Umstead 100

The 21st annual Umstead 100 was special to me for so many reasons.  I ran this race in 2014 (http://ultrarunnerjen.blogspot.com/2014/04/umstead-100-or-salt-stains-and-short.html), had a fantastic experience, and couldn't wait to go back.  There is something special about this race.  The volunteers and race director... the camaraderie along the course... the friends I have in the area...  all of these things stuck in my mind from 2014 and made me eager to return.  Although my legs forgave me long ago from the beating I dished out, my mind still struggles to wrap itself around the experience. 

My 2014 experience at Umstead was a big part of why I wanted to run the race again but it wasn't the entire reason.  In late October 2014, Blake Norwood, the race director for the first 20 years of the race, passed away.  His dedication to our sport was incredible.  Umstead has become a race that draws both speedy elite ultra runners as well as newbie first time 100 mile runners.  We all bond on the same course and encourage each other throughout the race.  Blake cultivated this atmosphere and made this event what it is today.  Last year he was there to congratulate me at the finish as I collapsed on him and tried to pass it off as a hug.  His contribution to our sport is something I cherish and I wanted to return to his race to show respect.  Along the course there is a tree Blake planted.  Every lap I looked over at the tree and thought of how Blake made this event what it is today. 

Umstead is a loop course with 8 laps.  As I gather my thoughts about the race it is no coincidence that they fit nicely into 8 distinct memories. 

Lap 1.  I'm not much of a planner when it comes to races.  I typically like to let the day/race unfold and not get myself set on specific targets.  This race was my first attempt to develop a plan, including lap goals and eating strategies for each lap.  This was largely because I had a crew for the whole race, and I would have access to the crew every lap.  I needed to tell them what I wanted and when so this meant a plan.  I didn't want to get too caught up in the plan but I knew I needed to stick to the plan.  I started easy and put the brain on autopilot.  As the Beastie Boys say, slow and low... that is the tempo.  I was happy the pains I'd experienced in the weeks leading up to the race weren't rearing their ugly heads yet.  Two thumbs up for the plan and sticking to it.  Will this turn me into a meticulous planner for races now?  I wouldn't bet on that. 

Lap 2.  I log a lot of miles by myself.  And although I love this part about our sport I also love my good friends and family who support me along the way.  This race, more than any other, brought out the importance of good support.  So many people helped get me here and carried me through the race.  My gratitude is beyond words.  I am incredibly lucky to have friends and support that allow me to follow my passion.  Many of you played a huge role for Umstead - my PT, Robert, who puts me back together after runs and races with never-wavering support and encouragement, his expertise and my faith in his ability is unmatched.  My boys - who may not understand what it is I do yet but still hoped I came home with a trophy.  My parents - who drove up from Atlanta to cheer me on and have always been my biggest fans.  Shawn - who lights me up everyday and makes me a better and happier person; your support means the world to me and I feel so lucky.  Beth and Doug - who opened their house to me again this year (not sure how after last year!) and tolerated the craziness with class and charm.  Gene - my local friend who has been there in style for me through 4 of my 100s.  Jordan - pacer extraordinaire who "got" me without ever meeting me.  Rachel - the happiest crew girl you could ever ask for and who graciously gave up her time to crew for me again this year.  Bill - the most connected guy on the course who knew everyone and still kept a great pace.  And lastly, friends - trail and otherwise - around the country who follow my progress, and who listen to my running stories with a smile. 

Lap 3.  Behind every great race is a great race director.  Rhonda Hampton leads a great crew putting on Umstead.  What makes a race director great is their investment in the race.  Rhonda is fully present and engaged all day.  She spends the day riding a bike around the course, taking pictures and cheering on runners.  By nightfall she is using the same bike to put out glow sticks to help guide the runners.  Umstead also sends out a post-race mailing to all the finishers.  This includes a certificate of finish, a print out of your laps and actual photographs taken during the race.  It’s a great reminder of your accomplishment after the legs have forgiven you.  These personal touches make Umstead one of the greats. 

