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.
