October 25-26th.

Preface:

Goal: 100 miles or 30 hours, whichever comes first.

Result: 53 miles in 16-ish hours.

Conclusion:  (see below)

As with many of these blog entries about a race, I find it difficult to know where to begin. 

The race occurred in the Milford-Brookline area of New Hampshire, on the Granite Town Rail Trail.  Unlike other rail trails, this has no paved sections, everything is soft sand.  The race started at 9:00 am on Saturday the 25th, and had a 30 hour time limit—ending on Sunday the 26th at 3:00 pm.  Starting from the DPW in Milford, the race is 3 miles down to the first aid station at the Power Lines, then another 4.5 miles to Camp Tevya.  The camp does have a 1/2 section of pavement.  At the Camp we turned around and headed back to the start, with another stop off at the Power Lines. 

For this race I chose to have a crew of some friends who would be ready to help prep me for another trip out on the course.  They had setup at the Camp, so I would see them every so often during the day(s).  I had instructions for them to fill out some questions duringg each time I saw them at Camp, which they could use to evaluate my conditions while I was on course, and for me to analyze later to understand how to train next time. 

Miles 0 – 7.5:

The day started out at the DPW, right at 9:00 am.  My fiancé cheered me on as everyone set off.  I had opted to use my Runmeter app during this first 1/2 loop to the Camp, so that I could judge how fast I was running.  In many past races, except for 1/2 marathons, I always start out fast and eventually slow down through the day.  However this time I went forth with a new plan, start out slow and attempt to maintain. 

I could easily have started out at a 10 pace (min/mile), but instead aimed to do a 12 pace.  While checking my phone every so often, I figured out how to slow myself down by changing my gait a bit. 

The power line aid station came up fairly quick, and the Camp after that wasn’t far afterwards.  I took a minimal stop at the Power Lines, just to use the Porta-John.  The woods were beautiful, tall trees, pine needles on the ground, a series of ponds, and different intersecting trails. 

Upon reaching Camp Tevya, I saw my fiancé, and checked in at the aid station. 

I dropped my hat and gloves, and headed out again. 

Stats:  Start to Power Lines: 3 miles in 37 min, 12.3 pace

Power Lines to Camp: 4.5 miles in 46 min, 10.2 pace.

Mile 7.5 – 22.5: 

Not staying long at the Camp the first time, I started walking back on the paved road section towards the woods.  On my way back to the Power Lines aid station I dutifully stopped to walk every 15-20 minutes, and tried to keep on my slow pace of about 12 min/mile.  During the walking breaks, and sometimes while running, I took some big sips from the Camelbak which consisted of 4 scoops (per 1.5 L) of Naked Tailwind. 

The woods looked quite a bit different as I headed in the opposite direction.  I reached the Power Lines quickly, made another pitstop, and munched on some Poptart sections—Strawberry and Maple.  The maple ones turned out to be a bit too sugary, so I stowed it in the front pouch of my pack for later. 

  

As I ran I noticed my hips were a bit achy, but nothing I couldn’t handle. 

The next aid was the start line, which meant going over the two slight hills, a few road crossings, and a trip through the bunny tunnel—a 6’ high tunnel going under the width of Route 101.  Granted those would be some big bunnies, but I really think its used as a game trail, so that game can cross the highway without becoming a part of the road. 

At the Start line aid station I mao-ed down on food—after another visit to the Porta-loo.  I ate lots of stuff—pickle slices, potatoes with salt, chicken sandwiches, PB&J, as well as getting a refill on Tailwind.  There was also time to sit down, squat down, and get my leg muscles to move differently. 

Finally it was time for me to head out again—back towards Camp Tevya.  During this portion of the loop I began noticing more landmarks, in no particular order:

• Union St crossing
• Bunny Tunnel
• Armory St
• Hill #1
• Hill #2
• Ponds
• A boat
• Mt. Laurel along the trail
• A big parking lot
• A bridge that would be lined with pumpkins
• More road crossings
• The new section of trail we were allowed to use this year
• Small water falls
• The Marina
• Railroad Ties
• The sight of Lake Potanipo

I put all of these landmarks in order, and they became delineators in my mind.  I knew what I had left to see on the trail.  There were a whole set of moving markers as well—other runners I kept seeing and passing.  There was one gaggle of women that I kept encountering.  I saw and passed many women during the day, but this group stands out as they were constantly talking, and clustered together in a group of 5-7.  This translated to having to ask a bunch of people to move to one side, and also that I would not be able to enjoy some silence anywhere near them. 

Making it back to Camp Tevya, I was again greeted by my fiancé.  At this point I needed to shed some layers, the temperature had warmed up and I used this opportunity to lighten my load.  I also got a refill on tailwind—my own stuff, rather than the orange flavor they had at the Start line. I only spent 10-12 min this time through, and then back on course.

