Boulder Field 50K - September 14, 2024

 Never Heard That Before

"Is she the b___h with the big v____a?" comes the voice over the speakerphone on the trail.

Trail runners are an earthy bunch, and discussions of bodily functions ("what color was your urine?," "the vomit was mostly yellow liquid") are fairly common.  As are descriptions of body parts, but usually in the context of injuries, like cuts from falls, blisters, and encounters with poison ivy or cacti. But this is a first.

"You know, everyone out here on the trail can hear what you are saying. And yes, she's like that because she is in heat," comes the response.

The exchange relates to two dogs and identifying which one is to be picked up from the substitute dog sitter.  With the proper dog identified, the conversation concludes and the runners within earshot - and there were several - go back to the business at hand.

She's Baaack!

Emaad and I had planned to run Boulder Field 50K, partly as a training run for his Javelina Jundred 100M attempt at the end of October.  We did it in 2021, so we know the course and what to expect.

While we wait for a favorable weather forecast before signing up, I'm contacted by Jennifer, whom I've run a number of ultras with in the past.  But she has been sidelined, first with heart issues that affected her at the 2014 Black Hills 100K, then with chronic and seemingly incurable plantar fasciitis. It has been seven years since she ran an ultra - specifically Ran It with Janet 50K in 2017.  But she never gave up (one of her defining characteristics; see the 2014 Black Hills report and the 2014 Seneca Creek 50K report (running a 50K with a concussion and a broken tailbone, acquired BEFORE the race, not during)). But a surgical procedure corrected the heart issue and she persevered in finding a solution to the foot problem. Running the Maryland Heat Race 25K on August 17 convinces her she is ready for an ultra and we invite her to join us.

First and second AS

She says she isn't going to be fast and I'm glad to hear that; as neither am I.  Emaad's training is going to require him to put out a good effort, but I'm not going to be hurrying. My target is to finish under ten hours, well under the 14 hour cutoff.

First Loop

The course is a figure eight, with the start in the center.  The first loop is 13 miles and is itself a figure eight, with an aid station, visited twice in the center at miles 5 and 10.

I know that the first loop is hilly with some steep climbs, and so I take my trekking poles along. The plan is to discard them at the drop bags at the return to the start-finish for the second loop, which is longer but not as steep.

Race director Stephan counts down to the 7 a.m. start and we are off. Not exactly. Emaad and the other runners are off, but Jennifer has gotten delayed in the porta-potty lines due to the 18-mile runners who will start at 7:30 and are now arriving at the part.  I see her coming and wait as she puts her gear and trekking poles at the drop bag area.  Off we start, pretty much a bit behind everyone else.  But we quickly catch people in even less of a hurry than us.

Jennifer at waterfall.

Someone spots my Bull Run Run shirt and give a shout-out.  Soon we are going along with Bob, a 77YO VHTRC runner. We all exchange Bull Run Run stories, as Jennifer is a two-time finisher (it was where I first met her in 2011), I'm a seven-time finisher, and Bob is a 10-time finisher.  It turns out that we all share the same educational background as well. Bob raises goats on his 60-acre farm in Maryland, and Jennifer's mother is boarding goats at the family farm in South Dakota, so the two of them have a long conversation about goat behavior and farm equipment maintenance.  I concentrate of placing my poles in a way that benefits my forward progress, as I have nothing to contribute to either topic. 

Bob goes on as Jennifer and I stop to take pictures. As we go on we get passed by several fast runners who explain they had gotten lost and ran some extra miles. We, too, had gotten briefly off course earlier, but only for several yards, rather than miles.  It isn't a trail run unless you get lost or fall down.

After our second visit to the well stocked aid station (bacon! grilled cheese! fried potatoes! candy! cookies! more!) (mile 10; 3:03 ET) we get to the Shades of Death Trail that runs next to Sandy Spring Run.  I take out a gel and while I'm eating it and watching my footing, I clock my forehead on a low-hanging branch and wind up sitting on the ground. I'm OK, but take the opportunity to just sit on the ground, which leads to runners just behind us asking if I'm alright.  Assured that I am, they go on.

(Photo by E. Burki)

We shortly reach the waterfall formed by the old CCC dam.  It's a photo op, and I direct Jennifer to stand in the sunshine so her hair can glow golden. 

