And Then It Came Crashing Down....Stone Mill Recap

Ultra distance race directors and their teams are generally a pretty chill bunch, but I could tell that there was some anxiety when one of the volunteers offered to do a car pool to the McDonalds just minutes before the start of the Stone Mill 50 Miler.  And when she announced that is was "only for those who had to do number two" I could actually FEEL the stress they were going through.

Seems the custodian from the host school decided he had time to sleep in and then get a coffee before heading to the race start to unlock the bathrooms.  Not sure when he arrived, but it was after the crowd of  runners had either taken a short walk behind a tree or hopped the carpool to the nearest bathroom.  Still, everyone was cheery and ready when we were sent off into the darkness of the morning. 
The road to the trail was a nice way to thin out the group and we established a nice line heading into the woods. We weren't on the trail for long when there was a HUGE crashing sound behind me.  I was sure it was a tree falling just feet away, but it turned out to be a deer trying to get away from the runners.  Unfortunately, the poor deer chose the wrong direction and ended up plowing into one of the runners not two miles into this 50 mile run.  And then, the deer sort of half rolled, half ran down the rest of the hill. Remarkably, the resilient runner dusted herself off and kept right on going!

Since all this took place before 7:00 am, I knew we were in for a great day!  Excitement, adventure, all of the things you sign up for when you run an ultra.  I was hoping that my new found "speed" would really shine on this day, and it did for a while.  I was hitting the aid stations ahead of my last year's time, which was ahead of the year before that.   The trail was perfect - very runnable and well marked. The aid stations had a great variety of food and amazing volunteers who offered to do everything but chew the food for me.  I settled into a good pace and just kept moving along, sharing the trails with folks I see often at races, and others who I only see once a year at Stone Mill. 

After a while, the lack of "facilities" at the start had an impact, and I was counting down the miles until the aid with the port-a-pot.  As I came out, I heard a volunteer shouting for me to hurry and catch the guy in front of me.  I could only hope I didn't have toilet paper hanging out anywhere!  But I listened and got a move on. Coming into the 28 mile aid station, I decided to change my shoes, since I had a hot spot developing.  Getting down on the ground was a lot easier than getting up again, but once I was on my way, I was fine!


There are no mountains, or river crossings, or rocks at Stone Mill, and it is very easy to just settle into a rhythm of running that that leads you to believe it is an easy run.  But 50 miles of relentless bouncing has its consequences and all that uninterrupted running might have been a bad thing for me since it started to do a number on my stomach at about the 40 mile mark. I was having trouble eating and after a while, even keeping fluid where it belongs was an effort, despite using every trick I knew.  Where last year, I was saved by ice chips and Ramon noodle soup, they didn't work their magic this time.  I made it to the final aid station right at the cut-off and was hurriedly sent on my way, even though I would have liked to linger.  Those aid workers know what they are doing for sure, since if I had even stopped for a moment, I probably would not have gone on.

 But I did, and was lucky to partner up with a youngish dude who was struggling as well.  We kept each other company for the last painful 4 miles of winding trails taking us towards, then away from the finish for what seemed like hours!!  In the end I crossed the line, but well behind my time from last year.  Not the stellar performance I was  hoping for after my awesome fall, but the gracious race director gave me a finish, my 5th at Stone Mill, so I am grateful for that.

congratulations....or pity (I'll take it!)

No Reasonable Explanation (aka Catching Up: Pt. 2)

After a couple long runs, a couple of 50Ks, and some shorter runs, I was ready for my fall marathons.  I discovered Freedom's Run  a few years ago, and it has really become one of my favorites.  Some years it has coincided with the Baltimore Running Festival, and that leaves me in a quandary, as I have a streak going at Baltimore.  Well, sort of a streak, since I have done 12/15 of the marathons.  Because it is the hometown race, I feel somewhat compelled to support it. 

Luckily, this year both marathons were on different weekends. Yeah!  Of course they were only one week apart, and I was also signed up for a 50K on the next weekend, but is there REALLY too much of a good thing??


