Bull Run Run 2023 -- Hot Spring Weather

April 15

Significant science research has been focused on endurance.  Much of it has investigated training, including the taper before the goal race.  Carbohydrate loading has become universally accepted as key to an optimal performance.  Equally important to fueling one’s body for an event is the proper amount of rest in the one to three weeks before an event.  Before I read any of Jeff Galloway’s books, I thought rest of a few days, maybe even a week, was more than sufficient.  Over time, I have learned that my body really prefers a three week taper.  The very hard, long training runs take a toll on the body.  It takes time for the body to fully recover and heal from the long runs.

I have been training hard this spring, along with playing hard as well.  The month of March started with six straight days of skiing in Big Sky, Montana.  A week later I was in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia training on Priest and Three Ridges.  Two weeks after that I was in the mountains of north Georgia pacing James at the Endurance Hunter 100 miler.  James and I rambled in the dark, up and down some steep trails for 11 hours and 37 miles in route to a fifth place finish for him.  Now two weeks after that, I am toeing the line of the Bull Run Run 50 miler.  Are my legs rested?  Not as much as I usually like them to be.  Am I mentally rested?  Nope, I worked on my airplane Thursday afternoon for four and a half hours and two and a half more hours on Friday morning before finishing and flying to Manassas airport.

On top of my less than ideal taper, the weather is forecasted to be a little warm.  The dew point is in the 60s, and the high is going to climb to the high 70s.  I guess I will take this race easy and see how it unfolds for me.  The cut-off is generous for a 50-miler at 13 hours.  This is my 14^th time running this race.  My fastest time was 9:07 in 2007, and my slowest was 11:47 in 2019.  Last year, I ran 10:37 last year in almost perfect temperatures with the high reaching 53 degrees.

Mile 7.2      1:27:41 (12:11 avg./mile) Centreville Road

Strolling outbound

This year the course is the low water course.  Not only are the stream crossings low,
but the trail is dry and rock hard.  There will be no slipping and sliding around this year unlike most episodes of this event.  I pass Mike Campbell before we enter the single track.  Kari Brown says she is going to take it easy this year, and she is true to her word and is well behind me.  Kevin is here at this first aid station with his bull horn welcoming all of us.  I climb the steps, circle the road construction barrel, and descend back down the steps to continue north.  I didn’t grab any food at this point, and I have plenty of water in my Camelbak.

Mile 9.7      28:42 (11:29 avg./mile) Bluebell Loop

I settle into a steady, relaxed glide as I float along this very flat section.  The field of 221 runners has spread out very well, and I find myself not in close vicinity of the other runners.  I am now at the northern lollipop loop.  It is time to head back south towards Hemlock.  Again, I click my watch and keep on rolling, not pausing for anything at the aid station.

Mile 12.5    31:37 (11:17 avg./mile) Centreville Road

It is warm and humid, but there is also a breeze with only a few drops of rain this morning.  In these conditions, I am making efficient time.  I let my mind wander for a second, and BAM! I catch my left toe and fall to the dirt.  There are a couple of problems here.  First, my left toe has been somewhat of a problem since Big Sky.  I have jammed it several times and each time the pain is very intense!  Don’t worry, it deadens out after several minutes.  The other problem is that I am dusty and have a scrape on my right knee.  I dust myself off and resume my running pace, although it isn’t as smooth as it was previously.  Back at this aid station, Kevin is still here with his bull horn.  I grab a PB&J sandwich quarter and a few potato chips.

Mile 17.6    1:09:13 (13:34 avg./mile) Hemlock Overlook

Alone with my thoughts

As the heat builds, I conscientiously back off of my pace.  I remain steady in the
field, and I hear Kari Brown behind me somewhere.  As I make my way back to the start/finish, I meet Lauris Trimble.  She is running this race for her eighth time.  She is an Army officer, so her finishes at this race are scattered from 2003 to last year.  I am thinking that I can keep a smooth, relaxed pace with Lauris.  At the aid station, I don’t need to change my shoes or socks as the trail is rock hard and dry.  This is most unusual compared to many years when it is a mud fest, especially for the early miles.  I grab two PB&J sandwich quarters and walk up the hill to start the “back half.”

Mile 21.9    1:05:01 (15:07 avg./mile) Bull Run Marina

Leaving Hemlock, it feels measurably warmer.  I stay with Lauris most of this section as we chat away, but as we cross the soccer fields, I let her go ahead as I am thinking and feeling like I need to slow down some more.  I kick another root on this section with my left toe.  I don’t fall, so that is good, but the pain is intense nonetheless.  At the aid station, I grab a pickle along with a handful of potato chips as I walk through.

