2014 Paris Mountain 16k Trail Race Report

Greenville Track Club (and John Lehman) hosted this event again on November 1st, 2014, but this was my first time running it as a 16k since it changed from a 15k (by adding switchbacks down Sulphur Springs). It was 3 weeks after The Bourbon Chase relay, but I had put in some good miles and I wasn't looking to do too much with this race. The 15k I ran in May 2010 in 1:46, a week Before my 1st 50k at Chattooga,
I showed up early and helped set up the start/finish line and helped with registration until only about 10 minutes before the start. That made me a little rushed as I got to the start line, but did warm me up a bit after being cold in the 34° temps standing still for an hour. There were snow showers overnight  and some wind, but the trail was a bit wet but clear.  
So - we started off, I laid back just a bit as we went down the road, letting others go ahead and got comfortably behind a group on the trail. Not alot of room to pass of course, but I wasn't in any hurry. I was cautious not to push too hard, but still sped up and passed a few. That is, until we got to the steep section of Sulphur Springs. I knew the 'train' would go slowly, they'd run, then have to stop and wait/walk. I planned it well and walked so much of that section, even well before it got really steep. I knew with my walking speed, i would catch them soon enough, so I'd let them get a good bit ahead and sure enough, I'd catch them as they got bunched up. My heart-rate never went up, so at the top, I was good to go. Cruised up Firetower and then pushed a good bit going down to the lake. There was one point where a chunk of ice fell off a tree and almost got me. That would have hurt, but luckily I didn't have any trouble.
I did fade some after the downhill on Sulphur Springs, but picked it up more toward the end of Mountain Creek. I knew my times were decent on each section (except the downhill, which I hadn't run that much), and it helped that I mostly followed someone the whole way. A female was just ahead of me most of the race, just out of reach, but close enough to 'chase'. I ended up beating my 15k time by 10 minutes, in 1:36:09! A very satisfying result!

2014 Wildwood Games 50k Race Report

This inaugural event was held Sunday August 24, 2014 in Appling, GA. It started at Wildwood Park and traversed the Bartram Trail towards the Petersburg section to a short 3 mile loop, then returned to the park. I wanted to do this as it was all along the banks of Clarks Hill Lake - near to where I spent a year and a half during high school while living in Plum Branch, SC. Although I was excited to run the Chattooga 50k 2 weeks later and compare my time to my 1st 50k (there) back in 2010, I decided I would do it anyway and see what happened. I'd run a 50k and followed that with a marathon once before - and that did not turn out well (IT band issues for the next 6+ months). But I had trained better this time, right?!

Always in my Harbison 50k shirt and visor)

We started as it became light and after saying bye to Drew, I tried to start off comfortably. Other than a cold just before I was to taper, I had a great lead-in for this event. I had four weeks in July of 40-47 miles, and I had Never had 2 weeks in a row before over 40. After that cold, I was in Minnesota for a week and did my last "long" run (of 15 miles) up there at Afton State Park with a group from UMTR - they were super-kind!
Anyway - I ran just behind some runners until the first aid station at mile 4.5. The grassy and gravel trail up to that point had taken us out of the park and soon looked to be more for mountain bikes. I call the short ups-and-downs "bunny-hops", and they were constant for a while. Used my momentum as best I could. There was one runner just ahead that I could barely make out, and another close behind me (Esteban) - he passed me at that first aid station (46:35).
Started running by the lake soon afterward, and we continuously wound our way beside every inlet along the lake. Still a few bunny hops, but felt ok as it wasn't that hot out. (The previous day was horribly hot, 110° heat index and they trimmed the 100k bike race down to 50 miles. Sunday only saw the temps get to the mid-80s). Snacked a good bit at the next aid station (mile 9.8 in 1:39)

Didn't see the girl (Devon) ahead of me after that, which is odd because she was in the marathon and should have come back toward me later on.

There was more aid a mile after the marathon turnaround (14.1 in 2:22) and I was happy to be doing around 10mins/mile. It was right thru here I saw the leader come by, about 3 miles ahead of me at that point.
The Bartram Trail does have mileage markers, so I tried to keep an eye on them as I ran. The single track trail was not very technical at all (maybe a few places), was rarely straight, and generally not much elevation change either. Total on someone's Garmin read 988 feet gain and 988 feet loss.
So I left one handheld at the AS as I ran the loop. I walked for the first time thru here as I was starting to feel a bit tired and my right calf became tight (and would continue to be for the rest of the event).

Back at the aid station (Mile 17.1 in 2:53), grabbed a small snack again and continued on. This was a day to be out in the woods alone. I saw a few runners here and there, either at an aid station, going the opposite direction, or passing them. not once after mile 5 or so did I run with anyone.
The trails were nice, and had some different areas throughout. Pine straw, dirt, some small fields, and of course the lake.

I made my way back to the next aid station and after some pringles and m&ms, had a treat - a popsicle! (Mile 21.1 in 3:40).

