2021 Harbison 50k (virtual, supported) 1/9/21

The 11th Harbison 50k was held on 9 Jan 2021 in Columbia, SC at Harbison State Forest. I have run all but one of these events, missing 2019 due to an injury. I was planning on traveling down for this event to get my 10th finish, but due to COVID-19, I decided it would not be wise. The race director (Matt) was gracious enough to allow me to run this one virtually. Honestly - immediately after my Icebox 480 event, I was kind of looking forward to taking a break and skipping this event. Once Matt made the offer though, I committed to doing it (and I am glad I did!).

Weather leading up to the race in South Carolina was looking great temperature-wise (32°-52°), but of course rain the day before would make it a bit muddy. Where I was in St. Paul, MN, I was looking at temps between 12°-16° all day. My route around Lake Phalen was basically cleared of snow/ice (yes, they plow the path around the lake!), and with no wind, it would not be too bad.

My normal route is from my house to the lake (0.5mi) for my 3.1mi loop(s) and back (0.5mi). I decided that three out and back trips, with 3 laps of the lake each time out would get me my 31 miles and break it up nicely. I only had to adjust one section out from my house to add ~0.1mi. 

My training had been fine (no injuries really), but I knew I had ignored my long runs. Looking back now - I had not done one run of 17 miles outside of racing. Whoa-that surprises me. Since July, I had done 4 races of 26.2 or longer, and managed them just fine. Before the last one, Icebox 480, I neglected to ramp up my mileage and it showed. For Harbison, I had a few good runs, but was still feeling lingering effects from an ankle issue on longer runs. With that, I fully expected to need to walk the last 10 miles or so.

So race day comes along, and I had set out my 'Aid Station' just inside my front door. I was to start at the same time as the race in SC, so 6:30am here. I wasn't worried about running for the first hour in the dark, I'd just be a little more careful with patches of ice. I had my plan and expected times, with grilled cheese to be ready on my 2nd trip back home, thanks to my wife! 

House 'Aid Station'

For temps in the low teens, my clothing started out as follows: normal road shoes-Asics 2000-7s, with fitsock socks and neoprene toe sleeves (I wear if it's under 20 as my toes Always get cold otherwise). Wore my calf sleeves under my old (20+ yrs) Nike dryfit tights, and some running pants over those. Long sleeve technical shirt, with a fleece running vest (courtesy of my Seashore Nature Trail 50k finish back in 2011), and my bright orange Saucony jacket. Saucony mittens are a must for cold weather runs. On my head, I started with a balaclava and a buff around my neck. My UD vest was worn Under my vest/jacket to keep the nozzle from freezing (and still almost initially froze as I neglected to tuck the nozzle underneath them both!). I had bib number 31, and as I keep track of Everything, I knew I had run a race (2007 Paris Mountain 6k) with that same bib number, so found it (I keep Everything too) and pinned it on my jacket.

Race morning weather

Starting 'line' is just outside! 

I started on time, and headed down the street and my modified path by a local rec center over to the lake for my first three loops. First loop was good - the expected 'freezing fog' warning never materialized, but it was foggy and it was initially difficult to see from one end of the lake down to the other. Hoar frost was everywhere though, and made for a beautiful run once it got lighter out. I went out at a slightly slower pace than usual, and still was a bit under my expected times. I warmed up fast and removed my mittens after the first mile. I actually never got cold the whole day, turned out to be a nice day out! 1:33 for the first of three sections, 10.4mi. Back at the house, I swapped out my technical shirt for one that was dry, and mittens for gloves that I'd need again, the balaclava for a fleece hat, and a new buff. Added Gatorade to my water in my bladder, ate most of a granola bar (had a Gu an hour into the run) and headed back out after a long 12 minutes. I had expected a 5 minute break, which was still a few minutes longer than I usually take. Wasn't concerned about time today, so took it easy.

