A Kick in the Hyner

This is what this trail event truly is.  The Hyner Trail Challenge has been around now for 5 years and up until this year has only had a 25k (16.4 mile) event which has grown immensely in popularity since it began.  They have sold out the last few years with over 1000 participants.  It is arguably the most popular trail event in central PA.  The Megatransect, affectionately known as the “Mega”, is another popular event which sold out this year within hours of registration opening.  While Hyner cannot boast that, it still sells out and gets 1000+ participants.  The trails of Hyner are remote and very technical located in the “middle of nowhere” in central Pennsylvania.   This event has attracted folks of all ages and abilities from hikers to the some really strong trail runners.  Take for example the winning time last year of 2:22 (in bad conditions) and the last person came in at 7:42 (and 9+ hours in years past).  But yet at the start, everyone is equal.  

In 2011, I entered in this event and ran (well ran some, hiked some, slogged some) a time of 4:21 in what has become known as “the year of the monsoon”.  The conditions were cold, rainy, windy and mud beyond mud.  For trail runners, it’s just another day on the trails but truly not ideal.  It certainly didn’t slow the front runners down but by the time I got through the trails (with 300 or so in front of me) it was a royal mess.  I vowed to be back someday and prove I could run a much better time on a brutal and beautiful course. 

In the summer of 2011, a rumor was spreading that the folks that put on this race (the trail dawgs) were working on putting on a 50k version.  My first thought was “No Way!”  As I read more about the rumors, it soon became a reality.  They opened registration in August 2011 for a course that wasn’t even finished.  The more I thought about it, the more I was scared to even become serious about it.  This was also during the time I was training for and running my first ultras (two 50K races in October and a 50 miler in November).  I thoroughly enjoyed those experiences and then got serious about doing what I thought would be an epic event.  I signed up in January and solidified my place in the first running of the Hyner Trail Challenge 50k. 

Training: For me all I wanted to do was to continue what I had going for my ultra experiences in the fall of 2011.  After I ran the Stone Mill 50 in November, I eased up my running in December to “recover”.  I was in good shape from the 50 except for my right hip.  I had taken a nasty fall early in the 50 and it remained sore (mostly on runs) for months.  In January, I ramped up the long runs again and made sure I got out to some similar terrain as Hyner.  I used some trails north of Harrisburg which has become known as the Buzzards Marathon Course.  It contains a series of trails linked together with big climbs. It was just what I needed.  With the warmest and driest winter I can remember, I was getting in some decent runs.  I wasn’t pushing my weekly mileage but on weekends I was able to get out for easy 2-4 hour runs.  I worked my way up to March 11, 2012 where I did what is unofficially known as the Buzzards marathon.  It essentially was a training run for me – 6 hours, 26 miles, rocks, climbs, downhill, and a chilly creek crossing.  What a nice run except for one thing.  My knee had really been bothering me during the second half.  I had no choice but to continue.  To make a long story short, this was the beginning of a bout with tendonitis.  After that 26 miler, I had intended on getting in another 22-26 mile run on the same trails.  But no dice! I reluctantly had to dial down the mileage and long runs and ended up even taking a week off from running.  A week before Hyner, I felt mentally unprepared.  It had been 5 weeks since my last real training run – nothing over 11 miles since that 26 miler.  So I went out for a 19 mile trail run.  Felt pretty good up until I fell at the halfway point.  I landed on – wait for it – my ailing knee.  I am unsure if the blow to the knee or the tripping over the rock with my right foot which sent a vibration through my joints caused the pain but the rest of the run was hampered by the same tendonitis pain.  No runs for me the week leading to Hyner.  I look back and ask “was it worth it?” to get out and run 19 miles because my weak little mind needed it to feel confident again?

Fast forward to race day: Because Hyner is in the middle of nowhere, runners either camp near the start/finish, get a hotel in Lock Haven (30 minutes south) or drive to the site that morning.  Last year I stayed with a friend 40 minutes north of the site.  I didn’t sleep – at all.  So this year I made the decision to just drive the 2.5 hours in the morning.  It’s not ideal but I don’t sleep well anywhere but my bed.  So at 4am, I left the house and made the boring drive north.  Fortunately, I had learned that I could do such a thing when I drove in the 2 hour range to two previous ultras.  So what does one do on a 2.5 hour drive to a race? Eat of course.  I spent the drive thinking about what the day had in store and feeding my face full of yummy carbs, protein and powerade.

This event was awesome and horrible all rolled into one. Here is why:

The weather was close to perfect.   Forecast of rain said it would hold off until midday.  But the funny thing was – the rain never came.  It stayed in the 50’s – maybe crept into the 60’s the whole day.  Beautiful day to be on the trails.

Met up with some fellow trail runners prior to the race – Kelly & his wife Jo, Marie, & Pat.  It was very nice to meet them.  Also caught up with a few runners I quite often see at some other events. 

 Normally I would give a blow by blow description of the race and describe how I was feeling and how I dealt with various aspects.  But I can summarize the race very shortly: monster steep climb, followed by gnarly downhill, followed by long slow trudge up through a hollow.  Repeat x4 with occasional flat trail.  Lots of rocks – big, little, pointed, round, crushed – you name it, we ran/hiked over it. 

Elevation Profile (for 25k only)

That was my day.  This event is not a running race.  Let me repeat.  This race is not a running race.  It’s a test of endurance.   I chatted with many 50k participants who consider themselves good “runners” but on this day and on this course, they were struggling.  I am not sure if they underestimated the course or were just used to plowing through 31 miles.  This was not that kind of course.  It took more than physical conditioning to get through this.  It took mental and emotional fortitude.  I really was at a loss of how to predict a time on this thing.  I have run a 50k two others time - a 5:50 on a rolling hill trail course (Blues Cruise) and  7 hours flat on a bit more challenging trail course (Fire on the Mountain).  I finished in around 8:20 or so.  It was a long day. There are no excuses that can be made.  My knee held out ok (probably thanks to ibuprofen).  My lack of training the last 6 weeks may have contributed but realistically maybe I shave 20 minutes off that time if I had been able to run more.  It was, simply, what it was on this day. 

