Mud and Glory at Black Hills 100

On the 25th of June I started my trek to the Black Hills of South Dakota for what would be my first 100 mile finish, and while the travel there was easy (only a few hitches) the race itself, well, not so much...   The first night really just involved a short trip to the Target, and then off to eat stakes, we were in the land of cattle...Of course since I had never been to South Dakota before, I made Sophia trek out to Mount Rushmore the next day- we did scout out pieces and parts of the course to get there... which we did in true Mud babe fashion, complete with awesome gas station souvenir trucker caps...

We bested all the trucker caps at Mt. Rushmore...

  Emily met up with us later that day- we found the Bay Leaf Cafe, which may be the only restaurant in the Spearfish/Sturgis area that has real vegetables and healthy vegetarian options on the menu- and absolutely the best apple pie in the world... We had to move inside to finish our dinner as a rainstorm rolled in, rain and thunderstorms were rolling in every afternoon and evening...

The day before the race we headed over to Sturgis for lunch followed by packet pickup and drop bag dropoff- then a jaunt over to Deadwood for a trip to a famous chocolate place- the Chubby Chipmunk- they even have truffle vending machines outside that are available 24/7- I mean this is some serious truffle shuffle business... and then it was off to Wally World for some last minute items... meanwhile it had started raining just after packet pickup... there was little to no debate about whether to go to the pre-race brief- and it was a  resounding no.  I wanted less and not more anxiety- I had studied the elevation profile, and well it was raining, really raining, so the course was going to be muddy- just how muddy would depend on the over night storms... so  We returned to the Bay Leaf Cafe for a pre-race meal- and annihilated another piece of pie with vanilla ice cream... there were no words when it came to the table-it was that good... this would inspire Cinnamon powered running the next day...

Chubby Chipmunk

Testing out some rain gear teletubby style

The morning of the race it was raining pretty heavily, in fact it had not stopped from the night before, but we got it together and headed to the start. We checked in, found flushable toilets, and waited for the start.  We discussed strategery a little. Mine was to start slow, warm-up and try and hit the 50 mile turnaround at about 13:30 or so, depending on the course conditions... and that was a huge variable...

staying dry pre-race (Sophia's got Cowbell)

 

and we are off...

Course Profile-one way

The first mile of the course is on a sidewalk, flat, and really hard to start slow, but I was able to maintain about a 12 min pace, which put me somewhere in the last three people to enter the trail head. I was sure to take it easy as we headed in to some decent climbs before the first aid station.  I was feeling very relaxed as I moved into the first aid station, only to freak out a little at the fact there was only grapes and pretzels there- so I dug into my emergency Kind Bar stash in my pack.  This made me a little uneasy, I was really hoping it was just the first and that to keep an open mind- and keep steady.  Keeping steady was the goal, and I was moving right along, starting to pick up folks that had gone out a little too fast...  I spent a lot of time alone- mostly because I had started so far back, but I was maintaining the same pace and effort level..

Somewhere in the first 17 miles

Heading into the Bulldog A/S (mile 10) I was thrilled to see a complete ultra spread- complete with my go to menu of bananas, watermelon and PB&J.  There were potatoes- baked not boiled so they were way to hard to get down... I moved through the next 7 miles pretty easily meeting all sorts of folks from Tejas Trail members to two young ladies in the South Dakota Army National Guard...I rolled into the Elk Creek A/S (17 miles) just about right on time 4:17.  Met up with Sophia and Brandon (Mindy Coolman's crewman) they were awesome getting me stuff... and I rolled out- unfortunately without the Ultragen that we both thought was already in my handheld... that would be the least of my worries for the next 9 plus miles... I headed down the trail, only to see the trail conditions: mud, mud, and more mud. Not just any kind of mud, the sole sucking mud that pulls at your heels hoping to steal your shoes, the only respite on this stretch were the five water crossings... thigh deep cold water...

Getting in...

Getting out...