 Lap 4.  Having a crew for this race was amazing.  I don’t normally have a crew – much less the ability to see them so often.  Shawn had never witnessed an ultra before and he took the lead as my crew.  Rachel helped crew for me last year and graciously offered to devote her time again this year to helping me.  I felt very lucky to have two people in my corner all day!  I didn’t give Shawn much instruction before the race, just a general idea of what I would want each lap.  He’s a natural.  He totally got it and was completely focused on getting me what I needed all day.  I felt bad for telling them what to do on each lap for the next lap but if they were upset they didn’t show it.  Instead they gave me what I needed with formula-one-like precision and that gentle shove to get me out on the next lap.  And they did it all with a smile.  I am sincerely thankful for their time and dedication to my goal. 

Lap 5.  Little pains can become big pains in races.  I’d dealt with several issues leading up to the race and they started to rear their ugly heads this lap.  I’d done a spectacular superman-style fall on the trail a month before the race and hurt my shoulder pretty badly.  My back had been bothering me for a few months.  In a race, these niggles become pains and those pains can eat you alive.  When things start to hurt, I always hope I will have the mental fortitude to not let it eat me alive.  This is easier in some races and much harder in others.  Knowing this course, I’d worked on techniques ahead of time to prepare myself for these demons.  Thankfully, my techniques worked.  It was easy that day to stay focused and in the zone and push the pain away. 

Lap 6.  This lap everything seemed to click.  My body and mind were working together and my legs were responding to the requests that I was making.  When things click in a run or a race it is a marvelous thing.  Speed is a relative thing when you are 65-70 miles into a 100, but on this lap it felt like my feet weren’t touching the ground.  Jordan ran laps 5 & 6 with me and we really had our groove going on this lap.  He was fantastic at keeping me in the moment and we ticked off many sub 9 miles this lap.  Looking back it was my favorite lap of the whole race.  And although I didn’t know Jordan before the race, I really hope he will pace me again someday!  The picture below shows Jordan and me coming through mile 7 of the 12.5 mile lap.  I love this picture because it shows the tree Blake planted on the middle of the left side of the picture. 

Lap 7. Bill graciously offered to run with me the later laps of the race.  He’s the course captain for the race and knew just about everyone along the way.  Things started to get challenging this lap as the high from lap 6 wore off quite quickly.  I started this lap in the daylight but knew darkness would fall during the lap.  I played a game with myself to see how far I could make it before needing a headlamp.  When darkness fell it was good Bill was there – my headlamp didn’t work!  Bill helped get to me to the end of the lap with his light and did it all with a smile.  Bill and I share a mutual friend, Gene, who we saw out along the back-side of the course pacing another runner.  My parents were stationed near the 2^nd aid station on the course and it was a huge uplift to see them this lap.  People along the course, fellow runners included, really carried me through this lap. 

Lap 8.  This lap was all about gutting it out.  I knew I had a lead on this lap and that probably didn’t help.  That said, I didn’t think about where I was and whether I would win during this lap – I just willed my body to continue moving forward and get myself to the finish.  I ran when I could and walked when I had to, but progress seemed slow.  You know the feeling, you’re ready to be done.  It was a tough lap and one that I would like to go back and do again. 

When I saw the lights of the finish, I was overcome.  I’d done it.  I’d accomplished a goal I’ve had since I ran my first 100 in 2011.  Even today I shake my head in disbelief when I think about it. 

Shawn, Gene, Rachel and Rhonda were all there when I finished.  This time I gave Rhonda a real hug.  New traditions and friends were made at this year’s race and Umstead has secured a special place in my heart. 