I have a few lowlights on this day.  I don’t like to complain so I will keep it short.  The aid stations had a poor variety of food.  I ate way too many bananas and PB & J squares.  (If you want to see an ultra with good food – see Blues Cruise 50k).  Secondly, these hollows we have to meander ourselves through really sucked! They were the worst part for me.  I could deal with the big climbs but a slow trudge in and out of the creek beds over and over (and over) again with blown over trees was just so slow and annoying.  That’s it. I can’t complain about anything else.  Ok maybe just one more – to the Trail Dawgs (who put on this race) – can you please remove some of those darn rocks! Haha.

I have a bunch of highlights.  First was meeting some fellow Runners World trailers.  Kelly and Marie had good days on the trail – both are strong runners and humble.  Also got to meet Pat – unsure how he did in the 25k. One of the things I looked forward to most for this event was the amazing scenery.  It did not disappoint. I only wish I had brought a camera out with me (the pics below I stole from someone else).  There were beautiful waterfalls, flowering trees, brilliant colored rows of wildflowers trail side and the views – oh the views!  My second favorite part of the event was coming to a vista about the 10 mile mark where you see for miles.  To the right, you could see the first big ridge we climbed.  I almost think I saw the 25k participants making their way up (since they started an hour after us).  But right in front of us was a mountain that had three ridges coming out towards me all in a row – it almost looked symmetrical.  I stayed for a couple minutes just to take it in.  But my favorite moment was another mile down the trail – I got to see a black bear – my first.  I had heard something rambling down the ridge in the leaves toward the trail.  I looked up and thought I would see a deer.  Nope.  It was a young black bear playing around. He clawed a tree a bit and then made his way back up the ridge. He was probably 100 yards away or so.  The best part was that I told myself the day before this event that I wanted to see a bear – not actually believing it would happen.  My last highlight was finishing.  This was such a tough event.  It was literally half hiking, half some kind of running.  I beat the down hills to death and they beat my quads right back. (There was one stretch of 2 mile downhill that was simply awesome! No other words for it.)

Back to a “Kick in the Hyner.”  That is what they refer to the 25k version.  But the 50k… let’s call the 50k a double kick in the hyner, or flat out just sick. 

My recommendation is only do this event if you are a demented & sick person who loves to inflict self-pain.   Or as an easy training run for an event such as Hardrock 100.  Ask me if I would do it again? I think I distinctly said "no way" during and right after, but you never know. 

Death of the Buzzards

Sunday March 11, 2012 was a beautiful day for a run.  Why not just head out the door for an easy 26 mile trail run over mountains, through creeks, watching for rocks? So I did.  But there is more than to it than just deciding to go out and run 26 random miles.  Let me go back before I can go forward…

In October 2011 I stumbled upon an odd part of a running club’s website.  I was visiting the Lancaster Road Runner’s website and saw the word “Buzzards” in the lower right corner.  I clicked on the link and discovered the world of the Buzzards Trail Marathon.  I am always looking for new races and so I continued to look for details on where this race was.  To my wonderful surprise, I discovered it was located in Dauphin County.  This “non-event” has taken place since 1998 on trails north of Harrisburg every March.  Why had I never discovered this before? By the description it looked awesome.  Various people had written race reports and posted on the website and by the descriptions, this was some tough trail.  I just had to check it out…

Later that weekend I somehow found the time and searched for the DCNR parking lot that led to this set of trails.  I found it and suddenly felt a sense of giddiness (similar to a child walking upon the Christmas tree first thing Christmas morning with all the glittering gifts under the tree).  So I broke out the description and a map and was on my way.  I made it up and over the first ridge and had a good view of the second mountain (which is actually called third mountain – sorry for the confusion).  I didn’t have a lot of time so I just considered this run a “scouting run”.  By the end I think I did about 7 miles and saw enough to be sold on these trails.  I didn’t set out on those trails again for a couple of months – mainly because of hunting season.  This area is a state game lands area.  I was able to get out on Jan. 2^nd for a long run.  I did what is known as the “baby buzzard” which is a 16 mile loop that includes three large climbs and a creek crossing.  Due to making sure I was going the right way and checking things out, it took me 4 hours.  I think I may have added a mile or two to what is known as the baby buzzard.  But it was fun discovering new trails.  I went out a few more times to make sure I knew the entire course before I tackled it in March.

Fast Forward to March 2012 – I was excited to do a long trail event close to home and especially one that would cost nothing.  I wanted to do this to get ready for Hyner 50k but also because this is truly a tough course – and in my own back yard.  So early on a Sunday morning, I set out to the start of the event.  Rumors were flying that this event wasn’t happening due to the DCNR having a fit about an “organized” event.  From what I saw on the website, there is nothing organized about this.  But apparently the DCNR was serious this year about enforcing this rule.  I arrived at the parking area to basically see a few runners who all left in different groups or alone.  There might have been 15 in all – no race director from the past and from what I could figure out – not too many people who have done the Buzzards before.  So it was – the death of the Buzzards Trail Marathon.  But I, and the others, still ran it. 

I started out and felt good climbing up the first of five big climbs, started running over the other side.  Essentially I was by myself for the next few miles – didn’t see a living thing until I hit the rail trail and thought I saw the group of 4 guys that started 15 minutes ahead of me.  They looked to be a half to a mile down the trail.  Knowing that they probably would be turning soon to head up the water tank trail, I gained come confidence and set out to catch them.  I trudged my way up the water tank trail (1000ft in one mile with most of that in the second half of the climb).  I made it to the top and started running again.  Looking at my watch I was right where I wanted to be (1:45 and through 7ish miles).  Now I was on a jeep trail – good running.  I neared the turned off the jeep trail and thought I heard talking.  Voices in my head? No.  I am sure if was the group of 4 guys but I had not been able to spot them.  I made my way up the third climb (relatively small in comparison to the others but I still walked it).  Soon I hit the famous Appalachian Trail.  This portion, although having a net decline, was tough running due to the rocks.  I encountered a few hikers which I was not surprised at – at this point the sun was out and it was warming up quick.  Towards the end of the AT section – I saw them! I caught up to the “four horsemen”.  I actually passed them (only because they had stopped to look at a map).  They passed me back and for the rest of the course, I was not far from them.  We started up the other side of the Water Tank Trail and I was really feeling rough for the first time that day.  I made my way up the mountain slowly.  At the top I trudged along for a bit even though I knew it was a nice jeep road again and would make its way down the mountain.  My legs were getting heavy and the rising temps were getting to me (note the temperature at the start was 30 deg. and by noon was up to mid 50’s).  I got down the mountain and knew I was close to crossing the creek.  I had seen the four horsemen round the corner coming down the mountain but then lost them.  I entered onto the rail trail and saw a runner up ahead but he wasn’t running.  I entered into the woods again to soon cross the creek, the other runner followed behind me as he had been a bit lost.  This point in the written directions for the course state to cross the creek and then “find the trail” going up the mountain.  So this other runner followed me and we made our way through a muddy section and then when things cleared up, he took off.  Thanks for the company!! Anyway, we faced the last climb of the day and it was a straight shot up the trail so you could see up most of the way.  To my surprise I could not see the four horsemen.  I truly was trudging along and ¾ of the way up, they passed me.  Huh? How did that happen? They must have crossed the creek further up.  But they passed me and I had no gas left whatsoever.  I blame it on poor refueling.  I made my way down the other side and finished the mile.  Funny thing is three of the four horsemen took a wrong turn before the end and the fourth, after finishing, came back to find them.  In the end, clock read 6 hours on the nose.  All in all – good run, felt very drained, legs were dead, energy low.  That’s what I like. 