Another women comes along and we use her phone to document her visit to the waterfall.

Second Loop

Back at the start-finish I change me shirt and leave my trekking poles and drink some Coke at the aid station. (mile 13; 4:06 ET).

Off we go onto the second loop. I text Emaad to let him know we have left the start/ finish.  Forty minutes later (times may be inaccurate due to cell issues) he responds that he has crossed the boulder field.  

The first few miles follow the Gamewire Trail, gently but unmistakably uphill.  Jennifer and I walk much of it. Finally there is a runnable stretch and I promptly trip and fall.  "Hope I didn't land in poison ivy," I say.  "No," Jennifer replies, "it's vinca." Other than a few scratches I'm uninjured.

Complex carbohydrate hydration.

We resume running, catch up with another pair of runners and soon pass under I-476 and get on the Stage Coach Trail, which follows part of the old stage coach road from Albrightsville to White Haven.

In less than a half mile we arrive at the next aid station (mile 17, 5:10 ET). Eyeing the usual soda, water and sports drinks, I know, from my 2021 experience, what question to ask: "Do you have any other refreshments?" "Like this?" comes the reply. An affirmative response and I'm soon sitting in a chair enjoying the cool beverage. I inquire about a medical kit, and get to clean up the small scrapes that I acquired from my slight fall.  Fears of necrotizing fasciitis eliminated, I finish my hydrating beverage, and we are off again.

The stage road is wide, shaded and gently downhill and Jennifer and I take advantage of the terrain and run.

In a little more than a mile we come to the Boulder Field Trail and turn left onto it.  The trail is rocky and rooty, and we are once again reduced to a walk.  

In about two miles with reach the boulder field.

It is a remarkable 16.5 acre geologic feature (click on the link above for more on its geology). We have to cross about 100 yards from one side of the field to the other, carefully hopping from rock to rock.

Boulder Field two miles ahead.

There is an aid station (mile 20; 6:22 ET) on the other side, and while on sit on the tailgate of an SUV of one of the volunteers munching cookies and drinking soda, Jennifer reads the informative signs about the boulder field.

Based on our time crossing the field, we are about an hour and a half behind Emaad.

On to the aptly named Stone Trail and then the even rockier Boundary Trail and we largely continue walking.

In about three miles we get on Fourth Run Trail and running again becomes possible, so we do. But only for spurts as Jennifer is scanning the ground for acorns.  She explains that she is gathering acorns to start oak trees to plant on the family farm.  I volunteer to help and am instructed to look for green acorns that show no signs of having holes that are signs of acorn borers.  Further instruction is that the acorns should be put in water, and any that float discarded, and the remaining ones placed in the refrigerator in a sealed bag.

Fourth Run trail is aptly named.  We cross it once soon after getting on the trail, then twice more as we go through a tunnel under I-476, and then a final time further on.  The weather is pleasant enough, my Altra trail shoes drain well, and I make no effort to try to find dry ways across the run.

We reach the final aid station (mile 25.6; 7:59 ET), get our usual snacks and drinks of soda, refill the hydration pack and head off for the finish.

Much of the next couple of miles is runnable, so that is what we do.  Hilly or rocky sections get walked. another section of the Stage Coach Trail provides a smooth running surface, and at mile 30 we turn right onto the paved and appropriately named Return Road. It is downhill and we run at the fastest pace we have all day. A left turn takes us into the parking area toward the finish and we cross the line in 9:30:13.  Emaad is there to see us finish, having finished himself in 7:39.

Jennifer and I at the finish.
(Photo by E. Burki)

Results

Jennifer is awarded a trophy for fifth place in her age group. I receive a trophy for third in the 60-69 age group. There are several things wrong with this.  First, that isn't my age group. Second, there were no entrants in the race in that age group.  Bob, who we had run with early in the day was second in 9:07. A sprightly 72-YO won the age group in a fast 6:49. those young guys are hard to beat.  When I get home, I use gold paint and a black marker to change the AG on the trophy from 60-69 to 60+.

Overall, I'm 133 of 144; 96 of 100 male; and 3 of 3 in the 70+ age group.

