Hellgate 100k 2013 -- Fearful weather

December 14

Fear is always present at some level in most of our daily lives.  A good amount of fear is driven by the unknown of what is going to happen in the future; this creates worry to go along with the fear.  This race imparts a healthy portion of fear as it starts a minute after midnight in December in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains.  The first year in 2003, the 71 of us who lined up for the start didn’t know enough to be appropriately fearful.  Now, everyone knows what to expect (as far as the course is concerned), but there is still the unknown.  The typical ultra-run questions are here to be answered:  Have I trained enough?  Am I well rested?  Am I mentally ready for this challenge?  But, this year at this race, there is another HUGE question—what will the weather be?  The forecast calls for precipitation and temperatures between 31 and 33 degrees.  It appears some will be frozen, and some will be liquid.  How much?  When?  Who knows!



In the ten previous editions there has never really been any precipitation during the race.  Sure there were some stray flurries in 2004, and a couple of rain drops near the end another year.  There has also been snow and ice on the course, but never has it been fallen during the race.  It seems like odds have finally caught up with Hellgate.  I start the race for my 11^th attempt with tights, two long sleeve shirts, Patagonia Houdini jacket, watch cap, and gloves.  Of course, I have my Flash Flo Camelbak and Black Diamond headlamp.  The bank thermometer in Natural Bridge Station said 28 degrees, so it appears to be a little colder than predicted.

David Snipes and Mike Donahue ride with us to the start.  My son is crewing for me this year for the first time by himself.  His winter break from Georgia Tech worked out perfectly as he came home yesterday.  It is cold at the start.  I wear an extra jacket to walk over to the start.  Then I hand it to Nathan after he takes my picture.

Waiting for the start

Mile 3.5      45:42 (13:03 avg./mile) FSR 35

Fear of wearing too much clothing wasn’t in the forefront of my mind before the start.  However, I have unzipped my jacket within the first mile, and then I take my gloves off in the second mile.  It is cold but with no wind, it is quite comfortable.  Of course, it will cool down in the next section when we climb higher.  The creek crossing is deep and everyone gets their feet wet.  This is my slowest time ever on this first section, although it is not too slow.

 

Mile 7.5      1:03:18 (15:49 avg./mile) Petites Gap

After leaving the first aid station, where I didn’t take anything as they only had water and Gu, I remove the jacket completely and tie it around my waist.  I spend the majority of this section with David Snipes.  We are reminiscing about past years and just enjoying the night.  When I get to the aid station, Nathan is all setup.  I change out my wet shoes and socks and get a full Camelbak.  I give my jacket to Nathan deciding that I will be fine without it for tonight.  When I get up, I leave my gloves lying on the ground.  As I am walking out of the aid station, Nathan catches up to me and asks if I want the gloves.  YES!  Thank you so much!

Mile 13.1    1:43:11 (18:26 avg./mile) Camping Gap

 

About a mile out of Petites Gap, it begins to sleet.  It isn’t heavy, but boy am I glad that I have my gloves with me.  I took a bagel with me from the last aid station, and as I begin to eat the majority of it, my heart burn flares up.  It is severe enough to cause me some good pain, but I can’t stop.  What would I do?  It is sleeting, and I can’t spare any time, so I press through.  Drinking water makes the problem worse, but eventually it relaxes some, and I no longer feel like I am going to pass out.  The rest of the section goes fairly well.  The sleet isn’t too heavy, but the dirt road leading into Camping Gap is starting to get covered.  Just before reaching the aid station, the sleet begins to turn to snow.  This is much better!  At the aid station, I drink a cup of ginger ale, and then eat a cup of soup.  I also take a few cookies with me to eat as I walk. At the aid station, there are several runners standing around the fire.  Many of them will drop out.  Snipes is standing here talking with Bob Hiltebridle, who is going to sweep the course with his wife.  I yell at him to come with me, but he stands there talking away.  My time isn’t as fast as I wanted, but I am doing okay.

Mile 21.9    2:33:17 (17:25 avg./mile) Headforemost Mountain

The snow picks up and the level of fear increases in some runners.  The flakes are very big and fluffy.  It is hard to see at times with my headlamp shining through the flakes, but I am enjoying myself.  I know I am probably not making really fast time, but it is slower running through the snow.  I am nicely warm, and I don’t miss my Houdini jacket at all.  The aid station is down at Overstreet Falls, and I get there in 2:07:05.  I managed to negotiate the tricky, rocky portion leading down to the falls successfully, and I am rewarded with more ginger ale and grilled cheese sandwich quarters.  The cut-off at Overstreet Falls is 6:10, and I am here at 5:39am, so I have about a half an hour on the cut-off.  As I am climbing up Headforemost Mountain, I slow down some relative to the runners around me.  I am getting sleepy.  It is way too early for this, so I take a No-Doze tablet around 6am, just before I get to the place where the original aid station was.  It is 6:05am when I pass this point, which is my second slowest ever to this point in the race.  Here’s hoping that the caffeine will liven things up.