Mile 26.1    1:08:05 (16:13 avg./mile) Wolf Run Shoals

The heat continues to build, and I keep my pace smooth and slow.  I kick another root with my left toe, and I almost lose it coming down a hill.  However, I hang on and stay upright as the intense pain flows up my leg.  I am running with Adam and Chris from Westminster, Maryland when we meet a lady out walking on the trails.  She says, 2 out of 3 is pretty good for shirtless runners.  Adam and Chris have their shirts off at this point, and I am the odd one out in this group.  I get into this aid station, and Alex and his crew are doing a fantastic job as always.  I eat several strawberries and then move on as the heat is building, and I don’t think I need to eat anything else at this point.  I took salt tablets at three and six hours into the race.

Mile 28.9    50:30 (18:02 avg./mile) Fountainhead

My pace continues to slow inversely proportional to the temperature.  I am thinking that I just need to maintain a reasonable rate to finish this thing.  Obviously, I am not going to set a personal best as my cumulative time is already 6 hours and 40 minutes, and I am not too far past halfway.  Amy, Edward, and Charlie are at this aid station waiting for me.  Charlie has a sign that says, “Go G’pa Go!”  It is great to see them, but it only slightly distracts me from the heat.  I take the shirt off, and they slather me with sunscreen.  I drink a little chocolate milk before grabbing another PB&J sandwich quarter from the table.

Shirt removed

Mile 32.9    1:11:29 (17:52 avg./mile) Do Loop

The course this year is the “normal” course, meaning that we run the white trail before heading towards the do loop.  The white trail is this curvy trail that goes nowhere for almost two miles.  Then we get to head out to the do loop.  At this point, there are many runners returning that are a couple of hours ahead of me.  I see Kathleen and many other runners heading back in as I struggle to keep moving forward.  At the do loop, the scene is looking grim, but not quite yet a mash unit.  I eat two quesadilla quarters and ensure my Camelbak is topped off before entering the do loop.

Mile 35.5    50:26 (19:24 avg./mile) Do Loop

I am thinking that I need to keep running all of the downhills to stay in front of the cut-off times.  The start of the do loop is mostly downhill to the river.  As I am running down the hill, my hamstrings decide they are going to start cramping.  I walk a little before carefully running the rest of the way down the hill.  At the river the course turns left and starts a series of climbs followed by short downhill sections.  The downhills are short, which is good as they aren’t long enough for my legs to cramp again.  At the old Ford Fairlane, there is a tribute to Chris Scott, who passed away a couple of weeks ago.  He was also one of a handful of guys that started this race in the early 90s.  When I get back to the aid station, I have less than 30 minutes on the cut-off time, but I can’t drop out here as my crew is at Fountainhead.  I sit, eat a quesadilla quarter, and then press on to the next stop.

Mile 37.9    44:44 (18:38 avg./mile) Fountainhead

Leaving the do loop aid station, at the bottom of the hill, there is a lady throwing up.  Several runners are standing around offering various words of encouragement (what else can we do?).  I, on the other hand, have nothing to offer and pass quickly on the side.  My thinking is that if she is truly hurting, she could crawl back to the aid station that is only a couple of hundred yards away.  As I pass, all of the runners that were standing around come to the same conclusion as me and proceed with the race.  Many of these runners then pass and leave me behind.  I am struggling as I can’t push any harder since my legs will lock up if I do.  As I approach the aid station, it looks like we might finally get a rain shower that was forecasted.  That would be very welcome at this point.  I see Amy and Edward again; Charlie is asleep resting up for me.  I put my shirt back on as I think it is going to rain.  I am clearly hurting, but I decide to press on.  I am 18 minutes ahead of the cut-off time, but I am steadily losing ground.

Mile 40.6    50:20 (18:39 avg./mile) Wolf Run Shoals

The rain shower doesn’t actually grace my presence—it only spits a few drops of water before going somewhere else.  Kari Brown catches me, and we chat briefly before she leaves me behind.  She says, she told me that she was going to take it easy today, but she also says that she only has 17 minutes on the cut-off and doesn’t want to sweat the cut-offs any closer than this.  Sean Andrish and his sister, Shannon, come by me.  I had seen them very early in the race.  There is also a pair of runners who are mom and daughter.  The daughter is a fourth year at the Naval Academy, will be graduating in a couple of weeks, and then going to flight school in Pensacola.  Unfortunately, I don’t get a chance to talk with them.  I only overheard all of this information from a distance.  I manage to continue my pedestrian pace into Wolf Run Shoals aid station.  I get a few slugs of Coke in my collapsible cup and also get a handful of potato chips.  As this is a non-crew aid station there isn’t a cut-off here, but I am pretty sure I lost more ground.

