30am, but I wake up at 3:00am and go to the bathroom.  So, now I am up, and I start to fix my breakfast.  This morning, I am having oatmeal.  This is another change from previous year’s cereal.  However, I think it won’t hurt anything.  My dad, Brad, and I get into the Expedition about 4:10am and head for the start.  On the way to the start, we stop at Dave’s Place (a 24-hour convenience store) to buy ice.

We arrive at the race headquarters, and I check-in.  There isn’t much time to do much more than take another leak and put some sun screen on.  Then I saddled up my Camelbak and say good-bye to my dad and Brad.  I am wearing my oldest pair of trail shoes (Asics Traverse), shorts, and Cool-max shirt.  The temperature is slightly warm at about 60 degrees.

Mile 4.5    51:53 (11:32 avg./mile) Camp Walhonding

I am cruising along around midpack, just running the downhills and walking the uphills.  I take off my shirt at this aid station, and that is all I do here.  I think my excited crew is disappointed that I don't need more help yet.  Strangely, I have a slight hot spot just in front of my left heel.  I don't know why this would be happening, but it sort of works its way out soon, and it never causes me any problems.

Mile 10.7    1:19:31 (12:50 avg./mile) Rock Point

I am running smoothly, and I don't think it is too fast.  Most people are walking uphills faster than me, but that is quite okay because nobody is running down the hills as fast as I am (at least not the people around me).  I meet Brad at this aid station.  My dad is parked down the hill and his asthma is not allowing him to walk up steep hills.  I drink a pint of chocolate milk and grab a bagel.  It is always time to eat, and I need to stay ahead of hunger.  I also refill my Camelbak at this point.  The weather is cool and humid somewhere in the mid-60s, I guess.

Mile 15.0    50:33 (11:45 avg./mile) South Park

This is the first section on the trails, and as advertised, the trails are wetter and muddy than usual.  At one large mud bog, while a couple of runners were skirting the outside of it, I ran right through the middle and passed them both.  Some runners lose a lot of time trying to avoid mud.  On this day, avoiding mud will be impossible.  I don't think I got anything from my crew at this point.  I am cruising and making great time.

Mile 19.3    48:47 (11:21 avg./mile) Fire Tower

Wow!  This time is really quick.  It doesn't feel too fast to me.  I just think that maybe everything is coming together for this race.  I grab a cup of Conquest and change my shoes.  I am now wearing Asics Eagles.  Both my crew and I forget to have me drink a pint of chocolate milk at this point.  However, it doesn't even cross my mind until I am halfway between the Covered Bridge and Hickory Ridge.

Mile 21.7    27:25 (11:25 avg./mile) Covered Bridge

This is an easy mostly downhill section.  It feels as if the course is just coming to me.  I am still taking the uphills easy, and when I start to go downhill, the other runners let me pass easily.  Already in this race, I have gained the reputation as a hard downhill runner.  At this aid station, crews are not allowed, but I get to wave at them as I pass through a campground on the other side.

Mile 26.5    1:05:31 (13:39 avg./mile) Hickory Ridge

This section is about 3 miles of trail along the river and then a tough uphill.  I am really pleased with my time, and I still feel great.  This is another aid station sans crew because the race officials won't allow it.  I grab an apple, a bag of Fritos, and most of a PB&J sandwich.  I am hungry and wishing that I hadn't forgotten my pint of milk back at the Firetower.

Mile 31.9    1:07:27 (12:29 avg./mile) Covered Bridge

I get to see my crew twice on my way to this aid station.  However, before I get to them the first time, I roll my right ankle for the first time today.  It is not serious, but I rolled it on a root while I was eating my apple.  On most ultras I roll my right ankle, but I don't think I had ever done it here at Mohican before.  I am still feeling pretty good with nothing to complain about yet.