My Garmin tells the story of our effort: 31.06 miles in 9:30:09 at an average pace of 18:22. According to the Garmin, we ran for 2:40, walked for 5:46 and were idle for 1:03 and had 3270 feet of total climb. We certainly took our time at the aid stations, and perhaps picture taking and acorn gathering added to the idle time.  But we executed the plan, which was to get to the finish.

On the way home we stop at Dairy Queen for some welcome treats.

Swag: sweatshirt, hat, bib, Wetterhaus,
AG trophy (altered).

Cotswold Way 100k - June 22, 2024

 Planning

Emaad and I take a surprisingly relaxed approach to the run-up to the Ultra Challenge Cotswold Way 100K. Sure, we are flying 3600 miles to run in an area we have never seen before, and our families are coming along on the trip (but certainly not to cheer us on) to England, and we are staying about an hour from the start which will entail driving on the 'wrong' side of the road to get there, but we are experienced enough ultra and trail runners to feel confident that we can comfortably finish under the 34 hour cut-off.  We ran a 60K in February, a 50K in May and I ran a trail marathon, also in May. So we are appropriately trained. Since we are doing the 'continuous' challenge (there is a two-day challenge, with an overnight stop between the two halves) we figure we should be done in 18-20 hours.

Only two things are of some concern: the weather (it's England, after all), with week-out forecasts calling for a 30 percent or so chance of showers, and the climbing.  According to the website, there is about 7200 feet of climb, most of it in the first half.  That seems like a lot, but it is rolling hills and we did Rim to River in the Grand Canyon last year, and that was 4800 feet of descent followed by 4500 feet of ascent.  Poles were necessary, but there was nothing "rolling" about the Grand Canyon - it was always down followed by relentless up.  I decide that poles will not be necessary.

Ready to start.

Starting

An uneventful drive takes us to the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester for the start of the race. Everything is well organized and we are directed to the parking near to the starting area. We get our bibs, route card and lanyards with our QR codes, hand in our drop bags for delivery to the midway rest stop and stroll to the start corral where our codes are scanned. There is a short briefing where we are told, amongst other things that some District Councils along the way have prohibited the race organizers from removing hazards along the way ("Watch your heads") or trimming overgrowth along the paths.  An enthusiastic trainer leads some stretching (I don't take part, wanting to conserve energy) and at 8 a.m., we are off.

The temperature is a bit cool and I am wearing arm sleeves, but they come off in a couple of miles.  The weather turns out near perfect, without a drop of rain and if anything, temperatures a bit on the warm side, with highs in the upper 70s.

We are shortly on a single track path with tall grass and bushes on either side.  It soon opens up onto the edge of a field and in a bit we pass some buildings between which is a pack of 20 or more young beagles with a couple of people.  Perfect for fox hunting, except fox hunting is banned in England.

Along the Thames
and Severn Canal.

We run - and walk - with people signed up for a variety of the events - full continuous 100K walkers and joggers (that's us, the full continuous runners apparently have started at 7 a.m.), two-day 100K, first half 50K. There is no apparent system to determine who started at which time.

Emaad and I go along in the company of a young couple and a pair of other challengers.  On the path alongside remnants of the Thames and Severn Canal I stop to take a picture of a tower. Running to catch up with the rest, the woman is on the ground, dripping blood from her forehead. Her hands are also a bit bloody. She cannot see the source of the blood from the wound and is disturbed by it as her companion tries to comfort her.  The others have also turned around to render assistance.  Fortunately her companion has a first aid kit with him and as it appears that she is in good hands and not seriously hurt, so the rest of us go on.

We shortly come to the Coates Portal of the canal tunnel, opened in 1789 and originally 2.2 miles in length.  Up and over the tunnel we go, and back on the path we see a Great Western Railway train zoom past.

St. Kenelm's Church, Sapperton.

Eating

In a bit we pass through Sapperton and arrive at the first aid station at the Edgeworth Polo Club (KM 12, 1:58 elapsed time).  As ultra runners we are used to good food at aid stations, but this is a step above.  There are a variety of pastries to choose from: pain au chocolat, raisin buns and other selections.

Rest Stop 1, Edgeworth Polo Club.