1st loop - still dark

after 2.5 hrs

No issues on the next loop and my lap time was still ~28minutes. One more loop and I would be more than halfway. I kept imagining where on the Harbison course I would be, and knowing that as I left the halfway point (start/finish aid station), I'd definitely finish. Had the same expectation here, but with being closer to home, and at home after 20 miles, there was certainly more opportunity to stop. My daughter (11 years old), said the day before the race that I would finish, because I always told her to never quit. 

I did start adding some walk breaks as my hips got tight, and then my left arch started up. That was a new one. Maybe it was the pavement? Who knows? So my laps slowed to 31 and 34 minutes and I headed back home. 1:45 for that 10.3mi section, and 3:30 after 20.7 miles. 

Got home on schedule and my grilled cheese was ready. :-) That made me happy. Took a 16 minute break to sit and eat (chips, chocolate). Wow - that was a long break! Didn't change any clothing and headed back out for my last 'loop'! I did something here that I Never do...The last time was in 2012 when I ran my 12 hour event at the Black Mountain Monster 12hr - I listened to music on my headphones. It worked for me, especially when I found a beat that matched my pace. 

Lap 7 of the lake was a good mix of walking and running/shuffling. My hips were so tight, and I was limping due to my left arch. I was down to walking the last two laps. I had walked laps around the lake before, and knew I could do the 3.1 miles in 41 minutes on a normal day. I expect I could do 45min loops, but those last 2 laps, with favoring one foot, I still did 41 minute loops.

About 2 miles to go, I started watching the time more closely. I was going to be close to the 6 hour mark. If I shuffle the couple of downhills, that may help? Couldn't do much more than that, but with a mile left, I knew I needed to. Shuffle, shuffle, walk, shuffle, shuffle. Finished my 9th lap of the lake. Now the half mile back home and I had 6 minutes 47 secs to break 6 hrs. I knew walking would not do it. Shuffle shuffle.

Once I hit my block, I knew I'd break 6, and came down the somewhat snowy sidewalk to the front of my house to finish in 6:59:23! 

basic phone app data

Harbison #10 done, 5th long event in 6 months, and 46th marathon/ultramarathon finish overall. 

And now ready for a break. (We'll see how long that lasts!)

10th Annual Harbison 50k Trail Race

The 10^th annual Harbison 50k took place at Harbison State Forest, just outside Columbia, SC on Saturday January 4^th, 2020. After completing the first 8 races, I missed last year with a foot injury. There was little doubt that I would be back this year!

Previous Harbison bling

This year came with a new RD – with David Nance passing it on to Matthew Hammersmith (of Upstate Ultras) and Trey McCain (both part of ‘Without Limits’). Weather is one thing that’s consistent with its unpredictability. This year brought lots of rain before the race (more than an inch the day before), but sunny on race day and temps in the low 60’s. I believe this was the warmest starting temps for the race. Coming down from St. Paul (where it was 26 and snowing when I left Friday), I was happy to be able to run in shorts for the first time in months.

After driving down to be there at 7am for the 8am start (I really enjoyed the later start, even 30 minutes later than usual) for the 50k, I picked up my bib and shirt. (May have had an issue with the shirt sizing in that I think all the 50k shirts were size Large? I was happy with the larger shirt than expected). After hanging out in my car for a bit, I went and listened to the race instructions.

Pre-race briefing

I'm supposed to know the course directions?

Only news of interest was a move of the 2^nd Aid Station a little further past the lollipop section (Bluffs) so we’d only pass it once each lap. We all then moved to the starting line. A quick hello to Byron Backer (the only other 50k runner I knew), a move back a bit off the line, and off we went!

It didn’t take long to spread out down the road before a sharp turn onto the trails. It also didn’t take long for the water on the course to soak everyone’s feet. I kept my steady pace following a couple of people as we tried to dodge the deepest puddles of shoe-sucking mud, but it was impossible not to. I’ve never had a problem running with wet feet, so I plodded along. Hit the first aid station in 56 minutes (typical for me) right behind Alfie – a local runner who was running Harbison for the 6th time. She was strong and steady and although I could walk faster, I knew it was a matter of time before she pulled ahead. It was nice conversation and helped the miles pass as we topped out on Spiderwoman. I had accidentally stopped my watch at the first AS instead of hitting the lap button. I found out at the rock garden from another runner that I had lost about 35 minutes on my stopwatch.

