Fun But Awful: VT 50

My friend Chris said, of the VT 50, that it is fun and awful at the same time. As my first 50 mile race I agree that there was plenty of both.

First the technical stuff: No issues with fueling which I was really worried about - I ate gels, Clif Bars, and stuff from the aid tables at a rate of 2-3x per hr in an effort to thwart cramping, which has been a problem for me. I took salt tabs hourly and drank 6 liters of water. All this seemed to work pretty well to keep me energized, hydrated and mostly cramp free. Also no chafing or blisters. Thank you Lulu Lemon for their wonderful sport briefs (tmi I know)! And I wore Saucony Peregrine 3's - a softer shoe than my normal La Sportiva's, but the course was dry and not too rocky - 60% single track with the balance, dirt roads and fields, and I found them easier on my foot/ ankle (see below). I also seriously tapered over 3 wks prior to the race- partly to be well rested and also to rest my ankle that I strained in mid- August. So less mileage and a few less long ones than I thought ideal, but a well rested ankle.

The race: the course has over 8000' of climbing, pretty evenly distributed, and the date coincides with leaf season in Vt, so there are lots of views and stunning scenery. The contrast between forest track, dirt roads and fields is also special. The day started cold and foggy, and the scene at the start was surreal. Did I mention this is also a mountain bike race? So there are over 600 cyclists warming up with headlamp beams criss-crossing the parking and and start areas, and reflective clothing glowing in the foggy dark. The bikers go first (with glow sticks marking the first few miles of the course!), and by 6:30, it is light and the 50 mile race begins. My stated goal was a sub 8 hr run, and my (not so) secret one was the age group record of 7:13. The latter demanding a 8:40 pace. An easy start was required, so I settled into a rhythm and let the first 15-20 runners stretch out in front of me. Up the first hill (all of 1 mile into the course!) I joined up with John and chatty Amy, last year's women's winner. One of the advantages of running 9:30 miles during and all day race, is that you can have a conversation. Amy, whose husband was in the lead group up ahead, entertained us w training and racing stories with a bit too much intimate detail about chafing, etc, but it did pass the time. We all got separated at the 2nd aid station (AS) at 12 miles, which I mistook for just a spectator area, so blew past the drop bags, including mine, which was waiting w a resupply of gels, salt tabs, etc...A mile later I realized my mistake, but luckily, since my second bag was at mile 32, I found an untouched package of Clif Blocks on the trail, probably bounced out of cyclist's jersey! John caught back up to me, but we never saw Amy again. We then churned up Garvin's Hill as the fog finally lifted, treating us to a killer view back to Mt Ascutney at the summit, which was also the mile 18 AS. I took what seemed like 5 mins trying to fill and repack my Camelbak and lost John and seemingly the rest of the race as I streaked down the other side in the woods.

By mile 22 a new group had formed including John, Ben (a surgery resident from UVM), Joe (HS teacher and Nordic ski coach, and in my age group), and another silent guy in a red top. Ben filled Amy's void, but more like a talk show host, firing questions, and Joe, inexplicably would occasionally just start singing. All this time we were cruising, chatting and the miles were rolling behind us. Ben, Joe and I dropped the others and were moving downhill after the mile 32 AS, where I did retrieve my 2nd bag, and all was looking good, and I was thinking - if I could just beat Joe, maybe the age group record was there as well? Of course, that was silly thought, as just about then, we started a long switch backing climb and my legs started to abandon me. Joe shouted from above, but I knew I needed to back off or the end would be ugly. Now all alone, the course got even steeper - a godsend in a way, as I power hiked up and up, and allowed my legs to recover some.