After the five water crossings there was about 4-5 miles until the Crooked Tree A/S, we passed two mountain bikers from the 100 mile MTB race- one turned around at the first water crossing, and the other was talking to himself as he carried his mud encrusted bike up to Crooked Tree. The only other thing more depressing to see was all the runners in HOKAs slipping and sliding all over the place- they are not the shoes for muddy conditions...  Finally coming into the A/S I got what I needed and figured the best I could do was to keep moving. Plus I really had to pee, and there was a guy that I was bouncing back and forth with- and the trails closer to the creek were covered in poison ivy... but I figured if I got enough space I could pop a squat... but nope he was right on my heels out of the A/S.  I stopped to hike, hoping he would pass, but no... I had to just pop a squat and tell him to cover his eyes... I saw Emily heading back from the 50 mile turn-around she was the third woman and looking strong.  I was running with a nice woman from Canada, and we caught up to a 100K runner... we came out of the single track and on to a ATV trail where we made a slight detour, luckily the 100K runner yelled, we heard, and made the left turn back on to the single track to Dalton Lake... I saw Mindy Coolman headed back from Dalton Lake, looking strong as the first woman. 

Getting photo bombed by Brandon

It was a nice long downhill into Dalton Lake- I was happy to see Brandon and Sophia- and to actually get some Ultragen in my bottle... coke, banana, watermelon, turkey and cheese, and some ice in the pack as the temperature as the sun came out... Sophia said do you want to know what is coming up, I think my response was something like: let me guess- I am going to go up for awhile and then down for a bit into an aid station... yep- that was about it- other than it was up twice- then down... and I headed out almost leaving the Ultragen at the A/S, but luckily I heard Sophia and we got it right... The climb out of Dalton, was really no joke.  My hiking was still strong, and my legs were feeling pretty good even after 30 miles. Once we climbed out of the single track, we turned onto an ATV trail, muddy, rocky, pot holey trail... note this race has ingrained in me a deep hatred of ATV trails...The descent down was a bit treacherous- but it spit us out on the road to the Nemo A/S.  We had driven this part on the way to Rushmore- so I knew where to go- where to cross the road etc- the signs were a little vague...

Showing off my mud at Nemo

I rolled into Nemo feeling really good, having picked up a little steam, and a couple of runners.  I refueled, coke, watermelon, banana, pb&j; I kept off of the turkey as it didn't really settle in my stomach as well as I had hoped.  I headed out smiling- little did I know it was going to be 8ish miles on ATV trails, with ATVs and dirt bikes zooming along.  I saw the leaders of the 100 as I got closer to the A/S, and just before a thunderstorm rolled in, and thunderstorms can be deadly in Florida, so needless to say I kept my distance from the guys in front of me and stayed clear of the trees... and I was kicking myself for ditching my light packable jacket at mile 17... but I eased into the Pilot Knob A/S (mile 43)- with a renewed sense of purpose. Sophia was there to meet me- and quickly send me off on the most beautiful part of the course... once the trail crossed the highway it was the most beautiful, and it parts rugged, brutally hilly, single track into the 50 mile turn around. I felt pretty good that I was moving well, and I was passing experienced veterans on their way back, and I was only 3-4 miles from the turnaround at Silver City.

I made it in to 50 just under 14 hours.  Slower than I wanted, but I was not going to stress over it.  The course would be a little drier, and my legs were still feeling good at 50 because I didn't burn them out in the mud.  I got some warmer clothes, and my Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisper shell. I told Sophia that I had blisters- but I didn't want to look at them, nor did I want to change socks or shoes, for fear that it would be more detrimental to my outlook, the pain would be there no matter what-and you know what it's an ultra, and the one thing you can count on... your feet are going to hurt- just deal with it.

We headed out before it got dark, which really makes a difference in your mental outlook on a race.  The climb out of the turn around was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be, and by the top it started to get dark, but I was moving, and moving up with strong hiking... and we would be doing a fair bit of it as we made our way back... Emily met us at Pilot Knob, we got some soup and headed out, catching a guy named Jim as we headed into Nemo, where we met up with Emily again- there was no hot water for tea, but I got a change of top and we headed up and then down to Dalton Lake, my outlook for the rest of the course was better as a lot of the mud was drying up... and Sophia and I were having a lot of good chit chat...

Midnight Selfie- try 3- on the way to Dalton Lake

We passed Jim again on the way into Dalton Lake, but not before Sophia had a yard sale fall, after making sure our selfie posted to facebook.  The photo documentation really broke up the monotony of the night. Heading into Dalton I took a seat, Emily gave my legs a rub, I got some much needed warmth caffeine in the Yerba Mate, and we put in an order for breakfast sandwiches at Elk Creek.