 Buzzards may be dead but I’ll be back on these trails – soon!

My Favorite Trails

I thought about doing a Fave5 (as made famous by Charles Barkley and Dwayne Wade with the T-Mobile commercials) list of trails but there's no way I could only pick my 5 favorite trails.  So instead, I broke it down into sub categories.  I like this better:

Favorite Trails from Races
My trail racing "career" is still relatively short so I could easily put all the trails I have run a race on and get away with it.  But I didn't include them all.  I chose the top four and ranked them  (with "1" being my fav).  Here they are:

4.) Rocky Ridge County Park - Home of On the Rocks Trail Run - this county park contains a variety of trails, some of which are flat and runnable while others are hilly and rocky.  If I lived closer to this trail system I would certainly be running there a good deal.  There are some nice views, and the trails are easily accessible.  The only time I have run these trails was during the On the Rocks Trail Run.  I can imagine these trails being fairly popular because of the accessibility. 


3.) Rothrock Trail System - there are numerous trails in the Rothrock State Park area.  I don't know them by name.  Running on these trails as part of the Rothrock 30k trail challenge, I got to experience the intense climbs, steep downhills, some beautiful runnable "bike trails" and a gnarly boulder scramble that seemed endless.

2.) Hyner View - the trails of the Hyner Trail Challenge are truly epic.  I do not know all the names of these trails but they are simply amazing. I ran the Hyner 25k Trail Challenge on my birthday - April 16, 2011 - a day I will never forget.  Despite the day being quite miserable with cold, rainy and windy conditions, the views from Hyner View were amazing.  But I have to see it on a nicer day.  With three distinct climbs that would bring most anyone to their knees, these trails are difficult.  The downhills are quad busters.  The hollows are gorgeous.  This could become my number one come April 2012 when I run the Hyner 50k - a new trail event. 

1.) Conestoga (MDT) - this trail was site to my first official trail race. It was September of 2010 and I had the bright idea that the Conestoga 10 miler (which was billed as arguably the hardest 10 miler on the east coast) would be equivalent to a half marathon.  And since I was in my half marathon training cycle, why not implement something new? This event turned out to be the hardest run I ever had up to that point in my life.  The RD said to expect twice your "normal" 10 mile run time.  That's exactly what happened - 2 hours 41 minutes of pure hills: small hills, large hills, rolling hills.  I don't think there was one ounce of flat running as part of this trail.  The hollows were deep, the peaks were high,  the views unbelieveable.  This portion of trail is used as part of the Keystone Super Hike - a 28.4 mile ultra run or for some or a really long day of hiking for others.  I was signed up for 2011 SuperHike but thanks to some SuperFlooding, this SuperHike was cancelled.  Maybe 2012?

Favorite Training Trails
The trails to choose from for this list certainly is longer than the races I have run.  They are all pretty much local trails relative to me so if you are not from southcentral PA (or familiar with it) then this list might be obsolete to you (that is unless you choose to visit me someday....)


Darlington Trail  - this is for sure my favorite trail.  First of all it is the closest trail to me.  A quick 7 minute drive and I am at a nice trail head and can go two different ways on this "darling" of a trail.  The trail itself is only 7+ miles from the west end (merges with the AT and the Tuscarora) and the east end (terminates at Tower Road north side of blue mtn). This trail has a nice variety making it a good trail for training purposes.  It has hills (nothing huge but enough to feel it), rocks, flat, and nice views (mostly in winter when the leaves are gone).  It follows Blue Mtn on top of the ridge (check out this video that someone else shot), just below the ridge and then dips to it's lowest point into Bryson Hollow.  This hollow is a hidden gem  - a creek lined with 100 ft trees that reach for the sky.  It helps that the Darlington links to other trails making it easy to do loops.  I have gotten out for quick 5 milers on the Darlington and also used the Darlington to link to the AT for 3+ hour runs.  I have to admit though, at first I didn't give the Darlington the time of day. I used to run a section of the AT (see below) that met the Darlington and never seemed to think that it "looked" like a good trail.  So I never bothered with.  Finally one day my curiosity got the best of me and - well - I fell in love.  Sorry Darlington, but better late than never - right?

HorseShoe Trail - this is a fairly new trail to me.  I discovered it when I stumbled upon the Buzzards Trail Marathon site.  The Buzzards are a bunch of trail runners that get together for a crazy marathonish distance in March every year.  They use a series of trails that includes the HST, AT and a few other connector trails.  It includes killer hills that simply climb the mountains straight up - no such thing as switchbacks here.  The part of the HST that I have run is the western most section.  The Horse Shoe Trail is about 140 miles long stretching from the AT in Dauphin County to Valley Forge National Park in Chester County.

Water Tank Trail - this is one the above mentioned connector trails used with the HST and the AT as part of the Buzzards Trail Marathon. It's probably no more than 2 miles in length but simply climbs up Third mountain on each side.  It is one of the steepest and most difficult trails I have been on.  Not much "running" on this section.  It follows a beautiful cascade of water (I am sure at certain times of the year this cascade is rushing waters) that makes its way down the mountain towards Stony Creek.  From the picture below you can see the trail going down - this picture really doesn't do the descent justice.  You must see it for yourself to understand. 