They were prepared and even refilled my water bottles! (Thank you!!!) After this - I was having more issues - my left sole became tender and my right hamstring was tight. I could still move, but I had slowed down to almost 11 minute miles.

The next section was the longest without aid coming back (5.3 miles), and it got a bit disheartening when I could see across the lake, the finish area of Wildwood Park.

I still had 7-8 miles left, but I just had to keep moving. Did come upon two female runners and passed them (after a little chuckle - private joke). My middle/lower back got sore next as I got into the last aid station - Mile 26.4 in 4:45 and up to 12 minute miles (but still moving!).
Back thru the bunny hops and away from the lake told me I was getting closer. I hoped I wasn't going to get passed near the end, but I wouldn't have really been able to do much about it.

I came back down the gravel road, across a coupe of roads, past the unmanned water stations, and turned the final corner to the finish. I was excited to see my wife and daughter, and my aunt and uncle who were there too! Staying with them the night before made the drive in that morning very easy.

Finished in 5:46:50! My 2nd fastest 50k.

Few notes: I would've been close to winning (or at least the Male winner) of the 10-runner marathon. (Devon) The girl just ahead of me at the beginning won in 4:45. 2nd place was 5:30. My 50k time was 4th in the marathon results. 50k winner was 4:45 out of 18 finishers. I was 6th.

4th Harbison 50k Race Report

The Harbison 50k was on January 4, 2014 and held at Harbison State Forest in Columbia, SC, but with a different Race Director than the first three events. RD David Nance did a wonderful job of continuing the success at this event Dan Hartley had begun in 2011.

This race was going to be like no other that I have done. Out of the 9 marathons and 10 ultras I have completed, I had never gone into a race this under-trained. How undertrained? I had zero miles in September and October due to a foot issue. In November (with some custom orthotics to alleviate the pressure/pain) I began my personal “Couch to 50k in 10 weeks“ program. After one week of only walking, the next 5 weeks went almost as expected, getting up to a long “run” of 10 miles. That was my longest run since April! Then I got sick with a 105° fever, and blurry vision from my antibiotics. That was 10 days off from running. (A month+ later now and I still have that lingering cough.) Just over two weeks before race day, so no time to really do much but try to get some running back in my legs. I knew I would spend much of the race walking and I had an expected time in mind even though I had no earthly idea how my legs would respond as the miles went on.

Race day brought mid 20’s at the start, clouds all day and it got up to maybe 45° - the shivering went away as soon as we started, right on time at 7:30am and it was never bad after that. 2 miles of service roads led us to the twists and turns of the Lost Creek Section. I walked many of the short hills and it was easy to quickly catch up to the small group just ahead of me as we went down the same small hills. The 2^nd section was very runnable and I was still ahead of my “prediction” by 12 minutes. I typically walk very fast, so I was not losing as much time as I walked a bit more as the miles went on. Still moved well thru Spiderwoman and the rock garden. It was after the 3^rd aid station that I was starting to feel the decline. I made it back to the start of the Lost Creek section (mile ~16.6) to start the second loop in 3:30. Although it was 38 minutes slower than 2013, I was happy to have made it that far and fully expected then I would be able to finish. I was going to walk it in from there as my left hip and inside left thigh began to affect my ability to run. I was able to shuffle on the downhills for the next few miles, but as the discomfort increased after that, my walking got slower and my ability to shuffle on the downhills became non-existent.

The aid stations were, as always, terrific! This year I mostly subsisted on potato chips, pb&j and cookies. Reminder to self – M&M’s when temps are in the twenties are quite solid. Also - can’t forget the hot chicken soup at the halfway mark! 

I was pretty much on my own after the very first aid station. Other than people usually passing me rather quickly, there were only two or three occasions where I had any lengthy conversations with people. I am completely comfortable out on my own and enjoy the solitude. 

At every aid station on the 2nd loop, I kept counting down the miles to the next one (and the finish) - that was my incentive. I knew based on my pace difference from the first loop that I would be close to 7:30, but that came and went during the last section. I was able to muster a trot those last 200 yards as I finished in 7:36!! (and one whole minute slower than my "expected" finish). I was thrilled with finishing, even with walking the last ~17 miles!

Thanks to all the support out there, good seeing Sully, Drew, Michelle, & Bill with great finishes - and congrats to the 2 others who have also finished all 4 Harbison 50k's: Viktor and Seth! See you next year - hopefully, with just a little more training.

Finisher!

First miles-near the back

At the back of this early "train"

After going off course early-Viktor passes me again.

by the Broad River...

Firebreak trail

Walking it in...just past halfway

Sulley running strong

Michelle always enjoying being out there

Trails! Shoes!