Heading out of Dalton Lake was a unrelenting climb, and it was the wee hours of the morning, where bad things can happen, and the demons come in... but Sophia and I had a plan... jokes-one liners- humorous references to silly you tube clips I shared with her in the days leading up to the race... so one or two words could snap you out of it.. like Sophia signing Hot-Pocket... or calling me dearest human as I have to lean against a tree to poop in the woods looking for men with beards and hats... silly-of course-effective-hell yes.  I had a bit of sour moment apologizing for the pace and her pacing experience- she quickly let me know all was good- and I kept going, running when I could- little did Sophia know it was about the time we hit 26 miles to go that I got this aching dull pain in my lower right leg... The sun came up, and we were headed to Crooked Tree A/S and then to Elk Creek.

Beautiful Trail

Throwing some attitude... just wanting to keep moving...

We finally made it through the five water crossings, which were significantly lower, I was getting a little nervous about the cut off time at this point, almost obsessively.  We climbed up to Elk Creek  A/S, only 17 miles to go, and Emily had breakfast sandwiches... I got a t-shirt on, which would have been much better at mile 22-should have moved quicker i guess, grabbed my trekking poles and my visor (returning to Sophia a sweaty visor she let me borrow) and with a giant mouthful of sandwich I was on a mission to hike up and catch the two guys that left out just minutes before me... Sophia figured out my gadget watch and we were on a mission to finish this thing... we past the two guys about 1.5 miles out of the aid station and we made  our way to the Bulldog A/S. At some point on the way there I decided to spill the beans about my lower right leg/ankle- She says: On a scale of Zero to Afghanistan, how bad? no mines, bombs, well minus the horse shit... I offered no response and starting moving faster... what was I thinking: I should stop feeling sorry for myself- I have two feet and two legs and I saw guys go home without... at the A/S Sophia gave up her tights while I inhaled  some food and handed over my bottle for some more Ultragen...  I headed out of the A/S before Sophia, making the climb- hiking as fast I a could possibly move... still thinking about my fellow Spartan and Dagger Soldiers that came home without legs or arms... I kept moving- also with the idea that I was actually going to finish this beast of a race...

Trekking pole model... why yes I am

Sophia's view point...

By the time I hit about 8 miles to go, I was really working on a pick a point and run to it. I was happy to still be running. We hit the last A/S and made our way to the bitch of a climb, I figured as long as I got up- there was no way I wasn't going to finish.  On our way up three veteran ladies hauled ass by us... they were very supportive- understanding that it was my first 100, and well I also live and train in Florida- so hills aren't exactly my forte right now. I passed one of the ladies on the down hill, she was having serious knee/leg issues and toughed out a solid finish.

Flowers from the meadow- the hill in the distance- we were going straight up that in a couple miles

not even close to the top

With two miles to go, there was Emily, cheering us to the top of the last real climb, and we headed to the park and the last mile of side walk...

Excited running down to the park

At this point it became all to real that this finish was going to happen, and I got little teary-eyed with joy, and Sophia did a little- but we agreed not to get emotional until the finish... The sidewalk was not kind to my leg, so it was mostly a speed walk with some sprinkled in running to the finish. but a run across the lovely grassy finish.

Starting the run on the sidewalk

No race is complete without the port-a-potty photo

Running into the finish

Relief... 30:58:08 (under 31hrs and the 32 hr cutoff)

Showing off the hardware

Sophia was there to photo-document the adventure and cheer me in... and neither of us got emotional or cried like babies- just joy and happiness. Kind of an awkward encounter with the RD, and I just had the urge to take my shoes off and walk in that beautifully manicured grass- I just hoped I could get back up... mostly to get out of the stinky clothes...

Blisters were there...

Post 100 miler feet

All in all a smart race, never bonked, never hit a super low, and finished strong.  Huge thanks to Sophia  for crewing me all day and pacing me through the night, with little to no sleep! Feeding me ibuprofen and discussing breakfast plans at 3am...  Thanks to Emily, who ran a strong solid 50 miler, and then crewed me and Sophia to the finish, and the next morning for the biscuits- cause damn I was hungry...