Mile 27.6    1:38:46 (17:20 avg./mile) Jennings Creek

The parkway at Floyd’s Field is covered with snow.  It is very pretty up here, not windy at all.  But, there is no time to admire the view and besides I really can’t see anything except what my headlamp is shining on.  The moon is almost full, but you wouldn’t know it as the clouds prevent seeing the moon.  I start running down the hill, and I quickly pass a couple of runners.  It feels like I am making better time now.  As daylight begins to break, the wind picks up a little, but just for a few minutes.  As I crest the last little uphill going down to Jennings Creek, I can see the low clouds in the valley below.  What a neat scene!  If only the sun was out, it would really be awesome.  I pass one more runner before I reach the aid station.  It will be 7:44am when I leave here, which isn’t great, but isn’t too bad either.  I have been here twice slower than this.  I sit down to devour a most excellent English muffin with egg, bacon, and cheese on it.  I wash it down with a little chocolate milk, trade out my Camelbak, and head back out on the trail.

Mile 34.5    1:44:34 (15:09 avg./mile) Little Cove Mountain

Just as I am leaving Jennings Creek aid station, I see Charlie Hesse driving the van in with dropped runners.  What I don’t see is David Snipes in the van, although I find out later that he was in there.  He dropped at Overstreet Falls after slipping and straining his back.  I don’t know why, but I am feeling really good at this point.  I rocket up the first climb, passing a few other runners.  When I get to the top, I stop to relieve some liquid from my bladder, and a guy named Dan catches up to me.  We start rocking the downhill section and don’t stop until we bottom out onto another dirt road.  He was really flying; I was feeling good; and I had to work fairly hard to stay up with him.  We talk as we hike into the aid station in a new record time for me on this section.  Maybe I can ride this high to a sub-16:30.  At the aid station, the crews are now not allowed here, and the only thing available is potato cubes, Bugles chips, M&Ms, and chocolate chip cookies.  I eat a few potato cubes and grab a few cookies for the next section. They really need more substantial food at this aid station before one of the toughest sections of the race.

Mile 42.5    2:20:51 (17:36 avg./mile) Bearwallow Gap

I leave the aid station ahead of Dan, but he isn’t far behind me.  I pass a lady early in the section, and then Dan catches up to me as we finish up the grassy road section.  I am pushing moderately, but it feels great to be making really good time.  However, my high ends rather abruptly as I think my energy drops from not getting enough food at Little Cove Mountain.  I tell Dan he should go on ahead as he appears to still be in a good groove.  I manage to still run the downhill okay, and turn the corner onto the devil trail at 1:30 since leaving the last aid station.  The lady I passed earlier passes me.  Just after crossing the creek a lone hardy sole hiking out from the aid station approaches and tells me I will have 6-8 minutes after crossing the road.  It is now raining lightly, and he has to be cold.  I get into the aid station without bonking too badly.  Nathan has my grilled ham and cheese ready, and I sit down to eat it.  I drink a little Conquest to try to help wash it down.  I am not feeling great anymore, but maybe the sandwich will help get my energy back.  The good news is that it is 11:49am when I leave.  I have over 40 minutes on the cut-off at this point.  On my way out of the aid station, I grab a pancake.

Mile 49.5    1:59:38 (17:05 avg./mile) Bobblets Gap

The key to this section is staying focused and letting the course come to you.  I hike up the first climb watching runners just ahead of me leave me behind.  I still don’t have much energy, but when it comes time to run I manage to do okay.  When I finally turn the corner and head down to the dirt road leading into the aid station, my mood improves greatly.  Dr. Wortley drives by me as I crawl into the aid station.  My time on this section isn’t horrible, but it is my second slowest ever.  I sit down and wolf down a piping hot bowl of Ramen soup that Nathan has cooked up.  This really tastes good.  Then I do something that I should have been doing more often.  I drink a full pint of chocolate milk.  This is typically what I do in races, but for whatever reason I haven’t been.  It must be my stomach and heart burn because there are not many better calorie sources during an ultra than chocolate milk.  I grab a few pretzels from the aid station table on my way out.

 

Mile 56.1    2:09:17 (19:35 avg./mile) Day Creek

It has been raining all afternoon, but now it is starting to pour.  I catch up to Mike Burr on this section, and we spend the majority of the time talking about running various races.  He has attempted Barkley’s several times, and I am fascinated by the event.  There are 13 creek crossings on this section, and I think I get my feet wet on all of them.  Of course it doesn’t matter at all with the rain coming down.  We are making good time, and I am feeling much better.  I guess it is the Ramen and chocolate milk.  I really wanted to do well on this section as I hadn’t done very well on it the past four years.  This time is my fastest since 2008.  At the aid station, I trade out my hat and gloves for dry ones.  Then I drink a can of Coke and head out of the aid station.  Mike is just ahead of me, and I am hoping to stay with him.

Mile 62.4    1:41:16 (16:04 avg./mile) FINISH

Fear in this race has many causes.  The midnight start is one.  Another is the length between aid stations.  A runner really has to fuel up to make it to the next aid.  Finally, the weather is another cause of fear.  Typically, the weather on the last section is not a fearful thing.  However, as the rain continues down, and my energy is dropping (again!), I feel the cold penetrating my tired, hurting body.  My hands are now frozen (not literally as it must be above freezing since it is raining).  My feet are sopping wet, and I just want to finish this race for the 11^th time.  This last climb is one of the longest and hardest on the course.  Usually I do very well with it as I can smell the finish line.  This year is different; I can’t pick up any scent of the finish line as I struggle up this final climb.  Did another bend get inserted into this climb?  I know better, but it is taking me a long time this year to get up the hill.  I finally cross the parkway for the last time in 47:46 since leaving the aid station.  I think this might be my slowest climb ever for this section.  My fastest is 35 minutes.  Well, now it is time to run downhill.  This should warm me up.  I start trotting down the hill, but my legs are dead, and my motivation is low.  Adding to issues is that I don’t have a headlamp with me.  With the clouds and mist, it is getting very dark.  My hands and feet are still really cold, but I have a mission to complete.  I make my way along, hoping that the gate, which will tell me I have about 1.5 miles to go, will be around the next bend.  It is completely dark before I reach the gate, but I have managed not to trip and fall.  Now, I have a nice smooth gravel road to the finish.  The turn into Camp Bethel is a beautiful sight, and I continue my steady trot to the finish.

