Jay Challenge Race

JUST A FAIR WARNING THAT THIS IS A LONG POST. JUST FAIR WARNING HEHEHE


Just to let you all know this is a before the race pic and deff not during or after the race pic. I am too clean for that. And as you all can tell Gary Knippling made it up for the race. I did not know untill I was in the parking lot the morning of the race and I saw him pull up in his truck with two other people.

Well it all started a while back when I was on the computer looking at all kinds of different races. And I don't remember if someone had mentioned this race to me or I happened to stumble across the web site. Either way I had decided awhile back that I was going to do this one. It had the makings of another great adventure on my short list of races. So I signed up for the race and quickly got my plane ticket and hotel reservation.

After CFA 50k I had planned on taking it easy knowing I had Jay's the following weekend. That lasted all of 2 days. Since I showed up that monday to run at the Kentlands. I actually felt great that night and was really happy I made it out for the usual 7 miles because I really felt it helped to loosen up my sore legs and quads. Then the next night I showed up for XMP's workout. I did take it a little easy that night but still got in about 6 miles.

Then I was off on my next adventure. The flight up to Albany was a short one and the drive back to my mothers was just as short. Of course we talked about how crazy she thinks I am for all the running I am doing. But she is totally supportive of all that I do which is deff awesome. We get back to my mothers and I start to sort out all of my goodies for the weekend. I make sure I have everything that I will want and more. For the next few days befor I leave for the race I am trying to read up on the race and checking the weather. The race has been known to have awful weather. And the last email before I left for JAY from the RD had stated that out of the last 30 days they had maybe 2 to 3 days of nice weather. And I said to myself I am in for a treat hehehe I mean long day.

So friday morning came pretty quick and I had my mothers explorer packed with everything but the kitchen sink. I also take more than I possibly could need for any race. But I am the beleiver that it's better to be over prepared than under prepared. So with directions in had I was on my the 4 hour ride it would take to get up to JAY Vermont from Salem NY (mothers house). The drive was wonderful with back roads and some very nice mountain roads. And very few boring highway roads.

I made it up to JAY in plenty of time and stopped at the Jay Country Store which was right next to the start finish of the race. I go into the store to hopefully get something to eat and gatoreade to drink. And boy did that hit the spot. I could not really get anything done at this point in time since they were still setting everything up for packet pick up and everything else. So I made my way up about 3 miles to where I would be staying at Jay Peak Resort Hotel. Little did I know that the MOUNTAIN right behind the hotel would be the same one I would be climbing up the next day. If I would have known that at the time I might have made a mess right then and there hehehehe. Well I had to wait about an hour or so to check in and so I just sat in the car and relaxed for a bit. So check in went smoothly and I made it up to my room. I could have fit everyone in that room it was huge. Well I unpacked everything and layed down to watch some tv before I headed back to the start finish where packet pick up was at 7. And sure enough while I lay down watching tv it decided to pour like no other. And that deff was an indication of how the race would go the following day. Well packet pick up went smoothly and I headed back up to the hotel.

Once back at the hotel I did my usual routine of pinning my number to my shorts and laying everyting out that I would be wearing for the race the next day. Along with putting together both drop bags for the race. Everything was going smoothly and I was off to bed.

Well race morning came quick and I had the car packed once again and off down the road to the start. So I pulled into the grassy parking lot and started to get ready. And that is when Mr.Gary Knippling pulls up. And I said to myself what do ya know. I did not think I would see any other VHTRC'ers up at this race. So we walked around a bit and I showed gary where the halfway point was and where we come out of the water and split off from everyone who could not handle the full 33 miles.



Well this is the start and if you tilt your head to the side it is basically an uphill start. Really only an ant hill compared to what we would be going up later in the day. But it was deff an eye opener to what the rest of the day would be. Well we started up this hill and basically headed right into the woods shortly afterwards. This first 4 to 5 miles was not that bad at all. We did have a few short climbs in the woods which we had to use a rope to help us up. But it really was minute again compared to what would be coming up later.

The first aid station came up really quick which was like 5 or so miles into the race. Here is a picture of what I think was the first aid station.



At this point I was not so tired yet. And still pretty clean an dry up to this point.

Soon after the first aid station we were back in the woods and we all got our first bit of mud. Actually it was alot of mud but what can you say most of the race had alot of mud. And shortly after that mud we entered out first brook which was actuall quite nice. I have been in the water before during a race but that was only to cross a stream or something like that. This time we actually had to basically hike/run/walk through the water which was actually quite nice. You really did have to be super careful and pay attention or else you would take a dip into the water and be soaked. Here is one of the pics from the water.

And as you can tell I am having a great time. We actually spent about 20 min or so in the water the first time. And as you can tell we had to hike up and over boulders and rocks the whole way. So no real running in the part at all. Well at least you did not catch me trying to run and face plant in the water. And since it was my first time at this race I was taking the cautious path through the water. Well I made my way through this first brook in one piece and ended up at Aid station number 2.



As you can tell in this picture I decided to sit down for a bit and change socks. This is Aid Station number 2 and our first drop bag. I decided on a change of socks and an ensure and some quick foot work. And on my way out grabbed a couple cups of gatorade and a few m and m's. And then we were off to what would probally be the toughest part of the race. And that is the climb up Jay Peak Mountain. Jay Peak is not nearly as technical as anything in the Massanuttens but it is one hell of a tough and very very very long climb. I thought I was going to die quite few times on the way up. I also thought my heart was going to explode it was working so hard to keep pumping the blood to my legs which were struggling to make their way up the mountain. But I was not alone in the struggles up the mountain. For quite a few of us it was our first Jay's race. Finally finally we made it up to the top of the mountain where the ski place is and Aid Station number 3 which is in this next pic.