I should note that this day was not strictly a solo effort, as my daughter, Ceci, made the trip from NYC to keep me company and join me at mile 42 as a pacer (pacers are often allowed in latter parts of Ultras). The hill finally topped out onto what seemed like a several mile long stretch of dirt road and I forced myself to run, although at a snail's pace. I should also mention that due to the fog or something, my Garmin was lost in some sort of VT Bermuda Triangle and was tracking way slower than the actual mileage. After a left turn off the endless road, there was a sign for "LJ's", the next station - I asked "how far?", the answer was 42 and my watch was reading 38! My excitement about the bonus miles quickly evaporated when I realized my pacer was no where to be seen. After some rapid fire questions, it was revealed that she had arrived late due to a mix up in the shuttle schedule, and to compound the problem had been misdirected onto the course as the official seemed to think I had already gone past! The pacer was now a rabbit!!

I tried to send word ahead via biker messenger, but I ended up passing the couriers. I was energized now, and after another 10 mins, I catch sight of her heading down the path to me! She had caught up to Joe and Ben, who knew I was expecting her, and they told her to go back. The timing could not have been better, as I was dying again. My watch read 6:30 or so with 6-7 miles to go, so it appeared that a good time was still possible, though I kept thinking about what Chris and others had said about how slow the last section could be. It was all forest trail - twisty, turning, up and down - not extreme, but generally inclined. In last year's 50k, I was flying through this section, now I was being cajoled by Ceci to keep my head up and feet moving. The last AS is at 47.5 and just never seemed to come. A brief burst into the now hot sun, we finally see an official who says 3/4 of mile to the station! Maddeningly there is a sign after the table that notes "3 miles to go". Still, it is down hill through a nice meadow -in fact we pass a racer who tells us this is his property(!) (we are now picking off stragglers from the 50k). But then back to the woods and more of what came before. I am cursing, Ceci is prodding, and the watch still shows 7:3x. The last mile is down the now defunct Mt Ascutney ski resort -a zig-zagging, cross slope, ankle crushing downhill - it is hot, and my stomach is starting to hurt. I catch a glimpse of John at the top of the slope above me, and find some sort of kick to take me past the line with the clock showing 7:49:38. Good for 13th place.

I was afraid to sit down after the race, for fear I would not be able to get up again, which was not too far from being true. Curiously, the 7 hours and 49 minutes went by quickly, and the race did not seem nearly as hard as I was expecting. It was disappointing to not have legs when I needed them, and no age group record nor even the age group win, though I did finish ahead of all but one person each from the 20-29 and 40-49 brackets among the 228 finishers. Ben and Joe finished together in 10th and 11th; John was 15th, Lisa 18th, both breaking 8 hrs. The top woman was 3rd overall in 7:01, a course record. The men's winning time of 6:09 was also a record. Ceci's XC captain from Williams, Liz Gleason won the 50k women's finishing 3rd overall.

It was a great day on a beautiful course, shared with old and new friends. Thanks especially to Ceci, and to many of you on this list for your support and interest in this crazy endeavor.

Ironmaster's 50k Challenge

Pine Grove is in Central Pa near Carlisle, in the Cumberland Valley - in the midst of small mountains w beautiful long ridges. There was an 19th century iron furnace in Pine Grove, hence the name of the race. The day was sold out w 400 participants divided into 2 runs and a hike w 116 starting the 50k and a least that number in the 20m which coincided w the 50k. It was a clear cold night and in the low 40's for the 7 AM start. The first mile was up a steep road and steeper trail, but still it seemed achingly slow, so even holding back, I was quickly in 2nd place w the guy ahead pulling away and those behind falling further back. Being isolated early was weird and as it turns out bad luck too, as, when reaching the ridge, I missed the flag and continued down the main trail! I sensed this wasn't right but spotted a ground flag and then one tied to a fence so ran on. After several hundred feet of descending w no more flags, I headed back up. This detour was worth at least .75 mi and 7-8 mins, and by the time I reached the race I was horrified to see that I was buried in the back of the pack! I told myself not to panic, but the situation was quickly made worse by the fact that we entered the famed "Sunset Rocks," a long ridge of boulders that require more scrambling and climbing than running. Trying not to be a jerk I squeezed and clamored past folks as best I could (backpacking in CO was good prep). Once we cleared that task, I could a long line of colorful runners stretching down the ridge.