Mile 44.8    1:10:43 (16:50 avg./mile) Bull Run Marina

Shortly after leaving Wolf Run Shoals, I make the strategic decision that I need to go to the whip now.  I have to get into the next aid station before six o’clock.  I reach in my pack and fish out a caffeine pill.  I pop that and within 10 minutes or so the effects begin.  I repass several runners and make excellent time getting to the marina.  I still have to manage my pace to ensure my legs, which have been on the verge of totally cramping for miles, do not fully lock up.  I power into the aid station with seven minutes to spare on the cut-off.  However, the cut-off is when I need to leave the aid station, not arrive at it.  Amy refills my Camelbak while Bob Gaylord (helping at the aid station) helps me take my shoe off so that I can get a rock out of it.  In the process of doing that, my right calf spasms and cramps, and my torso cramps while I am trying to get the shoe all the way on and tied.  I drink two collapsible cups of Coke and leave the aid station with two minutes to spare on the cut-off.

Mile 50.2    1:31:13 (16:54 avg./mile) FINISH

I have five and a half miles and only 90 minutes to get it done.  I have done this section as quickly as 1:02 in 2006 when Gary Knipling and I battle all the way to the finish, and I have done it as slow as 1:32 in 2019 when I had over an hour to spare.  I walked with purpose most of the way, running when the terrain was conducive, i.e., downhill.  The last runners I had sight of were around the soccer fields.  I am by myself for the last two miles, but fortunately, I know the marks well.  With a little over 15 minutes left, I pass the Ed C. bench marking a mile to go.  Eddie passed away a few years ago, and he and I ran dozens of races together.  I push up the last hill as quickly as I can.  I walk across the grass field as I can hear the crowd at the finish.  When I get across the field, I run the last quarter of a mile to the finish.  As the finish line comes in view, Amy is there pushing Charlie in the stroller.  When I first see the finish clock it reads 12:59:xx.  The crowd rises as one cheering me on as I get in just in time.

Official Finishing Time          12:59:44

137^th out of 217 starters (137 official finishers)

Hanging out at the finish

I would like to say that it was never in doubt that I would finish, but I did a little soul searching at the Fountainhead aid station before deciding that I would press on and try to finish.  The last section was total purpose and keeping my eye on the clock.  Could I have run more, I hope so, but I don’t know.  In 1999, I finished the Hartford marathon with a time of 3:10:44, which qualified me for Boston with only 15 seconds to spare.  This had the exact same 15 seconds to spare.  This is my slowest finish at this race by over an hour and 12 minutes.

In the end, I am very satisfied at my effort, but not thrilled with my time.  I sit at the finish for over 30 minutes, sipping a little Coke, and receiving congratulations from many friends and family.  Edward walks over and retrieves my rental car, driving it really close so I don’t have to walk very far.  I get up, thank all of the volunteers that are left, and manage to get into my car and drive back to my hotel.  I now get to rest from racing until I run the Mohican Trail 100 on June 3^rd.  Yes, I am returning to the Mo for the first time since 2009.  We will see what I can do.  Until then…

Never stop running,

Darin

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 21^st, 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

11^th 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 15^th, but before that I plan to pace James at the Endurance Hunter 100-mile race on April 1^st.

Never stop running,

Darin

Hellgate 100k 2022 - Nice Weather?

December 10

James and Darin before the Start

Twenty years is a long time; it is a generation.  When I started running this race in 2003, Martha didn’t crew for me the first two years because our kids were a little young to be out all night in a cold car helping to crew.  Then they were old enough to help crew, and then run the last 6.3 miles with dad.  Finally, they were old enough to crew me at Hellgate by themselves, which both have done multiple times.  Now, they can’t crew because they live too far away and they have little ones of their own.   Twenty years is a long time no matter how it is viewed.  It actually hasn’t been 20 years, but this is the 20^th running of the Hellgate 100k that was run for the first time 19 years ago on December 13, 2003.  Equally impressive is that the race has had the same race director for all 20 races.  That would be David Horton.  And, Charlie Hesse has been here every year as well serving as the head of operations.  Five runners (including yours truly) have also been here every year, have run the race, and finished under the 18-hour cutoff.  I didn’t know any of the other four guys when we first ran this race in 2003.  Now I know them all well.  We see each other at least once a year.