We enjoy breakfast without rushing and keep going. Since this is a challenge, and not a race, the mind-set of the entrants is different. Generous cut-offs means there is no pressure to get through the aid stations quickly and efficiently unlike last year's Rosaryville 50K.  We run and walk as appropriate for the course.  Hills are not hills, they are "walk opportunities."

We pass horses . . .

. . . cows . . .

The scenery and the course is varied.  We pass through fields with cattle, horses or sheep.  There are farm fields, some of which we go along the edge of, and in one case, diagonally across the rows of crops. We pass through the center of some villages and skirt along the edges of others, including some well tended gardens. Sometimes the path is along a sidewalk, or a wide field, or a dirt road, or a double track, and sometimes single track, not infrequently very narrow with tall grass rubbing against your legs.

. . . sheep . . .

. . . and more cows.

Lunch.

At Rest Stop 2, Painswick RFC (KM 23, 4:09 elapsed time) we stop for lunch. There is a selection of sandwiches - I take ham and cheese, Emaad selects egg and cress - crisps, cookies and soda.  We take our time eating at a table under a tent. We here the announcer greeting the finishers of the first quarter challenge.  Done eating, we top up our hydration packs and heard out again.

Happenings

I recall the following from the challenge, but the order in which they happened, and where they occurred is lost in the mists of time - or the fog of my memory.

A long line of competitors is going down a moderately steep, overgrown single track trail.  I start to loose my balance and slowly fall to my left into some brambles. I wind up propped up on them and someone reaches out a hand to help pull me up and out.  Not too badly scratched up, I spend the next few minutes picking small thorns out of my shirt.

Roses, clematis and more.

The course is particularly rolling, and unlike in the United States, where switchbacks are common for steeper sections, the paths tend to go straight up and down.  At one such downhill I joke that it is steep enough that it could be used for the Gloucester Cheese Rolling.

At another place we turn right off a country road and head toward a hill. Amy, one of the participants, has been on this path before, and warns that not only will be be going straight up, but that it will be steep enough that we may need hands as well as feet.  The path proves her right.

Passing through one small village we have to cross a two-lane road.  Emaad is ahead and looks left for oncoming traffic.  Perfectly rational - but not in the UK, where the traffic is coming from the right.  He dodges that one, only to now look to his right, when he should now be looking left. Despite this second error, he manages to arrive safely on the other side.

Moss-covered stone wall.

In addition to the green fields of the Cotswolds, the flowers and gardens are quite attractive. Someone has a row of alternating red and green maple trees, and building walls are often decorated with flowering plants.

Rest Stop 3 

Approaching Rest Stop 3 at Coaley Peak (KM 38, 7:35 elapsed time), we spy a mound. Initially I think it is a motte, but as we get closer we see a sign identifying it as the Nympsfield Long Barrow. The aid station is just a few hundred yards further along, and we stop to use the facilities, refill our hydration and get a snack.  In addition to the usual, the aid station has the equivalent of a small candy store, with about a dozen Lucite bins, each with a different kind of gummy candy within.  There are small paper bags one can use for the candy, or for popcorn which is also available. The aid station is situated on the edge of an escarpment offering views to the west.

Tyndale Monument

Tyndale Monument.

The course goes to and past two towers erected in the 19th century.

The first is the William Tyndale Monument, erected in 1866 in memory of the first man to translate and print the Bible into English.  He was rewarded for his efforts by being strangled and burned at the stake in Brussels in 1536. We pass by it about KM 51 and I relate the story to one of our fellow challengers.

This is just a couple of kilometers before we arrive at the next rest stop.

Rest Stop 4
Wotton Community PARC marks the halfway point (KM 53, 12:02 elapsed time). Given that it has taken about 12 hours to go just over half the course, it is clear that our 18-20 hour target is no longer realistic.  But this is a challenge not a race, so we are not rushing.  We sit down to a meal of spaghetti with bolognaise sauce, a roll and a soda.

Somewhere on
the Cotswold Way.

We retrieve our drop bags but I don't see a need for changing socks or shirt and just take a couple of extra gels in case I need them between aid stations. I also get the extra batteries and lights for use when the sun has set.

This also marks the point where participants doing the first half challenge, the two-day 100k challenge and the second quarter challenge are done for the day.  Only left are those of use in the 100K continuous.  From now on, there will be fewer persons to chat with along the course.