Official Finishing Time          17:39:50

102^nd out of 135 starters (108 finishers under 18 hours)

 

I have conquered the Hellgate course one more time.  How many more times will I succeed?  I don’t know?  Thoughts of not entering next year are quickly pushed out of my mind before they take hold.  I feel absolutely terrible as I am cold, hungry, and thoroughly exhausted.  A can of Coke does wonders for me, and I manage to get cleaned up and dressed.  I speak with several other runners at the finish.  Many of them tell me I should have stopped after 10.  This is one of the best finish atmospheres as it is small and everyone understands what we have been through since last night.

Despite training hard, running Masochist for the first time in three years, and trying to motivate myself to get back under 17 hours, it is not to be this year.  However, the best part is that I finished!  I can now rest, recuperate, and enjoy Christmas.  I hope you enjoyed reading this.  Merry Christmas!

Never stop running,

Darin

Return to Darin’s Running Page.

Mountain Masochist Trail Run 2013

November 1

This is my sixth time running this race.  It is not my favorite, but it is an outstanding tune-up for the Hellgate 100k, which is six weeks away.  I have not run this race since 2010 as this date has been the central regional high school cross country race in Virginia.  Although it is my daughter Amy’s senior year, the conference and regional races are on Wednesdays this year.

My wife, Martha, is crewing for me for only the second time at this race.  We drive down to Lynchburg in the afternoon and are staying in the Kirkley Hotel.  We eat dinner on our own at Famous Anthony’s restaurant.  It is a simple, outstanding meal, and then we pick up my race packet and listen to the pre-race briefing.

November 2

Since Martha will be driving me to the start, I sleep in until 4:45am.  We leave about 5:30 for the drive to the start at the KOA campground.  The weather is cool around 50 degrees.  I am going to start with a long sleeve t-shirt over a short sleeve t-shirt.  I see Sophie when I check in, and she comments on my old school “away blue” VHTRC shirt.  I see many other friends at the start, and my goal is to enjoy this day.

For the first 29 times this race was run, the distance was always the same.  The only change had been a different road section to begin the race.  Last year, the start was moved to a KOA campground from the James River visitor center.  The distance between aid stations used to be defined as Horton miles as sometimes they were about right, and sometimes there were some bonus distance.  The reason for Horton miles is that the course was measured from a topo map.  Consequently, the straighter sections were closer to the true distance than the trail sections with switchbacks.  Now, however, Clark Zealand (the current race director) took the occasion of moving the start to put the first section on trails, whereas before it was on a paved road.  Additionally, he decided to re-measure all of the sections with supposedly more accurate GPS.  The problem with GPS measurements is when there are leaves on the trees the measurements are less than accurate.  Furthermore, short switchbacks also cause a problem as the GPS measurements are not all the time but rather at a certain interval.  Therefore, the new mileage distances are now Zealand miles, which I will comment on during some sections.

Mile 7.63    1:32:36 (12:08 avg./mile) Peavine Mountain

At the start of the race, I am close to David Snipes.  We run the first several miles close together and then he pulls a little ahead of me.  The recent rains have ensured that the creek crossings will get our feet wet, and the first one is up to our knees in places.  In the past the first hour of darkness on the road didn’t require a light, but now on the trails, I have a headlamp for this first section.  My time on the trail in the dark is good, and I feel good early in this race.

Mile 11.33 38:36 (10:26 avg./mile) Dancing Creek

I am just sailing along letting the course come to me.  The downhills are great, and my legs are feeling really good on them.  I am in the vicinity of Jamie Azuaje, who ran the Triple Deca Iron Man a couple of weeks ago.  For those that haven’t heard of it, this is 30 full iron man triathlons in 30 days.  He finished and spoke at the pre-race briefing last night.  Today, he is still recovering so he is back in the pack.  It is awesome to hear some of his stories, but after a while I decide to push on ahead.  I see Martha at this aid station.  I drop off my headlamp, trade out my Camelbak for a full one, and drink some chocolate milk.  I also take half of a bagel to eat on the trail.

Mile 14.88 48:00 (13:31 avg./mile) Parkway Gate

My times on these early sections clearly indicate which sections are uphill.  This is one of them, although it is not entirely uphill.  I am not paying too close attention to my splits as I am just trying to enjoy the course and the day.

Mile 17.12 32:53 (14:41 avg./mile) Robinson Gap

This is a mostly uphill section, and I spend it power hiking in the vicinity of Travis Wildeboer.  Travis is the 15^th person to ever finish the Barkley Marathons.  He was second this year behind Nickademus Hollon.  This is another fascinating story to hear.  He was in camp after the fourth loop and started the fifth loop about the same time as Nick.  However, they had to do the fifth loop in opposite directions.  He said he had decided on a spot that he needed to be at before they met around halfway, but he met Nick almost 45 minutes before he got to that spot and knew at that point that Nick probably had him beat.  Meanwhile, I feel like I am making good time so far.  This climb hasn’t been too bad, and now I am ready to rock the next section.