Next up:  Pacing duties for Sophia at Leadville 100 and then The Masters of all Terrain 50 miler in Mt. Dora, FL

Gear that was AWESOME:

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hooded Jacket

Patagonia Houdini Jacket

Black Diamond Polar Icon Headlamp
Black Diamond Women's Flick Lock Trekking Poles (Z-Pole style)

Apparel and Shoes (Wave Ascends) by Mizuno
2XU Performance visor and  Run Cap

Nathan Vapor Wrap Hydration Vest

Running Strategery: Free State Trail Runs 100K (4/19/2014)

Going back to Kansas for a trail ultra is sort of like coming home... Free State Trail Runs, and Clinton Lake State Park, is where I ran my first marathon in 2010, and my first 100K in 2012 after my 2011 deployment to Afghanistan... so it definitely has a special place in my heart.  More importantly it is the home of the Mud Babes and many of the Trail Nerds that I met back in 2010. Okay- enough with the nostalgia and on with the race report...

So for those not in Kansas- remember that Kansas is not quite flat...well not as flat as Florida, and not as hilly as let say anywhere with mountains... but the rollers are nothing to joke about.  So going in I knew I might struggle with the hills a little, and well my legs were a tad bit tired from all the sand-running the weekend before at the Wild Sebastian Marathon... so the plan was to start slow and then go from there... Free State is a 20+ mile loop course- so three laps for 100K... 

Pre-race with the Mud Babes- and Matt

Loop 1: Emily, Sophia and I ran just about the entire lap together... Emily lead us off from the start- maybe a little too fast for my legs- they may have needed a slower wake up in the morning... plus we were running most of the uphills in the early part of the course- but it is not everyday that I get to run with these amazing women- so I stuck with it- even though my inner voice was screaming at me.  Sophia was super helpful in talking through the landmarks along the course- it had been a couple years since I had run at Clinton- so I was trying to pay attention for my follow on laps...  Oddly I started to feel a little better as we came through the red section- a fun and rather technical part of the course. By this part Sophia was in the lead- we  switched on and off, all of us would take the lead and think we weren't pushing enough- but in most cases we were pushing just enough- or in some cases too much.  My legs would bear the brunt of this lap, just not taking way too much time recover after the ups. It was nice to see Kurt and Heather at the Land's End Aid Station, and Tony Clark at the KUS Aid Station... Lap 1 ended up at about 4:15 for me after I dropped back  a little from Sophia and Emily... While I love running with these ladies- we really need to have better pre-race communication- I have discovered that I need about a 90 second walk after an Aid Station really helps to kick start my digestion- or at least it makes me feel better... I however forgot to share this with Emily and Sophia..

Emily and I coming off of the Red trail (finally a pic together)

Nearing the end of first loop

Loop 2: After seeing Danny L. (the original Mud Stud) at the Start/Finish Aid Station I rolled out for the second loop.  It was starting to get a little warm, and my stomach was still trying to digest... so I started out with a brisk walk.  Emily and I started the second loop, Sophia sped ahead.  I was glad to see she was feeling good- especially after coming off of Bronchitis.  Emily was having issues with her calf so we enacted a walk up, run flat and down policy... we came up on Alissa- and then I demonstrated my acrobatic talents with a most spectacular tumble... Thanks to Emily who picked out the dead leaves from my skirt... apparently they would have cause some major chaffing- and my next two laps would be way more comfortable for it... Emily was really fighting through pain but I was happy to run with her and chit chat.  I stayed with her until the RWB aid station, where I left her in the capable hands of a shirtless man with "magic hands"  and rolled out... My stomach had finally digested the food from the first lap- that slow start to the second lap was helpful- and my legs really started to feel better- so I continued on- running more the walking. I saw Sophia coming out of the KUS Aid station- she was looking good.  I was doing pretty well then boom another fall- this time not nearly as graceful- I may have fallen in about the same spot two years prior-stupid stupid white trail...  I started to feel some weird twinging after that fall- and really started to struggle the last 3.5 miles of the loop.  Luckily Kurt was there to lift my spirits and give me a pig in a blanket and an ibuprofen (my first of the day) and of course he said to me- see you in about 10 miles...  and so I plodded along to the start/finish area. Thankfully Danny, Emily and Matt were there to give me what I needed- a swift kick in the ass- and an awesome roll-out and stretch... and what might be about 1/4 of a watermelon.... I was pretty much a pain in the ass- but they pushed me out of the aid station at 9:45 (almost and hour slower than my first time running this course) but I RAN out of the aid station....