Mile 35.9    58:55 (14:44 avg./mile) Covered Bridge

This is the blue loop.  A single loop that brings us back to the Covered Bridge.  Every year this loop has been slightly different because of the access to the Big and Little Lyons Falls.  This year, I get to literally run up the creek bed of the Little Lyons falls and then climb up the falls themselves.  There is also a portion just above the dam that is pretty steep, and the sun is shining brightly on us.  I am feeling hot now, and my legs are starting to feel tired.  I hope that I am not losing my edge with my legs this early in the race.  This pace is slower, but I am still glad to keep this section under an hour.

Mile 38.4    43:47 (17:31 avg./mile) Bridle Staging Area

Being one of the shortest sections on the course, this is the toughest with this section being 90 percent uphill.  We climb and climb up from the river until we finally get a brief downhill before getting a little more uphill.  I am really happy with this time because it is the fastest I have ever covered this section.  At this aid station, I drink another pint of chocolate milk.

Mile 45.7    1:36:49 (13:16 avg./mile) Rock Point

Now the fun really begins because this is the longest, muddiest, and wettest part of the course.  We course the same stream three times and get to navigate through tons of mud.  Most of this is on horse trails.  I did not lose my legs from the last two sections, and near the end of this section, I get to run with a couple of other runners.  For being this early in the race, we are very well spread out.  As I come in to this aid station, I have beaten my crew up to the aid station.  However, my brother, a couple of his boys, Nathan, Amy, Martha, and my mom at this aid station to cheer me on.  They of course don't know that my dad and Brad are just down the hill.

Mile 50.0    57:35 (13:23 avg./mile) South Park

Halfway at I am under 11 hours.  Dreams of running a really fast race begin to creep into my mind.  However, I force them back out for fear that I might start pushing things too fast.  My time through this part for the second time is a little slower, but still right on target for where I want to be.

Mile 54.3    56:40 (13:11 avg./mile) Fire Tower

The elevation chart shows this section to be uphill, but it always goes quicker for me than the previous section.  I am making a definite conscious effort to stay smooth.  I am starting to think about a sitting restroom break, but I decide not to do it at this aid station.  I grab a slice of pizza and my chocolate milk.  I also change shoes for the second time into my third pair of the day.  I am now wearing Asics Eagle IIs.  The whole gang is here, and it is really cool to have a large group for me at this aid station.  Shortly after leaving the aid station, I realize that I should take my Advair medicine for my asthma now, so I come back up the trail and get that.

Mile 56.7    36:18 (15:07 avg./mile) Covered Bridge

Due to back tracking slightly to get my Advair, this time is not as fast as it would have been, but now I am almost set to run into the night.  I still feel good, and my legs are not worn out yet.  I know I am slowing down slightly, but I still have a little bounce left in my legs.  At this aid station, I get a bite of PB&J and some Conquest.  I also get a couple of pieces of paper towel to take with me.

Mile 61.5    1:31:29 (19:04 avg./mile) Hickory Ridge

The reason for the paper towels is for my stop in the campground on the other side of the Covered Bridge.  However, the outhouse is well stocked with TP, and I don't need to use the paper towels for that.  I spend over 12 minutes emptying my large intestines.  I am sure I am now five pounds lighter!  Now, I have to get my legs moving again after sitting that long. Getting started again isn't too bad.  Taking out the almost 15 minute stop, I completed this section is an hour and a quarter.  I sit down at this aid station and eat two slices of pizza along with a bag of Fritos and a couple of cups of Conquest.

Mile 66.9    1:26:02 (15:56 avg./mile) Covered Bridge

Fueled up and ready to go, I run down to the pacer meeting point around mile 64.  Now, Brad is running with me, and we start off making good time.  When I met Brad, I put back on a short-sleeve shirt.  However, I am soon sweating profusely, so I take it off again.  My stomach is revolting slightly, so we walk a little more than I would like.  We now leave the Covered Bridge for the last time in this race.

Mile 69.4    59:30 (23:48 avg./mile) Bridle Staging Area

Starting out from the Covered Bridge, Brad gets a feel for the thick, deep mud on the course.  This portion is also the steepest uphill section, so he gets to experience the best of both soon in his pacing shift.  We get into this staging area just before dark.  I eat two cups of soup to try and settle my stomach, and it seems to help.  Even with the sour stomach, we still made good time coming up the hill to this aid station.