Mile 19.70 22:18 (8:39 avg./mile) Irish Creek

I pass through the Robinson Gap aid station very quickly only grabbing a few cookies.  The crews aren’t allowed there, so there isn’t much reason to stay long.  This section is all downhill.  I pass many people as my legs are feeling great!  When it bottoms out, the aid station is not far, and I again pass through quickly as crews aren’t allowed at this one either.  My race has begun to warm up, and I am picking up the effort some.  Before I started this downhill I was back ahead of Snipes, and I don’t think he is running the downhill sections as quickly as I am today.

Mile 21.94 24:48 (11:04 avg./mile) Reservoir

Some rolling hills lead to the next aid station, and I get to see Martha again.  I am drinking plenty of water as the temperature is in the low 60s.  I shed my long sleeve shirt a long time ago, and I am nicely comfortable at this point.  I drink some Conquest, trade out my Camelbak, and take another half bagel to eat on the trail.

Mile 26.49 1:12:49 (16:00 avg./mile) Long Mountain

This section is mostly uphill, but the last mile is relatively flat.  I roll into this aid station, which basically marks the halfway point at 5:32.  The rule of thumb has been that this is generally your halfway time even though more than half of the course has been completed.  At this aid station, I change my shoes and socks.  I also drink more chocolate milk and Conquest.  Additionally, I eat a grilled ham and cheese sandwich.  I want to be sure that I have plenty of energy for the second half.  My time doesn’t leave me much to spare as I only have about 35 minutes on the cut-off.

Mile 29.32 53:45 (19:00 avg./mile) Buck Mountain

The climb up Buck Mountain is a hard pull as usual.  I stay focused but the legs are starting to really tire.  I start to wonder if my legs will have any spring left in them after this hard climb.  Along the way I share a story or two about my experiences with pace groups in marathons.  Another guy is close to me, and he is having a hard time with his ankle.  Every 50 steps or so, his ankle gives way.  My only thought is that I have to get away from him in case a twisted ankle is contagious.  This aid station doesn’t have too much to offer, and crews aren’t allowed here.  So, I grab a few potato chips and continue on my way.  For my efforts, I supposedly gain another seven minutes on the cut-off time.

Mile 31.63 29:20 (12:42 avg./mile) Wiggins Spring

I run most of this relatively flat section.  However, my legs don’t have the spring back to them yet.  I am starting to really focus on the time cut-offs as the 12-hour finish deadline is not going to be easy this year.  At this aid station, I drink a little Conquest when I see Martha.  I don’t eat anything else as I will see her again in 1.5 miles.

Mile 33.08 26:55 (18:34 avg./mile) Start of loop

This short section is another climb uphill. The crew vehicles are on the same dirt road.  I am over halfway to this aid station before Martha finally passes me.  When I get to the aid station, she isn’t there.  I see Tammy Gray, and she says she is probably trying to find a place to park.  I am hungry and was looking forward to more chocolate milk, but instead I grab some cookies and head into the loop.

Mile 38.41 1:39:04 (18:35 avg./mile) End of loop

The loop section used to be five good long Horton miles. Now a mile and a half out and back up Mount Pleasant has been added, and this section is now 5.33 Zealand miles!  Let’s see 5 Horton miles + 1.5 statute miles = 5.33 Zealand miles.  It is a terrible equation, and it takes 26 minutes to do the out and back portion.  I am staying with everyone around me, even passing some people with very few passing me.  Just after I start heading back down from Mount Pleasant, Martha Wright meets me.  She broke her ankle a couple of months ago, but is doing well today.  Then as I am finishing the out and back section, I meet David Snipes just starting the out and back.  I know I have to hurry to meet the cut-off, and he is really going to have to rally.  When I finally get done with the extended loop, I am told that I only have 15 minutes on the cut-off.  My 45 minute cushion has now evaporated.  I find out later that David Snipes didn’t make this cut-off and was dropped at this point.  I down a good bit of chocolate milk and eat another half bagel.  I also get a full Camelbak and mention to Martha that she might not beat me to the next aid station as she has to go the far way around.

Mile 41.35 35:49 (12:11 avg./mile) Salt Log Gap

Leaving the loop, I catch up with a guy from Carolina who is running this race for the first time.  He asks about the sections left, and I mention that the next to last section has a Horton mile in it.  I also mention that once we get through this aid station, they can’t drop us as this is the last aid station that crews can visit.  We make good time on this section, but still manage to lose five more minutes to the cut-off.  Our margin is down to only 10 minutes!  I grab two cups of Pepsi, look around for Martha and then head up the trail.  Apparently she was close by, but didn’t see me until after I left the aid station.

Mile 42.42 17:30 (16:21 avg./mile) Forest Valley

This is another uphill section.  I am really hauling up this hill as the adrenalin is flowing racing against the cut-off.  While climbing up the hill, it begins to rain or should I say sleet?  The temperature has definitely dropped some, and I only have a short sleeve shirt on.  But, now is no time to worry about that.  I finish the climb, grab a cup of Coke from the aid station and continue on the trail.  Apparently, I gained back five minutes and now have 15 minutes to spare on the cut-off.

