Catherine’s Big Butt 50k, 2006

 

July 29

 

This is just a fun run for the most part, although the race organizers do keep track of times.  So, I am running to see how well I can do compared with two years ago.  The race is scheduled to start at 8am, so I drive up the morning of the race.  I leave the house around 5am getting to the 211 East parking lot around 7am.  I am already to go, but it is going to be hot today.  The forecast is calling for a high around 90 degrees, and the dew point is in the low 70s.  Nobody has a crew on this run as it is just a “fun run” and only a 50k.  I talk briefly with Gary Knipling and Sophie Speidel before the race, and also with Bethany Patterson and David Snipes.  And I finally am able to give Quatro Hubbard his bandana from the Bull Run Run when he was on my team for that race back in April.

 

Mile 7         1:21:24 (11:38 avg./mile) Bird Knob

 

I start relatively conservatively as I don’t know how my legs will do after two weeks of vacation in Italy.  I also am not overly confident about the hot weather.  This is a good start, though, and I hope I can hold this and finish under 7 hours.  My time from two years ago was 6:37, but that year was pretty cool for the end of July in Virginia.  As I remember it, there were the remnants of a tropical storm coming up, and we had cloud cover most of the day with the temperature staying in the 70s.  I am ahead of David Snipes, but just behind his friend Jack Edington.  At this first aid station, I grab two large fig newtons, and I top off my Camelbak.

 

Mile 10       27:18 (9:06 avg./mile) Pitt Spring

 

After Bird Knob, the course goes (mostly) downhill on a gravel road to the next aid station.  I am passed by Mike Campbell on this section during a brief uphill, which I walk and he powers up.  Martha Wright also comes up beside me, and we talk until we pass the aid station at which point she leaves me behind.  She is also from Richmond and this is the first time I have met her.  She seems to have no problem with the heat.  At this aid station, I grab some Pringles potato chips and a couple of fig newtons.  I don’t top off my Camelbak as I figure I can make it to the next aid station.

 

Mile 14       49:40 (12:25 avg./mile) Yellow Trail

 

Leaving the spring, the course goes downhill for about a mile and then starts slowly back uphill.  The uphill is not steep, and I run some of it, but mostly I walk because I want to conserve energy and stay cool as long as I can.  At this aid station, Bill VanAntwerp is there taking pictures and dispensing water and chips.  I top off my Camelbak again and grab another stack of Pringles before I head up the trail.

 

Mile 19       1:16:39 (8:31 avg./mile) Pitt Spring

 

On this section of the trail, I am by myself most of the time, but just before I get to the lookout, Marty Lindeman comes up behind me.  She is going to run the Wasatch Front 100 Miler in September, so this is just another good, hard training run for her.  She and I were two of the last three runners to finish the first Hellgate 100k.  I think this section might be a little shorter than advertised because I don’t think I ran this fast even if it was mostly downhill it was still on trail.  At this aid station, I eat another couple of fig newtons, and take another stack of Pringles with me.  I also top off my Camelbak because the next section is the toughest of the race.

 

Mile 25       1:43:04 (17:11 avg./mile) Bird Knob

 

Marty and I start this section together, and then she decides to run more than me initially.  I just try to keep a steady pace.  We are not too far behind Ed Cacciapaglia, but we never catch him.  I do pass Marty near the end of the climb, but she quickly catches back up to me on the way down the other side.  The climb is everything I remember from two years ago, and it never seems to end.  It is hot, the trail is steep, and there is no breeze to be felt on this side of the mountain.  After reaching the top, I start down the other side, but my ankles and legs are weak, and I can’t do my usual quick flight downhill.  At this aid station, I think everyone pulls up a chair for at least a little bit.  I drink a few cups of watered down Gatorade while munching on chips the whole time.  Finally, it is time for me to head up the trail and get this race finished.

 

Mile 32       1:26:12 (12:19 avg./mile) FINISH

 

Leaving the last aid station, my leg quad muscles are having spasms.  They feel like they are on the verge of cramping, but I know that I should have enough liquid in me, and I have been taking Succeed capsules at least every hour.  By the time I get to the top of the hill, my legs have settled down some, and I am able to run slowly down the hill.  However, when it gets steep and rocky going down, I have to take it easy as my ankles are nowhere near trail shape.  I twisted my right ankle three weeks ago in Florence, Italy, and it is not yet back to full strength.  As I get down from the really steep part, I think I still have a chance at a sub-7.  Despite my best efforts though, I come in just over the 7-hour mark.

 

Official Finishing Time 7:04:17

 

19th out of 52 starters

 

All in all, this is a successful run for me.  I managed to finish with a decent time, and I did not twist my ankle at all.  I am happy, tired, and suffering some from the heat.  But, after sitting around for almost an hour and eating a bratwurst while drinking plenty of fluids, I head for home.  The air conditioning in the car feels wonderful, and I feel much better after about 30 minutes.

 

My next long race will probably not be until the Mountain Masochist 50 Miler on November 4.  Then it will be on to the Hellgate 100k in December to notch my fourth one in a row.

 

Never stop running,

Darin

 

 

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