Darin waiting for the Start

This year is special as it is the 20^th running, and this race is always special.  The weather
is usually a topic except for the few years it has been nice.  This year had the potential to be nice, and it might be.  However, there is a 50% chance of a passing shower during the night.  The temperature is supposed to be between 38 and 44.  So, if we don’t get any rain, this will be a “nice” weather year, something Horton calls sissy-gate weather.  At the prerace briefing, Horton invites me up to talk about the history of the weather.  The first 10 years, we only had nice weather twice.  So far in the second 10 years, we have had warm weather three times, and hot weather once.  My notes say we had nice weather once.  So, Horton’s take away is that the race is getting easier.  I think not as there is a sweet spot for the temperature.  For me that would be above 20 degrees and less than 55 degrees.  The years when it got above 60 degrees (twice) it was less than ideal.  With the temperature about 40 degrees, I am wearing shorts, long and short sleeve shirts, a thin beanie cap, and glove shells.  It doesn’t feel very cold, and the wind isn’t currently blowing and isn’t forecast to blow very hard during the night.

Mile 3.5      46:38 (13:19 avg./mile) FSR 35

After singing the National Anthem and O Holy Night, we are off!  138 runners have started this year.  I know many of them.  One of the rookies is my friend James, who rode up with me from Huntsville.  James is much faster than me, but then he is also 18 years younger.  The problem is that James ran a 50 mile race (and won it) last weekend in Alabama.  Regardless, I see him briefly after the race starts as he goes out with the lead pack of 20 or so runners.  Meanwhile, I am back in the middle of the pack when Bethany Patterson comes by me.  We chat briefly about the Ohio State football team before I lose contact with her as well.  Then it starts to rain only a mere 30 minutes into the race.  Ideas of this being a passing shower are dashed quickly as it rains the rest of this section.  Meanwhile, my goal today is to finish in 16.5 hours.  I definitely want to finish in less than 17 hours as this would get me a Western States 100 miler qualifier for next year’s lottery.  And, if all doesn’t go well, I will drag myself in before the cutoff time of 18 hours.  At the prerace briefing, Horton asked me (in front of everyone) what time I would finish, and I said sub-17.  I make the stream crossing at mile 3, getting my feet wet, and then get into the aid station a little slower than planned.  I wanted to cover this section in 45 minutes to get me to my 16.5-hour goal, but now I am a little behind that.  I grab a cup of water and start shuffling up the road.

Mile 7.5      55:57 (13:59 avg./mile) Petites Gap

The rain continues for most of this section as well, but it does end about 10 minutes before I get to the aid station.  My goal on this section is to run it efficiently, which means walking quite a bit as it is all uphill.  I could run the whole section, but that would likely cost me later.  As it is, my left calf is already talking to me.  The discomfort is low in the calf muscle near where it attaches to the Achilles tendon.  I am not sure why it is hurting, but it is.  About two-thirds the way up the hill, Chelsea Viar and Wade Stout join me, and I manage to stay with them into the aid station.  At the aid station, my crew this year (Tim) is ready and waiting for me.  Usually, I change my shoes, but since it has rained and everything is wet, I decide not to change them at this point.  I drink a cup of chocolate milk and take half of a bagel with me to eat on the run.

Mile 13.1    1:35:21 (17:02 avg./mile) Camping Gap

After crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway for the first time in this race, the course goes down a technical, rocky trail for about a mile or so.  The rocks are wet and slippery, and the leaves around the rocks are slick as well.  It is fun and challenging to try to keep a good pace while going downhill, but yet stay under control so that I don’t crash and injure myself.  I maintain this critical balance as I make good time and don’t fall or twist anything.  Now it is time to run the rolling section of technical trail that crosses a couple of streams.  Since the course is very wet, the streams are full of water, but I don’t worry too much about getting a foot wet again, although I manage pretty well.  There is also portion of this section where there are no leaves and the trail is all mud and very slippery.  It is a challenge to keep from sliding off the side of the hill.  Finally, the trail dumps me out onto the jeep trail and the climb to the aid station.  It is only about three miles with a climb that is steeper than the previous big climb.  Along the way, I maintain my position with the other runners, and Zach Mortensen joins me for the last mile or so into the aid station.  He is from Greensboro, NC.  At some point during the climb, the rain begins again, but fortunately lasts only about 10 minutes or so.  At the aid station, I stay far away from the nice fire, and eat two quesadillas, which are very tasty.

