Boulder Field 50k - 9/15/18

 

After reaching a new goal, I find that it isn’t a bad idea to jot down some notes about the experience. So here it goes...

I had signed up for Boulder Field 50k in December 2017 along with my husband Scott who signed up for the 18 miler as a hike. With 9-months to prepare for both of us... I really wasn’t too worried about either of us finishing the miles. For Scott this was going to be his longest distance and considering his heart issues this was going to be an awesome goal. Our friend Kelly was signing up as a hiker and considering her medical background that provided a level of comfort. As my second 50k, I felt confident finishing... I just wasn't sure how fast I could do it. Really excited for both of us! I might have been more excited for Scott than he was for himself.

2018 turned out to be a pretty turbulent year for Scott. Without going into all the details, he was in and out of the hospital with some heart related issues (pericarditis, cardiac tamponade, and another heart attack). We weren’t sure if he was going to be able to do this hike after all. But if you want to meet a bad ass, Scott is that guy. He recovered and walked his way back to where he was going to be able to do this! As for me, I had been doing training that was attempting to keep my heart rate low for most of my miles. I’d save up my hard miles for the weekends when I’d meet up with some amazing athletes who always pushed me outside my comfort zone. Between the PennyPack Trail Runners Group and the Montco Runners Green Lane crew, they really helped me improve. Plus, they always provided many miles of smiles and ad hoc yoga on the trails and Brownies... can’t forget the brownies!

Fast forward to race day... I had been stalking weather sites for the days leading up so I was mentally prepared to encounter humidity (again). Confident in my outfit choice and the ginger braid crown to keep my hair from smacking me in the back, I was ready to go! 7am race start - let’s do this! Scott and I exchanged hugs and he knew my goal was to try and catch him before he finished. The course is basically a figure eight. The 50K does a 12-13 mile loop back to the start and then continues on for the last 18 which is the route for the 18-milers. The 18-milers started 30 minutes later. I know you aren’t supposed to have time goals in these types of races... but I did. I wanted to get in under 6 hours as my aggressive goal. 6:20 was doable but tough and 6:40 was very attainable. If I pushed for 6, maybe I could catch Scott!

I knew that the first loop was going to be the more difficult section. I had planned to hold back some, but alas I never can seem to do that. I always seem to go into races with the intention of going out easy...it has yet to happen. My adrenaline always takes over and before I knew it we were at the first aid station 5 miles in. I forget exactly where the first creek crossing was, but I recall the line of people trying to carefully balance across the rocks. I always chuckle to myself as I just splosh through the deepest section I can find and pass them all. You are going to get wet and muddy - the race director made that abundantly clear during the morning announcements. Embrace it! After the first aid station you have to go out on an approximately 5 mile loop then make your way back to the same aid station. They have a fun bridge that sways a bit going over it. I used the bridge the first time and the second time I opted to cool off and skip the bridge = fun!! I was super excited that the aid station had some sort of orange drink which I thought was Fanta soda! A recent run with some amazing ultra runners introduce me to the feeling of Fanta soda at 16 miles. Amazing is all I can say. So I thought, OMG FANTA!! However, it was only Gatorade. I was sorely disappointed!

During that first 10, I had resigned myself to the fact that under 6 probably wasn’t going to happen unless I found some less technical stretches to really plow through. I normally love to run down hills super fast, but at the first decline I noticed that it was a bit slippery on the rocks. A little too slick for me, so I opted to forego the rapid descent in an effort to maintain my life and limbs. I had settled in for a bit chatting with a gentleman who was go-proing... I think he has video of my feet sploshing through the mud. The trail was so well marked, I only had one questionable spot just before the shades of death where I wasn’t totally sure which way to go. Luckily a hiker with his dog came around the corner and I asked if he saw runners and pink ribbons and he did! The Shades of Death is so beautiful. Lots of rocks and roots to traverse.. so much fun! As we left the Shades of Death, I was slowing down a bit. It felt like a cruel incline that wasn’t giving up as we made our way back to the start line to take on the second loop. My left ankle was a little shaky and had already slipped a few times. I mentally yelled at it and told it to behave. I ended up chatting with a young kid who was doing his first 50K which helped to pass the time. Once I got back to the start line, I refilled my drink in order to head out for the last 18 miles on the hunt to catch Scott!

