Camp Croft Trail Marathon Race Report

Camp Croft State Park, Spartanburg, SC
Sat July 28, 2012
Trail Marathon and Team Relay

The 1st Camp Croft Trail Marathon & Team Relay took place in the heat and humidity of the summer. Stating temps near 80° at 8am and a high of 98° (although it was likely only ~90° by the time I finished). The course followed much of the Camp Croft Half Marathon course before completing loops on the South Side of the park.

Many people believed this course was short leading up to the event - I had never been on the south side part, so I really had no idea. It was supposed to be ~26.2miles, but on a trail - I don't think you ever know. Multiple Garmins (I don't think you can trust them entirely either!) showed ~21-22 miles. Yes it was short, mileage unknown, but it was called a marathon and I am taking it as a marathon finish!

I knew a handful of people were not running due to the heat - I ignored the fact that it was the end of July when I signed up. Oh well. I knew it was going to be unpleasant. Plan was to carry 2 handheld water bottles for the 1st half (and some Gu) before swapping one handheld for my camelbak (left at the halfway filled with ice) and grabbing some more Gu there too. 

Started off on the 1st 7.5mi section and realized I hadn't raced in a Long time to realize what pace I should be going out at. Probably a little fast, but felt ok. Foot issue I've had for the last week-plus never materialized. Ended up with 2 others (Hillary and PR**) and we ran miles 3-13 pretty much together and had some good discussions. It was a rare thing for all of us to be running with other people during a race. Hilary kept cruising up every hill, and we'd catch her on the downhills. At the half though - she was gone!
Came thru the first aid station (to the encouragement of some friends waiting for their relay partners!) in 1:20. I've done the 1/2 marathon twice and came thru 1:11 both times, so I thought this was about  right in terms of pace. But - the heat was not pleasant. Water bottles lost their ice quickly and the aid stations weren't that refreshing. With Tiana's help refilling, I got back on the trail fast and kept plodding along.

2nd section was a little easier and only 5.5mi. There was some mud in many sections and the worst of it was thru here, sometimes ankle deep and unavoidable, so that also contributed to the slower pace. Shoes weren't ever sucked off, but they tried! Still recognized parts of the course and had No trouble at all following the markers but you actually had to stop and flatten out the directional arrows on the signs as they had curled up, hiding the tips of the arrows! Still feeling decent as we came to the next relay change/aid station. Large group there as this was also close to the start/finish. Came in at 2:17 and saw Kerrie & others again. Refilled my bottles and got out of there across the bridge. The water looked refreshing (and very brown), so I went down and stepped into it. Almost lost my footing (That would have been bad!) but steadied myself and dunked down to my chest.

Was good for a moment. PR waited on me and we started down the trail a minute before I remembered my camelbak was back at the aid station. Hmmm - what to do? I told PR to keep going and went back (and am SO glad I did!). Got an odd look or two I imagine, but Tiana took care of my one handheld and I put on my iced-down water-filled 2L camelbak and went back across the bridge.
Time (after the 4min diversion) was 2:21. (At the half's - 2:02 was typical)

Now the decline. Almost immediately - lost all energy. Took an S!Cap, but the others I had brought were ruined in my river dip. Soon realized I forgot to pick up the three Gu's I wanted from the AS and I had no more on me. I was hot and not feeling particularly good. I walked alot thru here. Would shuffle for a minute before walking again. Drank out of my camelbak frequently (I would drain it before the next AS!). I knew Kerrie would be coming thru here and after 20+ minutes, here she was. She pulled me along for a while, but I had to walk more and try to cool down somehow. I really had no idea how long this section was, so I had no idea how long it should take. Hoping it was as short as I'd heard.
After 1:12 on this section (3:34 elapsed), I saw Kerrie and other DNR goons at the parking lot at the last relay change. Meant to drop off my camelbak, but carried it empty the rest of the way (and you know how it's annoyingly bouncy when it's empty?!). Refilled my amphipod and continued on feeling slightly better. Still walking more than expected, but with the heat - I really didn't care. Got passed and was desperate enough (on an empty stomach for way too long) to ask if they had an extra Gu. I was in luck! Still following the yellow caution ribbons until there was an intersection...seemed like I should just continue straight-ish. No ribbons. After 5 minutes or so, 2 guys are coming back down the trail saying it must be the wrong way - no ribbons. It seemed like a well used path and the signs still said Lizard, although I had no clue what the trail name we were supposed to be was. Really hated turning around, even when seeing a discarded energy gel package (thankful for litterers if only for a moment).
So - we backtracked until the mystery intersection. Realized in another minute or two that we were right all along. Ugh. Wasted about 10 minutes with this extra mileage (not like it was that much extra as I came down with a thigh cramp thru here - ouch! Haven't had a cramp running in a LONG time!). I knew there was a bridge/river crossing less than a  half mile from the finish. The guy in front of me at that point decided he'd go across the bridge. I saw 2 people halfway, struggling to cross, and after recalling my earlier event in the water, decided to take the bridge. I like water, don't mind it one bit - but I didn't care to attempt it if I didn't have to - not with my thigh cramping up. Looks like a rope to hold on to may have been helpful (I heard almost Everyone pretty much fell - where's the fun in that?).
Anyway - soon enough came towards the finish, where my wife and little girl were waiting for me.
Happily crossed in 4:22:40 after a 48min section.

