It was a perfect day to run at Susquehanna State Park in Havre de Grace, Maryland - chilly and foggy in the morning turning to sunshine, and the nicest day we've had since sometime back in 2013, later on. The Susquehanna River is huge where it meets the Chesapeake Bay and is edged by huge 600' bluffs leading down to it's shoreline, which is is how you get 4300' of climbing in a 50k race in the eastern part of Maryland. This is the 26th year for the HAT one of the oldest and largest Ultras on the East Coast (500 runners).
Risk was the theme of this race, as I made 2 decisions that colored the 4:32 mins I was on the course - 1) to try and race Barry Lewis straight up and 2) not to carry water, and just rely on the aid stations. Barry is a few months my junior, and a guy I have never beaten. Most recently it was at a 5 mile Turkey Trot where he finished one place and a some seconds ahead of me. It should be noted that Barry has run the HAT 20 times, and won it at least once (I said it was about risk!). In regard to risk factor two, it was a cool day and I thought there were enough aid stations that carrying a bottle or pack
may not have been necessary.
The course consists of a 4 mile loop and then 2 loops of 13.5 each - mostly single track dirt trail but some pavement and a dirt road section, and 4 stream crossings! Shortly after the mini loop a group of 3 or 4 gained a few minutes on the next group of 8 or so. I'm in this second group but am pretty sure I don't see Barry ahead - I do see him soon though, trotting along a few places back. And a few minutes later we are chatting on the trail with a few others. For the next 10 miles or so it is comfortable running over the undulating terrain and Barry and I trade places a few times, but also move ahead of the others. We may have been as high as 5th and 6th? In the mean time, I am learning why in a trail race, unlike a road race, relying on the water tables is not such a good idea. I carried some gels and a salt tab and took them on my normal schedule, unfortunately I had to wait for the water to wash them down, and then when I got to the aid station, I probably over compensated, and spent extra time grabbing extra cupfuls. Fortunately, I stashed a hand held at the start/finish so when we got back there at mile 18 I was able to grab it. By then it was starting to warm up and I was feeling pretty dry. It turns out that I was not the only one with GI "issues" as Barry
shared at about mile 17, that he hoped he made it to the toilets at the start/ finish. So as we passed the start, he headed one way and I the other to grab my bottle.
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| different year, same sentiment |
I let myself think for a bit that perhaps I had the advantage now as I was cruising, but also tiring, then along comes Barry, practically dancing past me - I try to stay with him, but he is gone, like a deer up the trail. I guess the break did him some good! That vision was the last I got until he congratulated me at the finish! Barry is gone and my stomach is in a little distress and my legs are getting heavy, letting me know that this might be a good time to ease up. Which I do, but this also allows the first of the guys from behind to catch and pass. Shortly after water crossing #3 the Men in Black come into the picture. One of the MiB passes me up the hill, and then stops apparently waiting for the other guy in the black top. Somewhere around 22-23m they catch me on a long downhill road section. This course is tricky because none of the climbs are big - but they do add up. Also there are two mile long descents on pavement that you pretty much have to take advantage of, but also add to fatigue. Just as we are forming a nice little trio, I catch a hamstring cramp and have to stretch and now am in the rear view mirror of the MiB. Fortunately, it is really the only cramping of the day. But the worst of the stomach problems is yet to come - I am just on the verge of forcing down another Mocha Cliff Shot when gratefully the sign for the aid station ahead comes into view. I am craving salt so ask what they have and guy directs me to the boiled potatoes with the adjoining salt tray - I dip 2 enthusiastically and head off popping the first into my mouth whole. There is so much salt I literally gag and brush off the 2nd as best I can. It's only 5 miles to go now, and I declare to be finished with eating and just sip at my water.
Somewhat surprisingly, my stomach settles out and just when the hills start in earnest again I find my legs too. Good thing as there are a few more guys just behind now. This is also the section with awe inspiring views up and down the river so I made sure to take a look around. I forgo the trouble of rock hopping and just splash through the last stream crossing and am reminded that these paths had snow on them a week ago. Within sight of the finish I get passed by a guy in lime green who looks like a whippet, but he is the last. I think I was 12th place in 4:32 - Barry gained 10 mins over the last 12 miles and was in at 4:22 and was well inside the top 10. The MiB, true to form, crossed the line together in between us. Winning time I believe was 4:11. Everyone figured they ran the first loop too fast.
The post race sunshine was sublime, and along with the live music, and Jambalaya with sides of fries, it was hard to leave the park behind for I 95 and the drive back to Philly.