Stats: Camp to Start, 7.5 miles in 1h 36 min, 12.8 pace

Start to Camp, 7.5 miles in 1h 35 min, 12.7 pace

Miles 22.5 – 37.5:

Before leaving my first pacer, Michael, had said he would meet me somewhere on the course.  That was fine, even on a good day, he would be faster than me, and would surely be able to catch up.  I headed out of the Camp, walking the paved section until I hit the trail.  As I passed the building on the edge of the Camp I noticed a man carrying large pieces of padded foam—he was out bouldering on something, though I hadn’t really seen anything that he could have been climbing on. 

Finding the trail I continued to walk a bit longer.  Both of my hips were now achy, and as I didn’t want to push them to much, I continued on with my 12-13 pace run.  Ideally I wanted to keep running for 20 min, and then take a bit of a break.  However my knees were having other ideas.  During this journey toward the Start Line my knees began to ache after running for a time.  When they started to hurt, I would stop and walk, and then pick up running again when they calmed down. 

At the Power Lines aid station there were Pad Thai balls to be had—sort of like meatballs but with rice in them.  I also had some crackers, and took some with me—stashing them in the front pouch. 

The run to the Start Line was uneventful, other than I took in the scenery, and tried to remain otherwise silent in my head.  I attempted to say, “hello,” to everyone I saw—and everyone responds because that’s how close the ultrarunning community can be. 

The Start Line again provided me the opportunity to feast, and get more Tailwind water to refill my pack.  I chowed down on a lot of things—potatoes, sandwiches, pickles, as well as the big double stuff Oreos, and something else sweet than I can’t recall.  During this stop I knelt down and stared at the ground for a few minutes allowing the world around me drop away.  This is a calming exercise I do on occasion, letting me focus on the task at hand. 

After leaving the Start Line, the list of landmarks were becoming disjointed in my head, I know longer knew in what order I would be passing these markers.   But that seemed less important once I met up with my pacer.  He asked me about what I have been eating, drinking, how I am feeling, and how things are going with the race so far.  I find this is what a good pacer will do.  They aren’t there to just run alongside you, but also help you make good judgements so that you can make it to the next marker or checkpoint. 

On we travelled, down the path, making it to the Power Lines, and then back to the Start.  We talked about many subjects, most of which I shouldn’t speak of here.  Basically talked to keep ourselves entertained and just have fun!

Entering the start area, I knew another changed of clothes was needed, we were going into the overnight hours, and the cold was settling in the air.

My crew made sure to refill my water, even though I was sure I hadn’t used much of it.  I figured I was still at least 1/2 full, but I only had 0.5L left.  So more water and Tailwind.  I was able to eat some Mac & Cheese at the aid station, and sit down for a bit. 

This time with my crew I did a full waist up costume change, new sports bra, new thermal top, long sleeve, and hi viz jacket.  I also took gloves, headlamp, and stuck my fleece Balaclava in the pack.  (there’s a link here as to why I wear a sports bra)

Stats:  Camp to Start, 7.5 miles in 1h 42 min, 13.6 pace

Start to Camp, 7.5 miles in 1h 49 min, 14.5 pace

Miles 37.5 – 52.5:

As I walked out of the safety of my crew and towards the trail, my fiancé walked alongside me towards the darkness of the trail.  By this point the need for a headlamp was clear.  We chatted for a bit about how she was going to go for a rest, but would have her phone on if I should need to contact her.  As I approached the trail I thought for a moment that I should get my hiking poles, but I didn’t want to have to walk back and get them.  By this point my left hip and IT band were constantly aching, but walking for some of the time had helped.  My right hip was aching intermittently.  Both knees also ached when I ran for too long, but walking and stretching my quads were helping. 

Michael and I proceeded into the darkness.  The air had gotten cold, and the trail had become more lonely—there weren’t quite as many people out as I had thought there would be.  Since I had some nagging aches there was more walking than running as we set out—well maybe just half and half. 

The snowmobile bridge, which I had seen in the light of day, was now illuminated by flickering, glowing pumpkins.  The whole scene looked like an airstrip.  More pumpkins decorated an area just beyond the bridge, where the trail became more closed in. 

Another small grouping of pumpkins dotted the area around the Power Lines aid station.  The jaunt here seemed to take forever, and I knew that making it back was going to be even harder.  At the Power Lines Aid station I had some great soup, as well as some Pringles.  I also took the time to lean backwards while kneeling, in order to stretch the front of my hips.

The next bit was quite a blur, although I do remember seeing a line of 1 gallon milk jug containers lighting the path from Union St all the way to the Start Line. 

Getting to the Start Line afterwards seemed much long than any previous time.  I was able to sit down next to the fire at the Start Line, had a few cups of chicken soup, more potatoes, cookies, pickles, the usual lot of stuff—or double stuff as the case would be. 

After sitting by the fire some more, and a quick text to one of my crew members that we had made it to the start, we headed out again. 