Mile 76.7    2:14:33 (18:26 avg./mile) Rock Point

This is the really fun section with three stream crossings and a lot of mud.  We make good time considering it is now dark.  I am now at the aid station where I dropped last year, only this year I am here 3 hours earlier than last year.  It is still only 11:30pm, and I am not sleepy tired yet.

Mile 82.5    2:16:43 (23:34 avg./mile) Giffen & Beck

Setting out from Rock Point, Brad and I take it easy because I don't want to push anything and burn out.  We walk almost this whole section and coming into this aid station, we talk about climbing in the truck and warming up.  I also have convinced Brad that I should try and take a quick cat nap.  After 12 minutes, I give up trying to cat nap and try to get up to resume my trek.  However, my stomach feels worse than before, and I crawl back in the back seat of the truck.  I am laying there wanting to drop when Martha says that I better be really hurting if I am going to drop.  As a matter of fact, she says that I better not feel good enough to water ski tomorrow.  This puts things in perspective for me, and I try to get up again.  My dad hands me my first cup of Coke, and it helps do the trick of settling down my stomach.

Mile 88.3    2:12:57 (22:55 avg./mile) Turkey Ridge

We manage to get out of Giffen & Beck and keep moseying down the road.  The climb up to Turkey Ridge is steep, but the biggest thing is that it is now really cold out.  The temperature will drop to 49 degrees tonight, and this is really cold after your body is as tired as mine is.  I think I took in another cup of Coke, and we head on down the road.

Mile 93.3    2:01:29 (24:18 avg./mile) Brinkhaven Rd

This is my most tired stretch.  First, I keep nodding off and waking myself back up, all while continuing to stagger forward.  Then as the morning is just starting to show its first light, I keep thinking that I see a vehicle or two parked along side of the road up ahead.  But, each time, it turns out that I was just imaging things.  At this aid station, I am searching for some solid food while I munch on a couple of M&Ms.  Then one of the aid station workers says that he can cook me a grilled cheese sandwich.  I jump at that and also drink a cup of coffee.  Both of things are the perfect items for me at this point.

Mile 96.9    58:00 (16:07 avg./mile) Big Hill

Soon after leaving the last aid station, Brad encourages me to run some more.  We start slowly and amazingly I am still able to run for stretches.  Brad and I think we have made really good time, but the 3.6 miles still takes us 58 minutes.  At this point, we are not concerned because the finish line is almost in sight.  At this aid station, Martha is there handing me another cup of Coke, but my dad is fast asleep in the truck.

Mile 100.3    1:03:06 (18:34 avg./mile) Finish

The last aid station is called Big Hill, but the hill comes after the aid station.  This hill is not misnamed as it is one of the largest hills we get to tackle on the course.  The uphill is tough, but the downhill is even steeper.  I cannot run down it, and I realize that I will not be finishing in less than 27 hours.  However, after getting down the hill, we start to run again and then see the finish.  I round the final turn, do a 360 spin, and cross the finish line.  After 3 years of trying and 4 attempts, I have finally finished my first 100 miler.

Official Finishing Time  27:09:06

38th out of 110 starters (only 64 finished)

Amazingly, 38th is the same place I was in at the Hellgate 100k last December.  It is just after 8am on Sunday morning and brunch is being served.  I grab some home fries, eggs, and pancakes, but I am only able to eat about half of what I get.  I am really tired, but it is an awesome feeling, and I think I could sit for a long time.  I am still on the chilly side.

Brad and my dad head on back to the house, and Martha and I wait on my buckle.  I talk with a couple of people, cheer on a couple more runners finishing behind me, and then I get my buckle.  Martha and I hop in the car and head back to my parents' home.