Suppressing panic again, I told myself that with 27 miles left there was still plenty of time, and now more politely, excused myself, swung off trail and generally made my way through maybe 20 runners over the next few miles. On a long descent with a few more behind me I chatted w a guy who said he thought there still might be 50 ahead (not all running 50k though). As I moved up, I noticed the gear and apparent fitness level of those around me began to look better, and on a big up at mile 10 or so, I got a new (better) estimate of 25 ahead. The views to the valley behind were wonderful and the sun had warmed the day considerably. I was tugging on the camelbak a lot as we finally reached another delightful ridge. Then followed 2-3 miles of gradual descending often skipping back and forth over a nice mossy stream. I blew through CP2, and left a few guys standing around the water table (advantage: camelbak), but had started to cramp a bit on the descent which was worrisome.

At this point I was gaining confidence and running comfortably (flat=no cramping) but then my poor navigation skills struck again as I missed a junction, this time maybe a quarter mile later I turned back but had lost 4-5 places. I saw folks ahead that I had just passed! Interestingly 2 women (one with bright pink knee highs) must have been moving up behind me as they seem to have jumped in as well. I quickly moved back though and said hi to my "old friends". Then incredibly I went off course again 2 miles later - this time it was an errant line of flags leading to nowhere! This was less of a detour but the women and 1 guy swapped me places again! This is now like mile 18 and I am starting to hurt a bit, but thanks to bananas, salt sticks and electrolyte tabs in the camelbak I'm barely staving off leg cramps. I pass one women again and it is almost laughable at this point. The guy, I see at the mile 20 water stop and he wishes me good luck - like "if you can find the finish!"

It is getting hot and the course starts to climb some wooded rocky terrain. I figure I am top 10, and see 3 up ahead. I pass one on the way and catch the others including Pink Socks at this rocky top with a 1000' view to a lake below. I force crampy legs to descend quicker than they want to, and at mile 23 crossing Pine Grove Rd a guy there tells me I am 6th w the others within 5 mins. I cross a crazy narrow suspension bridge w no sides and hope my legs/ balance are up to it, then hit a long dirt rd but still do not catch sight of the others. The last ascent starts at mile 24.5 and is so steep that I have to walk, and it is nearly a mile long. I have rallied a bit though and my spirits brighten considerably when I see a red shirt high in some rock above, then see 2 others with him. Striding and jogging some, I catch them just at the summit - it is James and Mark, 2 guys who also stayed at the lodge the night before. Mark and red shirt are wasted after the climb, and I tuck in behind James as we descend. At some pt we switch places and near the bottom (mile 28) and then spot the guy in 2nd place on the next small hill. James says he has to walk, so I press on alone and catch the guy, who is now also walking.

I cross Leper Town Rd about a mile later, and wonder about the reference, but then catch a glimpse of someone behind - I assume it is the now revived guy I last passed but also thought I saw pink! I tell myself it doesn't matter and put my head down. I walk up one short steep rise and then focus on getting in. There are a few trekkers also finishing their 15k walk which helps, as it just something up ahead to focus on. By mile 30 it starts to feel less wild and more like the park. In the last .5 miles you cross Rt 233 and are back to civilization and wind past the iron furnace ruin to finish (up the hill!) at the iron master's house. I never saw the winner but made it up to 2nd in 5:31:18. Incredibly, Pink Socks (Megan, age 24) is only 15 secs back for 3rd. And Sara, who I last saw at the rocky summit, is 5th, with blood streaming from a gash in the knee. James is 7th in 5:34:46, and Mark 9th another 5 mins back. An amazingly tight finish for a 5 hr plus race.

I was shattered and my head hurt. I grabbed Advil, a dry shirt and then a sticky bun and began to come back to life. There were sloppy joes and the Roy Pitz Brewery table after that. It turns out the the winner, Greg (5:27:09), made the same same early wrong turn last year! The volunteers couldn't have been nicer and despite not knowing another soul before, walked away with new friends to go with my race medal.