I just can't

Freedom's Run is just so beautiful.  Starting in Harper's Ferry, this run has some of every  kind of scenery imaginable. And despite my hate/hate relationship with the canal towpath, I ran every step of it this year.  It was as if I switched on autopilot and just cruised the full 10 or so miles.  Coming off the canal, there are some killer hills, and I continued my plugging along until I got to the Antietam Battlefields.  There are also some serious hills here, but the "downs" really balance the "ups".  It was here that I looked at my watch for the first time and had a "WTF??" moment.  Anyone who knows me as a runner knows that I don't much focus on time, rather run by feel and effort.  This run was feeling pretty comfortable, so when I saw I might finish in under 5 hours, I had to focus on that!  It would be my first sub-5 hour marathon in 7 years, and I have NO IDEA how that happened!  But I wasn't going to let it slip away so I really pushed the final few miles and came in at 4:58.  No one was more surprised than me!

sunrise over Harper's Ferry Visitor Center

such beautiful views

Of course after running a good race at Freedom's Run, my expectations for Baltimore were somewhat muted.  It was only 6 days later after all.  The weather looked to be perfect, and I was feeling pretty good.  And that is the way the race started, and continued until about 22 miles in.  At that point, my legs hurt so badly I just wanted to get to the finish.  Again, I looked at my watch and saw I could do a sub 5, but every step was agony and running fast was impossible.  I alternated walking and running for a little while, then fell in with some folks and tried to hold their pace.  I knew I would be okay if I could just stay ahead of the 5 hour pace group. 

Guess what didn't happen???  Yeah, they passed me and try as I did, I finished in 5:05, with my legs screaming in agony.  The good news is that for the first time in 3 years, and even with a faster time by 15 minutes or so, I didn't throw up, so there is that.  Still, Baltimore is a great race, and I will most likely always be tempted by the siren song of the run through Charm City.

I actually won a free massage from Geiko, but had to wear their shirt!

A week later I was at the starting line for the 2nd annual Patapsco Valley 50K.  Again, my expectations were not that high - last year it had taken me 8:24 to finish the deceptively hard course, and I was beginning to feel the cumulative effects of so many races in so few weeks!  But the day was gorgeous as was the course, and I came over the line in 7:59!

So three races, three weeks apart, with three best times in a long time.  Not even sure what happened there, but I'll take it!  Sometimes it is better to not question, just go with it!

Fall Races (aka "Catching Up")

Yes, I was successful at Schloss... and several races after that.  In fact, it seems every weekend for the last three months I was racing, running, or resting.  And by resting, I mean only running 15-20 miles instead of 26 or more.  Because the only way I will remember is to write about them (and thank goodness for pictures) here is a brief summary:

The Big Schloss...I have to devote some time to this because it was epic, I tell you.  The rain, the thunder, the lightning.  Pounding down the side of a mountain with little rivers at my feet, the huge drops pelting my face as the thunder boomed loud and near.  It was amazing.  There are some runs that I feel like I am flying and this was one of them.  The views, even through the clouds and persistent rain, were amazing.  It was just cool enough to be pleasant, and this run felt as close to effortless as can be. 

A week later (or maybe two?) and it was the Women's Half Marathon.  I can't remember how many times I have completed this race, but it is an annual Evil Sister reunion, and missing it is not an option.  While a bit warm for me, I did  just fine and had a pretty good run.  Nothing compares to the camaraderie of this race and the singing send off of "Happy Trails"  by VHTRC men is priceless.

Another week, and another 50K. This was Blue's Cruise, and a new one for me.  When I registered for this, I was looking for a race that would be a supported long distance, but not too technical or rocky, since I was running a marathon just a week later.  I didn't pay much attention to the distance (very close to Philly) and I definitely wasn't banking on the swarms of bees that attacked my knees and thighs early in the race.

I had these welts all over my legs and knees

The  race circumvents a lake, and sounds pleasant enough, but there were stretches that were long and less than scenic.  I didn't have my camera so I couldn't capture the prison that highlighted the long 5 miles to the finish.  Not sure I would do this again, but the folks were great and it served the purpose.