My competitive spirit is already looking forward to the next challenge…

Here's the gear breakdown:
Shoes and hat - Pearl Izumi.  N2s. http://shop.pearlizumi.com/index.php
Clothing - Ink N Burn. http://www.inknburn.com
Compression Socks - Pro Compression. http://procompression.com
Pack - Orange Mud. http://www.orangemud.com

2015 HURT 100

HURT is unique.  Unique in toughness, location, course, and the incredible volunteers.  This is truly a race that will never be forgotten.

I'd originally planned to run HURT in 2013.  I developed some Achilles problems in the fall of 2012 and wasn't able to go as planned.  This race had been on my radar and my wish list ever since.  I'd heard so much about the race - basically that its toughness is only bettered by the quality of the volunteers.  I truly couldn't wait to be there and contribute to the aloha spirit around the course.  And who couldn't be excited about a trip to Hawaii in January?  :)  As a last-minute stroke of luck, my friend (and occasional training partner - when I can keep up), Nick, was coming as well.  He got off the wait list with 3 weeks to spare.

Hawaii is beautiful and wonderfully relaxed.  Through a generous and kind friend (thanks Greg!), I was able to find an amazing place to stay on the North Shore during my stay.  Connie, Alex and Joe are the kindest most incredible hosts I've ever met and the way they opened their house to us was a true gift.  You all are the best!  Their house is across the street from the beach and afforded some amazing views and some incredible beach time.  Sleeping with the sounds of the ocean so close was truly amazing.

Two days before the race, Connie took us on a hike to the tip of the island.  As local folklore goes, this is the place where your soul comes after death to "walk off the rocks" and on to the next life.  The views were spectacular and we even saw some albatross nests!  The hike was followed up by shave ice - my first foray into this amazing Hawaiian treat!

Friday the mood in the house seemed to change a bit - we all knew the task at hand and it was rapidly approaching.  We enjoyed seeing fellow runners and volunteers at the pre-race briefing and tried to relax.  The course was right behind the shelter house, but Nick and I chose to ignore it and went into race morning with absolutely no idea what was in store for us.

Race morning started early and upon arrival to the course the enormity of the task ahead finally hit me.  I knew this course was technical and that's not my forte when it comes to trail running.  I knew this course would challenge me in ways I couldn't even anticipate.  I found myself overcome with emotion and some fear as racers gathered before the start.  I tried to calm my nerves and hoped when we started that I'd finally calm down.

The HURT course is a 20 mile loop made up of 3 sections.  Those 3 sections are basically lollipops with out and back portions within them.  This can be good and it can be bad.  On one hand, you know where you are in relation to others - you get that camaraderie and encouragement when you pass other runners - but on the other hand, you know exactly how far you have to go and out and back sections can be very taxing after many repetitions.  Each 20 mile loop has 2 aid stations and a 3rd aid station at the start/finish of each lap.  The 20 mile loop is repeated 5 times to comprise the HURT 100.

The first lap I planned to - and did actually manage to - take it easy.  It was quite hot and humid for my taste and I was literally drenched with sweat very soon after the start.  I tried to get my bearings along the course and "learn" the route and try to stay within myself knowing I had 4 more left to complete.  At the end of the first lap I came up to another PNW runner, Eric, who had run this course several times before.  He gave me some good advice - basically advising me to go super slow.  (he went on to have a fantastic race and a stellar finish time - congrats Eric!)

I started the 2nd lap in good spirits, not feeling like I'd overdone it on the first lap at all.  However, about 12 miles into this lap I stopped to pee and was scared to find I was peeing blood.  I immediately backed off, upped the fluids and hoped this would resolve.  I've never had this happen in a race before and it shook my confidence and brought on my fears.  Knowing you have almost 70 miles left to cover in a race where you aren't sure if serious problems lurk is a tough position to be in.  I love this sport but I'm not willing to risk my life or my long-term health for a finish.  I hoped and asked for support from friends and continued on at a slower pace.  Several racers helped me as well - both with advice and even some with water they could spare (thanks Sean!).