Plodding along the last couple of miles of loop 2

finishing up loop 2... seriously unhappy

Headed out for loop 3- yes that is watermelon and yes I am running

 

Loop 3: Basically I decided once I ran out of the aid station that I was going to get er done.  I think I said "F*ck this, it is going to suck, but you don't want to be out here all night so keep running"  and thus the strategery for the last loop was born...  I was a good ten minutes behind Alissa at the start of loop 3, and oddly I had not seen many other runners at this point... weird- was I really going that slow... screw it- run faster... I hit the RWB aid station- Mel was there- she assisted my with my coke, ice and watermelon- let me know that Sophia was not too terribly far ahead of me- so I was in and out- and moving... I caught up to Alissa and and her pacer Amy on the red trail- I was happy to see them- that meant I was doing all right.   They left out of Land's End a little in front of me- but I was happy to have someone to chase. I saw the back of Sophia headed back on white as I headed out to the road- up the hill to KUS to put in my cheeseburger order (thanks Tony)- I was kind of hungry at this point- and I was happy it was still light out... I ran the heck out of the weird mile- and it was back for a cheeseburger. I caught back up with Carl and would chase him all the way back to the finish... I was trying to do math in my head as I came into Land's End calculating what my finish time might be... I needed just a bit more water to make it to the finish- I however was not about to take the pack off- so I got a pit stop re-water and they pushed me out-and I was thinking I might be able to make it in before 15 hours- not my original goal- but at this point I just wanted to be in the 14s.  I put Pitbull's Timber on repeat and started running- really running- and then boom- face plant! Weird that song really just had me running well... I revisited my strategery- and I moved on...  Running up the hill to and through the finish... barely squeaking in under 15 with an official time of 14:59:14... Come to find out I was the 13th finisher... out of 14- Alissa finished about 20ish minutes later... out of the 14 finishers- 8 were women... bad asses for sure.

Running into the finish...

Discussing Loop 3- F*ck it Strategy w/ Sophia

Happy to be finished

Post Race: Thanks to Sophia for mixing up my magic recovery drink... and Allison for picking me up and feeding me pizza and chocolate cake, and of course laughing with me at my weird looking happy feet- I think I was laughing so hard that Allison thought there was something seriously wrong...until she saw that my toes had dirt smiles... 

Happy Feet... 100K style

Parting Thoughts:  So it was a tough day... I learned that I need more hill training and that I can clearly survive the heat.  I need not listen to my inner voice when it is whining...I should punch it in the throat instead...  and that I should really always start slower than I think I should... and that I should always have a race strategy or there is a strategery that develops along the way... and F*ck It sometimes is the best back up strategy as it will get you to the finish line!

Finally thanks to Ben Holmes for another great experience at Free State, and the beer mug...and to Kristi and Rick Mayo of Mile 90 photography... they are AWESOME!!!!

Last Minute Marathon... Wild Sebastian (4/12/2014)

Wild Sebastian Marathon- Wildly Expensive... I normally make decisions about races at least a couple weeks in advance- this time was about 96 hours in advance-in hopes of curing my Keys fever-mostly the desire to see a civilization. So I book the hotel, a bonus that Rip' gets to come for about an extra $20- and then I register- I get it- it's late- but seriously $175... well maybe it's really well run, and there will be good stocked aid stations- and well I know some of that is bound for the 100 milers...

Having to work a mostly full day on Friday- I got a pretty late jump on travel, so I missed the pre-race meeting and packet pick-up, caught a salmon dinner from Red Lobster... don't chastise me it was within walking distance of the hotel, and waffle house was the only other thing open... prepped for the morning and some sleep and it was up and at it at 0500... and start making my way to the Start- a 30 minute drive, a bathroom stop at the Gas Station and on to the park... 

Taken after the race on my way to volunteer at an Aid Station

Stopped quickly at the Start/Finish Line area to pick up my packet and then drove a little further parked and prepped up for the 0700 start... note I said 0700 or 7am.  As I was making my way to what I thought was the start, I learned that the start was about a mile down the road, although it wasn't quite cleat the if it was just the marathon, or everything, or what, none of the volunteers were very clear... so already we are off to a bang up start...  so I walked my way down to the start with some other runners... and we waited...

I hate being late.

  And then somewhere close to 7:20ish we started.  I did take the opportunity to talk to some Florida Ultra Runners I had run with at some of the other races... and I saw Deb and Amanda from the Keys, who I would see several times throughout the day... Standing next to a woman named Loren, who I ran about 10ish miles with, we were off, running comfortably but maybe a tad faster than I had planned.  We ran the first 8-ish pretty comfortably chit chatting along the way...learning about how Loren and her now husband farted their way into each others hearts... among other things.