Until next time, never stop running, or at least moving forward,

Darin

Bull Run Run 50 Miler 2004

April 16

My dad and I leave Richmond about 2pm today.  He is visiting from Ohio in order to crew for me during this race.  We arrive at Hemlock Overlook, the race headquarters slightly after 4pm.  After checking in, we head to the dining hall.  While at dinner I talk with David Hughes from Indiana.  I met him last summer at the Mohican Trail 100.  For dinner, I feasted on lasagna, bread, salad, and some desserts.  As we were leaving the dining hall, I met Gary Knipling, who ran the Hellgate 100k in December with me.  My dad and I decided to stay right at the race headquarters in a bunkhouse, so we hang out for the rest of the evening, listening to the race brief and meeting other runners.  I went to sleep around 9:30pm.

April 17

I wake up at 4:30am and get out of bed around 4:45am.  The temperature outside doesn’t feel as cool as what was predicted.  At the race start, the temperature is 44.8 degrees.  I eat a bagel and drink a pint of chocolate milk for breakfast.  Several trips to the bathroom, and I am now ready to run.  It is supposed to get hot, but the weather is nice and cool right now. 

Mile 7.0      1:12:01 (10:17 avg./mile) Centreville Road

The race starts with 301 runners.  We circle around the camp once before heading down the single-track trail.  I am just cruising along, taking it really easy.  At this aid station, we turn around and head back to the start.  The temperature is still really cool at 44.1 degrees. 

Mile 13.0    54:55 (9:09 avg./mile) Hemlock Overlook

On my way back to the start, I run for most of the way with Marty Sullivan from Massachusetts.  I am running the down hills really hard, while walking up the hills.  My dad is at the start line, which also serves as this aid station.  I drink some Conquest and trade out my Camelbak bladder for a full one.  My Camelbak holds 50 ounces of water, and I am drinking liberally as the temperature is going high today.  The temperature is up to 52.3 degrees. 

Mile 17.5    45:31 (10:07 avg./mile) Bull Run Marina

Most of the course is easy rolling hills.  None of the hills are very long, most are less than a quarter of a mile.  I was told by almost everyone last night that the course is easier than the JFK50.  At the Marina, my dad is there again, and I drink a pint of chocolate milk and a little bit of Conquest.  The temperature is now 55.6 degrees. 

Mile 22.0    49:19 (10:58 avg./mile) Wolf Run Shoals

Another 4.5 miles in the books, and things are going smoothly.  However, the temperature continues to climb.  It is now 61.5 degrees.  When the temperature goes above 60 degrees, the conditions cease to be ideal for me.  This aid station is in the middle of nowhere and crews are not allowed to meet their runners here. 

Mile 27.0    48:29 (9:42 avg./mile) Fountainhead

Now the temperature is climbing quickly and stands at 66.4 degrees.  I am sweating profusely and will have to begin to think about slowing down.  I meet my dad and change out of my first pair of shoes.  My shoes and socks were slightly wet from running through some mud.  I drink some more conquest, and change out my Camelbak again. 

Mile 29.5    30:50 (12:20 avg./mile) Do Loop (start)

I am finally at the infamous “do loop.”  Three miles around this thing and then I will be heading straight back to the finish.  The temperature is now 69.3 degrees.  Kevin Sayers is at this aid station checking in runners.  He is the race director for the Catoctin 50k.  I was hoping to see Phil Young at one of these aid stations, but maybe I missed him and will see him on the way to the finish. 

Mile 32.5    33:45 (11:15 avg./mile) Do Loop (end)

Probably the most talked about portion of the do loop is the Nash Rambler that sits out there in the woods on this portion of the course.  I take the opportunity to relieve my bladder on the Nash Rambler.  The temperature continues to climb, now at 72.1 degrees.  I passed a couple of runners on this loop and feel like I can pick it up to the finish.  However, I am hungry so I eat several pieces of cantaloupe and a few squares of grilled cheese sandwich. 

Mile 35.0    30:23 (12:09 avg./mile) Fountainhead

I get back to this aid station, and my dad is waiting for me.  Crews weren’t allowed at the Do Loop.  I trade out my Camelbak and drink a pint of chocolate milk, which I hope will solve my hunger issues.  The temperature is just plain hot at this point, and there is no relief in sight.  The thermometer reads 74.2 degrees.  This is the hottest day so far this year, and I know that the sun isn’t even quite overhead yet. 