Mile 46.52 59:41 (14:33 avg./mile) Porter’s Ridge

My legs are feeling great again, and I know this section well as the course goes back to a single track trail.  There are many runners close to me, and I am plowing forward passing many of them.  I am not letting leaves, roots, or rocks slow me down as I make my final push towards the finish.  I only briefing walked up two hills on this section and roll into the aid station with a head of steam.  I have added 10 minutes onto my cushion ahead of the cut-off.  I ask for some Coke, but the aid station doesn’t have any.  So, I just continue on towards the finish.

Mile 50.27 42:30 (11:20 avg./mile) FINISH

Shortly after leaving the last aid station, I take my first fall of the day.  I bang my lower arm really well on a rock.  The fall has drawn a little blood, but nothing appears to be broken.  Now it is just a matter of continuing to run towards the finish.  The last 1.5 miles is sharply downhill, and my legs are still really decent.  With about a mile to go, I pass Travis Wildeboer, Andrew Thompson, and Jonathan Basham, who are just coasting in with Bethany Charron.  I finish with just under 24 minutes to spare.  My only comment to Horton is that the cut-offs here are now definitely tighter than the ones at Hellgate when there isn’t any snow or ice on the course.  He denies this of course, but I guarantee him that I will finish with more than 30 minutes to spare at Hellgate.

Unofficial Finishing Time 11:36:34

209^th out of 325 starters

The Mountain Masochist has never been an easy race, and the cut-offs have always been a concern for middle of the pack runners.  But, now the cut-offs are cutting off many of the middle of the pack runners like David Snipes and Bill Turrentine.  These guys have extensive experience, but I guess everyone has to race against the same time limit.  I am satisfied with my race.  My legs had plenty in them for the final push.  My speed work this fall seems to have given a renewed pop to my stride when I need it.  After the finish, I catch my breath, and then do a maximum number of reps on the bench press with 135 pounds.  I manage 20 reps this year, and then find out that Mike Dunlop only did 32 or something.  Maybe I should actually lift again for the next time I run this race.

Martha and I leave directly from Montebello and head home.  We stop at a pizza place in Lovingston, and it is outstanding!  We make it home around 9pm; it is good to be home and sleep in my own bed.  I now have six weeks until Hellgate, and I will use this time wisely.  The five Hellgate survivors are all entered to complete 11 in a row.

Never stop running,

Darin

Return to Darin’s Running Page.

Catoctin 50k Trail Run, July 27, 2013

Two years ago, my son Nathan crewed for me on this race.  It was his first time crewing for me solo.  This year, my daughter, Amy, is getting her chance to crew for the first time by herself.  We arrive in Frederick, Maryland after enduring the “wonderful” DC traffic for nearly four hours.  We check into our room at the Comfort Inn and then head for dinner at Carrabba’s.  Dinner is most excellent as I have the Linguine Pescatore, and Amy has the Pasta Carrabba.  Back at the room, we watch a little TV, including the Red Sox – Orioles game before turning the lights off a little after 10pm.

For breakfast, we enjoy the continental breakfast at the Comfort Inn.  It includes a nice waffle maker.  I have a full waffle and a pastry along with some juice.  Then we head to the start/race check-in.

The temperature this morning is on the cool side—definitely in the low 60s.  However, I start the race with no shirt.  There are several good friends here at the start line—Vicki Kendall, Gary and Keith Knipling, Rande and Kari Brown, Ed Cacciapaglia, Dan Lehman, and many others.  The start is delayed by about 10 minutes as there was not enough parking for everyone in the upper lot, and some had to be ferried up from a lower lot.

Mile 6.0      1:17:06 (12:51 avg./mile) Hamburg Road

I start off fairly quickly as I would rather not get bogged down on the trail too much.  I think I succeeded, and I find Ed C. running close to me.  It is halfway up the second climb before Rande Brown makes his way past me.  He is almost always ahead of me, so it is no surprise that he has warmed up and hitting his stride.  I run over two-thirds of this section with Ed, and then a few faster runners come by me.  I decide to see what the legs have in them today and leave Ed behind as I try to keep up with these speedsters.  I was hoping to get into this aid station by 1:15, but this is a nice time for me.  It is really nice and cool so far, and I was hoping to make great time.  Amy is here at this aid station.  She has passed the test of finding the first aid station.  I take a big gulp or two of Conquest, change out my Camelbak, and then move out to keep the pace going.

Mile 9.0      33:49 (11:16 avg./mile) Delauter Road

I must be feeling good as this aid station surprised me.  I was just rolling along talking to a few people here and there, when I recognized the backyard of the house that is next to the aid station.  (Note this is the only house seen on the whole course.)  This aid station is one where crews are not allowed, so I just grab two peanut butter and jelly sandwich quarters and move on up the trail.

Mile 15.6    1:23:07 (12:36 avg./mile) Manor Parking Area – TURNAROUND

Leaving Delauter Road, I start to calculate what my time at the turnaround could be.  This is the sixth time I have run this race, and my previous quickest time at the turnaround was 2:58.  However, that was back in 2004 and 2005.  Since then some of the trail has been rerouted, and Kevin says it adds about a quarter of a mile or more.  I don’t really know how much it adds, but my time is 3:14 at the turnaround.  Still a good time and hopefully it will be enough to let me get home in less than seven hours.  Amy has managed the navigation down to this aid station.  I drink a pint of chocolate milk and take half of a bagel for the trail.

