Coctoctin 50K Trail Run 2004
On Saturday, August 14, I ran the Catoctin 50K Trail Run, which is up in
Western Maryland. It is a very rocky course, all on trails, up and down
the Catoctin Mountains. Two years ago, I ran this race and finished in
7 hours and 42 minutes. That day was a relatively cool day as the high
only reached the mid to high 80s. This year, it appears like the weather
is going to cooperate even better. The forecast is calling for low
humidity with the high in the low to mid 70s. Rain is moving into the
area in the afternoon (the remnants of Hurricane Charley).
I drove up to Frederick, Maryland on Friday evening after enjoying dinner
with my family. I get up at 5:30am and partake of the complimentary Comfort
Inn breakfast. Around 6:30am, I leave to head up to the start, arriving just
before 7am. The race is going to start at 8am, so I have plenty of time to
relax and talk to other runners. One of the people I talk to before the
start is David Snipes from Mechanicsville, who has run several of the same
races that I have. At the start, the temperature is in the low-60s, and the
weather could not be more beautiful. I am wearing my Asics Eagles, red
shorts, and of course no shirt. I have my Camelbak full of water and three
Access bars and several salt tablets.
Mile 6.0, Hamburg Road 1:15:00 (12:30 avg./mile)
I start somewhat conservatively because I know this trail only gets tougher.
I had Bethany Hunter in my sights for about the first half mile. She is the
early first place female. Around a mile and a half, Laura Nelson passes me.
Then another mile later, Michelle Harmon comes by me. As I am entering the
first aid station, a guy is coming back into the aid station because shortly
after he left the aid station, he fell and landed on his hand, dislocating
his finger and opening up a nice size gash. At this first station, I take in
some food and drink a Gatorade. Unfortunately, they don't have Conquest at
the aid stations for this race.
Mile 9.0, Delauter Road 31:31 (10:30 avg./mile)
This section is fairly easy in this direction. It is slightly downhill, and
the temperature is still really cool. I am currently running close to Roger
Claussen and Marti Kovener. David Stuckey, who had passed me earlier
comes by me again. He and another guy had gotten off track slightly. They
say that they probably ran an extra mile.
Mile 15.6, Manor Parking Area - TURN AROUND 1:11:29 (10:50 avg./mile)
Down the mountain, and down across the river, and I make it into the halway
point over 20 minutes faster than two years ago. I roughly count that there
are about 25 runners ahead of me. I am feeling pretty good, and I think I
will improve on my previous time. However, I now get the idea that I might
be able to finish in the top 20. This is my last race of the summer, so I
have no reason not to push as hard as possible.
Mile 22.2, Delauter Road 1:23:28 (12:39 avg./mile)
I half run and half hike back up the mountain. I am feeling really good,
and the weather is still unbelievably comfortable with low humidity. I pass
my first two runners coming up the mountain. So, now I only have to pass
about 3 or 4 more runners to finish in the top 20.
Mile 25.2, Hamburg Road 0:41:05 (13:42 avg./mile)
Over this three mile stretch, I pass another runner, but then Roger and Marti
pass me. I mention to Roger that I am conserving myself for my kick over the
last six miles. During this section, Roger trips and falls flat, but
fortunately, he only scrapes his knee and is otherwise okay. I come into this
last aid station, and the wonderful aid station workers are ready for my
request. The only thing I need is two cups of Coke, which I quickly guzzle
and get on down the trail.
Mile 31.2, High Knob - FINISH 1:14:06 (12:21 avg./mile)
I tear out of the last aid station with the finish line only six miles away.
I first catch and pass Roger then Gary Knipling. Then I catch and pass Steve
Platt. Both Gary and Steve finished ahead of me at Catherine's 50k three
weeks earlier. Finally, I pass Marti; however, she stays with me all the way
to the end. Everytime the trail makes a turn I peek back and see her just
20 yards or so behind me. As I make the final turn up the hill to the finish,
Marti is still close, but up ahead of me are David Stuckey and Kevin Black. I
give a final push and think that I am going to pass them both, but David has
something left. He and I pass Kevin, but I can't get past David.
Official Finishing Time 6:16:39
21st out of 112 finishers
This is a really good time for me. I don't quite make the top 20, but my time
is almost and hour and a half faster than last time I ran this race. Of course
part of it is the perfect weather that all of the runners enjoyed this year,
but I also think that I have a lot more experience running trails now.
I have now run three ultras this summer. The best was my first finish in
a hundred mile race at Mohican in June, but I am very happy with my effort
and performance in all of them. Now, I am going to recover nice and easy
before I start building up for my fall races. I am racing in the Urban
Challenge in New Orleans in October, and then will either race in the
Urban Challenge Nationals in November or run my seventh straight JFK50.
Then I will see if I am ready to take on the Hellgate 100k in December again.
Until then, never stop running,Darin
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