Mile 40.0    55:32 (11:06 avg./mile) Wolf Run Shoals

This portion loops around and back almost to itself.  Mentally it is tough because I know that a straight shot between the last aid station and this one would have been about a mile.  The temperature is now in a very high range as it reaches 80.5 degrees. 

Mile 44.5    1:00:46 (13:30 avg./mile) Bull Run Marina

The high temperature is really taking its toll on me.  Slowing down is not an option, it is essential to survival.  I meet my dad for the last time at this aid station.  Although there are only 5.5 miles left, I trade out my Camelbak one last time.  My dad also hoses me down with some cool water.  The temperature has now reached 82.7 degrees.  I figure out that I can still finish in under 9 hours if I can run the last 5.5 in less than an hour.  On the way out, I did this section at a 10-minute average, but that was almost 30 degrees cooler. 

Mile 50.0    1:13:40 (13:24 avg./mile) FINISH!

I manage to keep everything together over the last five miles.  The coolness from the hose wears off within a mile.  My thighs are cramping because of the heat, but nothing severe.  I am even motivated to push it into the finish because right behind me is a Marine Corps Colonel from Quantico.  The temperature at the finish is 83.9 degrees. 

Official Finishing Time 9:15:12

57^th out of 301 starters (257 finishers under 13 hours)

This is my first effort at the Bull Run Run, and I am satisfied with the run.  The heat was even worse than what was predicted, but I managed everything well.  Now, I get to try and recover and begin focusing on my next race.

My dad and I collect our stuff, I grab a piece of pizza, and we hop in the truck to drive back home.  My son Nathan has a baseball game that starts at 5:30pm, and it is 3:45pm when we drive away.  We make it to the ball field right at 5:30, but the game before is running late so my son’s game doesn’t start until 6:10.  My next run will be my fourth attempt at completing a 100 miler at the Mohican Trail 100 in June in Ohio.

Never stop running,

Darin

Shamrock Marathon 2004

Here I stand on the starting line for my one and only marathon this year. Sometimes I wonder why I keep running the marathon distance. Why don’t I just focus all of my efforts on my latest challenge—finishing a 100 miler? I guess as long as I can race this distance, it is good to see what I have to give in this race. The marathon is the distance I have raced most often, and therefore, is the best measuring stick for historical purposes. This year, I have hit all of my training marks in the past two months. Things have been going well. Now it is time to see how much “pop” is left in my 35 year old legs.

March 20, 2004

Start    0:06

This is a chip race, so technically, I get an extra 6 seconds off my race time because that is how long it takes me to cross the line. The temperature is 44 degrees, and the wind is almost still. It was cold this morning, some where in the low 30s, but now it is warming quickly and is supposed to reach into the mid to high 50s—almost perfect weather for running a marathon. I am wearing shorts, a Coolmax t-shirt, and Asics DS Trainers.

Mile 1    7:14

I start right beside Brad and Francois, who are trying for a 3:10 or better. Francois has yet to qualify for Boston, and he is still under 35. We are also right with the designated 3:10 pacer. I quit relying on pacers after one named Adam Beam from Runner’s World took us out way too fast. Anyway, I think I am running about the right speed, but Brad and Francois have taken off, and everyone else is just flowing past me. Either I am running slow today or everyone else is feeling good with the ideal weather conditions. When I hit the mile mark, I am relieved to see that I am right on pace for a 3:10. My personal best time is 3:10:44, so it would be nice to beat that time.

Mile 2    7:13

Things are going well. I feel good, and I think I am running well within myself. Now, the challenge is to be patient.

Mile 3    7:30

We round a turn and get onto the boardwalk. The ocean looks beautiful, and I just need to stay focused. This mile is a little slow, but I want to make sure that if I error that I error on the slow side early on.