Mile 22.2    1:51:37 (16:55 avg./mile) Delauter Road

Crossing the creek after leaving the turnaround gets my feet wet again.  I am not sure how much difference it makes with the amount I am sweating, but I never like to get them wet if I can avoid it.  I feel like I am making good progress hiking back up the hill, but then people start to flow past me.  It is only a few at first, but then a couple more runners keep catching me every 5-10 minutes or so.  I am still feeling well, but my legs just aren’t as fresh as they were earlier.  Finally, I arrive at this aid station somewhat later than I would have liked, but I am here nonetheless.  I drink a cup of Coke to give me a little life and eat some potato chips.

Mile 25.2    47:16 (15:45 avg./mile) Hamburg Road

Soon after leaving Delauter Road, Steve Cooper catches up with me.  He and I ran a good portion of the Bull Run Run 50 miler in April together.  It is nice to catch up with each other.  I am thinking that I will pick it up and see him at the finish line, but when I pick it up, he picks it up more, and I am the one seeing him at the finish line.  I don’t want to push too hard on this section so that I will have something left for the last section.  I get into the aid station, and once again Amy is here waiting for me.  I trade out my Camelbak, and then drink a couple of cups of Coke.  I leave the aid station with two grilled cheese sandwich quarters in my hand.

Mile 31.2    1:40:46 (16:48 avg./mile) High Knob – FINISH

I was hoping that I would really get on a roll for this last section.  However, for the first downhill all I can manage is a reasonable trot.  Near the bottom of the first downhill section, I test my right ankle with a minor twist.  It isn’t bad, and my ankles have been doing well lately.  Soon after this, Michelle Harmon catches up to me and asks if I have seen any snakes.  Apparently, someone else said they saw one.  I assure her that I haven’t seen any snakes, and I am sure we will hear them if they are agitated.  I stick with Michelle for at least half of the next climb, but then she steadily pulls away from me.  I guess I did get some sort of a jolt leaving the last aid station because now I am hurting again.  Nothing serious; I just want to be finished, but the finish line is nowhere near.  But wait, when the wind blows a certain direction I think I can smell the grill cooking at the finish.  I may have smelled the finish line, but it takes me another 30 minutes to get there.  Near the end, I hear Quatro coming up behind me, but I never see him.  Then Dan is right on my tail.  There is another runner just ahead of me.  So I set a goal of catching him so that I can hopefully prevent anyone else from catching me.  He is about 20 yards ahead of me as we make the final climb.  Then the left turn sets us both running around the hill towards the far side where we will turn right towards the final 50 yards.  On the ring around the hill, the guy ahead of me stops for a final walk break, and I quickly pass him.  Finally, I am back to the finish!

Official Finishing Time          7:33:41

70^th out of about 144 finishers

This is not the time I was hoping for, but it is a decent time.  I have now finished this race six times, and three of my finishes are faster than this.  With the cooler weather I really thought I could go faster, but it still feels good to finish.  Quatro finishes just a few minutes after me.  Steve is waiting at the finish line for me.  Dan Lehman finishes 13 minutes after me.  It is especially good to see Dan.  This is the first time he has run this race, and he is coming back from his health issue last year.  I drink a couple of adult beverages, and then partake of some fine grilled meats.  I am ready to leave, but first I want to see when Gary will finish.  He finally crosses the line in 8:47 with almost 30 minutes to spare.  Vicki, who was worried about the cut-offs, finished in 8:27.

This was a good test for me to measure where my fitness is.  What it tells me is that I still have some speed that I would like to get back.  My right knee feels strong, and each knee bothers me about an equal amount of time.  At 44 years of age, I should have another two decades of good running ahead of me.  I now have a little more motivation to work on my speed and overall endurance.  My next ultra is going to be the Mountain Masochist 50 miler in November.

Never stop running,

Darin
 

Return to Darin’s Running Page.

Black Hills 100

 
June 27

My crew, Rick, and I are traveling out to Sturgis, South Dakota so that I can run the Black Hills 100 mile race on Saturday.  I was registered to run this race last year, but then I tore my right ACL skiing in March.  So, the race directors were kind enough to let me delay my entry until this year.  I am flying my own airplane out here.  It is a Cirrus SR-20 built in 2003.  It has a cruising speed of 140 knots, give or take.   We had to make two fuel stops today, but now are on the final stretch.  The badlands are beautiful from the air, and we are flying by Mt. Rushmore on the way into Rapid City where we will land.

After landing in Rapid City, we get our rental vehicle, a Chevy Traverse that has a hatch back.  This is essential in case there is inclement weather so that my crew can still cook my food at the aid stations without it getting wet.  Tonight we feast on Buffalo Wild Wings.  Rick and I each devour 18 wings, washing it down with an adult beverage.  After dinner, it is a quick 30 mile drive up to Sturgis.

June 28


Most of the VHTRC contingent

Today is an easy day to check-in and relax before the race tomorrow.  At breakfast, we see Gary and Keith Knipling and Farouk Elkassed.  They said their trip out from DC took 15 hours due to delays in Chicago.  Rick and I made it in about 12 hours.  After breakfast, we picked up the race packet, did some grocery shopping, and then kicked back in the room until lunch.  For lunch, we ventured into downtown Sturgis to eat in one of the fine establishments where the motorcycle rally happens in August.  Then we bought several souvenir t-shirts before the race briefing at 4pm.  The race briefing was pretty light on information except what the markers looked like.  The dinner was good with the usual spaghetti and such.