Boyd's Big Tree Preserve - I discovered this 12 mile series of trails in the middle of 2011. Boyd's Big Tree Preserve is a beautiful area nicely kept.  Beautiful tall trees, nice variety of wildlife, and some good hills.  It even has some nice views at the powerline clearing.  But watch for snakes!

Trail System of Pinchot Park/Lake - Pinchot has a series of trails around the lake.  Some of these trails are very well groomed and runnable, while others are a bit more technical.  Depending on what time you of year you go, you may find very muddy trails or dry trails.  Some sections seem to always have mud pits going on.  This series of trail connects with the Mason Dixon Trail System. 

Appalachian Trail - One of the more famous trail systems in the world, I feel lucky to have the Appalachian Trail in my own back yard.  I started my trail running on a stretch of the AT about 15 minutes from my house. In all, I have only hiked and/or run from just north of Duncannon, PA on the AT to a few miles south of Boiling Springs on the AT (in sections).  I consider myself to be very familiar with these sections.  My first (and for a while my favorite) section of trail I ran was a 5 mile out-n-back from Rt 850 (in Perry County) to the top of Blue Mountain and back.  I continued to challenge myself to run this section more efficiently and faster.  It was my favorite section of trail to run until I found the Darlington (see above) which ironically intersects with this 5 mile section of the AT at the top of Blue Mtn.

Green Belt - Harrisburg, PA - So if you know what the Green Belt is in Harrisburg, PA, you are probably scratching your head and wondering why I would include this as a "trail." It really isn't a trail - or at least it's not in comparison to the above.  But I included it becuase it is a trail of sorts that the city uses to encourage exercise in an urban setting.  This green belt stretches about 19ish miles and does include some dirt trail albeit only 5-6 miles of the 19.  Otherwise it contains paved path and some road connections. I have run sections of the green belt many times and on two occasions the entire 19ish miles. The Harrisburg marathon uses some of the green belt for it's course.  The green belt also runs through a nice "natural setting" in Harrisburg called Wildwood Park. Wildwood is a 5k distance that makes its way around a beautiful lake with an assortment of wild life.  I run Wildwood every so often and love the rolling hills.

 
Favorite Trails Yet to Run 
I know what you are thinking. How can a trail be a favorite if I have yet to run it? Let's just say I think these will be some nice trails to do - ones I want to do.  Some may be more "bucket list" options but none the less, I still think about doing them someday. 

Local
Flat Rock Trail - I have read this is a nice climb to a gorgeous view.  Got to try it.  It also connects with the Tuscarora so could get in a nice long run.  One of these days...
Appalachian Trail - I need to branch further out and run sections my feet have yet to find...
Victoria Trail - located in Northern Dauphon Co. and conects with the AT
And others as I find them...

Dream Trails
Western States Endurance RunTrails
R2R2R at the Grand Canyon
Appalachian Trail - ALL of it
Trails of the Presidentials - sometimes called a  Presi Traverse this includes traversing over some of the highest peaks in New Hampshire (including one George Washington)
Pikes Peak
Dipsea
Anything in Yosemite National Park
Anything through Redwood or Sequoia in California
Trails at Leadville, Colorado


Trails I am not so fond of
Mason Dixon Trail (near Pinchot Park) - I tried running out of Pinchot Park area on the MDT and it just kept following ROAD.  No thanks!


Tuscarora Trail (near where it intersects with the AT) - I have only been on a 3 mile stretch from where it connect with the AT and Darlington on top of Blue Mtn.  Wasn't impressed. 


Conewago Rail Trail - Elizabethtown, PA I am not a big fan of rail trails mainly because they are flat.  I would definately pick a rail trail over road anyday but it doesn't help that my 2 or 3 runs on the Conewago were not "good" runs.

Maybe time to post a "Bucket List" of Races???....????

2011 Year in Review

Year of Challenges

As 2011 comes to a close, I reflect on an amazing year of running.  I had many highlights, a few lowlights and various challenges. 

Since I am fairly new to blogging and don’t have much of a history of posts to rely on, let me reflect for a minute on running prior to 2011.  I began my running journey during my junior and senior years of high school (1991-1993) where I ran cross-country and learned to both love and hate running.  I hated it because I was not fast (which seemed the point of cross-country) but loved it because we were running trails in beautiful back country.  Fast forward to 2008, after many years of inconsistent running I decided to take up, what seemed like for me, the most improbable challenge – to train for and attempt a marathon.  It was a late winter day and I stepped onto the track at the local YMCA.  “Here I am” I thought, “time to start”.  Sixteen laps (one mile) later and I felt like I would cough up a lung and die.  It felt that bad. Eight months later and I finished my first marathon in just under 4 hours.  I was on top of the world.  The next two years were spent trying to figure out where I fit in distance running.  I wasn't fast and struggled at the end of my only half and full marathons.  I added another marathon in 2009 and a handful of half marathons.  I improved my times at the half, got slower at the full and could never manage to improve on my 5k or 5 mile times.  Late in 2010, I entered a 10 mile trail run.  I am still not sure what specifically drove me to enter it but I vaguely remember thinking that my time on a 10 mile trail run should be about the same as my road half marathon times.  Boy was I wrong! I entered the Conestoga Trail 10 miler which self-proclaims to be “arguably the toughest 10 miler on the east coast” (or something like that). How hard could it be?

The RD tells us at the start to plan on a time of “twice your normal 10 mile time”.  Really? That would put me at 16 minute miles.  That’s absurd! Well 2 hours 42 minutes later (right on 16 min/mile pace) I finished the hardest run I have ever had.  And that is exactly what I told my wife when I hobbled in my house after the race. It was only 10 miles but tougher than either marathon or any training run I completed in the past.  But I loved every second of it! That day, I fell in love with trail running. 

The weeks that followed that crazy 10 miler, I researched other trail events in the area.  I also researched further the idea of an ultra-marathon.   Was it doable? Was it possible? Am I crazy? The answer to all was yes, at least in my mind.  I spent more time concocting a plan that would allow me to run a 50 miler the end of 2011.  Would I really be ready for it? I had a lot of work to do. The plan was simple though – work my way up to specific trail events strategically placed throughout the year, use those trail events as training runs and when it came time to the fall, I should be ready for a 50 miler. 