Mile 4    7:22

The family and I stayed in a hotel on the boardwalk this year. So, around this mile marker, I see Martha and the kids. I am running fairly close to the 3:15 pacer, who obviously is slightly ahead of his pace.

Mile 5    7:23

I run another mile within reach of the 3:15 pacer. I am starting to really get the legs warmed up, and it will only be a matter of time until I push on ahead of them.

Mile 6    7:07

After passing the fifth mile, I begin to notice a couple of guys, who seem to be running a very smooth pace. So, I leave the 3:15 group and pick it up in order to run with these two guys.

Mile 7    7:22

I catch the two of them and fall in behind them. They are fairly young, and I find out later that they are seniors at JMU. One of them is named Matt, and he has it written on the front of his shirt. Almost every time we pass a group of spectators, they yell, “Go Matt.”

Mile 8    7:22

I always take salt tablets on ultras, but have never done it for just a marathon. However, this year, I have wrapped two salt tablets in plastic wrap and stuck them in the key pocket on my shorts. I manage to get one out and unwrapped and swallowed with some water at an aid station.

Mile 9    7:20

These two guys really have a smooth pace. They are hitting 7:20 miles like machines. Even as we begin to leave the ocean front and head uphill slightly, they maintain their pace.

Mile 10    7:21

The only reason all of my miles aren’t exactly 7:20 is because sometimes I am a little farther behind them than the previous mile. I am drafting slightly off of them as there is a slight headwind, but definitely nothing really to be concerned about. I am only trying to maintain a good pace.

Mile 11    7:12

Another guy comes up behind us and asks Matt and his friend what time they are shooting for. They say, “3:10.” This guy says something about that being the qualifying for Boston, and I mention that it is if you are under 35. Hee, hee, I get an extra five minutes now that I am 35. This mile is a little bit faster because I took the lead as we went into Fort Story.

Mile 12    7:24

Matt sticks with me, even as his friend does not pick up the pace to stay with us. We talk briefly about picking up the pace for the second half in order to get a 3:10, but we are waiting for the second half.

Mile 13    7:17

The wind is starting to pick up, and Matt and I take turns with the lead when there isn’t someone else to draft off of. The field of almost 2,000 runners is fairly spread out at this pace and place in the race.

Mile 14    7:16

My halfway split is 3:15:43. I am right where I need to be. If I can run a negative split today, then I will have a new personal best. I feel like I will really be able to take off with about 10 miles to go. I am very confident after running into the wind the last two miles and maintaining this pace. I eat my Access bar a little early, just after halfway.

Mile 15    7:13

I am still with Matt at the turn around point just past 14 miles. However, soon thereafter he pushes on ahead. It looks like he is feeling good and taking advantage of the wind at our backs right now.

Mile 16    7:12

With the wind still mostly at my back, Matt’s friend catches up to me. I will try to hang with him and see if we can catch Matt. With the wind at my back, I am starting to feel warm, while the sweat just pours out of me.

Mile 17    7:01

Matt’s friend is really moving also, and I think I will let him go. We really haven’t gained any on Matt. The wind is now starting to be in our faces again, so the warmth I felt last mile is leaving.

Mile 18    7:20

With Matt and his friend having gone on ahead, I will have to set my own pace. The bigger problem is that as I leave Fort Story, the wind has picked up and is fully in my face.

Mile 19    7:20

Each runner that comes by me or is slightly ahead of me is a possible wind blocker. I follow one woman for awhile, but she is only doing the relay and ends up passing me. Then another named Amanda comes by, and I decide that this is the person I need to race against to the finish (or as long as I can).

Mile 20    7:17

We trade the lead between us several times, and there is no intention from each of us to work together. While the marathon is a race of attrition, it is still a race, nonetheless.

Mile 21    7:20

We get back close to the ocean front, and it is becoming obvious to me that this lady isn’t going to fade anytime soon. I will just try and see if I can stay around her until the last mile or so.

Mile 22    6:50

Well, my strategy goes south when I decide that I can leave her in my dust. This mile is definitely fast, but I know I cannot maintain this due to the headwind I am facing.

