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