Courtesy of PACE Magazine

RESULTS: HERE
I was 13th out of 45. (Could've been ~11th?)

What I'll remember for future years (if I decide to punish myself again): Ice at all aid stations - most important, Gatorade/S!Caps at aid stations, knowing the course before I start (or writing it on my arm). Taking a breath at the aid stations and remember what I am doing there!
Was great seeing/meeting people - you know who you are!

**PR was a bandit. Race was sold out so he thought he'd run it anyway and drink the water, etc. He asked if that was frowned upon. As a 10 yr Greenville Track Club Board Member - I certainly told him YES and I explained why (outside the obvious). Hope he took my advice and paid the registration fee afterwards...not holding my breath though.

Camp Croft Half Marathon Race Report

So the 2nd Annual Camp Croft Half Marathon took place Saturday November 12, 2011 at camp Croft State Park in Spartanburg, SC. Weather was almost exactly like last year - about 35° at 7am and warmed up to, I'm guessing, low-50's soon after the finish. Sun came in thru the trees with the biggest difference from last year being the muddy conditions (and there was water in the lake this year!).

Hung out before the race with my co-worker Marty after getting my packet (nice bag with the logo on one side and course map on other and another nice shirt). Saw just a few others I knew, said a quick congrats to Jason and we were about set to start. I'm not familiar with the park only having run there two other times, but it was the same course as 2010. (I did read my Race Report from last year...brought back some recollections).
I tried not to start off too fast, letting Marty and plenty of others go ahead. The "strength" my legs felt the previous weekend was gone and my cardio was still absent. (Please come back!!). The course had strung everyone out and frequent sections of mud (and a continuous carpet of beautiful leaves) made almost every step interesting, and dangerous. The first couple of miles is the toughest with some rolling terrain. I ran as long as I could before relegating myself to walking some uphills. Oh well.

I had noted my 2010 splits for the 3 aid stations, so I could at least compare myself to last year's event. Ran thru the 1st one at mile 4.75 (had my handheld water bottle) in 42...dead on last year's. I thought I felt worse than I should have, but after ramping my mileage up the last few weeks post-marathon (12, 15, 13, 24, and 30 including this half) and having an 8 day exercise hiatus in there, I shouldn't complain. It'll come back - it always does.

Marty stayed 30-40 seconds ahead of me for many miles, I just tried to keep him in my sights thru the undulating and twisty trail. Removed my long sleeve GTC shirt (what was I thinking wearing that over a t-shirt??). Took a Gu. Looked forward to the nearing of my 2010 time of 1:11 for aid station 2 at Mile 8.1. I did catch him for a few minutes at the Lake, but he was soon ahead again. Hit Aid Station 2 at 1:11 (3 seconds off last year). Marty left as I entered and I had a quick fill-up and continued out thru some sandy trail. A nice change from the single and double tracks.

Somewhere thru here I started feeling a bit better. I wasn't completely out of breath, my legs weren't exactly "weak", but I was still having a recurring groin/hip issue that goes back to my Asheville Half Marathon in Sept., must be those hills. What am I thinking still contemplating the Mount Mitchell Challenge?? Even with time off - it's still there...
Took my 2nd Gu and tried to remember to drink.

So I eventually caught Marty and I stayed within 5-10 seconds of him til the finish. Hit Aid Station 3 (Mile 11.5) in 1:43, 20 seconds faster than the 1st Camp Croft Half. Am I consistent or what? These last few miles are where I pushed hard last year (with someone right on my heels) and I chipped a bone in my right foot. I never felt strong at all this day, but was satisfied with my run with the training I had (or had not) done. I finished in 2:03:21, still 20 seconds ahead of last year. Heard the course is actually closer to 13.5 miles...either way - another one in the books!
Marty finished 5 seconds ahead of me (beat him by 1 minute last year).
Joe passed us a few miles from the finish and just beat Marty.

