Catherine's Big Butt 50K 2004 On Saturday, July 24, I ran the Catherine's Big Butt 50k. This is slightly more than a fun run. The race directors keep track of who is out on the course and their finishing time, but it is definitely not a full-up race. There were a few aid stations, and the weather was very nice for running a 50k. As a matter of fact, the relatively cool, wet summer continued with overcast skies and temperatures in the 70s.
I leave home around 5:00am in order to make the 2-hour trip up to New Market, Virginia. The race is supposed to start at 8:00am. The race directors have told us to leave any crew at home, so I am driving up by myself today. My nemesis, Melissa Belleman, is supposed to be at this event. She now lives in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and we have not raced against each other in an ultra since the JFK50 in 2000.
In the parking lot before the race, I
meet two guys who are attempting their first ultra. They have a lot of
questions, and of course, are fascinated by my recent 100-miler.
Registration and packet pick-up is non-existent at this fun run.
Runners merely check-in with the guy with the clipboard, so they will know
who is out on the course. Finally, at about 15 minutes before the race
is due to start, Melissa and her family arrive to drop her off. She
immediately says that she won't be competitive with me because she hasn't
trained on trails or hills.
I receive this news cautiously because
it might be part of her game plan. However, since this is a fun run, it
probably doesn't count as a true race competition.
I start the race with just shorts and
my Camelbak, no shirt, and I am wearing my Asics Eagle IIs.
Mile 7, Bird Knob 1:26:42 (12:23 avg./mile) The mileage distances on this run are approximate. I am sure that no accurate measurements have been made, but since I have no other way to determine how far I have run at each checkpoint, I will use the race's approximate distances. This first section is more uphill than down, and the trail has a good bit of rocks, but not too much. The trail is single track from the beginning, and the way is slow going as the field of about 100 runners settles out. I run initially with a couple of guys, and I talk about the JFK50 and the fact that I might interrupt my streak of six consecutive finishes this year because the Urban Challenge finals are on the same day. Mile 10, Pitt Spring 27:43 (9:14 avg./mile) After the last section, the run continues on a gravel road, downhill--hence the quick pace on this section. Many of the people who didn't run over the rocks are now running fast down the hill and pass me. I am sure I will just have to pass them back when the run returns to the trail. Mile 19, Pitt Spring 2:02:56 (13:40 avg./mile) Even though, this part is a big loop that brings us back to Pitt Spring, there is a serious uphill climb that is just barely steep enough that running would be hard work. Therefore, in the spirit of this fun run, I walk up most of the hill. There are some hard-chargers running up, but I pass most of them back on the trail. Most runners just don't quite have the reckless abandon to run over the rocks. The downhill section of this loop is very steep going down, so it is not as beneficial as the uphill was detrimental to a fast pace. During the part of walking up the road, I see Craig Penrose and talk with him until we get back on the trail. Mile 25, Bird Knob 1:29:51 (14:59 avg./mile) This section has a little downhill on a gravel road before starting the most difficult part of the course. The climb up and over on the purple trail is described by the race officials as evil. For the most part, it isn't too bad, but we are going uphill for almost four miles with the last mile or so with steep switchbacks. My time is still going well, and my legs are still under me. Mile 32, Start/Finish 1:09:51 (9:59 avg./mile) After the last section, my legs are starting to feel the affects of going uphill. My left hip flexor seems to be a little out of sync. At the last aid station, I took in some standard fare as well as a good-size piece of beef jerky. The aid station workers had never heard of anyone wanting beef jerky on the run, but it really tastes good. This last portion of the race is mostly downhill at a nice gentle rate. Also, we don't have to go up over Bird Knob like we did at the start. I finish running decently, but I am glad when I finally hit the parking lot.
Unofficial Finishing Time 6:37:04
25th out of 78 finishers
I am satisfied with my finish and effort on this run. When I finish, Melissa's husband, Guy, is there, and he asks if I know how far back Melissa is. I estimate that she will probably be another hour, although I never saw her after the start. He leaves and says he will be back in about an hour.
While I am waiting to see other runners
finish, the party is really getting going. Runners are enjoying the
nice day in which it never did rain and the temperature stayed
comfortable. Just over an hour after I finished, Melissa
finishes. I catch up with many other runners--Mike Campbell, Marty Lindeman,
Craig Penrose, Gary Knipling, just to name a few. We talk about future
ultra plans, and many of them are thinking about running the Hellgate 100k in
December.
It has been five weeks since my finish
at the Mohican Trail 100. This run was a good test to see how my legs
have actually recovered. I was pleased with the feel in my legs, and I
am looking forward to more trail runs. My next run will be the Catoctin
50k in three weeks. Catoctin is a little rougher as most of the race is
run on rocks.
Until then, never stop running,
Darin
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