I'll stop here, because my next few races were marathons, and the Patapsco 50K.  They deserve their own post since each one was a great race as well as some freaky anomaly of speed that caught me by surprise!  (I realize that waiting until 3 months after a race is probably not considered an official "report", but hey, life.

Big Schloss or Bust

So this is what I am doing this weekend...

The big Schloss.  I haven't run a successful 50K since May and I am more than a little nervous that it won't go well, but I am also more determined that it will.  At least that is what I told myself all this weekend as I ran 38 miles of trails to cram for this event. 

can you say "unprepared"

Its not like I haven't been training.  I ran the A-10 last weekend, and for the first time in 11 years, did not spend the afternoon dying on the couch.  It was hot, but I ran it like a trail race, nice and calm, and while my time was pretty abysmal, I felt terrific afterwards.   This road race is historically the day before my kids start school, and since I usually wait until Sunday afternoon before the first day to get school supplies, I end up at Staples looking like a dehydrated zombie.

But I actually felt pretty good after, and since I had gotten to the start at 3:30 am, I had a prime parking spot and got out of there zip quick.   A stealth change in the car and I was perky enough to stop at IKEA on my way home AND I even built the storage organizer I bought.  Now that was an endurance event.

I only want to finish Big Schloss.  No lofty time goals or PRs.   Just get me to the end to restore my confidence and I'll be a happy camper.  I mean, its only a 31 mile mountain run. What could possibly go wrong?

Two Fails and a Drop

July was not kind to me.  For some asinine reason, I thought signing up for three 50Ks on three consecutive weekends was a good idea.

Catoctin was to be the first, and a redemption run.  I ran it two years ago in not ideal circumstances, and came in 3 minutes over the 9:15 cut off time.  This year, I thought I would give it another shot, and since I had been doing weeks of 18-22 mile long runs, it seemed a pretty sure thing.  Yeah...no.

My head was  not in the game and while I made the first few cut offs, by the time I was headed to the Manor area, I  pretty much gave up.  This is a tough race to begin with, and being a million mental miles away for the first half did not help.  As I arrived at the stream and tried to gracefully cross it, the aid workers told me there was no hurry, and that was not what I wanted to hear.  But I admitted defeat and spent the rest of the day floating in the pool.
 

My next race was the summer edition of Rosaryville.  I did this last year and was pleased that I finished in a not horrible time since it was a)summer and b)hot.  The course is MUCH easier than Catoctin and there was some other members of my running group going, so it looked to be a fun day.  And then this:

and this:

It wasn't looking good.  I loaded my hydration pack with ice, took an extra bottle of ice, and wore next to nothing, but was still baking just 10 miles in.  I tried so hard to tough it out for the full 50K, but somewhere after 15 miles I just shut down, went back to the finish and settled for a 25K medal.  Not my proudest moment, but I had puddles in my shoes and just could not drink enough to rehydrate.

So that left me with the last of my 50Ks for the month, and I ultimately had to drop out of that due to family schedule things.

Since July was less than successful, I have decided to take August off, at least until the A-10 the last weekend and concentrate on just running for fun.  I'll wait until September to start worrying about the 50 miler I signed up for today.

Ragnar (More Mud Please)

Sometimes, things become so ridiculous, they are hilarious.  That was my experience with the Ragnar Trail Relay this past weekend.  I'm pretty sure that none of us were quite prepared for the condition of the trails, and that might have been a very good thing!

This was the first time any of us had attempted a Ragnar race, therefore our expectations were in line with other relays we had done, except we would not be on the roads. There was camping involved, and that always spells fun.

Part of our two teams of 16 headed out Thursday to set up camp and prepare for the rest of the teams' arrival on Friday.  It seemed all was going well until we got this message:


Seems a storm rolled through after everything was set up and there was carnage everywhere.  A few had lost all bedding and dry gear and so a plan was made to resupply.  I am sure I wasn't the only one rethinking my packing list (and yet rain boots still didn't seem an obvious choice!!)  When we arrived Friday, it was damp, but not raining, and we were able to do our set up.  On the bright side, staking the tents down was like a knife through butter - no mallet necessary!

now they know how to set up a tent!