2011 started off with maintaining 15-25 miles per week.  This doesn’t seem like a lot but for me to maintain this over the winter months was more than I had done in years past. At the end of February I slowly increased my mileage and was able to make my way out on the trails every so often.  When I hit the middle of March I knew it was time to really start getting in some time on my feet.  It was one month to my first trail event and I knew I needed more.  I put in the time, the miles and the hills.  Was it enough?

Challenge #1 - Hyner View Trail Challenge

This race is 16.5 miles of gnarly (translation = technical) trails.  Close to 4500 feet of ascents with an equal amount of descents. 

This event contains one of the better vistas in Pennsylvania.  I was looking forward to it but somehow felt that I hadn’t been able to get enough time on hills.  Although I wasn’t “racing” this event, I did have a finishing time I thought doable in the back of my mind.  Four hours I thought was plenty of time to get through this course.  In the days before the race, I did what most trail runners do – continually check the weather forecast.  It was looking good about 10 days out, 9 days out, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, oh, and then the outlook changed.  A big system was forecasted to sit over the entire central part of Pennsylvania on Saturday April 16, 2011.  The day before – absolutely perfect.  Saturday – cold (37 degrees F), rainy and windy.   Oh man – the one weather condition I loathe running in.  So I arrived in what I thought would be plenty of time to find that the weather didn’t keep too many people away.  900 out of 1000 registered runners/hikers showed up. I was surprised.  My first decision of the day came at my car – shorts or pants? I never wear pants (when I run) but it was cold, wet and I knew I would be out there for a while.  Funny – the guy parked next to me was thinking the same thing as he actually said it out loud.  I chose the shorts.  Good decision as the pants would have been soaked and heavy within the first 2 miles.  So I closed my car and looked up – you could see the first climb that hovered over the parking area.  The peak is used for hang gliding on better weather days.  What was I getting myself into? I made my way to the starting area (a good walk away) to find a rather long line waiting to get bibs.  Looking at my watch I soon realized this wasn’t working.  The race ended up starting late as the volunteers literally scrambled to get everyone’s bibs to them.  They called everyone to the starting line and I was 2/3 of the way back in the group of 900.  This was my first mistake.  The race winds down a dirt road onto the main road, across a bridge over the Susquehanna river, onto another road and then, 1.5 miles into the race, onto single track trail.  This is where I realized that 2/3 of the way back in the starting crowd hurt me.  For the next mile plus it was stop and go on the trail.  This was not trail where passing was possible so it was all patience.   Got to the first climb and passing here was definitely possible but it was also 1200’ plus of climb in less than a mile and a half so why bother passing.  Everyone was at a snail's pace.  Two false summits later and we finally made it.  Then the downhill.  Oh sweet downhill.    By this time we were all completely soaked, cold hands (despite two pairs of gloves) and mud covered.  Just embrace it became my mantra for this race and many others to come.  16.5 miles, 4 hours 21 minutes later, I was done.  What a tough run.  All in all, a great day was had.  Despite the not-so-ideal weather, I had fun and completed the challenge.

For the next few weeks I concentrated on keeping my mileage up.  I hit my first 40+ mile week in May and best of all, I was staying healthy.   40 mile weeks are the norm for many runners but for my short running “career” it was not.  My body struggled over mt first three years of running to do higher mileage weeks and back to back running days.  In training for my first marathon I only ran 3-4 days a week.  This is certainly not ideal and I would not recommend that to anyone training for distance.  But the way I see it is I am not a natural runner, barely an athlete, and it took me three plus years to build a base to where I could do 40+ miles in a week and not be injured or too fatigued to run. 

Challenge # 2 - Rothrock 30k Trail Challenge

This trail event is called "Hyner's southern cousin"  – it contains climbs followed by downhill followed by rocks.  But this one had more rocks.  Lots of rocks.  Rocks beyond rocks.  It’s called Rothrock for a reason ya know.  Different from Hyner, we had a beautiful – almost perfect weather day for June in Pennsylvania.  Like I said, many hills, many rocks but what a gorgeous trail system.   I found my groove halfway through and hit the first two (of four) aide stations in under the times I projected for myself. My goal was sub 5 hours for this event.  I was on par for around 4 hours.  Did I go out too fast? Was I pushing too hard? Not sure.  But I hit a downhill section that was so steep that there was a rope to guide people down.  Down the hill and into the third aide station I realized I was slowing a bit.  I bypassed the aide station with minimal refueling (learning point here).  Up the trail and round the corner and BLAM! there it was – a huge boulder scramble going up. 

It was a climb and a half in my book and just about killed me.  I finally made it to the top and my lack of refueling during the last aide station hit me hard.  Long story short – I had to walk for a while due to a total lack of energy.  I thought I was doomed.  I finally made an effort between the last aide station and the finish putting me at 4 hours 48 minutes (or something like that).  This was a race of two halves – great first and close to the walk of death for the second.  Lessons learned – I knew I needed better long runs and I knew I needed to work on my refueling. 

My next official event planned was not until September so I had three months to work out the kinks.  But the next trail event would put me in the “ultra” category so long runs and overall mileage were the keys.  My goal going into the hot n humid summer months was to get a nice LR in once every 3-4 weeks, run moderate LRs other weekends,  and do a few higher mileage weeks in between.  For some random reason, I chose to run every day of July, prior to which I had never run more than 8 consecutive days.  So July 1^st I started it with a bang – 22 miles on trails.  Most of the days that ordinarily would have been off days for me, I ran just 2 or 3 miles.  The important factor that my body adjusted to was just staying in motion.  I feel this month was important to get my legs more accustomed to the rigors of running.  But don’t get me wrong, I was grateful to get to August and change things back to having real off days.  My goal for August was to implement some good solid trail runs.   In August I pulled my first 5 hour run which ended up being 24(ish) miles.  I was hopeful because I was recovering well from my long runs.  