As I made my way to the first section of trail I was excited to stretch out my legs with some faster running until I reach what looked like a very long stretch of soup with floating boards. Thinking back to my first 50k, the Dirty German monsoon, I thought that maybe I just bring mud and water to these events? Typically I just hop in the mud, but I was trying to conserve energy and make up time so I was going to try to use the boards. But alas those boards just sunk. So I opted to hike it. The next set of miles leading to the infamous Boulder Field were a strange mix. I had a few miles were I was able to really run, and then there were sections where you had to mind your step. I mentally went back and forth between finding it annoying and fun. I looked around at one point and noticed I was pretty much by myself, yet I kept hearing this sloshing noise. Then I realized it was my stomach! Note to self: work on not drinking TOO much fluids! I am always thirsty it seems. So I have been trying to just swoosh water in my mouth and spit it out. The coke was so good at the aid stations that I think I downed too many of them!

Boulder Field was amazing! There was a younger pair of runners who had passed me earlier that were in the field traversing it already. I was given advice to not overthink it, and try to use the smaller boulders. Before I knew it, I was passing those two. They commented that I was doing a better job than they were and I replied “Thank you but don’t jinx me!” They don’t know I’m actually a serious klutz! I wasn’t exactly floating but I actually felt graceful. After the Boulder Field I looked at the aid station and saw Bacon! I wanted that bacon.. but my stomach was telling me no thanks. So I filled up on a diluted Gatorade (not Fanta) and headed out.

I struggled for a bit after the boulder field but ran into my friend Kelly who was hiking. I gave her a sweaty hug and that perked me up. She said she hadn’t seen Scott since the start as she had to go back to change her shoes. I thought maybe he was just up ahead and I could catch him yet!! Miles 22 - 26, I am not sure how it happened but I felt pretty awesome. I think it was the fact that we were sailing down a nice gradual decline and in the middle of all that there was this neat tunnel with a stream that I got to sit and kneel in. The runner in front of me just sort of chuckled... as I knelt down and washed my face and I exclaimed.. “AMAZING!” It gave me a nice refreshing jolt (and this time my phone was up higher on my vest! I sort of sat in a creek before with my phone and accidentally saturated it). Then I remembered it was a race, so I got up and continued on and quickly caught up to the guy who left me in the water, literally. There was one other spot on my journey, don’t recall exactly where, .. but I came upon on a man and his son. The man turned to his son and said, “watch for the runner”... I said thanks as I passed them and then basically dove into the creek. I heard him say to his son, “Look at the runner in the water!” It amused me tremendously as I felt like an animal in the zoo. “Son, look at the silly runner rolling in the water. Just don’t feed them.” Okay he didn’t say that, but it would have been funnier if he did.

Coming up to the mile 26 aid station or thereabouts, the guy held out his hands asking for my water bottle to fill. As he topped me off with a Gatorade/water mix, he expressed confidently to me and the three other runners there that the course was short and we only had 4.5 miles to go. I looked at my Garmin which I think missed some miles and said to the guy, “you wouldn’t lie to us?” He assured us he would not. I will forever think of that as the Liars aid station because the last miles seem to take forever. As I made it out of the aid station, I caught up to one girl who also heard the proclamation of only 4.5 more miles. We chatted a little, as we both seemed to enjoy the idea of only 4.5 more miles. I ended up passing her for a bit but knew she and the two others from the aid station were right behind me so that kept me moving. I kept yelling back to her and the two others who were with us in the last stretch, please just shout if you want to pass. They declined. I guess I was their rabbit for a little. And then we got to the hill that felt like it made the green lane hill a zit on it’s back. It just never ended. The go-pro guy caught up and passed us somewhere in this section. He asked if I ever caught my husband. I told him no and he declared awesome for my husband and headed off. Somewhere in this section was the only other spot where I was a little confused about which way to go. It really was clearly marked, with pink tape hanging from the trees, I just couldn’t make out that a trail was really there. Thankfully the folks I had been running with called me back to put me on the proper trail!

