Amy, Ben, and I are driving to North Georgia on this early fall
evening. The calendar might say fall,
but we are still in the heat of summer down here in the Deep South. The temperature today in Huntsville hit 90
degrees. Fortunately, the forecast
tomorrow in North Georgia is supposed to be in the mid-80s. We are staying in a hiker’s hostel just north
of Dahlonega. The place is very nice,
and we even have a TV with cable to watch the ending of the Red Sox-Yankees
postseason game number 1, which the Red Sox won!
October
6
I sleep well, and I feel like I am fully ready for this race. Ben and I are running the 50k, and Amy is running
the half marathon. We are all ready to
go at 8:00am when the half marathoners start.
The 50k race begins at 8:05am with the temperature in the low-60s.
Mile
10 1:59 (11:54 avg./mile) End of
Loop 1
Due
to user error, my watch did not save the split times at the aid stations, but I
remember my times for each loop. This
course is a three loop course, and there is an aid station somewhere on each
loop. Each loop is different, but the
start and finish of each loop is at the same location. Ben and I stick together for most of the
first loop until near the end when I trip and fall skinning up my forearm and
hip. Ben makes sure I am okay before he
pushes on ahead. It takes me a little
while to gather myself back together before I start really running again. I get to the end of the first loop right at
the time I wanted—just less than 2 hours.
My right forearm is dripping blood, but I cannot find a paper towel or anything
else to wipe it off. The one aid station
volunteer is consumed with talking to what looks like the half marathon winner. So, I leave it as is, top off my Camelbak, and
grab some potato chips and a pickle before starting loop number 2.
Mile
21 2:30 (13:38 avg./mile) End of
Loop 2
I
start the second loop having mostly recovered from my fall. I feel good, and the dripping blood has at
least dried on my right forearm. I am
moving well, passing a few runners here and there. About halfway through the loop, I catch up to
Ben and another runner. I move on past
them and end up passing about eight runners on this loop. When I get down to the aid station, which is
about nine miles into the loop. The
helpful aid station volunteers offer various towels to clean up my arm, but at
this point, I decline since the dried blood isn’t doing any harm now. I grab a couple of sandwich quarters and a
small stack of Pringles for the trail.
As I cross the stream after the aid station, I douse my head and arms
with stream water. Climbing up from the
stream, I pass a couple of guys, who then pass me back once we finish
climbing. As I approach the start/finish
area, I pass the two guys again. I roll
into the start/finish aid station feeling very good and moving even
better. The only issue is that it is now
officially hot! I grab a sandwich
quarter and begin the third loop. Amy
has finished her half marathon, but I haven’t seen Ben in several miles.
Mile
31.5 2:35 (14:46 avg./mile) FINISH –
End of Loop 3
I
begin the third loop feeling very good, but running cautiously due to the
heat. As forecasted, it is climbing into
the high 80s. The heat isn’t too bad,
but if it were cooler, I think I could lay the hammer down on these last 10 or
so miles. Instead, I run
conservatively. When I get to a large
open area, I run all the way across it in order to minimize my time in the
sun. On the other side, I take a break
from running as I try to cool myself.
There is a breeze at times, but it is still quite warm. On this loop, I don’t see any other runners—I
don’t pass any and no one passes me. I
have to maneuver my way around a few horses, but otherwise I don’t see anyone. Generally, I keep things smooth and
easy. Like most ultras, this section
seems like it will never end. Finally, I
get close after about an hour of thinking that it can’t be far now.
Official
Finishing Time 7:04:28
10th
out of 45 starters (5th of 12 M40-49)
When I
finish, I am disappointed that I didn’t break seven hours. However, I am happy that I was in the top
10. Ben and Amy are waiting for me at
the finish. Ben started the third loop,
felt like he was going to throw up, and decided to call it a day. We hop in the car and drive the four hours
back to Huntsville where I will watch game 2 of the ALDS series between the Red
Sox and Yankees.
My next race
is going to be Hellgate on December 8. This
will be number 16 at Hellgate. All of
the fearsome five are entered. I would
have liked to have gotten another race in before Hellgate, but my schedule and
activities won’t allow it.
Never stop
running,
Darin
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