Mile 21.9    2:32:48 (17:22 avg./mile) Headforemost Mountain

I eat my second quesadilla while walking out of Camping Gap.  I want to make good time on this section and try to finish this section around 5:40am.  My pace seems fine, but about halfway through the sleepy monster climbs on my back.  I am managing to press through when Tony Taylor joins up with me.  He is from Stafford, Virginia.  Talking to Tony helps me stay focused and soon we are leaving the grassy road portion for the single track over Apple Orchard.  All is going well, but then we enter a fog bank.  I take the lead and take us up and over Apple Orchard.  Tony remarks that I obviously know when to press and (more importantly) where to go.  The course is well marked, but the fog makes it challenging.  We make it down the trail beside Overstreet Falls in the fog without any falls.  As we start the final climb up the mountain, Mike Hannon joins us.  It is 5:50am when we pass the location of the original aid station.  This is a little disappointing, but somewhat expected given the fog.  I haven’t run this section this slowly since 2016.  In hindsight, I probably didn’t push it hard enough on the grassy road section.  I enter the aid station with several runners sitting around the heaters.  I announce that it is time to get down the hill—let’s go!  I grab a couple of PB&J sandwich quarters, a pickle, and a few potato chips before leaving.

Mile 27.6    1:30:10 (15:49 avg./mile) Jennings Creek

I run out of the aid station, cross the Parkway for the second time, and begin a quick, little climb before the downhill starts in earnest.  I feel great, and I am ready to push the pace.  I make quick work of the double track section before the muddy and wet rolling terrain.  Since I haven’t changed my shoes yet, I really don’t care about the mud and wet conditions.  I pass a couple of runners, and then set my sights on the next two runners in front of me.  Soon I catch and pass them as well.  But then, Mike Hannon catches and passes me.  Where did he come from?  I don’t know, but clearly he is moving great!  I make it unscathed to the last mile plus of grassy road, and I pick up the pace once again.  I pass a few runners, including Mike.  Before I get to the aid station, I also pass Lanier Greenhaw.  I roll into the aid station around 7:10am.  My time is faster on this section than I have done since 2009!  And, my race time matches my 2017 time when I went sub 17 hours.  I catch my crew just starting to cook my eggs so I sit down and change my shoes.  With the shoes changed and an egg and bacon sandwich in my hand, I leave the aid station at 7:20am.

Mile 34.5    1:49:05 (15:49 avg./mile) Little Cove Mountain

I pass Lindsay Leigh initially leaving Jennings Creek.  I make the first climb in good
shape, and Lindsay catches back up to me.  Lanier got ahead of me again as he left the aid station before me.  There are two other runners in front of me, but I don’t catch them until after the climb.  For the initial descent, a runner passes me, but I am able to stay in front of two other runners.  I manage to pass Chrystal Molnar, and Lindsay and I play leap frog before staying together on the last climb into the aid station.  Crews are not allowed at this aid station, but Rosy cooks the food for the aid station, and it is always very good.  I eat a small egg and sausage sandwich and a grilled cheese quarter.  My time on this section is the quickest for me since 2017.  I am only five minutes behind my goal pace for finishing in 16.5 hours.

Mile 42.5    2:23:29 (17:56 avg./mile) Bearwallow Gap

Changing shoes at Bearwallow Gap

Lindsay leaves the aid station just before me.  I walk a little bit while I finish eating the food I got from the aid station.  As I start running, Sophie Speidel catches up to me.  I am surprised she was behind me.  She says I am running very well.  She initially passes me, but then I quickly pass her back.  I catch up to Marc Griffin and another runner.  We have a discussion about what pace we are maintaining.  I say that we are real close to 16.5 hours, and Marc says he was thinking/hoping we were sub-16 pace.  After a little bit, the other runner presses Marc to push on ahead.  I pass Lanier again on this part while I am chatting with Marc.  Chrystal, Lindsay, and I are close together as we exit the grassy road portion.  Then Justin Blessing passes us, moving at a smooth and steady pace.  I let Chrystal and Lindsay go as we enter some climbs in the middle of this section.  I am not entirely sure why I cannot keep pace with them, but it is what it is.  When I make the left turn onto the devil trail, I can still see Lindsay and Chrystal up ahead of me, and Sophie is within sight behind me.  She catches me in the rocks, while I am hurting my ankles on the rocks covered with leaves.  Sophie says this year should be called the wet and slippery year.  I have to agree.  After the devil trail, I attempt to cross the creek by rock hopping, but then decide to just step in the water.  This is only the second time in 20 years that I have gotten my feet wet on this stream crossing.  Sophie and I make it into the aid station together.  Tim is ready and waiting for me.  He has two grilled ham and cheese half sandwiches ready for me.  I drink some chocolate milk and eat the first ham and cheese while I get my shoes and socks changed.  Tim says this is a three shoe day with all of the mud and water.  Fortunately, it hasn’t rained anymore since early this morning.  My time is slower than I wanted, and it is 11:33 when I leave the aid station.  I am now 13 minutes behind my goal pace for 16.5 hours, but still in a good position for getting in before 17 hours.  I drink a cup of Coke before leaving the aid station to give me a little boost starting the next section.