The last few miles were tough and I came upon one of my running buddies from the Green Lane trails who is a powerhouse. Unfortunately it wasn’t his day and his knees were hurting. We chatted for a few until I was able to muster up some strength to push on for the last bit. Although, I’d swear by now we were 8 miles past the liar’s aid station we were hitting the last stretch! I could see promise of a finish line soon and then WTF was that? It felt like someone stabbed me in my lower right ab!! Every step hurt. I walked a few steps hoping it would settle.. it was a little better but it still felt horrible. A few runners nearby encouraged me to push on. I thought to myself, as I had several times throughout the race, embrace the suck. There are people you know and love who are suffering everyday and they have no choice but to go through things they can’t avoid. You paid to be here and suffer. Just get it done. Embrace that suck... and somehow I did and managed to cross the finish line as fast as I could.

I never did catch Scott. He was waiting for me at the finish line. As I was handed my finishers award they asked my age and told me I was 1st place Female Masters! I was stunned, I am still stunned. I even went back and double checked that they didn’t get it wrong. They insisted the award was in fact mine to take home. I ended just under 6:20.. my middle goal. It was a fun and beautiful race. Totally worth the suck!

A very dirty german 50k experience - 5/13/17

 

Some distance running recovery plans suggest putting in writing the things that are still fresh in mind from the experience. So here it goes… 

The last few weeks before the race, I was feeling really confident in my training that completing the 50K wasn’t going to be problem. My training plan was based on a few different plans I found – which I cobbled together to fit with my life. I had logged nearly 500 running miles plus 150 walking miles, managed several back to back runs – which is where you do a long distance run day and then the next day you run again on tired sore legs. Logging a few races in the mix.. but the main goal was to work my way up in miles with one week being high, then back off a little the next week, then amp up again the following and so on. All was to conclude with a 3-4 week taper. I didn’t taper quite as I had planned, I ended up doing a 16 mile trail run one week before the race on the actual course (or at least parts of it)– but I needed that to help me feel more confident about the speed I might want to go on the big day. The only immediate question I had nagging at me was, how fast I could do it? I struggled mentally trying to figure out what pace to hold.. running calculators suggest I could knock it out in under 5 hours based on recent races.. but I didn’t feel that was realistic considering the hills and trails I knew I’d be traversing without tons of real trail work in my training. I had mentally settled on trying to get in under 6 hours – and if I felt great out there I’d push myself to at least 5:30. However, mother nature was going to suggest a different plan for me! 

About a week out, I began to stalk weather websites to help me pick out my clothing for race day. Forecasts were calling for upper 40’s and rain.. bleh! As the day approached.. the forecast refused to budge and I knew that rain was coming no matter what! I had done some of my training in the rain, including my longest training run of 26 miles was on a particularly cold soggy day. I held that thought close and kept reminding myself that I lived through that and while it was miserable at times it was sort of cool because I ended up seeing a lot of wildlife out that day – including a really cute Ginger Squirrel. Time to just suck it up cupcake and embrace whatever would be! So with the rain, my time goal changed to 6-6:20ish. And as my dear husband continued to remind me, just don’t hurt yourself!! Leaving for a vacation to Alaska in a few weeks – don’t want to be doing that in a cast! So goal #1 = Finish, #2=Finish unharmed, #3= Time goal maybe 6-6:20 ish. 