June 29

With the late 6am race start, I sleep in until past 4am.  We drive the short distance to the start and meet everyone else.  The running race starts later because the bike race begins at 5am, and they want the riders to be out of our way.  I think 30 minutes would have sufficed, but it is just fine.  I am wearing the VHTRC away colors (blue) along with the other runners from Virginia.  The weather is cool for the start, but should get warm quickly.

Mile 5.7      1:08:57 (12:06 avg./mile) Alkali Creek

Just warming up and sorting through the field.  Gary is close by and the 50 miler and 100k runners are mixed in with us.  After the first two miles, I feel pretty good.  I was very tight and just didn’t feel right this morning at the start, but now I am warming up nicely.  At this first aid station, I remove the shirt and grab a bagel, washing it down with a little chocolate milk.  For most of the food items, I will take them with me.  I can then take my time eating them slowly.

Mile 10.3    1:01:43 (13:25 avg./mile) Bulldog

This aid station comes up quickly.  We have now crossed under I-90 and will stay south and west of the interstate until we return towards Alkali Creek.  Removing the shirt was a good thing, and I now find myself with Gary and a guy named John.  I top off my Camelbak with water.  It is warming up, and I am drinking liberally.  I grab a sandwich quarter and a cup of water at this aid station as crews are not allowed here.

Mile 17.0    1:39:23 (14:50 avg./mile) Elk Creek

Nothing exciting is happening as I am making nice steady progress.  I drink a good bit of Conquest, trade out my Camelbak (which was nearly empty), and take a grilled ham and cheese sandwich for the trail.  Rick is a very good crew as he can cook with the best of them.

Mile 22.5    1:24:52 (15:26 avg./mile) Crooked Tree

Leaving Elk Creek, Gary, John, and I link up.  John leads most of the way on this section, and we made good time.  The creek crossings at the beginning of this section were not as deep as advertised, and I make it across barely getting my shoes wet.  This section is mostly uphill, and John is leading us on a fairly aggressive pace up the switchbacks.  The view as we get higher is really cool.  We are climbing up out of a canyon, and the opposite side of the canyon wall is basically straight up.  We pull into this aid station, and Gary plops down in a chair.  I refill my Camelbak and leave the aid station close behind John with Gary still sitting in the chair.  This is the other aid station where crews are not allowed.

Mile 29.2    1:48:10 (16:09 avg./mile) Dalton Lake

Leaving Crooked Tree, John lets me go by as he says he is going to slow down a little.  I was thinking that we were pushing the pace a little bit for this early in the race.  So, I slow down slightly as well, but keep on moving.  I am still feeling well, and while it is warm, I am managing well.  There is a good climb starting this section, and then we drop down, down, down to Dalton Lake.  Rick is here and has found the only shade in the whole aid station.  It is very warm here.  I eat a bowl of Ramen and a hash brown.  I wash it down with some chocolate milk, trade out the Camelbak again, and head up the trail.  I am sucking down the water and taking in salt capsules regularly.

Mile 36.0    1:43:13 (15:11 avg./mile) Nemo

This is the first of two sections where the course is on a trail that we share with ATVs.  The trail is fairly technical with rocks as the ATVs have chewed up the trail quite a bit.  Another climb out of the aid station gets us up to slightly cooler temperatures.  Near the top, I link up with Brian Woods.  He tells me about last year when he made a wrong turn on this section.  He thinks one of the guys on an ATV probably switched a course mark as a few of them got off course.  We keep the conversation going all the way into Nemo, which is a small town.  It looks like Nemo is the place to come to rent ATVs or motorcycles.  Rick is here, but I only trade out the Camelbak, drink some Conquest, and take a bagel for the trail.

Mile 42.5    2:06:36 (19:29 avg./mile) Pilot Knob

Leaving Nemo, I am alone again on the trail.  Well, there are plenty of ATV riders out here, so I have to let them pass on several occasions.  I feel like I was moving faster than this time indicates, but maybe I am starting to slow down some.  I roll into the aid station anxious to get to the turnaround point.  I eat another bowl of Ramen with a hash brown.  Of course, I wash it all down with some chocolate milk before heading towards Silver City and the turnaround.  The word on the trail is that this next section is really tough.

Mile 50.0    2:17:28 (18:20 avg./mile) Silver City

This “hard” section starts out really nicely.  It is one of the nicer and smoother sections of the course.  Then about halfway through, the fun begins.  It starts with a really steep climb.  The only redeeming feature is that it isn’t too long.  Then the course follows around the hill forever until we finally drop into a valley that takes us to Silver City.  The downhill is tough, technical, and mostly canted.  Silver City isn’t much of a city.  I guess it used to be, but now it is just a few buildings.  I visit the restroom and have little success.  Then I change my shoes and drink some Conquest.  I take my headlamp with me as it is past 7pm.  I also take another grilled ham and cheese to eat as I move out of the aid station to make my way back to Sturgis.

Mile 57.5    2:25:50 (19:27 avg./mile) Pilot Knob

I was hoping that I would have a good cushion on Gary.  I haven’t seen him since mile 22.5.  However, I am only six minutes out of Silver City when I meet Gary heading towards Silver City.  He looks good, and I expect I will see him again before too long.  John is with him.  I meet everyone else—Kaci and Farouk—that are behind me.  Kaci says that she is going to drop in Silver City.  Rick tells me later that she had blister issues.  Farouk is further behind, but he looks okay.  It gets dark when I am on the final stretch into the aid station.  It is good that I took the headlamp from Silver City.  At this aid station, I change my shoes again.  The Keens that I put on in Silver City are letting scree in easier than the La Sportivas do.   So, I put on my second pair of La Sportivas.  I drink some chocolate milk and take a bagel with me.  While I was sitting there changing my shoes, I put on a long sleeve shirt.

