I finally did my Pine Mountain 40 Challenge trail run this weekend. Here is a LONG recap if you are interested. Haven't done one of these recaps in a while, but it being my first and only ultra marathon or any kind of running event for that matter, I figured I would share my experience.
Where to start... one day, while talking to Keith Williams (tri-friend at work)about cycling- he invited me to join his Thursday morning recovery run (some people don't know what recovery means but whatever). I want to say this was in late July. After finishing up with mtn. bike racing season in early August I looked at my calendar and it just seemed empty, no real pain-event on tap. Again I talked to Keith about running and he mentioned several events. Some too far, some too long or some coming up too soon, but the Pine Mountain 40 Challenge stood out as a possibility. A 40 mile trail race/run close by. I latched on to the December 7th date, had Keith put a basic schedule of running to build up to the event and off I went. One of the runners once said to me when you go, you go all-in because I decided to skip the 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon and just go for something better but I guess that is part of the challenge, isn't it? That's another story.
Race day started out COLD! Right around the 30° mark. Several Columbus fellas including most of those I have gotten to know and run with were there. We gooped up, filled bottles, delivered drop bags and lined up at dawn. And off we head down the road and into the woods. Our Columbus hero John Teeples and an outsider leading the way. I knew I had to warm up my legs real good “ run slow off the start" as running has ruined my joints, tendons etc, at least temporarily. Shin splints on my left leg was the primary worry. Do that in and my race was over. Thankfully, with enough people funneling into the woods the pace was doable for a warm up. Not to mention, who's in a hurry when you will be running all day anyway. I latched on to Mike Chancey to have a familiar face, conversation and good runner to follow. That turned out great for me. Chancey had a great pace going and I was able to keep myself in check with someone who had done these before. I am sure I would have probably burned myself up early on if I was on my own.
For those who don't know the PM trail it is usually rocky, with some technical down hills (if you are running) and some nice spots to make you forget the rocks are coming again surprising you by snatching an ankle here and there. That was another good reason to be behind someone on the trail. Not many flats though, always up or down.
So Mike and I hung together through a couple of aid stations. Well, at the first station I was filling stuff when I looked up he was gone so I had to take off and catch up to him “tricky fella" LOL. At the 14 mile mark or so aid Station (Dowdell Knob) we came up on the drop bags where I “thankfully" made the right choice and shed my long pants and head cover. I also re-stuffed my pockets with gels, Aleve and ate some aid station PB&J's.
At that point we also caught up with Keith. He took off ahead of us, but we came up on him again on a slow technical area. Quick hello and I kept going but Chancey stayed back chatting with Keith. Next thing I know I look back and they are a ways back and saying you don't have to wait for us. I felt like a little fledgling having to jump out of the nest for the first time. But I don't want to be alone I thought. Oh well, I turned around and just ran easy for a bit to give Chancey time to rejoin. Conversation must have been really good because he never came. I got to a long downhill and I just let it go down the hill since that is where I knew I would make up some time, downhill and technical stuff “reminds me of mtn. biking. I did not see Chancey anywhere on the side of the mountain so I just moved on, all alone. Again, no different than on the bike, you just do your race and keep to the plan.
All was good. I felt like I was running well, consistent, to my ability. The only uncertainty was - could I make it to the 40 mile mark?After I left Keith and Mike my competitive spirit kicked in. Let me see if I can keep them from catching me I said. I was uncertain because I really did not know what my body would do at mile 30 and beyond “I had never run anything above 28.5 miles. So I kept running and hit it a little extra hard at every spot I thought they were likely to slow down. At the aid stations I had my bottle open for refilling before I even got to it. I filled up, grabbed a sandwich, banana or whatever and take off running - new meaning to eating on the run for me.
Then came the slowest part of the run, the TV Tower Loop. Beautiful area, just not one made for running. Wet rocks, jump down onto rocks, climb up with all fours out some areas, really fun stuff. Man I was glad it was only 1 mile or so of the bad stuff, but again that's where I could make up time and I did pass a few people there.
Once I climbed out of that mess I started to feel woozy coming up on the aid station and didn't know why. I took a large Graham cracker loaded with Peanut butter, a banana and kept going. That cracker did the trick loaded with protein and a heavy feeling in my stomach. It got me going again now past the halfway mark.
Came up to the aid station at about mile 27 and asked how many people had gone through already? The girl says "oh not many, you are at least top 15". Holy #$%#$! I couldn''t believe it and that definitely lifted my spirits. I figured I was around 30 but don't ask me why. So I got on my way and started doing times in my head. I again pushed the technical stuff and kept a reasonable solid pace in the open areas.
Around mile 30 I spotted a group of 4 about 100 yards ahead. A group of 4 I said!!! If I am top 15 and I pass those guys I am top 10. Man I wanted to sprint up to them, but no, I held back looked down and ran my race. Eventually I caught them, rested, then passed. Two of the four kicked it up and latched onto me. They came and went several times behind me but I basically paced them for the last 6 miles. That was a rough time for me. My body was done but I could not stop, not now. I had to talk myself into running after cresting a hill since we walked most of the climbs at that point. Running becomes a fast shuffle, not much foot lifting, running as efficient as possible.
I never got passed then but never pulled away either. With about 2 miles to go it becomes downhill and then flat 1 mile or so to the finish. I am thinking I can be 10th or 12th and starting devising my strategy down the mountain to be 10th. The plan IS “control the downhill and when we hit the flats up the pace enough to keep anyone from wanting to jump, then one mile left run 100% effort
and hopefully not collapse. Basically bike racing gone bad!
I picked it up and I still had them both, I waited, I sped up a little, I waited. Finally one dropped. I sped up, I waited, I sped up, I waited, I heard a stumble (like when you lose your footing for a second) and I picked it up to 100% (whatever that was at that point!). Finally I looked back and saw the red shirt but through the trees, not right behind me. I will tell you, that was the longest half mile I have ever run. Exhausted, scared, hungry, thirsty, in pain, within sight of the finish line through the woods BUT I got there! And I got there ahead of them whoever they were. Come to find out one was a local runner and one was from Charleston, SC “both nice guys off the course LOL. I came up on the family cheering me on plus some others doing the usual make noise for everyone. Gawd, I can't move anymore! I couldn't even squat down. Standing hurt, sitting hurt, being hurt.
As far as I know all of the Columbus guys I know made the cut-off and got their prize PM40 Fleece. Well john also got a 2nd place award for blazing up the 40 mile trail in 6.5 hours! Yes, that is a 9:45 minute pace. Good job to all.
So that's how it goes. A very long story for a very long race.
Here are my stats:
-7:33 total run time
-7th place overall - - I guess the girl who told me top 15 was off a couple spots but all's forgiven. ;)
-10 Roctane Gu's or so
-5 Aleve
-3 pcs of Beef Jerky
-Uncounted half sandwiches of PB&J and ham/cheese
-Other assorted Aid Station food including Oreos, chips, bananas, boiled potatoes
-100+ oz of water plus assorted Coke, Gatorade etc.
-No falls {Plenty of tripping}
-1 slight black toe รข€“ for now
-No blisters
-1 badly aching body
I had a great time, even leading up to the race. Met some new people, gained some new friends, tried something new, put my body through more unnecessary pain. If you would like to try an event like this go ahead, be my guest. Just don't say I got you into it or talked you into it. I will not be to blame as are all the guys that did that to me!
Happy trails (cycling and running)
Thanks to Trina for putting up with my latest obsession over the last three months.
JOSE
