Friday, February 17, 2023

Eagle Ridge 50k 2023 - cool and wet

February 11 

Oliver with big brother and dad
in the background
I am running this race because a) I haven’t raced in nine weeks, b) I didn’t run Mountain Mist two weeks ago because we flew to Jacksonville, Florida to see our newest grandson—Oliver born January 21st, and c) I am not running Mt Cheaha in two weeks because I have a Scout ski trip to Gatlinburg.

This is a low key race.  There are only 32 runners in the 50k.  A half marathon and
5k are also being run on this course today.  The half marathon runners will start with us at 8:00am, and the 5k runners will start 30 minutes later.  The temperature is currently 41 degrees, but it is supposed to warm up to about 50 degrees before rain moves in during the afternoon.  I start the race with shorts, long and short sleeve shirts, and a buff on my head.

Mile 2.4      24:02 (10:01 avg./mile) Four-way Intersection

There are 80-some runners in the half marathon, so for these first two sections, the trail is a little crowded.  Also, there is basically no way for me to identify who is running which race.  Most of these first miles are downhill, and I am feeling good.  I don’t stop at this small aid station, instead I click my watch and press on.

Mile 3.2      10:15 (12:49 avg./mile) Start of South Loop

A quick stretch over a hill, down the other side, and then up and down beside a cemetery brings me to the second aid station, which is unmanned.  The half marathon runners just turn around at this point, and the 50k runners start a 3+ mile loop.  I met several of the leading half marathon runners as I approached this aid station.

Mile 6.4      38:28 (12:01 avg./mile) End of South Loop

I run with a younger guy from Georgia that is running his second 50k.  His name is Ty Smith, and he says it was about a two-hour drive from where he lives in Georgia.  He is following me for this section, but doesn’t talk too much or ask me many questions.  Usually, less experienced runners ask me tons of questions, mostly about all of my races.  We are making good time, and I like the pace so far.

Mile 7.2      9:12 (11:30 avg./mile) Four-way Intersection

Ty and I make quick work of this short section that finishes the southern lollipop loop.  There are several runners/walkers still heading outbound as we are coming back.  I assume most of these are the half marathon runners because the 50k runners wouldn’t be walking at this point if they hoped to make the eight-hour cutoff.  At the aid station, Ty slides quickly past me as I say hi to the race director.  I again don’t stop at this aid station as I am carrying my Camelbak with 50 ounces of water.

Mile 9.7      24:43 (9:53 avg./mile) Full Aid Station

Ty pushes the pace on this section and gaps me as we pass several half marathon runners.  I guess it is five or six runners, but this section isn’t very long, and most of it is long switchbacks up a climb.  At the top of the climb, we cross a paved road and enter the one and only full aid station in the race.  They have warm quesadilla quarters, which are simply superb!  I limited myself to just one at this point.

Mile 14.8    1:02:56 (12:20 avg./mile) Full Aid Station

This is the sixth time this race has been run, but none of these aid stations have names.  So, I have made up my own names for each of the aid stations.  This section is the northern lollipop loop.  I meet several of the leaders in the half marathon as they are heading back towards their finish. I get to the split to start the loop, and the loop starts with a rather steep downhill section.  Braking while running down the hill is essential.  I pass a few half marathon runners on my way down the hill.  I hope that I can still run down this hill on the second lap, and I make a mental note to try to save my quads in order to be able to do so.  At the bottom of the hill, the course parallels the water for a half mile or so before the climb back up the hill begins.  This is an equally steep hill going up as it was going down.  At some point on this section, I passed a slightly fading Ty Smith and leave him behind.  When I get to the aid station, I grab another quesadilla—this one with some bacon in it with the cheese—and proceed the last mile or so to finish the first lap.

Mile 15.7    10:37 (11:48 avg./mile) End of First Lap

There isn’t a stop at this point, but there is a little spur off of the main trail that will take us to the finish after the second lap. The race director is at this point making sure each runner makes the correct turn for his/her race.  My halfway time is right at three hours, which is about as good as I could have hoped for a race with almost 5,000 feet of climb and descent.

Mile 17.6    21:57 (11:33 avg./mile) Four-way Intersection

This section is quicker than the first time, but it is also shorter by a half mile.  The race started with a lap around the parking lot before entering the trail spur that is about three-tenths of a mile.  I pass one runner on this section and wish him well on his second lap.  Unfortunately, the rain begins falling, but fortunately it is a very light rain for now.

Mile 18.4    9:38 (12:03 avg./mile) Start of South Loop

I press hard on this short little section of trail, bettering my time from the first time going out.  It isn’t quicker than my return trip earlier, though.  I see one of the leaders finishing the loop as I make the right turn to start my loop.  I am still feeling pretty good, but I want to make sure I don’t push my legs too hard.

Mile 21.6    44:54 (14:02 avg./mile) End of South Loop

I pass another runner early in this section.  He stays close to me for a while, but then I am able to open up a gap and leave him behind.  I am running conservatively otherwise as I wait to get closer to the finish before pushing any harder.  The light rain continues to fall, but so far the trail is in good shape.

Mile 22.4    11:36 (14:30 avg./mile) Four-way Intersection

Leaving the south loop, I meet a few outbound runners as we pass by the cemetery again.  As they are over three miles behind me, I hope I don’t see them again on the course, but I might coming and going on the northern lollipop loop.  At this aid station, I see the race director again.  I stop just long enough to refill my Camelbak for the one and only time during the race.

Mile 24.9    27:20 (10:56 avg./mile) Full Aid Station

I decided I would push this section a little more than I did on the first lap, but my time was over two minutes slower.  I think the combination of mentally knowing that it isn’t time to push all out and the lack of any other runners around me caused the lethargic section.  It is also interesting to me that the pace for this section is actually fast, which makes me think this section might not be as long as advertised.  At this wonderful aid station, I eat a quesadilla and a bite-size Twix bar.

Mile 30.0    1:06:06 (12:58 avg./mile) Full Aid Station

I run most of the way to the split, and then I run all the way down the hill.  My legs are screaming since I have to break due to the steepness, but it is go time, and this is the last real downhill for this race.  I make it to the lake, traverse around, and then start the climb.  The rain has started to pick up, and it feels colder.  I don’t know if it actually colder or if the heavier rain is making it feel colder.  The climb is tough, but when I get to the top I run to the split and then onto the aid station.  I grab one more quesadilla and wash it down with several gulps of Coke.  Let’s go get this race done!

Mile 31.1    13:14 (12:02 avg./mile) FINISH

I press hard, but the legs are heavy, and I haven’t seen another runner going my direction in over 10 miles.  I haven’t seen any runners to catch in front of me, and I have not seen or heard any runners behind me.  I hike the last small climb and turn the corner to run through the finishing arch in the steady rain.

Official Finishing Time 6:14:58

11th out of 32 starters (25 under the 8-hour cut-off)

After crossing the finish line, I am given my finisher award.  My first question is what place am I?  They don’t know, and the race director is nowhere around the finish.  I eat a bowl of chili and chat with the volunteers while watching the weather deteriorate.  I am glad I am not still out there running!  When I get in my truck, the temperature is a cool 42 degrees.  My next race will be the Bull Run Run 50-mile race on April 15th, but before that I plan to pace James at the Endurance Hunter 100-mile race on April 1st.

Never stop running,

Darin

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