Challenge #3 - On the Rocks Trail Run

This was not on the original plan for trail races.  I didn’t know it existed until August and stumbled across the website for it.  Looked like fun and also looked to be somewhat close by (as opposed to races like Hyner which ended up at 3 hours driving time one way).  This was a 16.3 mile two loop race.  Ran the first loop with others who were running the one loop 8.3 mile version.  I had difficulty understanding if I was running at a good pace or not due to most runners dropping off after they finished their 8.3 miles and then running most of the second loop by myself.  I finished in 3 hours 8 minutes – not bad for a training run.  I finished 11^th out of 27 finishers which made me feel pretty good about what I was doing.  This course had – yup you guessed it – lots of rocks.  But I seemed to be getting used to that by now. 

September for me was supposed to start my ultra distance races.  I had scheduled the Keystone SuperHike (28.4 miles), the Blues Cruise 50k and then my fifty miler in November.  But plans are always subject to change.  The first full week of September brought many days of rain and massive flooding to the central Pennsylvania area.  Having already run in rain and mud, I wasn’t concerned with that going into the SuperHike.  But as it got closer to September 10^th, it became painfully obvious that the race would not happen.  The flooding wiped out much of the course we would be using, parking at the finish line and many of the back roads that led to the start and finish lines.   This became a huge disappointment as the race was cancelled, not postponed.  I was looking forward to this event more than any of the others, but in the scheme of life and devastation, running needed to take a back seat.  I was scheduled for Blues Cruise 50k three weeks later so I had to scramble to figure out my long run schedule.  I wasn’t about to go out for 4-5 hours a week or two prior to the 50k. 

Challenge #4 – Blues Cruise 50k 

This ended up being my first official ultra-marathon.   What a day.  Was a bit cold to start but ended up being perfect running weather.  There was plenty of mud as these trails were covered by the flooded lake in the previous weeks.  This was about the only factor that slowed me down.  Then there was the creek crossing that took a bit of tip toeing to navigate:

This event in the past was an out and back on trail.  This year they stretched it out to be one giant loop around Blue Marsh Lake.  Turned into a great choice.  I started out too fast as I always seem to do.  I found a grove and ran the first 10 miles in 1:40 (10 minute miles).  I knew I could not keep this pace up for 31 miles but I was riding my wave of energy.  The aide stations at this event were incredible.  The stations were manned by experienced ultra runners who were very encouraging and knowledgeable.    I experimented a bit with various foods and amounts to determine what would work and not work.  This was a good race to do so.  So many choices of food.  I hit the last aide station at 26.5 miles and realized I had just run my furthest distance ever.  I struggled the last 4+ miles but in the end I finished in a respectable 5 hours and 50 minutes good for 82nd out of 224 finishers.  My outside goal was 5:30, more realistic goal was sub 6 hours.  I felt good after the race and concentrated on fueling up to speed up recovery – I think it worked well. 

Seven weeks to my first 50 miler and I knew I needed one more 5+ hour run.  I thought I would be on my own for it.  I wasn’t planning on entering another race but one came up last minute that seemed perfect. 

Challenge #5 – Fire on the Mountain 50k

This event was supposed to be run the last weekend of October which would put it three weeks out from my 50 miler.  “Perfect”, I thought.  But in a year of weird and wacky weather, we got hit with 6+ inches of heavy wet snow the day before the race.  On no – another SuperHike? Cancelled? Thankfully they rescheduled for the next weekend.   This 50k turned into 32 miles of much more technical trails than Blues Cruise.  I was going to take it slow and steady regardless of the course.  This race consisted of four sections, three of which were trail and one was an 8 mile stretch of fire roads.  The fire roads did me in.  I hated them.   I somewhat regretted the decision to enter this event while I run/walked/shuffled the fire roads.  I went back to what used to get me through tough cross-country practices in high school - quoting Isaiah 40:31.  I did this literally for an hour.  I could never have gotten through that section (miles 17-25) without doing so.  God was trying to teach me something - "just wait - it will come".   And it did come.  I ran well the last 5 miles of the race - a big boost to my confidence.  I finished this event in just over 7 hours.  Tough race but was feeling good about it.  I recovered well and mentally felt good about being on my feet for 7 hours.  This being the first race I could use a drop bag, it was once again a training of sorts in regards to refueling and having a change of shoes, socks and clothes if I needed it.  It worked out well because I needed it. 

Two weeks until my 50 miler and I certainly took it easy.  I ran only 5 times in 13 days.  I had no thoughts of pushing any kind of significant miles those two weeks.  I was trying to prepare myself mentally during this time as well as reflect on a full year of training specifically for this event.

Final Challenge - Stone Mill 50 Miler

See my full RR for details: My First 50 Miler Racer Report.  It truly was a great way to end the running year for me.  If you read the full RR, you can see all the difficulties I faced.  But I learned a lot.  I learned that some of these issues I faced during the race are fairly normal things that ultra runners must face.  I hope my next chance at 50 miles (or more) will have fewer combined issues.  The highlight of the race for me and for the year came in the days following Stone Mill when I learned that the race distance was closer to 55 miles than 50 miles.  I was initially disappointed in my final time of 12+ hours.  But when I learned that I probably hit the 50 mile mark around 11 hours and that my body held up for 55 miles, it made the entire experience, the whole year of training, and the long day all worth it.  It makes me hopeful that with more training, putting into practice what I have learned, and logging the miles that I can do anything.  What's in my future - more 50k events, more 50 milers, a 100k, or maybe someday a 100 miler?

I finish the year with just over 1400 miles run, 6 official races completed, my first three ultra marathons, and many hours on trails.  This year was about going longer and facing the challenges that come with running -  and with life.   So what's my identity as a runner? I still don't know but I am having fun figuring that out one mile at at time. 

The next challenge: I started a PhD program on December 5th which should take me the next 4 years to complete.  It certainly interrupts any thoughts of piling on the races but with any luck and planning, running will not cease. 

I end this post with an illustration: I was running on a trail the other day with no real plan where I was going - just out for a run.  I came to a split in the trail.  To the right the trail looked well groomed, relatively flat and a safe bet to be easy.  To the left the trail had rocks, ascended the side of a ridge and looked dark & ominous.  Which do you choose? I chose the trail to the left.  It wasn't much of a decision.  In the past I would have stuck with the right but my running has helped shift my thinking to take up the challenges of life.  I hope you do the same. 