I'm happy to say that by the next time I peed I was all clear.  I think I had just done such a bad job hydrating on the first lap that it caught up with me quickly in the heat.  I was relieved but still spent a considerable amount of time worrying about this during the rest of the race - and ensuring I was drinking as much as I could stand for the whole race.

This race became very challenging for me over the laps.  I was mentally fatigued from the difficult terrain and the heat didn't seem to work for me.  My laps were slow and I was pretty grouchy at times - but I knew I would keep going unless they pulled me off the course.  I just simply wanted it too badly.  I didn't want to quit and I am proud that I didn't.  I had a local pacer, Nate, who joined me on my "hike" - and her company was much appreciated.  She did a great job distracting my mind at times and trying to keep my spirits up.

The race organizers and the volunteers at this race are truly spectacular.  I've never in any ultra seen anything like it.  At times I wondered if they were so wonderful because they knew the course was so challenging for us.  But then you realize that this is just how they are.  They love to help us as much as we love to hurt ourselves.  (no pun intended)

Will I do this race again?  I doubt it.  Will I go back to pace or to volunteer? In a heartbeat.  I could only hope to be that lucky.  Aloha to all who made this a race and a finish I will never forget.

2014 Hellgate 100k++

I started this post on the plane home from Hellgate and reflected on a great weekend and a race performance I wish I could change.  It's taken me weeks to get back to it - here goes nothing. 

Hellgate is a special race.  Unique in so many ways and a true gem among ultras.  I fell in love in 2013 and couldn’t wait to go back in 2014.  Hellgate certainly did not disappoint, but I disappointed myself.  

Last year Hellgate was a reunion weekend for me and my college running coach.  He lives in Ohio and I in Washington and he offered to come down and meet me and help crew.  We had so much fun last year that he and I decided to do it again this year.  We stayed at this great hotel in Roanoke that is totally decked out for Christmas and it really adds to the festive feeling of the weekend.  We stayed there again this year and it was fantastic.  Catching up with an old friend is always a great time and we certainly had a great time again this year.

In short, I had one goal at Hellgate.  To not go out too fast.  Secondary goals: Savor the night, run easy, then pick it up as daylight emerged.  Fuel well, stay warm (post Pinhoti trauma made that prominent in my mind) and finish strong.  I feel like I did a good job of not being too keyed up for the race and not too nervous.  Something about being here before made it easier.  You know where you are, where you will go and what you will cross to get there.

I basically blew my goal from the start.  Hellgate starts on a slightly winding trail for the first few miles and then continues for several more miles up a long dirt road climb.  I ran pretty conservatively for the first mile but then I threw all goals out the window for some reason.  Thing is I didn't THINK I was running too fast.  I didn't feel out of control.  Maybe it's something to do with the uphill road climb - I really like those - but by the time I got to mile 8 or so I was right with the lead woman.  This is not taking it easy.  I later learned from my coach that the leader and I were WAY under record pace at the 8 mile aid station.  In hindsight that explains a lot.

The feeding problems inevitably followed.  I had trouble finding anything that tasted good or sounded good.  I kept putting off the fuel when I knew I needed it because of that.  I dug myself into a big hole by not eating enough calories.  And we all know the domino effect this has on everything else.  It wasn't long before my pace became difficult to keep up.  And it wasn't long after that I started to become less coordinated.  Anyone who knows the Hellgate course knows that there are traps all along that course.  Traps in the form of ankle busting rocks that are covered by 12-18 inches of dry leaves.  My ankles found almost all of them.  I twisted each ankle really hard at least twice.  I tripped over sticks and hit the ground.  The lack of food left me wondering if I'd ever run on a trail before in my life.  

In the end, the race this year was a suffer-fest.  I finished with ankles that would barely support me anymore and an ego that was seriously bruised from disappointing myself.  But the race itself held true to form - a tough and challenging 100k (with bonus miles) that beckons me back for yet another try.  David Horton is a gem and his race is nothing less.