Mile 49.5    1:54:50 (16:24 avg./mile) Bobblets Gap

The climb out of Bearwallow Gap is one of the toughest in the race.  It isn’t as large of a climb as many others, but it is steep and somewhat technical.  In the last few years, I have really struggled on this climb.  This year with two Priest and Three Ridges training runs this fall, I do much better on the climb.  As I am navigating the ins and outs along the ridge line, Sheryl Mawn and her daughter catch up to me.  Sheryl says hi to me straightaway, but I don’t catch her name, and initially don’t realize it is her.  Jennifer is pacing Sheryl, and we have a good chat.  When we make the left turn, which lets me know that there is about 30 minutes until we descend off this ridge, Sheryl lets me go by, and then Justin passes me again.  I try to stay with him, but I am also ensuring that I don’t burn myself out.  After I make the small descent to the last mile to the aid station on a jeep trail, Lanier catches back up to me.  We power hike into the aid station together.  This is my quickest time on this section since 2018.  I have given up another five minutes to my goal pace and am now 18 minutes behind, which means I am still ahead of a sub-17 pace.  Crews cannot come to this aid station this year because of a rock slide on the parkway.  This aid station sits in the underpass of the parkway. I drink a cup of ginger ale and consume two more PB&J sandwich quarters.

Mile 56.1    2:05:36 (19:02 avg./mile) Day Creek

Coming into Day Creek Aid Station

Leaving Bobblets Gap, I take a caffeine pill.  It is time to press the pace and get this race done.  I run the 2.5 mile downhill on a dirt and then gravel road.  I pass a
couple of people in the process, but I am still glad when we get back onto the trail.  My time for the road section is 28 minutes, which is not bad as my goal was to complete it in less than 30 minutes.  I am hoping to complete this section in two hours or less, but I haven’t done that since 2008. I am power hiking the hills hard, and I am trying to reel some people in.  Unfortunately, the best I seem to be able to do is keep pace with the people around me, and a couple of people are catching and passing me.  About two miles from the aid station, Sophie catches back up to me.  I manage to keep the pace going fast enough that Sophie follows me the rest of the way into the aid station.  While my time isn’t quite as fast as I wanted, it is fast enough to keep sub-17 as a possibility for me.  I meet Tim at the aid station, drink some more Coke and stuff some potato chips in my mouth.  Meanwhile, Sophie walks right through the aid station without stopping.  Additionally, Mike Hannon is into this aid station ahead of me.  It is 15:33, so I need to run this last section in less than 1:27 to finish under 17 hours.

Mile 62.4    1:23:15 (13:13 avg./mile) FINISH

My fastest time on this section was 1:04 back in 2010.  I haven’t gone sub-1:30 since 2018.  The uphill section to the Parkway is 2.8 miles.  I start my power hiking and quickly catch and pass Mike.  Then I have Dan Broom and Sophie ahead of me in my sights.  I make it to the first gate in 15.5 minutes.  This is about one-third of the way to the Parkway.  I really need to get to the Parkway in less than 48 minutes if I am going to have a chance on the backside to the finish.  I am not able to catch either Dan or Sophie on our trek to the Parkway, but I make it in about 46 minutes.  Now I have about 40 minutes to make it the last 3.5 miles downhill to the finish.  I try my hardest to push the pace on the rocky road for the first couple of miles.  I catch and pass Dan about a mile down the hill.  As I am looking for the gate that will indicate 1.5 miles to go, I see Sophie up ahead.  I pass Sophie just as we are getting to the gate.  When I hit the gate, my watch says I have 15.5 minutes to make it in less than 17 hours.  I run around the gate onto the smoother gravel road and kick my pace in high gear.  When I reach the mile to go line, I click my watch, and see that I just ran a half mile in 3:59!  Now, I have 11.5 minutes to make it, but I do not back off the pace.  My right hamstring is talking loudly to me, but I cannot slow down at this point.  Finally the turn into Camp Bethel comes into view.  I make the left turn and sprint to the finish!  My last mile time is 8:58—not bad for a 53 year old who just ran 65 miles.