Got back to Paris Mountain last weekend for the first time in almost 10 weeks. I ran 2 loops of my usual course and was very surprised and happy to feel so well during it all. ~12 miles and no issues. The ground was quite wet from rain and a steady light rain the whole 2 hours, but it was still very nice to be back.
Still ramping my mileage up in preparation for the 40 miler on May 1st. My training goal is a new weekly mileage high of 55 miles, besting my 47.7 I ran a few weeks before the Chattooga 50k. That week in another month or so will include back to back 20 milers, on trails, likely back at Paris Mtn. I may see about getting down to Enoree Passage sometime and get some miles in...being somewhat familiar with most of the Chattooga run sure helped.
Speedwork this week was not pleasant. Enough said. Some minor shin pain has gone away.
I did get new shoes this week: another pair of ASICS GT-2150T - the trail version of my road shoes. Same color/style as my current pair (300+ miles on them so far, but I went up 1/2 a size to 12 to see if that helps the small blisters I get sometimes on the tips of my toes (and the 3 toenails I still haven't lost, but they are still hanging on at the edges...). 1st test run tomorrow on the road ,then back on the trails for an 18 mile test this Sunday (so I'll have to dodge bikes)

Back to Paris Mountain

Went running at Paris Mountain for the first time since October, to run the upper lake loop twice. I've been a little concerned that I haven't had a long run (over 10 miles) since my taper for Myrtle Beach (so, going back to the end of January). I wanted to get started running trails, but didn't want to overdo it. Thought 2 loops would be good, plus running down Sulphur Springs to get in a total of 13 miles. A loop consists of starting at the upper parking lot, taking Brissy Ridge (clockwise) to Kanuga, to the North Lake trail (CW) to Pipsissewa, back to Brissy, then returning the way I came on Brissy back to the parking lot.
A good number of people on the trails as I started at 10am and saw a number of them numerous times. Thoughts on the 1st loop: you sure can fly on the downhills heading to the lake on Kanuga; still some ice on the trails; trails have taken a beating from the mountain bikers riding on wet trails; this is tough - how am I going to do 31 miles on something like this? I'm assuming it will be like this - in parts anyway. I may have to go do some scouting in preparation for the Chattooga 50k. 1st loop in 57 minutes. Headed back out for loop 2. Seemed to walk a whole lot more in the first 15-20 minutes, but then caught my second wind and moved pretty well. The downhills had my hips sore heading back to the lake, but that went away soon too. Sun warmed things up and much of the ice was slowly melting. 2nd lap in 59 minutes, so not much behind my first. Didn't stop and after walking the initial climb on Sulphur Springs - ran down to the lower lot where my wife/daughter were waiting! 2hrs 10 minutes. Didn't feel too bad after all that, but a lot of work to do before I could do that loop 5 times! Aside from thinking that 50k is going to kill me - I doubt I can do it under 6hrs. Still have to see the course though.
I did hit my 30 miles for the week, including two back to back runs (6.5/5 miles & 6/13miles). Running 4 days a week went well the last 3 weeks now, but still getting into a rhythm with it.
Have Reedy River 10k next weekend...will I PR?? Come back and find out!

Vacation is over! DC trails and sand is gone!

This could not have been a better time during my NYC marathon training to take a vacation. Three scheduled 6 mile runs following a 14 miler. Ended up doing my 14 miler in Washington DC. Had 2 main choices. Decided to skip the group run (surprisingly a 14 miler!) that a DC running group had going on and ventured alone thru Rock Creek Park. Knew it would be a little more challenging, but had looked forward to running the trails again. Had done a 5 miler thru there the day before which was quite nice - just HOT! So - serious thunderstorms that morning woke me up at 4am and had me reconsidering. 6am rolls around (couldn't expect it to be quite as light running on the trails but ended up being fine by my 6:30am start) with a light rain and decided that it would help cool it down some. It did thankfully! A mile run to the park downhill, then north on the Western Ridge Trail up to the Valley Trail that loops around and back down the south. Same as last year - there is a detour that put me out on Beach Drive (goes thru the Park and is partially closed off on the weekends). There were hundreds of others out - mostly TNT runners, one of whom said they were doing 8 miles that day. Met up with a group of 3 who were doing a 16 miler to get ready for Steamtown among others. They were from the Montgomery County (MD) Road Runners, 3000+ members, 100 just in their marathon group. Very nice and we had a similar pace so we ran a few miles together. They had a scheduled stop/turnaround - and I was at the South end of the park (that section anyway) so I was able to get back on the Western Ridge Trail and head back home. Definitely a tough run. Not sure I did the 14 miles I was supposed to - but 2 hours and 10 minutes later - it felt like I had done that much! So - on to the beach for the rest of my vacation!
Topsail Island and three 6 mile runs planned (Tue, Thur & Sat). Lows of about 80 all week kept my 6am 1st run (along the road) down to ~3 miles. Was a little cooler Thursday after a rain as I did ~6 on the beach in the packed stuff. That is the only place to run - don't even try to run on the soft stuff. Got really warm again - so put off the last run until Sunday when I was back home in my familiar settings. 6:30am back at it - same people I pass walking/running every weekend. Squirrels, ducks, geese, and the rabbits out as usual. Good to be home. Also helpful that my marathon shoes - new Asics 2130's didn't blister on their 1st outing today! I had a good 15 miles running + ~15 mile walking this past week. Not bad for an easy week!
Coming weeks have a 16, 18 and a 20 miler though. Eek!