Outside of the mental weather struggle, I focused on eating for the last few days – what fun! Occasionally it strikes me strange how I now really enjoy food. When I use to smoke, I barely ate anything. It was coffee and cigarettes and maybe Mountain Dew and more coffee. Not long after smoking, I think my taste buds began to change… and soon I was liking food a little too much! And I digress… So, I took the opportunity in the days leading up to embrace a variety of awesome carbs to round out my training: Deep dish Pizza, Beer, Sweet Potato waffles, Bagels, Mac & Cheese, Chocolate muffins… oh my! There was some healthier stuff mixed in there too… but these are the meals I remember most. Eating = check! 

Next focus was getting everything ready. I had worked out with my running buddy (RB) who was also planning on running the 50K to meet at my house by 6:30. I didn’t want to be rushing around last minute that morning.. I wanted everything in place and packed to go. One important details was… “what do I wear?” Footwear was resolved, Altra Superior Trail shoes with gaiters and my awesome Injinji lightweight toe socks. As for the rest, I finally settled on CW-X Capri compression pants, my midweight techwick top and my EMS rainjacket, along with my trusty waistbelt water bottles. I knew that tighter clothes would be my best option on a cold day.. nothing worse than a cold shirt flapping against you! I was still not completely sure about the rain-jacket.. but figured that worst case I could drop it off mid-way through. Pack up some snacks for myself and my RB - ( a mix of sweet potato waffles with maple syrup, Honey stinger waffles, some banana chips and my weird blueberry-banana dehydrated things I made). Packing even more gear - change of clothes, towels, extra water, maybe a second change of clothes in case I decide to change at the half way point.. geez – you’d think I was packing for a vacation! 

It’s funny to think that about all these little details in the days leading up to race day. I knew that I wasn’t going to be winning anything but to be honest.. I do have a competitive side and that side of me wanted to be as close as I could be to the upper end of my cohort group. Most importantly I wanted to come away from the day knowing I did my best and it was awesome! Scott reminded me how I really did put a lot of time and effort into my training – I had a vested interest in doing my best! Stay with me on this… but it’s like cooking (yup about food again). You put together this concoction of ingredients, effort, seasoning, time… you never know exactly how it’s going to come out (at least I don’t.. because I follow recipes very loosely)… but you want that meal to come out just right. You want it to be awesome. You want to be able to savor every last bite of it.. and when you are done eating it all.. you sit back and think DAMN that was Fracking good! 

So all my ingredients were coming together nicely and the only thing left was to rest. Not always easy! That night I starting around 2.. I woke up about every hour making sure I didn’t miss my alarm. Before I knew it.. it was time to get up. Get up and let’s go! I could hear the rain outside already... but it was the day! I SO GOT THIS! Rain, mud.. whatever… I am getting this done! I felt really excited! Last minute items….

Lube , Get dressed, Coffee, Eat, More hydration (but stop drinking by 6:30), Tape ankle (my rolled ankle from a few weeks ago was good.. but better with some taping) ,Lube more! Lube every crevice that could rub! , Kiss pups and husband and thank him again for all his support! Thankfully he reminded me about towels – ooops pack towels! Set out Tequila and shot glass as friendly reminder to hubby to bring to finish line for me, Okay let’s go!!

My running buddy was going to meet at my house at 6:25 am.. Race starting at 8, that should be enough time to get there, pick up bibs, get situated, pee. She was prompt and we loaded everything up and off we went! As we chatted on our way to the race.. I could feel my excitement continue to build. As it turned out, my running buddy who came out with me that day, decided that this day wasn’t going to be her day. As for me, I don’t know that there is anything that could have changed my mind about me getting this done. It was in pen on my calendar - this was going down! 

Looking at my phone, it was almost 8 - almost time to start the race. Last minute potty stop complete, time to shed the last layers, pin on the bib and get to the start line. A quick hug to my RB before she headed on her way and I made my way to the start line with a nice woman from Reading PA who was also doing her first 50K today as well. 