Crossing the Finish Line

Official Finishing Time          16:57:09

93^rd out of 138 starters (116 finishers under 18 hours)

At the finish, Tim and James are cheering loudly, and when David Horton realizes it is me, he gets excited as well.  I cross the line, and Horton and I embrace.  It is great to be back at Camp Bethel once again!  All five of the fearsome five have once again finished this special race.  I am completely spent as I didn’t leave hardly anything on the course.  While I didn’t achieve my primary goal of 16:30, I did get another finish under 17 hours.  Not only does this provide over an hour cushion on the race’s 18 hour cutoff, but it also gives me a qualifier for the Western States 100 lottery next December.  I am very satisfied with my training and effort this year.  The weather and course put up a good challenge with the rain and mud, but once again I have conquered the challenge.

We pick up a pizza at Lentini’s on our way to our hotel room in Roanoke.  James, Tim, and I will fly back to Huntsville on Sunday morning.  My next race is unknown at this point, but I will write about it when I do it.  Until then…

Never stop running,

Darin

Stump Jump 50k - Tumble and Roll

October 1

Darin & James before the Start

My feet begin to slide down the scree, and I start to fall downhill.  My foot catches on something, and I find myself hurtling downhill head first.  Ah, there is a small tree that I can grab in order to stop my decent.  Instead of catching the tree, I plow right through it with no measurable decrease in my momentum.  I make contact length-wise on a log with my hands and forearms taking the
brunt of the impact.  Sliding down the log, I finally come to rest in rocks and dirt.  Did I break anything?  Where do I hurt?  Can I continue this race as it is only mile 12?

This day started very promising.  The course is dry with temperatures beginning in the low 50s.  James and I drove over to Chattanooga yesterday afternoon.  I plan to try to finish in 7 hours flat.  It is going to take a push, but I think I am ready to push this race as this is my third time running this event.  My training has been solid this summer, and the only catch is my stomach issues that I hope are behind me.

Mile 4.9      55:42 (11:22 avg./mile) Edwards Point

This first section is nicely rolling terrain, and I run most of it in order to keep my place in the conga line of runners.  After the first few miles, the pack thins out, and I am able to set my own pace.  I wanted to get a quick start, and my time on this first section is faster than my two previous times at this race.  At the aid station, I don’t need anything so I pass right through passing a few runners in the process.

Mile 8.2      44:59 (13:38 avg./mile) Mushroom Rock #1

Katie, Christina
followed by Darin

Leaving Edwards Point aid station, I settle in behind two ladies that are setting a
very nice pace.  The lady in the lead for now is Katie, and Christina is following.  As we catch up to a runner, Christina will mention to Katie when it is time to pass them.  My effort on this section remains about the same as the first section, but the trail is more technical with rocks and roots and thus is slower.  At the aid station, I grab a PB&J sandwich quarter and a small handful of potato chips.  When I look up, Christina and Katie are gone.

Mile 14.2    1:31:50 (15:18 avg./mile) Indian Rock House

The trail is sharply downhill leaving Mushroom Rock.  I pass several runners going down the hill to the bridge across a creek.  I continue to run smoothly, only occasionally catching my toe on a rock.  I have fallen once with no damage, catching myself with my hands.  I cross Suck Creek and the road beside it.  After crossing the road, I catch up to Katie on the ensuing climb.  I ask her about Christina, and she says that she is a strong runner and always leaves her behind.  I chat with Katie a little bit, and then pass her near the top of the climb.  The trail on the ridge is mostly flat, but fairly technical.  It is difficult to get into a rhythm, but in attempt to try to stay in a rhythm, I am taking chances on the rocks and roots.  As was written in the opening, around 12 miles, I take one chance too many.  The fall was probably the second worst fall I have taken while running trail ultra-races.  The only one that was probably worse was my bloody chin and cracked fillings fall at Massanutten Mountain Trail 100 miler in 2005 in Virginia.  It takes me a few minutes of walking before I feel like I can run again.  When I arrive at the aid station, the workers are anxious to clean up my wounds, but none of the wounds are dripping blood so I decline their offers.  Speaking of wounds, here they are:  right forearm is scraped the worst from elbow to wrist, left forearm is lightly scraped, right cheek has a scrape that I don’t even feel and the scrape continues across the front of my chin, a gash in between the index and middle finger on my right hand, and the back of my left hip has a scrape and a bruise that is not visible as my shorts cover it.  Amazingly, my legs, ankles, and feet feel okay, so I press on after taking two PB&J sandwich quarters.