The trail was pretty nice, not technical, small spots of sand here and there, but really well marked.  I dropped back just before the second aid station, I needed to stretch a little, and I was in serious need of some coke, oranges or something... well I dug around for some coke and poured myself some, and had some pretzels- helped Amanda with her water pack and ice etc. and walked my way  out of the aid station... still feeling pretty good- the humidity was starting to build and the sun was starting to peek through the clouds.

After a strategic bathroom break, I really started to pick up the rhythm and pace again... and then this sugar sand bullshit... really... and just went I thought it was going to get better... it got worse... like calf deep sand... I power walked most of it...but seriously do you blame me....

Sugary Sand...

So not having seen the Spring course map before the race- I wasn't quite sure where the aid stations were... this was slightly problematic, but apparently it wasn't discussed at the pre-race meeting either.  But luckily the aid stations all had at least one person who knew how far to the next aid station, and well there was ice, coke, melons although you had to dig around for them- and there was also some weird meat products- cocktail wieners and pepperoni- and some potato chips but I tried to limit myself as there were 50, 75 and 100 milers and the aid stations looked a little thin on supplies...

I caught back up to Loren at aid station #3 and I ate some melon, drank some coke and then started to make way to the next aid station- running a good pace still and starting to catch folks in front of me.  

up  Electrolytes and water were well balanced, even with the temperature and humidity rising. I had been working hard to get a good balance and understand my needs as they relate to electrolyte and sodium intake as not to over/under do it. Somehow that melon was not sitting well in my stomach- popped a gin-gin and kept chugging along.  Caught up to a nice man running the 50 miler, he was a Floridian and happy to be running in the sand... great guy to share some miles to the next aid station (#4) with...  I rolled in and ran into Amanda and Deb- they were really cruising through the first lap of their 50.  I had to keep reminding myself that Freestate 100Kwas merely a week away, and I needed to keep it somewhat conservative. 

So I rolled out, still running pretty strong, just getting frustrated with my stomach and the horrible sand pits that kept popping up. I would have rather had rocks, or hills or anything but that darned sand.  I did on this stretch meet a nice guy running the 100 and his pacer on a mountain bike.  This part of the trail was pretty nice- we got a little shade until we hit the 2nd aid station... this would be #5 as well... 

Well marked-on the way back to aid station #5

I saw Deb and Amanda leaving and I caught a couple of people who were trying to cool down as the temperature was really starting to warm up, and there was no hiding from the sun.  I grabbed some coke, some pretzels and a handful of ice and headed three-ish miles to the next aid station (that I would later man for about 5 hours) I was walking more and running less out of this one- and the 100miler man caught back up to me and we really bounced back and forth to aid station #6 (although it was named 5-so confusing). The guy running this was an ultra runner- he had all the goodies- cookies- nutella... and a great attitude. With only 3 miles to go, I went with my standard coke and pretzels and headed out... 

seriously more of this crappy sand shit..

The last miles went pretty fast, I was being pushed by the man running the 100- should have gotten his name, but we had some nice chit chat time... He pulled ahead of me with about 3/4 mile left. I was still having on and off again stomach spurts- burping up melon- not fun.  I turned the corner and realized I was running through the parking lot I had parked in- there were lots of people cheering- but no this was not the finish line... I of course gave out some high fives... made a right turn and headed to the finish... somewhere about 5:22 or so... not sure of the official time... chip timing wasn't working- so the results were hand jammed...  my first official time was 6:14- not sure where the time went... so I will go with my Garmin on this one...

After finishing I cheered Deb and Amanda on for their second loop, and went over to the RD to get an assignment for volunteering after a shower and a bite to eat...I hung around for a few more minutes to see Loren finish and chit chat with her and her husband about running in South Florida and about some future events and places to run trails while I drank my recovery drink...

Overall- not bad- the best part was meeting other runners.  I would say, a little less than professionally ran (a 20 minute late start is never good- and no online map resources or maps at packet pick up, hell have all the volunteers know where the race starts) It was more like a supported training run than an ultra. I know I only ran marathon but if I would have run any more loops... well I can say I more than likely won't be back to this one...  

Green Swamp 50 miler: Running with the right 'tude...