The Fleece Inn

Emaad has plans to stop a pub during our run, and has noted a couple on his pace card.  But as we pass thru the village of Hillesley (about KM 61), the patrons outside The Fleece Inn encourage us to drop in. We have been going for 13 hours (it is about 9 p.m. but still light), so it isn't a hard decision.  They recommend a local ale and Emaad and I each order a half pint (we still have a way to go). We encourage other participants passing by to stop in, but none do. Although many of the patrons may consider us peculiar for a number of reasons - Americans coming to England to trek 100K - one is a long-distance cyclist and we trade stories of ultra events, either on foot or by wheel.

Emaad finishes his beer and I finish half of mine and it it time to continue.  

Somerset Monument.

Somerset Monument

About KM 65 (by my GPS, by the course markings it may have been KM 59 or so) we come to the monument to Lord Robert Edward Somerset, built in 1846. He was a British officer, eventually attaining the rank of general, who fought in the Napoleonic Wars and served as a Member of Parliament. 

The path there has great views of the River Severn and the Severn and Prince of Wales Bridges crossing from England to Wales.

As we go on night begins to fall. Sunset is 9:30 p.m., which means civil twilight lasts until close to 10 p.m.

There was a street
named "The Street."

Rest Stop 5

We arrive at the Hawkesbury Village Hall rest stop (KM 62.5, elapsed time 14:14). There are a couple of participants sitting down, but we refill our liquids, use the porta-loo, get a snack or two, and go on. It's 15.5 KM to the next rest stop. I plug my phone into the compact battery charger I brought along as the phone is almost fully discharged.

Although night has fallen, the course is well marked with glo-sticks, which are particularly helpful where it crosses open fields.

Earlier in the day Emaad had pointed out that I was leaning to the left.  This had happened to me once before, at the 2017 Edinburgh Marathon.  I wasn't aware of it then and I'm not aware of it now.  But I try to correct by consciously leaning to the right to straighten up.

For the first three or four miles out of the rest stop I'm fine. But my back begins to hurt, and I'm feeling tired. Not only am I running less and walking more, but I'm walking more slowly.

Amy passes us around mile 46. She is using poles and I think that if I can use them for a bit, to the next rest stop I'll get enough relief.  I ask her if I can borrow them but neglect to say only to the next aid station.  She declines, noting they are expensive Leki poles.  I understand, as the poles I had decided not to bring are also Lekis.  She goes on, then stops, turns around and offers me one.  I thank her and take it, figuring I'll catch up to her at Rest Stop 6 and return it.

My stamina continues to erode, as does my pace. Mile 45 is 24 minutes; mile 46 is 26:36, mile 47 is over 31 minutes. As we enter the village of Leighterton, I have to stop and sit on a low wall. We get thru the village and on the other side transit a field and climb over a stone stile.  I get halfway over and call for a two or three minute rest. Mile 49 takes almost 34 minutes.

The path on the other side of the stile is narrow, overgrown with tall grass and between a low stone wall and a wire fence. It is hard enough to move along, but the grass grabbing at my ankles is further torment.  Once, maybe twice, I tell Emaad I have to rest, and sit down in the grass for more breaks.  Some more participants come along, inquire of my situation, and assured that I'm not injured and have someone with me, move on.

It seems interminable, but we eventually exit onto a grassy field with a slight downhill.  I muster some strength and run - or at least fool myself into believing I'm running. The pace continues to deteriorate. Mile 50, including the horridly overgrown stretch, takes 42 minutes.

No question now that I won't be going on once I reach the rest stop. I tell Emaad that he can go on if he wishes, but he declines, gallantly claiming that he has achieved his time-on-feet goal.

A course marshal meets us about a half mile from the rest stop. The participants who had passed us reported that there was a runner in distress (me) behind and she was coming out to see if assistance was needed.  I appreciate the help and twice more stop to rest, once sitting on the ground on her generously provided poncho and a second time on a stone wall near the path. 

Rest Stop 6

Arriving at the Beaufort Polo Club rest stop, (KM 78, 19:31 elapsed time) I report to the medical tent.   

Rather than telling me that I will not be allowed to go on, the technician asks some questions about how I feel.  I answer and tell him that I'm done. There will be no need for a awkward conversation.

