WV Trilogy 50k
I ran the 50k on Friday and was really missing having some of my usual trail running buddies. I knew I had to get over that though and figure out how to get through 31 miles on my own. As usual, it helped to just focus on getting from AS to AS and think about volunteers I knew along the way and how it would be fun to see them. And I could also look forward to my favorite ultra drink, Mountain Dew, and eat some quesadillas, yum!
I was doing great through the first two AS and barely remember the first 11.3 miles. I was looking forward to getting to AS#2 and seeing Megan and Katie. And I knew I'd be 1/3 of the way through the race! They hooked me up with everything I need and I headed out quickly. I was pretty close to hitting splits for my best time at the Trilogy 50k, 8:09 in 2011. I survived the dreaded climb up Leading Ridge Trail after AS#2 and then on the descent of Swallow Rock Trail I took a really great fall into a mud pit that some might recognize as being the actual trail. I knew I was close to the bottom of the descent and close to a crossing of Seneca Creek so I picked myself up, made sure all the parts were ok, and continued running without touching anything since my hands, arms and one whole leg/hip were coated in mud. I practically took a bath in the creek to get as much mud off as I could and then tried to make up some time on the gradual run down to the Judy Springs AS for my first visit of the day (AS#3, mile 16.9). It was great to see Paula, Greg, Dennis, Jamie, Nathan, Jim Stemple and the rest of the volunteer crew at Judy Springs.
Then came the climb up Bear Hunter Trail to Allegheny Mountain again. I made it up the second big climb of the day and then tried to run as much as I could on Allegheny Mountain. The right turn down the Horton Trail finally came and I did the best I could to make time on this downhill. The trail is really skinny here and you feel like if you take one wrong step you'll go tumbling off trail and down the side of the mountain. So honestly I was really probably not going very fast for a downhill. Finally made it to the bottom and got to enjoy the spectacular views of waterfalls on the way up Seneca Creek. I saw no one on this whole section of trail until just before I got to Judy Springs again (AS#4, mile 22.6).
I got a boost seeing the Judy Springs folks again and took off out of there as fast as I could. I passed 3 runners on the way up the Judy Springs Trail and just tried to climb as best I could. Then I hit the dreaded Lumberjack Trail. It is almost flat but the challenge is that you can't get into a running groove. You have 20 feet of rocks and mud and then 40 feet of clear, runnable, single track trail. Then 30 feet of rocks and mud, then more runnable trail. For about 3 miles this seems to go on and on. I vowed to be patient and run where I could and walk where I had to. I fought temptation to just walk the next runnable section since I could see another rocky section coming up shortly - made my self run as much as I could. I passed one more guy in here that was walking pretty slowly and had a wool cap and jacket on. I asked if he needed anything, he said no. I found out later he had fallen in the creek and gotten completely soaked but was able to slog it out to the finish. I finally got to the end of Lumberjack and made the right turn onto the road. I knew it was about a 1/2 mile on the road to the last AS (AS#5, mile 27.7)where I'd see Megan and Katie. I tried to run as hard as I could, all those XMP long runs and track workouts were paying off and I made really good time.
I blew into the last AS and got some needed fuel and encouragement from Megan, Katie and all the other AS folks. And the best part is I came into the AS just as Tim and Pete Daly were about to head out for the finish. I had seen them a couple times early in the race but had not seen them in awhile. We took off out of the AS together and blasted those last several miles of runnable trail. We were all really energized to be in the last section of the race and we were ready for a beer! The climb up Cardiac still sucked but I followed those guys up the trail bound and determined to stick with them if I could. We hit the top, passed through the fence and started the final run to the finish. The three of us crossed the finish line together in 8:13!!! Yeah, I was only 4 minutes off my best time of 8:09 in 2011!
Volunteering for the 50 Miler
For the 50 miler we got to sleep in and left for our AS at 10:15 am. Katie, Ray, Megan and I were volunteering at the Horton AS (AS#4, mile 33.6 with a 3:30 pm cut off). We had everything setup and ready to go pretty shortly after getting there and then it was just a waiting game. It didn't rain on us and the sun actually came out briefly for a few minutes before getting lost in the clouds again. The first folks that came through didn't stop for long and we had pretty steady business all the way up to the cut off. We ended up having 6 runners dnf at our AS and were out of there shortly after 4pm.
1/2 Marathon and 5k
Last day at the Trilogy, bummer! Got to sleep in again for a 9am start. Megan ran the 5k and got first in her age group. Katie and I ran the 1/2 marathon. It continued to be overcast and a little drizzly but no rain. We were able to take our tents down and get stuff loaded right after having a really great lunch. Then we got to watch the awards ceremony for the 5k, 1/2 marathon and the Trilogy. Amazing, I think there were 23 Trilogy finishers this year, that is 94 miles over three days. Glad to see Michele Harmon and Joe Clapper finish it as well as Jennifer Lipscomb. It is inspiring to see the Trilogy runners complete this weekend of running, way to go all!
Here are the pictures from the whole weekend and a link to race results on the Trilogy site.