Now clad in my balaclava, and jacket zipped to the top, we headed out for the woods again.  Between the start and the Power Lines my mood was taking a slide, I was getting frustrated with not being able to walk properly, and my bits of running were down to a stupid looking shuffle.  During this bit we also looked around for a long time trying to find a limb i could use as a walking stick.  A lone runner came the other way with two great big ones—he was definitely in some pain, and didn’t really say to much other than a bit of a grunt of acknowledgment.  I can’t really blame him, I found myself doing that much of the time during this trip back to the Camp as well. 

I hobbled into the aid, and told Michael, when we get back to the Camp, that was my end for this race.  Being a good pacer, he asked me if I was sure, and also if I was sure that I wanted to call my fiancé to let her know I was at my end.  But I was sure.  I knew the hobbling and scarcely running would only serve to injure be if I continued past this loop. 

I called, I told her that we were headed back to Camp, but it would still be about 2 hours.  I also texted my crew of my intentions and timetable.

Before leaving the Power Lines, I warmed myself by the fire.  There was only one part of me that wanted to get back to the Camp.  There was about  four voices in my head at the Power Lines:

• Body temp: I want/need to be warm
• Injury/Health: I want to not get injured
• Mental: I wanted to be around more people/out of the dark
• Strength: I want to take the challenging direction

The first 3 were telling me to go back to the Start line, as that was only 3 miles away.  But the 4th voice won out.  The 4.5 mile haul was going to take me about 2.5 hours, and the temperatures would only get colder, and my pace would most likely also slow.  However taking the challenging direction, the challenging road, is how I am able to expand my own borders.  This is why I run ultra distances.  Finding borders that go beyond distance and speed—and sometimes beyond physical space.  Splaying out with appendages beyond arms and legs, pulling in sensations, touches, and tastes of the unseen ether surround us.

Some point during this last stretch, the sky opened up and showered a bit.  Michael was also kind enough to give me a pullover shell, to help keep some of my body heat in.  I ran when I could, even though it was painful.  I ran so that I could generate body heat and keep my core temperature up.  The night became very cold, somewhere between 35 and 40 degrees.  I could almost swear that the rain that came down looked to be the consistencyy of sleet, thought at that point I wasn’t sure what I was going to see. 

During the last mile, another lone runner came up on us, it was my other pacer, Alex.  She had come looking for us.  She walked with us for a bit, and even ran back to the Camp to grab another coat for me.  After returning with a blue coat, I draped it around my shoulders, over everything else I had on.  Hobbling forward slowly, a large limb in one hand, and my other hand on Alex’s shoulder, she looked over and asked if I could whisper, “workds of wisdom to her,” as I had a very Moses/Gandolf look at that point.  Assuming Moses or Gandolf was a runner…

Finally the out buildings of the Camp came into view.  I made it.  Walking slow as ever, I walked to my crew.  Told them I really wanted to sit by the fire after letting the race people know my show was over.  The person in the race tent recording times tried to talk me out of it, but my mind was set.  I knew my pace had slowed to something stupid, and the progress I was making was not progress in my eyes.  I had said to myself that I did not was to be on a death march, walking and walking just to get miles in.  I was here to run, and I could no longer do that. 

Stats:  Camp to Start, 7.5 miles in 2h 27 min, 19.6 pace

Start to Power Lines, 3 miles in 1h 30 min, 30 pace

Power Lines to Camp, 4.5 miles in 2h 40 min, 35.5 pace

Once I sat by the fire, and began to warm up, my fiancé asked the final set of questions—the answers to which helped me recount the day and write this blog.  My crew congratulated me, a friend working the aid station congratulated me. 

I was happy to not have to face the cold dark woods again, and that my next stop was going to be a warm car and a warm bed. 

End of race injury list:

• left hip was very painful, difficult to walk up an incline, easier to walk up steps.
• the front of my right ankle was sore and hurt when i moved and put pressure on it. 
• knees were achy if I put too much weight on them—more than just my body weight. 
• left IT band was very tight
• left glute was achy.

The next day:

Taking several showers, having ibuprofen, and just doing basic joint movements has helped me tremendously since the night before.  After nearly 24 hours, I am able to climb steps easier, and move around my house fairly well. 

My continued injury list:

• left hip is achy, and hurts if do sudden movements
• there is an inflammation area on the top of my right knee cap, which is helped with an ice pack.
• my right ankle is a bit sore
• neck is mildly sore

Conclusion: I failed in achieving my goal.  This is important for me to say to myself.  I did fail.  But that doesn’t mean I didn’t learn something for it, or that I wouldn’t try it again after assimilating all of the data from my day out on the trail. 

Bright Points:  This is the first race where I didn’t trip over anything.  My shoulders and neck didn’t really bother me, I wasn’t straining any of those areas with he weight of the pack.  I never had GI distress, and I did eat at all of the aid stations, and everything stayed down.  Sugar balance felt right, salt balance felt right.  My emotions stayed in check.  I pushed myself beyond a limit—a physical distress limit.  I was able to observe another boundary, which took the form of frustration at not being able to run.  I look forward to tackling that one in the future.