My first 50 miler

Stone Mill 50 Miler - November 19, 2011

From couch to 50 miles – three and a half years ago I started this journey.  I finally, after years of making excuses, made the decision to start running and work towards my goal of running a marathon.  On a cold winter day late in February 2008, I ran a mile on a track at the local YMCA.  I literally thought I was going to die.  It felt that bad.  Somehow I stuck with it. Three and a half years later I complete my first 50 mile race.  You see, I am not a natural runner.  I am not built like a runner.  I am tall and very thin.  My legs look just as thin now as they did three years ago.  No bulging calves, no manly quads – just skinny.  I shouldn't be able to complete 50 miles.

November 19, 2011 will go done as a very memorable day for me.  My first 50 miler is in the books.  Let me start off by saying it was, as many ultra-runners state:  a mixed bag of emotions and experiences all rolled into one event.  In an ultra, it’s easy to go from running a good race to a terrible one and possibly back again. 

The Stone Mill 50  mile race was birthed in 2010 as an “alternative” to the JFK 50 miler which is run on the same day no more than 30 miles away in Maryland.  Just as there were 1000 or so JFKers running 50 miles (some of them very fast by the looks of the prelim results), we had 300  or so running mostly single track trails.  Weather was perfect – a bit cold to start but truly was perfect running weather.  Crystal clear skies and little to no wind. The race fee was a mere $35 (got to love race fees that are less than the miles run).  For that fee there was little in the way of swag which I personally didn’t care about.  No tee shirt.  There was a flashlight and a finishing medal but really it was just the experience.  I was thoroughly impressed with the amount of food at aide stations and the incredible volunteers.  I would recommend this race to anyone.  It is low key but very fun. 

The theme of this report is “It was not my day!” I could easily say that because I finished in 12:20 and had expected to finish somewhere between 10 and 11 hours.  But in the end, the time doesn’t matter.  What matters is the entire experience.  (disclaimer – I want you to be informed of many complaints through this RR – not complaints about the race but about my health.  No I am not a hypochondriac.  It just wasn’t my day.  I don’t write these things for anyone to feel sorry for me.  This was simply my experience on this day.)

The day started with an early rise and a long drive to race central.  With a 6am start, they got packet pick-up going at 5am.  I arrived shortly after 5 and there was already a nice line.  Got my bib, dropped off my drop bags, and waited in line for the bathroom.  Race started promptly at 6am (which was nice). 

The first three miles were in the dark.  One of the coolest things I have seen was the line of head lamps bobbing through the woods.  Since this was the start, most of the 300 runners were together through this section.  Got to the aide station at mile 3 where most people did not stop.  So far, I was feeling good but had thoughts of what the day would bring.  After this is when things started to fall apart.  Let me back up by saying a couple days prior to the race, I must have slept in an awkward position because for those days leading up to the race, my neck and upper back were very sore.  I was concerned as to how they would hold up for 50 miles.  Through the race, it was painful at times.  I noticed a tendency to run with my head tilted to the right – seemed to take some of the pressure off.  I caught myself a few times doing that and wondering what others thought of this dude running with a tilted head.  Ok back to mile 3.  I said it got worse and it did.  I had major GI problems pretty much miles 4 through 25.  I kept looking for a nice big tree along the way but it just wasn’t happening.  “Runs” on the run ain’t no fun.   I was fortunate to come across a gas station at a road section 8 miles into the race that I nicely took advantage of.  Two more pit stops along the way between there and mile 23.  Prior to this first pit stop, I took a hard fall. Just after an aide station around mile 7 I went to plant my right foot on a downed tree to catapult myself over (something I have done many times before) and to my surprise someone greased it up.  Ok no not really but I essentially went down like a ton of bricks directly on my right hip.  Wow that hurt.  With 3 or 4 runners behind me saying “Ohhhhh….ouch” before asking if I was ok, I got up, dusted off my ego and kept on down the trail.  I knew for sure this would hurt the next day (and it does).  The pain went numb for a while but kept coming back periodically. 

The trail was beautiful.  It made it’s way through suburban like areas but was far enough in the woods at times that we didn’t feel like we were in civilization.  At times we were deep in the woods and other times we were literally in people’s back yards. 