Mile 23    7:53

Sure enough, I don’t maintain my pace from the last mile, and the lady catches back up to me and passes me. Then this older gentleman comes by, and I start to tuck in behind him. As I do, he swerves and tells me to go find another runner to draft off of! I have never seen such a dramatic response from someone who I was drafting off.

Mile 24    7:22

I trade “the lead” with the old man a couple of times being careful to never be accused by him again of drafting. Just as we turn back onto the boardwalk for the last time, a strong runner comes by me, and I decide that he is the one for me to draft off of along the boardwalk.

Mile 25    7:37

The wind is really blowing hard now, and it is all I can do to stay with the guy I am drafting off of. About three-quarters of the way down the boardwalk, I lose contact with the guy, and then I am left battling the wind all by myself.

Mile 26    7:37

I am not sure what my time is going to be, but I push hard to the finish. My legs are pretty well tired after the headwind, but I don’t feel too bad. Right about halfway through this mile, I hear Nathan yell at me from behind after I have passed. I also hear Amy blow her whistle thing they got yesterday at the race expo. I find out later that they were in buying me a Coke for after I finished when I ran by.

Mile 26.2    1:25

I make the final two turns and see the clock. It looks like I will be under 3:12. I take a quick look around to make sure that no one is coming up on me and then I do my 360 spin before crossing the finish line.

Final 3:11:44 officially.

I was 93rd of 1,842 runners. I finished 14th of 225, males 35-39.

I am really happy with my time, but I know that the headwind kept me from a new personal best. However, it has been 4.5 years since my personal best, so it is good to run close to that fast again.

Now my focus shifts back to the ultras. Next month, in April, I am running the Bull Run Run 50 Miler. My dad is coming down to crew for me. Then I will take May off from racing and then in June make my fourth attempt at finishing a 100 Miler.

Never stop running,
Darin

Holiday Lake 50k 2004

On Saturday, February 14, 2004, I ran the Holiday Lake 50K++. The “++” means that it might be a little further than 31.2 miles. Here are my thoughts on my experience at this race. I hope that you enjoy reading them.

Holiday Lake is part of the Lynchburg Ultra Series and is directed by David Horton. I ran my first David Horton race in December at the Hellgate 100k. This race is in the middle of Virginia and isn’t really close to anything, so most all of the runners stay at the 4-H camp at Holiday Lake in bunk houses.

I arrived at Holiday Lake around 5pm after spending about an hour looking around Appomattox Courthouse. I registered and got myself and my gear settled into a top bunk in one of the bunk houses. There would be a total of 14 of us in this end of this bunk house. After dinner and the pre-race dinner, it was about 8:30pm. Most of us relaxed and read, and I went to sleep around 9:30pm. The starting time of the race is 6:30am and wake-up is at 5:30am.

I woke up at 4:30am and went to the bathroom. At 5:30am, I got up and drank a pint of Nestle chocolate milk and ate a bagel. This allowed me another trip to the bathroom before the start of the race. Things were all falling into place for a good run today. My plan was to run conservatively and basically use this as a nice hard training run, but definitely not to kill myself.

3.5 miles    1:29:19 (25:31 avg./mile)

Now, a few things I need to explain before you conclude that the course must be very difficult if it takes Darin an hour and a half to go three and a half miles. First, the course is gently rolling, easy to run on trails. Second, around two and a half miles into the race, I missed a turn and just followed the person in front of me. By the time I figured it all out, I was two and a half miles from the missed turn. So, I sprinted back to the missed turn, totally upset with myself, especially after I saw the turn and the course markings, and wondered how anyone could miss this turn. So, now I am at the first aid station, no other runners in sight, and I now only have two hours to go over 12 miles to the halfway point and the 3.5 hour cut-off. Losing 50 minutes and running an extra five miles is not going to help my race time any. At the aid station, I grab a cup of Conquest and move on out quickly.