Attitude. Amazingly it is sometimes the thing we think about last when about to start a race, maybe getting into the right attitude, and having the right outlook at the beginning can help us get through the weird scheisse that inevitably hits us... This past weekend was all about having the right attitude during the Green Swamp 50 miler, my second fifty miler in two weeks.

The Dances with Dirt Green Swamp event is one of four events that make up the Dances with Dirt Series. Saturday's races included a 50 miler (duh), 50k, Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, 10k, and a 50 mile relay- which would totally throw me off in the last couple of legs of the race. Luckily the 50m started about 90 minutes ahead of all the other events- this of course meant a super early morning, after a full 7 1/2 hour day of driving up from the keys to Tampa- with Rip', getting settled into the hotel, dinner, etc.. all after a very bumpy, and quite unfriendly packet pickup experience.

Race outfits are always a big decision... for this one I decided to wear all blue, down to the hair ties and shoes to show my support for blue4ben. For those not from Western New York or Clarence, Ben Sauer is a four year old boy, one in a set of twins that is fighting for life after being diagnosed with a stage IV glioblastoma, a malignant and extremely aggressive brain tumor.  www.blue4ben.com  follows the  ongoing journey of his family as he lives out his last weeks/months, and the support from family and friends and the city neighbors-Buffalo, NY all of whom are praying for a miracle for this little boy... truly inspiring...

Needless to say 0300 came very quickly; and my body was screaming at me that it needed more sleep in the lovely voice of nausea- which really made it hard to get calories in the body- I struggled to get every ounce of food down.  I arrived to the course start about 30 minutes early- and it was chilly... unfortunately I didn't plan on temps in the 30s- but luckily I had a lightweight jacket that would do the trick for the first 5-6 miles...

Seriously- this is Florida...

Getting ready to start... 

So I pretty much hung out in Juan Tiguan making my final adjustments before heading out to the race start.  There wasn't really a brief or anything, but she did wish us luck and we were off... heading straight out- then wait we are heading in the wrong direction...redirected by a volunteer on the course... okay... this could get interesting... a u-turn at the beginning, and we were off on the first 5 mile loop... The first 4.6 miles were pretty nice, winding through an area that we would return to in light later in the day... I was pretty good about staying on pace- and on course- meeting some nice ladies that were doing their first 50, and a veteran who was trying to stay conservative at the beginning... and then it happened- about 8 of us turned left, at a posted sign with reflective tape- about 1/2 mile later there were no flags- and we came up on an earlier portion of the loop, so after some reflection we headed back... the sign clearly pointing left- the flags continuing the course- clearly straight across... so after adding a little over a mile to the loop we made our way to the start/finish aid station- let them know- dropped my jacket and headlamp and headed out to the first 20 mile loop with a smile... a tad frustrated at the extra mile, but excited that I was actually had some solid food at the aid station. I just tried to remain focused on maintaining pace; an extra 17 minutes added by a mile of running and a couple extra minutes of confusion had me doing math in my head, making sure that I would make the course cutoffs.  There was a guy from outside of Detroit running just in front of me early into the first 20 mile loop, we stopped to enjoy a couple of picture opportunities early on... he would fade before hitting the 8 mile-Ranch Road aid station.

Scenic view from the bridge over the Withlacoochee River

Sunrise... finally..

Running into the Ranch Road aid station I was cruising right along. The volunteers offered some words of encouragement and with a handful of pringles I was out... Yep that's right pringles... my favorite on race day. The next leg of the course was pretty awesome, with some rolling (Florida-sized) hills even- not big ones- but enough to keep it interesting, the temperature was still pretty cool, and there was a nice breeze in the more open areas.  Then I ended up at the Traffic Jam Aid Station- and these volunteers were awesome- they were from a local hashing group- and they had plenty of energy- luckily I would get to see this kilted group a total of four times!  and so it was off for another 11ish miles until I would see them again.  Up to this point I had not seen any other runners, but I knew with the pace I was comfortably maintaining that I was bound to catch up to someone at some point, but not before almost rolling laughing at the sign below... those of you reading this with some military experience will understand why I thought this was amusing...

If only they had signs like this when I was a LT...