Other than a few miles with Alfie – I did not really run with another person the rest of the race.

It was a good day to be outside, even with the water, the more-than ankle-deep creek crossing at AS1, the few slippery sections and narrow bluffs. The second Aid Station wasn’t in a bad spot, but it did add about 15min to reach it. At the halfway point, I used my roller, had some snacks, and had my bladder filled (or so I thought) thanks to the RD (MH). It was at 97% humidity when we started, and I made sure to drink plenty. I also took two S-caps and had some snacks at AS2 and all Aid Stations after that. I headed back out after 2:58. (Exactly 1 minute slower than my 2011 time and 20secs slower than 2017, so I expected my finish time to be ~6:40.

The 2^nd loop seemed a little sloppier as the 25k races had already gone through, and I slowed down even more as my legs grew heavy. Hit the AS in 1:10 (so - ~14 minutes slower than the first lap) just after another slog through the deep water crossing!

This next section always seems long the second go-round. Didn’t see too many people, and maybe just a few passed me, and I did come upon a few 25kers. I ended up running out of water on this section…I didn’t check to see how full my bladder got filled to at the mid-way point (one lesson learned!). The extra water jug at the lollipop section was empty at that point, but it really wasn’t much of an issue for me. My body, however – reacted like it should when you don’t put in the long runs you should have (and cross country skied the weekend before for the first time of the season).

Skiing brought on some inner-thigh soreness earlier in the week, and I didn’t really expect it to show back up – but around the halfway, there it was (inner right thigh). A few miles more and it was my whole right hip area. To cap it off – my IT band (right knee) started to irritate me a little bit about mile 27. So I ambled on as I could. Jogging some downhills and flats when I could and walking my normal speed (which felt just fine).

Some water on the course

And some more water!

I watched the clock not knowing exactly the overall time, but still was hoping/expecting to come in just before 6:45.

So just before halfway as I was heading back toward the start, Byron passed opposite me heading back out. Didn’t really think about it until I made the last right-hand turn and I saw him up ahead. I was not interested in catching him, but I knew that since I caught up to him, that he wasn't having a great second lap. I ended up finishing right behind him!

Happy with my 9th finish!

Finish time was 6:43:11 (so I now have 4 finished between 6:38-6:43).
After 2-3 days, my ankle tightness, left hamstring, shins soreness, were basically gone. Going for a long walk the day after the race is always good, but maybe I should've skipped playing basketball. 

2016 Harbison Race Report

 6th Harbison 50k Race Report

January 9, 2016.

(I somehow missed this one and am writing it 8 years later!)

This was my 6th straight start here in the Harbison State Forest just outside of Columbia, SC. I flew down from St. Paul, MN for this on Wednesday as I had moved in April 2015. I worked 2 days in our Greenville office (where I used to work), and rode down with a friend (Merle) the night before to avoid the early morning 90 mile drive before the 7:30am start. The course changed a little bit due to rain/flooding, but had great temps of 46° at the start. It would never get over 55°. 

On the double-loop course, I started off with another friend (Kerrie) the first few miles, and then mostly was alone for the a good 14-mile stretch. My left knee had been sore going into this event, but, oddly, never bothered me. However - my Right knee IT band decided flare up at mile 6! It really limited my running and got progressively worse and allowed for 15seconds of running at a time.  

At the halfway point, I was just behind Kerrie and our other friend Terry. Kerrie decided to stop and I pushed to catch Terry. (I don't have any mid-course times for this race - not sure where my mind was).

I did catch Terry around mile 18 and we walked it in from there with a few short bouts of running. It was cloudy all race, and some rain started up around 2pm, but there was less mud than expected. 

Terry and I finished together in 8:16:10!

Flew back home the following day, back to the snow and took two full weeks off before doing some cross-country skiing and my first snowshoeing outing!

Photos:

Starting line - my in my blue jacket and hat (and knee strap) to the right

Chatting with Sergio pre-race

RD David Nance giving instructions

Post-race!