It wasn’t much longer before we were headed off on the adventure! As we headed out .. I don’t think I made it more than 100 feet before I changed my time goal from about 6 hours.. to ‘whatever’.. finish and have fun playing in the mud! 

Over the next 6 hours and 50 minutes.. I had a fantastic time. I had always heard how trail runs and the ultra running environment was very different from road races. Well.. it is totally true. Everyone was incredibly nice and supportive. If you were passed by anyone.. they always communicated with you and gave you “great job” as they ran passed. And when you passed someone else.. they’d say “have a great race!”.... everyone was so nice.. it was rather cool but also slightly unsettling at the same time. These people are all so damn nice! I won’t go mile by mile.. but here are some of the main things I currently recall about the experience:

#1. For the first few miles I was chuckling to myself as several people tried to avoid the mud puddles. I found it much easier to just splash right through them from the start. In fact the footing was easier to deal with in the puddles straight on rather than wasting energy darting back and forth. 

#2. The “creek” which wasn’t really a creek anymore when we crossed it... I was very thankful that on the second loop we didn’t have to go through it again! That was a little sketchy the first time! By the second time there was just no way!

#3. Races like this are definitely not about a steady consistent pace. Intervals! You go hard when the terrain allows and then ease off in the sucking mud parts where you could lose your shoes!

#4. DO NOT forget to look up and ahead. While you need to pay attention to the ground.. there are low hanging trees and the girl in front of me found out. WHACK! Poor girl hit her head hard! She was okay.. but wow that had to hurt! 

#5. Not sure if all Ultra races are like this one.. but the aid stations on the Dirty German were amazing. Delicious grilled cheese sandwiches, potatoes, hashbrowns, M&Ms, PBJ’s, mountain dew,... the list goes on! and the people were awesome too. You couldn’t help but stop and chat for a little! I really didn’t need to bring any food with me... they seriously had it covered! 

#6. I thought it strange how the portajohns didn’t have long long lines like they do at road races.. well.. I think it’s because everyone has no issue going in the woods along the race course! 

#7. There are some seriously impressive athletes out there that range in age. I spent some time with a gentleman who was doing the 50-miler and he was in his 60’s! Downright amazing! He pointed out that it felt like we were escaping from prison and the dogs should be chasing us.. the race really did have that feel to it - especially with the rain.. sort of felt like Shawshank! 

#8. It sort of sucks to get lost on a trail race and accidentally add some steps to your race..oops! There were a few of us.. but we did figure it out within about a quarter mile.. what’s an extra half mile in the grand scheme anyway?

#9. By mile 27, I remember thinking.. wow I can’t believe I am actually feeling better right now than I did when I finished my marathon. This is a good sign.. since I still have 4 miles to go. However, at mile 30 I could hear the music... but was tuck in a maze of mud that did seem to go on forever! I was cursing that extra half mile then.

#10. At approximately mile 3, I tweaked my un-taped ankle. Yet, 31 miles in cold mud can actually be a blessing in disguise:) It felt great to dip my ankles into those deep waters and mud! Speaking of taped ankle.. it held up for about 15 miles before it began to fall apart. It did it’s job..and I stuck the falling tape pieces into my gaiter for the rest of the run. And gaiters are also extremely helpful at not only keeping rocks out of your shoes.. but they keep your shoes on in deep mud!

#11. People pay good money for mud baths.. here we were getting that AND an exercise regimen at the same time. I call that multitasking. 

When it was all over.. I have to say I still felt pretty damn good. I did it! And adding to my joy on finishing it was great to see my husband Scott, my Mom and Andy waiting for me at the finish line. I knew I could do it.. but it’s really cool to actually have done it. The elements didn’t exactly cooperate in the manner I had originally hoped. However, as I reflect upon it... I think that it worked out just fine... The mud slowed me down and made me take in the day and really embrace it and have fun with it. It really was an adventure. 

I will end my reflections by stating how truly grateful I am to have an amazing husband who supports me on some of my crazy endeavors.