But it was straight ahead for me... and soon after this photo I ran into a fellow 50 miler. We exchanged pleasantries and I offered some encouragement, and kept rolling.  At this point I was just in a groove- temperature was perfect, pace was perfect, and I hit the next aid station... There were two marathoners and a 50ker that would pass me, but I caught another 50er, we walked/ran a little together and I was keeping a much faster pace and would leave him some where around mile 19 (or 20ish according to my watch!). The temps started to rise a little as I made it back towards the Traffic Jam A/S. Although we had some nice shady spots, and some mud heading there- and a bridge that would prove to be way more treacherous on the second loop!

bridge over troubling shoe sucking mud...

Then it was back at Traffic Jam A/S- super motivated volunteers in kilts, some high fives- one of the volunteers asked if I was one of the ones that was lost early on... Yes- and my response... hey I get an extra mile plus of beautiful scenic running that I didn't pay for... so I am the one winning! He laughed gave me a fist bump and with some more high fives to the kilted... I was off and being chased down by the half marathoners, they were running fast around me- not that I was going that slow... but now I know why it was named Traffic Jam... we moved off the road into some cypress knees... or more like a minefield of cypress stalagmites which led us to the refreshingly cool river crossing of the Withlacoochee River- thigh deep- almost felt like a mini ice bath about 24-25 miles in...

 Made my way back to the Start/Finish Line A/S to find a West Point Alum doing some volunteering- I didn't immediately recognize him but did chat a little once I figured it out... took some pics and headed out- I was really trying to reduce my time at the aid stations-this was not one of them...

Small world-photo op...

I started off on the second loop- passing some slow half marathoners... surprising the couple at Ranch Road A/S- they gave me my staples- told me to stay strong and I was off to see the kilted crew at Traffic Jam... not before doing a tuck and roll, combatives type roll-out after biting it on the trail... As I headed out towards the next manned aid station I realized wow it is getting pretty darn warm out... maybe mid-70s or even warmer...  but I was not going to slow down- I was feeling good and it still wasn't as hot as Fakahatchee two weeks ago.. plus I had two more 50ers in my sights, I passed them and kept moving... at the aid station I asked for ice... no ice... seriously... okay... oranges and lemme drink some coke...hot coke... like coffee temperature... not good... but I was off... the gin gins came out about 10 minutes later... so I was alone again and started up my ipod- although there were these really fast people that I kept seeing- but not 50 milers, but on the course... these I would learn later were the relay runners... at least they kept me motivated to keep running on pace. Heading back to Traffic Jam- it was hot, an open field, and my water was at best luke warm... I was happy to move back into the shade, I met up with a marathoner who was walking along- wished him well and moved through the muddy-but shaded area... and that bridge seemed way more menacing than before...

Hot and sunny second 20 mile loop... still happy

I was back at Traffic Jam- and about a 10K from finishing... I was hot, but happy to see the kilted crew. They were AWESOME... they shared ICE with me... such a morale booster!!!! Thankfully the kilted crew needed some ice to store their beer and Angry Orchard in... they offered me some hard cider- but I thought that might just make my stomach angry... they laughed and cheered me on as I ran towards the minefield of cypress knees- luckily the path was well worn at this point... and back to the start/finish to start the last five mile loop...

Cypress knees from hell (2nd  20 mile loop)

At this point I realized that I would be finishing somewhere around 52 miles... and if I kept a good pace under 11 hours... not bad considering the events of the day... so it was coke and ice (the only RD provided ice) and on my way.  There were lots of people out walking- some of them had been relayers, some 50kers still working their way to the finish, and some families who may have thought we were all crazy... but most of them had encouraging words and I kept moving through the loop, which looked entirely different in the light.  I was like wow, a tower, a building, a bridge... wtf... where were these on the first 5... I hit 50 miles on my garmin at about 10:29 and change, and I knew I had about two miles to go... and there goes the math in my head... and of course reminding myself straight not left... straight not left finally and then about 1/4 mile into the finish... I gave some high fives to the a/s volunteers on my way in... and the kilted crew- with all their hashers- were cheering- I gave some love and then into the finish- feeling strong at 10:52... not too shabby for two 50s in three weekends...

After finishing, I was walking back to my car when the kilted crew stopped to thank me for being the runner with the best attitude out there on the course, always smiling, saying thanks and having great energy. Interesting- I had never been thanked by a volunteer before, let alone a whole aid station of volunteers. Having a good attitude and a positive outlook on whatever was happening on the course- whether it be getting "misdirected", getting bonus miles, falling head over heels, or just being hot- my 'tude, the right attitude definitely made the difference... and made for a more rewarding experience...

Next up... April 18th Free State 100K