Mile 64.0    2:22:28 (21:55 avg./mile) Nemo

Before dusk, it was warmer down low where the aid stations are.  Now that it is dark, it seems like it is warmer in the trees on the trail.  Therefore, I take off the long sleeve shirt and tie it around my waist.  Not long after leaving the aid station, Steve Sjolund catches up to me and asks if I mind if he stays with me.  I welcome the company, and we set a very deliberate pace, speed hiking through the night.  Before we reach the aid station, we link up with Elise Robocker.  She adds something to the conversation, and the three of us roll into Nemo.  Rick is ready as always, I eat some oatmeal and drink some chocolate milk.  I am out of the aid station quickly, but Steve and Elise aren’t far behind.

Mile 70.8    2:13:22 (19:37 avg./mile) Dalton Lake

Elise is from Montana, and Steve is from Minnesota.  We talk about our careers and life.  There is no rush to the conversation as we have all night.  We aren’t running at all, but we are keeping up a very brisk speed hike.  Notice that the splits from Pilot Knob to Nemo are slower than the others.  This is true for both directions, so I don’t think it was a climb or anything.  Anyway, we make it into Dalton Lake aid station, and it is still dark.  I have taken a couple of Vivarins to keep caffeine in my system.  These, along with the engaging conversation, keep me awake.  At Dalton Lake, it is out in the open and much cooler than the trail.  I drink some Coke and Conquest, and then take a grilled ham and cheese for the trail.

Mile 77.5    2:43:11 (24:21 avg./mile) Crooked Tree

Daylight finally comes before we get into Crooked Tree.  As soon as it is light enough, Steve moves on ahead.  I am still doing okay, but I am not ready to push it yet.  This aid station takes me forever.  I was hoping to pick things up, but now I will just be content to keep moving forward.  I am able to run the downhill sections, but obviously I am not running them quickly.

Mile 83.0    2:02:20 (22:15 avg./mile) Elk Creek

I make it across all of the creek crossings again with dry feet until the last one.  However, I only get one foot slightly wet, and at this point I don’t think it will bother anything.  My feet have held up well, but they are hurting.  I think I may have some blisters off of my heels, but otherwise they are good.  I get into Elk Creek and measure my time remaining.  I just need to keep moving forward.  The sun is up, and the temperature is climbing.   I eat some Ramen and a hash brown.  I think I need some more variety next time.  I continue to drink a little Coke at each aid station.

Mile 89.7    2:21:09 (21:04 avg./mile) Bulldog

The climb out of Elk Creek is long and not easy.  I finally get to the top only to be rewarded with a downhill that goes on forever.  I have made at least one squatting pit stop in the woods and have to take another.  When I finally get into the aid station (where crews are not allowed), I plop down in a chair.  I eat half of a PB&J sandwich while washing it down with some Coke.  Then the very nice aid station lady offers me some tomato soup, which I accept.  Now fully recharged, I need to get this race done.

Mile 94.3    1:40:27 (21:50 avg./mile) Alkali Creek

Darin walking into the last aid station

While I am in the woods again, I see Elise pass me, along with a few other runners.  John passes back by me, and I keep asking people if they have seen Gary.  John says he hasn’t seen him for a while.  We are back in the open, and I am measuring my ability to weather the heat.  I do manage to pass one runner, who looks like he is hurting.  I feel fine, but I am in no mood to run anymore.  I get into the aid station, drink some Conquest, trade out my Camelbak, put the VHTRC blue shirt back on, and take a grilled ham and cheese for the last section.

 

Mile 100     2:11:20 (23:02 avg./mile) FINISH

Finally the finish!

These last few sections are much harder than I remember them from yesterday morning.  This last hill has now become a mountain.  It is blazing hot, and this climb is really tough.  I am sweating profusely, and Fausto passes me.  I have seen him multiple times during this race.  It looks like he has an ice pack around his neck to keep him cool.  When I finally get down off the mountain and to the fitness trail that will lead to the finish, I am still in no mood to run.  I am very warm, but I feel okay.  When the track is in sight, I pick up the pace to finish running.  This hasn’t been really pretty, but I finished under the cut-off.  As a bonus, I have also beaten Gary for the first time ever in a 100 mile race.

 Official Finishing Time 31:10:29

 53^rd out of 93 starters (64 finishers)

Gary comes across the line 12 minutes after me.  I kept thinking that he must be having a rough day because I wasn’t making good time the last several sections.  When he finds out that I was only 12 minutes ahead of him, he says he would have pushed it a little harder if he had known.

Overall, I am satisfied.  A 100 miler is always an accomplishment and none of these are easy.  I am now 9 of 15 at finishing 100 milers.  It almost seems like a good place to stop running them.  However, an even 10 finishes sounds even better.  Who knows how many more I will run.  My next race is going to be the Catoctin 50k in late July, and then I don’t think I have anything planned until the Masochist 50 miler in November.  I haven’t run that one in a couple of years because of the high school cross country schedule.  However, this year, Amy isn’t supposed to be running on the day of the Masochist race.

Never stop running,

Darin

Return to Darin’s Running Page.