Since I was the 4th runner of 8, I had some time to get my tent assembled and get somewhat organized.  My one man tent was pretty small, but did the job and it was on a high spot.  That was going to REALLY come in handy later.  I had packed everything in waterproof bags, so I knew my stuff would stay pretty dry.  Oh, did I mention we were set up about 1/4 mile from the "hub" where the relay exchanges would take place.  This will become important later....
After getting set up, we walked to the start and were able to get a feel for where we would be spending the next two days, in and out of the exchanges, eating, buying way too much merchandise, and warming up by the fire.  Sometime during this adventure, it started raining again.  Gently at first, and then a full out downpour.  Luckily I had packed my raincoat.  Unfortunately, it was in my tent!  I was wearing a heavy ERR sweatshirt that was increasingly becoming more and more soaked.  After a while, when we sent our runners off, I headed back to the tents as the rain picked up in intensity.  Bad decision. Remember when I said we were about 1/4 mile from the staging area?  Yeah, well do you know how wet a sweatshirt can get in the time it takes to jog that far??  
I suspect Ragar knew what they were doing when they had long sleeved shirts, jackets and sweats in their sale tent in the end of June. 

Perfect...just what I am looking for!

Each runner had to do three loops on three different trails.  Green, Yellow and Red.   The concept sounded so easy but man, I could not keep straight what color I was suppose to be doing.  I think it was the race director's fault...he made the comment on the "informational video" that it was just like a stop light, but in reverse - from the bottom up.  The tricky part was that was for the TEAM, not each runner.  And being #4, I just couldn't keep track of my order.  My stop light was all messed up, going from Green to Red and ending with Yellow.  Thankfully I had Cassie, who was also runner #4 on the second team to keep me on track.  Because nothing makes sense at 11 pm in the pouring rain, and it makes even less sense at 8 in the morning (again in the pouring rain) with little sleep.

My favorite leg was the night run.  I have done plenty of night runs before, and have liked them all, but with the rain, the mud, the technical, rocky trail, I really felt like a little kid just out there having a blast.  The muddy puddles were so deep and thick that I came very close to losing my shoes.  The mud was just coating everything, and with the added challenge of crawling over boulders, I just had to stop and laugh.  People were falling and slipping all over the place.  There were parts that were so beautiful with just the glow of my headlamp.  This was called the "Swamp Trail" for obvious reasons. I was running so well, with absolutely  no fear and in my own world of happiness, that it is no surprise that with 2/10 of a mile to go, I missed the very obvious sign to continue straight and headed up the road.  It took a bit of time for me to realize that 1)no one was following me and 2) this was a heck of a lot longer than it should be before I turned and got back on track.  Poor Rick, who saw my name on the board with only 2/10th to go had to wait 15 minutes for me to come in.  I tend to zone out when I am really loving trail running and this wasn't a great time for that!! But I crossed the bridge and was done with the second trail.

Bridge in daylight...and no rain.

 After a couple hours sleep, I woke to get ready for the third run.  Everyone had said how beautiful the yellow trail was, and I was excited to run it and take pictures.  As we made our way back to the start we found that there was  no water, a storm was moving in, and all the legs were asked to double up to get folks done sooner.  There was a sense of urgency (aka: fear) in everyone from the RD to the participants. After having the campsite almost taken out Thursday, no one wanted a repeat of that, especially this late in the game.  The yellow trail did not disappoint.  It was fantastic.  From the rocky footing among the ferns to the pine forest, I was loving it all.  And then the rain started, and I loved it even more.  Pouring, drenching rain filtering through the pines on a cushioned trail, up and down.  Perfect!

I could have run this trail forever, but my teammates were breaking camp and loading the cars in the storms so I hurried along.  The footing at the end was pretty hilarious and I am glad that I was pretty well healed coming into this race! 

mud photos courtesy of Cassie Smink

Once back, I did a pretty poor job at cleaning off and changed while we waited for our last runners to return. They were doing the Red loop, and while it wasn't dark, and no longer raining, I am certain it was still pretty tough!  We all made it back and lived to tell the story.  Finished with some celebratory beverages, cool multi-tool medals and memories of a damn fine weekend.

Runner Gone Rogue 1&2