Only at Mile 3 or so and already out of breath

  
Seth (RD) did another fantastic job putting this race together. Plenty of volunteers, course well marked (although I almost turned the wrong way after the one stream crossing...but only because I did not look first!), nice food (Bagels, Clif bars, fruit), already mentioned the bag/shirt. A pint glass with the logo on it was a surprise (to me) finisher prize. Then there was the giveaways...last year, I got nothing. This year, a $25 gift certificate from REI (just opened this month in Greenville) and another glass! Sweet! I actually went to the store that afternoon before heading home and picked up a membership and pair of gaiters. Finally got some gaiters...now to test them out. Next weekend - back at Paris Mountain. Next year - back at Camp Croft Half Marathon!




  

Inaugural Camp Croft Trail Half Marathon Race Report

Never had been to Camp Croft, but it is certainly well known to local mountain bikers. We stayed on hiking paths and horse trails for the whole race, and it was beautiful out there in the fall leaves. Once the sun came out just before the race start at 8:30am, it warmed up quickly from the 34° it was earlier that morning. Saw a few people I knew before the race (Jason, Beth, Sam, Byron, coworker-Marty, relay-Kathrin), and once the gun went off, we headed down the trails.
I started out pretty conservatively; at least, I meant to. Ran with Sam the first mile or two before she started picking off people. It was good to chat with her - it's been awhile! I took a fall pretty early on too (mile 2 or so). Landed on my left knee (drew some blood that I noticed after the race) and hands (water bottle), but hopped up and kept the pace going. 1st aid station at mile 4.75 (42:00 minutes) and there was finally a break in the long cascade of runners ahead/behind me. I skipped the first water stop and kept going on a straight path up to the radio tower. 2-3 runners ahead of me and a couple a little behind me. Up until this point, the course was gently rolling, with maybe only one section to power hike. I had heard the first 3-4 miles were the toughest and that was accurate. The 2nd half was certainly easier.
So I took my Gu and kept a steady pace as Marty passed me and continued motoring on ahead. A sharp left at the tower and a nice downhill headed towards Johnson Lake (pretty much completely dried up, but I bet would have been beautiful). I was running with a group of people thru here. One obviously knew the course and frequently called out obstacles: root, rock, horse (manure). Another had a watch that beeped every 2-3 steps. I didn't want to let him pass and I wasn't up for speeding up, so I listened to that on and off for 3-4 miles. Ugh. Not ideal for being out in the woods on a trail run. My breathing wasn't labored at all and I felt good. Still surprised at myself for my hill running thru here, even with a short break or three. There was one real water crossing. Can't remember exactly where on the course, but after landing on the first rock with my left foot (and thankful it was Not slippery), I put my right foot right in - maybe ankle deep. After 1-2 minutes - I thought nothing more of it.
Little uphill (power hiked just a bit) to aid station 2 at mile 8.11; 1:11:00 overall.
Filled my water bottle and off into the sun for a section, before heading for the last 4 miles. I ran near/with this one girl for most of miles 8-12. Her 1st trail race (run?) and didn't want to be out there alone as it was just us for a couple of miles. She was pretty strong and stayed right behind me. We started seeing people ahead of us, including Marty, whom we eventually caught up to. I had three good rock incidents that I almost fell at, and all three hurt much worse than the fall. The last one at ~mile 12 almost made me stop. We ran along the winding path, up and down (mostly downs).
So I ran thru Aid Station 3 at 11.53 miles in 1:44:30, and Marty tucked in behind me. Didn't think at this point under 2 hours was likely, but I had No idea of distances for any of the race - just that there was water/Gatorade at around 4, 8 and 11. Still moving well with another mile or two to go and I get a side stitch. Ran thru it and had another guy behind me pushing me along all the way to the finish. I did not want to get passed at this point, so after one short hike for the both of us, we knew the finish wasn't to far (2 minutes said the volunteer). Once I saw the finish thru the trees, I ramped it up and cruised thru the line in 2:03:43. Marty was right behind me. Sam finished just under 2 hours, Kathryn in at 2:30 and Jason finished with his wife Beth (finishing her 1st Trail 1/2) in 2:56 or so!! Byron - ? but I am sure faster than any of us by a decent amount! Talked to all of them at the finish and it was nice hanging out (and being the only one of us who stayed without being raffle winner - Blah!). Byron gave some advice on ultras, Sam boosted my confidence about the difficulty of the Chattooga 50k (not sure how to compare that to other 50k's out there). Always good seeing the others.
So I feel good about registering for the Harbison 50k in January where I'll see some familiar faces. Time to start ramping up the mileage!
PS-Good luck to Team DNR in the HOPE Relay (42miles) in Greenville today!

Kathrin finishing. Read her race report: HERE!

State Park Entrance

Marty, Kathrin and Me

Kathrin's relay report should be up soon: Here!