Approaching Indian Rock House aid station

Mile 16.7    35:35 (14:14 avg./mile) Snoopers Rock

After the sandwich quarters, I have a bit more energy and the pain in various places is starting to numb out a bit.  I gently push the pace and am rewarded with a decent time getting to this aid station.  There were a couple of guys that I chatted with during this section.  One is running his first 50k and didn’t hang with me for very long.  The other one is running this race for his third time and is trying to run nice and easy.  The past two times he has gone out too fast and blown up.  I grab a pickle and a handful of potato chips at the aid station.

Mile 19.4    57:07 (21:09 avg./mile) Haley Road

The guy trying to run a conservative race stays with me for this whole section.  At
some point he remarks that this is the farthest in a race he has gone without throwing up.  I guess everyone has goals!  I am in cruise mode and probably didn’t push my pace enough on this section, but my plan is to push after Mullins Cove.  As I am wondering when we will get to the aid station, we come out onto a dirt road that I remembered takes us to the aid station.  We hike up the dirt road for a few hundred yards and arrive at the aid station.  I grab another PB&J sandwich quarter and head out for the final section on this loop.

Mile 22.8    50:23 (14:49 avg./mile) Mullins Cove Parking

Navigating the rock garden

My goal on this section is to make it to the next aid station with something left in the tank for the last push to the finish.  I run most of this section with a lady who hasn’t done this race before.  I follow her through the rock garden that doesn’t seem as long as I remember.  I glide into the aid station and grab some potato chips and look to drink some Coke.  Unfortunately, this is a cup-less race so there is no cup to pour some Coke in for me.  So, I pour the Coke into my open mouth, fountain style.  I get two mouthfuls with this approach.

Mile 29.3    1:55:38 (17:47 avg./mile) Mushroom Rock #2

I press my pace leaving Mullins Cove, running the half mile to the steps leading down to the Indian Rock House.  I cover that half mile in six and a half minutes.  I am by myself at this point and feeling pretty good.  Two miles later, I mark the spot where I took my fall several hours earlier.  It doesn’t look that imposing if you navigate the trail carefully.  I catch and pass two other runners, but then I am passed by a runner as well.  When I think I am less than an hour from the finish, I take a caffeine pill to keep my energy up.  After this, I am still feeling good, but various muscles in my legs start to talk to me.  First it is my hamstrings that threaten to cramp.  Then as I near the downhill to the road crossing, my calves start to complain.  Just then Christina catches up to me and remarks that this is the last downhill.  I want to take it easy, but that isn’t going to help (much) my cramping legs.  We make our way down and cross the creek as I manage to keep Christina behind me.  As we are making the steep climb up to Mushroom Rock, my left calf seizes up.  She asks if she can help at all, and I answer in the negative.  It takes me about 10 seconds to resume my trek up the hill, and I make it to the aid station.  I grab a couple of potato chips as Christina pushes on through the aid station ahead of me.

Mile 31.2    21:06 (11:06 avg./mile) FINISH

As I watch Christina trot away from the aid station, I know I cannot run any uphill sections.  I would like to push this last mile or two, but I have to be careful to not cause my leg muscles to completely seize up.  So, I hike the slightly uphill sections, and try to run the flat and downhill sections.  About halfway to the finish, my right calf locks up.  It takes me the better part of a minute before I can do anything.  After that, I walk the majority of the section until I get to the final section of road to the finish line.  (Note, this section is not 1.9 miles!)  As I near the finish, I show the battle damage on my arms.

At the Finish

Battle Damage

Official Finishing Time          7:52:20

71^st out of 220 starters (2^nd of M50-59)

My time this year ends up being 10 seconds faster than when I ran this in 2019.  I pushed the pace and paid the price for it.  However, I am glad that I was able to test myself to that limit.  Falling as I did was never in the plan.  I am surprised to see that I was 2^nd male in the grand masters category.

My next event is to pace James at the Pinhoti 100 miler on November 5^th.  After that I have the 20^th running of the Hellgate 100k in December.  Despite the fact that my races recently haven’t gone as I planned, I feel confident right now for Hellgate.  Until then…

Never stop running,

Darin