 I was trying my best to enjoy the race.  I settled in a bit.  Just when I didn’t think it could get any worse though, it did.  To balance my GI issues, I also started feeling sick to my stomach around mile 16.  All of these things combined really slowed me down.  I made it through mile 11 in 2 hours which was great pacing, but then it took me almost 3 hours to go the next 12 or so.  I have never had so many thoughts in a race of wanting to quit. I felt beat up and the worst part was that I wasn’t even halfway done.  My mind was really against me here.  All I could manage was a shuffle.  We hit a section of the C & O canal way (same that JFK 50 uses except we were further south on the Potomac River).  Thankfully we only did 3 miles of this.  Despite being absolutely beautiful, it was a tough hard packed canal road.  My left leg abductor area was really tight (an area that seems to flare up when doing anything on pavement over 10 miles).  So there I was shuffling along wondering how I was going to make it.  I was praying something fierce at that point.  “God just grant me the strength to get through this”.  My goal going into this race of wanting to run around the 10 hour mark were out the door and I was simply in survival mode.  It was too early in the race to be in that mode.  The aide station at mile 23 served as the first drop bag section.  I spent some time trying to refuel, popped two ibuprofen and despite an upset stomach I forced myself to eat and drink.  I was off and settled into a mode of just getting to the next aide station.  At this point, I was not even halfway and at 5 hours.  It was the next few miles where my stomach grew more uneasy.  I really needed to throw up.  My stomach was acting like it was trying to and I was very close to helping it.  The only reason why I didn’t is because I knew if I could somehow keep it down, I would need those nutrients to fuel me for the next 26+miles.  I worked through this section as best I could.  Mile 29 was the next full aide station.  Lots of walking from 23-29.  I think I finally convinced myself to just walk until my stomach settles.  It took me about 30 minutes or so of a straight walk.  Then I started running again and kept flip flopping with a guy who also looked like he was struggling (for other reasons I am sure).  After 3 or 4 times passing each other I passed him and never saw him again. It was funny how I wondered how he was doing through the rest of the race.  Never did find out how or if he finished.  I hit the aide station at mile 29, ate and drank what I could and took off.  I felt like I hadn’t eaten enough but had such a hard time mentally – thinking that my stomach would turn again.   As I walked from the aide station I saw a sign that said “Only 21 miles to go”.  Only??? I know I can do the math but still mentally this is a tough thing to see after struggling for so long.  It wasn’t too long after that aide station I started running again and then it happened – the race flipped on me.  I felt a renewed energy.  I don’t know where it came from but I didn’t care.  GI issues were all but gone, stomach had settled, pain in the legs and back were going numb (ibuprofen??).  I had no idea where this came from but I was thankful.  To summarize, I ran miles 29 – 42 running at a pace of between 11 and 12 minute miles.  This was good.  I was not pushing it but felt very comfortable. If it were not for this good section of running, I would not have made it.  I passed many people who had passed me previously.  I didn’t know how long it would last but I wanted to ride the wave as long as possible.  I kept doing the math and thought I had a chance at 11 hours.  At the aide station at mile 42, we were told that there is a 3.5 mile out and then the same 3.5 miles back to this aide station.  From there it was 1.5 miles to the finish.  Not sure why but this news was defeating to me.  I don’t know if I thought we were further along or what.  It was also around mile 42 that my IT band in my right leg started flaring up and never stopped.  I struggled on the 3.5 miles out big time.  I was again in the shuffle and walk mode.  The other pain crept back in my legs on top of my new IT band issues.  It was at a point where I literally couldn’t get my legs to move any faster.  Energy wise I was fine.  It was just the legs.  There was a cold creek crossing close to the turnaround which refreshed my feet.  The cold kind of woke my feet and legs up a bit.  At the turnaround was another aide station.  What great volunteers to be out on the edge of the race serving food at sunset and beyond.  It was an Indian family who was pushing their hot apple cider, soup and roast beef that they claimed was the best ever.  So what did I do? I tried the roast beef.  Now I don’t know if you have ever eaten Indian food but everything is spicy.  I don’t know what they rubbed this with but it had kick.  It was probably bland to them but my mouth felt it the next half hour.  This section, like I said before, was 3.5 miles out to this aide station and then back again so you saw a lot of runners going the opposite way.  Despite not being able to make the 11 hour mark, my pride kicked in and I didn’t stay long at the aide station.  I didn’t want to be passed.  So I made my way back (4.5 miles to the finish ).  By this time it was getting dark.  It really got dark fast.  I had carried my head lamp all day (note that I originally thought that I would not need a light for the late part of the race because I was confident that I would finish in the light – which would be an 11 hour finish.  Boy was I wrong.)  The last 3+ miles were in the dark.  I only had a head lamp and struggled to see the ground well enough.  There were many tree roots and leaves covering the trail.  It was tough just staying on the trail.  It was again a shuffle but I wanted so bad to finish.  To add insult to injury, a tree very nicely decided to stick out a root and trip me.  I didn’t fall but hit my big toe very hard.   It was getting late.   I had thoughts now of beating 12 hours, and my legs, feet and hips just couldn’t take anymore not to mention this new pain in my toe.  I ended up limping the last 1.5 miles to the finish.  It was what it was.  An aside:  I saw many runners still making their way out on the out and back section which meant they still had a ways to go.  I have a lot of respect for them for persevering.  Not sure when they would actually pull runners off the course but these people were not quitting.  This gave me a bit of inspiration to finish what I started.   The finish line, also where we started, at a high school, gave us one last challenge – we had to climb a very steep (but short) hill right up to the finish.  There was a girl directing runners in with a flashlight and she kept saying “come on, you can do it.  Run the hill hard, finish strong!” If it wasn’t for the fact that I was grateful for the many volunteers, I might have given her a piece of my mind at that point.  Limping the last 1.5 miles in the dark, I was not running that hill.  Clock read 12 hours, 21 minutes and some change.  Now the race was advertised as 50 miles but the race director, in an email a couple days before the race, said the course was actually 51.5 miles.  Really not that big of a deal but by my watch I think I hit the 50 mile mark around 11:40 (that is if the 51.5 miles is accurate).  Not sure how they get an accurate measure though.  I did not stay long after the race.  I wished I was in better spirits - I would have stayed and cheered for the runners behind me. At that point, I just wanted in my car and to drive home.  The pain I felt the night of the race and the next day is more than I have in a long time.  I feel like I was hit by a car (more specifically like a car with a low front end hitting me in the legs while flipping me up in the air landing my on back.)  Ask me if I will run a 50 miler again?

Update: Race was actually around 54.5 miles not 51.5 miles!!!!!

Thoughts from this experience:

1.)    First and foremost I have so much more respect for ultra-runners after this experience – especially those who have done the 100 milers.  I can’t imagine doing twice what I did.  I do realize that you don’t enter a 100 mile race without being well trained for that distance but I do understand, at least on a minimal level, the mental challenge coupled with the physical challenge that is ever changing through those distances.  It does not surprise me that 100 milers have such high DNF rates.

2.)    It is my opinion that ultra-runners enjoy pain.  Somehow you have to embrace the pain of a distance like this.  What makes ultra-runners so sadistic? I don’t believe that distance runners believe that they can ever achieve a “perfect” day where there is no pain.  Ultra-runners find some way to accept the pain/discomfort and work with it.

3.)    This was the hardest thing I have done in my life to this point.  I knew it would be, but I still did it.  I have so much respect for anyone that “toes the line” of an ultra no matter where they finish.

4.)    I have learned a few things that I must do to enhance my training for the next time I run a 50 miler (or 100k???).  First is I absolutely have to get back to strengthening my core – specifically my hips.   I was told two years ago that this is a weak area for me. I didn’t do enough of that. Second is to implement more back to back  long run days.  I am not sold on this but would be something to try more for next time.  My overall mileage was low (when compared to others) but I do not think that mattered for me.  Third is I might want to try running the next one with someone and/or have a crew to help me as well as training with others.  I saw many runners with a partner or having a crew out there.  I, on the other hand, did it alone.  But the great volunteers and aide stations allowed me to do so.   I don’t want to underestimate the value of support from others.  And lastly, absolutely need to run in a pair of shoes that are 1/2 size larger than I normally wear.  The feet and toes swell and I felt much too much rubbing of my toes on the ends of my shoes. 

5.)  Ultras are fun.  They are doable for most any runner that wants to put in the time and mental effort.

Happy Trails!