Here I am at the Aid Station with the lovely Rene. I spent about half of the climb up Jay Peak with her and then a good part of the remainder of the race with her. She is an awesome runner and even better company. Well for me she was great company hehehehe. I was so happy to be finally up that damn mountain at this point. I deff had to catch my breath and take a moment to enjoy the view from atop the mountain. Then it hit me that we had to make our way back down the mountain which I knew was not going to be easy or any fun at all. And sure enough the trip back down the mountain sucked big time. You did not want to go too fast or else you would face plant. But you could not really walk at all because of gravity your body wanted to sprint down the hill. Somewhere after we made it back down the mountain we soon entered back into the water if I can remember correctly. I maybe wrong but I do remember getting this pic taken while in the water. So here it is. No promises on where exactly in the race I am at this point in time.

I know I know it looks like I am taking a shit break but I was really just cooling off hehehehe.

I was actually enjoying myself at this point in time. I really did enjoy running through the water. It was really quite refreshing.

Again after coming down the mountain and back into the water we were quickly out and running right into Aid Station number 4. This is where I filled up my Nathan Pack and had a couple cups of gatorade again. I also made myself another drink in my water bottle. Again I was running with Rene when some guy came up behind us and said we needed to get moving or we would not make the 6 hour cut off at the half way point. So off we started running again. And that is when I realized I was missing something. I had my nathan pack on my back and bottle in hand. But I was still missing something. And that is when I realized I did not have my camera in my other hand. And so I started to turn around and go back for it which was left on the table at AS #4. But then I soon realized that it was not worth it and I really did not have alot of time. And so I again turned around and started running once again. I was already beat down with that mountain climbing that I knew I was going to have to give it all I had to make it in time. So from that point on I was not able to take any more pictures which I was pretty bummed about. But I realized finishing the race was what was really important to me. Oh well that was that.

After AS#4 we had some more mud and water and lots of fun. Right up into AS#5 and the cut off we were running through one of the brooks again and I kept looking at my watching wondering how much time I had before the cut off. I was going to make it one way or another so I started running through the water which probally was not the smartest thing to do but I did not care at that point. So I made it into the AS with 20 minutes to spare. At this point we had run about 19 miles and some change. And we had another 6 hours to finish the race. I knew I had plenty of time even though I was exhausted at this point.

Soon after AS#5 we had a good stretch of running before we hit the water again which felt great since the weather was warming up. This next stretch of running was pretty long and tough. We had tons more mud and basically a swamp to run through which was quite interesting and did not smell all the great. Oh and I should mention the about knee high mud too which was not easy to get through.

After making it through the swamp we came to the part of the race that I had been looking foward to the whole day. And that was the river crossing. I knew this was going to feel great. So I make it to the river and notice the water did not look all that great but I knew it would feel good. They had a rope which assisted us across and I slowly inched my way over to the other side. Once there I decided to wait for Rene which I had left a few miles back. So I took a short break and chatted it up with the 2 volunteers who were there to help us out. And so a few minutes later Rene arrived and made her way across along with another guy who had been running with us for a bit as well. After that I had started to remember that I wish I had my camera at this time because I really wanted my picture in the river. I then noticed that one of the volunteers had a camera and I asked if they could take my pic in the water. So I quickly jumped back in and got my picture taken. And as soon as I get the pic I will post it online for everyone to see.

Within a quarter of a mile later came AS#6 and our second drop bag. This is where I had another dry pair of socks and a dry pair of shoes. Both of which I had changed out. And boy did that feel great to sit there and change both. Felt like I had new feet at that point in time. I also stayed in that chair a few extra minutes as I did not want to get back up. But I realized I needed to get going so up and off I went.

AS#7 was about 5 or so miles later. But during this time the thunder and lightning really started to pick up and it also started to drizzle. This is also where I left Rene once again who was having trouble with her knees. I now know I probally should have stayed with her hehehe but I just pushed on.

I finally made it to AS# and quickly had a seat where I never wanted to get up. Within a few minutes of sitting down the skies opened up and it started to pour cats and dogs. And I thought to myself this sucks but I have to get going and get out of there. So off into the pouring rain I went. From then on I did not do a whole lot of running but alot of walking. A few short miles later came a water only stop and the last one before the end of the race. Oh and don't let me forget the nice big sand pit/sand hill we had to climb up which totally sucked ass too.

Well I knew I did not need any water at AS#8 so I just kept on moving knowing I only had about 3 miles to go before I could finally finish this tough ass race.

Finally finally I came into view of the finished and I made one last spring to the little down hill that we had run up about 10 hours earlier. And I weaved my way down the hill trying to add in a little more work hehehe. Everyone thought that was crazy and funny.

FINALLY after 10 hours and 30 minutes later I had finished the JAY CHALLENGE race. This was one hell of a tough race. I mean I had been in a muddy race. I had been through a pouring race. And I deff had been through some climbs at races. But never had I been to a race where all 3 obsticles were on 1 race. This one deff has it all. And even though the race sucked ass I am so happy and glad that I tackled this challenge. And I will deff do it again in the future. So next year we all have to go back and have some fun up in JAY VERMONT. Hopefully a few more pics will follow in the future as soon as the RD lets me know.

Thanks for reading my novel. Hope you all enjoyed and plan on it next year.