6.3 miles    24:32 (8:46 avg./mile)

My original plan of running conservatively is now out the window because if I don’t run as hard as I can to halfway, I will not make the first cut-off. This 2.8 mile split is encouraging, though, and I think that if I keep my miles under 10 minutes each, I just might make the halfway cut-off. I grab another cup of Conquest and a couple of pretzels at this aid station. I have my Camelbak on along with a couple of Access Bars, so I don’t need anything else from the aid station.

9.0 miles    25:25 (9:25 avg./mile)

Another sub-10 minute miles split, and things are going well. However, I don’t even stop to say hi at the aid station because I know that I don’t have time to spare.

12.1 miles    28:28 (9:11 avg./mile)

Just before I reach this aid station, I meet the front runners coming back around for the return loop. This is a good sign for me because I think that I should have enough time to make it to halfway before the cut-off. I don’t know how this was figured in my mind, but it made sense to me. Later, one of them will mention that it looked like I was running as hard as they were, but I was totally at the back and it didn’t make sense to them. I also pass two people, who probably won’t make the cut-off. I again do not even stop at this aid station, but I think that I will make it.

15.7 miles    39:54 (11:05 avg./mile)

I ease up a little as the cut-off looks within reach. I also have to meet and pass by every runner coming back from the halfway turn-around to start their return trip. This race is a two-loop race in which the loop is retraced in the opposite direction for the second loop. Meeting another runner on a single track trail does not lend itself to keeping my tempo up. This in addition to the fact that I think I have a little time to spare probably contributed to the slower time for this segment. I roll into the halfway point at 3:27 and change—over two minutes before the cut-off! I pop the trunk of my car, which is parked close by, pull out a stool, sit down and drink a pint of Nestle chocolate milk. I also managed to choke down a bagel. The temptation to quit and call it a good training day is there, but the challenge of finishing after tacking on five miles onto the course is even more inviting.

19.3 miles    54:44 (15:12 avg./mile)

I slowly get my rhythm back as I allow the milk and bagel to be absorbed by my body. Also, this section is mostly uphill, and my legs need some time to recover after almost 16 very hard miles. I pass a few people, and the motivation starts to return. At this aid station, I stop and drink a cup of Conquest and thank the aid station workers.

22.4 miles    39:23 (12:42 avg./mile)

This aid station is the second and last cut-off point for the race. After barely making the first cut-off, I am over 20 minutes ahead of the time for this one. I drink another cup of Conquest and head on down the trail. I am passing people about every couple of minutes now.

25.1 miles    37:08 (13:45 avg./mile)

While my legs and energy feel better than before, I am still taking things easy. I am walking up most of the hills, even though all of them are not too steep. I continue to pass people, and my count for people I have passed is now over 20 for the second half of the race. One of the people working this aid station has two questions for me, 1) why am I not breathing hard? I was walking up the hill to this aid station, and 2) am I cold at all? No, I am only wearing a single long-sleeve t-shirt and shorts. I started the day with another t-shirt, hat, and gloves, but I left the rest at halfway.

27.9 miles    29:31 (10:33 avg./mile)

Talking to the aid station workers picks me up, and I also see a slew of runners up ahead that are just ready to be passed. I pick the pace up and begin my race for the finish.

31.4 miles    38:32 (11:01 avg./mile)

As I near the finish, I continue to pass people all the way to the finish. I even manage to pass John Rainey and Craig Penrose. My legs are definitely dead at the end, but I still have energy left in the tank. I finish looking decent and complete a 360 spin before crossing the line. I passed 33 people during the second half of the race.

Official Finishing Time 6:51:55
135th out of 178 starters

I am happy with my effort today, but definitely sorry I had to push my pace so hard during the first half. I hang around long enough for the door prizes and then head for home.

It is now time to recover and adjust my training plan for my next race—the Shamrock Marathon on March 20 in Virginia Beach. I am also registered and planning on running the Bull Run Run 50 Miler on April 17, and then I will make my fourth attempt at completing a 100 Miler at the Mohican Trail 100 on June 19-20.

Until next time, never stop running,
Darin