The rest stop captain delivers a surprising bit of good news.  We will not be a 100K DNF (even if that is what we are). Instead she informs us that since there is a 3/4 challenge event, and we have completed the 3/4 distance, she will report us to headquarters as 3/4 challenge finishers.

Not surprisingly, Amy is nowhere in sight and I'm concerned about getting her pole back to her. The helpful rest stop captain assures that they will get it to the finish for her to retrieve there.

 

To the Finish

There is a small bus to take us back to the start/finish that is ready to leave.  I'm handed a paper plate with several pieces of pizza. Another couple is already on the bus. The rest stop captain hands Amy's pole to the bus driver and off we go, stopping somewhere on the course to pick up another runner who could not continue.

At the finish we are given our finisher's medal and shirt.

It's already light when we arrive as sunrise is 4:49 a.m.

We get in the car and I drive us back to Oxford, only nicking curbs on the lefthand side of the road a couple of time.

Epilogue

Deciding not to bring poles was, I believe, a major contributing factor to failing to complete the 100k.  Not only do they provide stability, but they also shift exertion from the legs to the upper body and likely would have prevented my listing. We had done about 6580 feet of climb and about a corresponding amount of descent. Maybe 30 to 40 percent of the participants used poles.

After the event I contacted Ultra Challenge to see if Amy retrieved her trekking pole. There was no pole in the lost and found afterward, so perhaps she got it.  Looking at the results I identified a possible Amy and a probable Amy and reached out to them on the Ultra Challenge Club Facebook group and messaged them on FB Messenger but have not received any responses. 

If you are the Amy please contact me.  I want to express my appreciation for your unselfishness toward a stranger in distress.  

Swag: bib, QR code and lanyard, route card, buff,  3/4 challenge finishers' medal,
finisher's shirt with May [sic] 2024 date

Dirty German 50K - May 11, 2024

 Weather or Not

Emaad and I wait until Tuesday before the race before signing up for the Dirty German 50K. The forecasts for Saturday are uncertain and changing from day-to-day and neither of us want to run in a steady rain.  The forecasts gradually reduce the probability of precipitation to showers later in the day and we decide to go. Forecasted showers in the days preceding the race suggest there may be mud, but that is of little concern.

Waiting for the start. Neither the buff nor
the shirt made it to the start line.

We drive to Philadelphia Friday, stopping in Media to visit some of Emaad's college friends, and arrive at out hotel, which is about 10 minutes from where the race will start in Pennypack Park. Pasta dinner at an Olive Garden across the street from the hotel is followed by a visit to a grocery store around the corner to get some items for breakfast (and TastyKakes to bring home) round out our evening.

Uber Hans entertains at the start.
He showed up on the course later.

At the Start

A quick ten minute drive gets us to Pennypack Park and a parking spot on the street a three minute walk to the start.  We get our bibs and shirts and claim some space on the lawn by the start-finish line. I dressed on the prediction that the morning would be cool. but as we wait for the 50-mile runners to start it is clear that the day won't be chilly.  I change from a long sleeve shirt to a short sleeve one and remove my buff.

We watch the 50-mile runners off at 0730 and at 0800 we are off.  The flat beginning narrows down, and we mostly walk single or double file.  As the field spreads out I try to keep up with Emaad, but he is a man on a mission and takes off.  I had forgotten that he said he was going to try to run quickly.  I plod on.

Pennypack Creek.

The course is a bit different than when we ran it in 2019, and seems to be significantly less hilly.  I'm mostly running alone, but I chat, as I am wont to due, with any runners that I catch up with or who catch up with me.

Despite the rain earlier in the week, the course is not particularly muddy, with only an occasion spot or a small puddle on some of the sections of trail along the creek.

Even though it has been five years since running the race last, the trails are pretty familiar.

The first aid station (about mile 4.5) is well stocked with the usual ultra food of cookies, salty things and candy, but also with freshly fried bacon and grilled cheese sandwiches. I joke with the volunteers that while the bacon is excellent, it would be even better if there was chocolate to dip it in.

Flowers.

Team Father - Daughter

About mile 14, or a couple of miles from the end of the first loop, I come upon a man and a younger woman running together on the paved section of the trail.  A glance at their bibs reveals that they are in the 50-mile race.  It turns out that they are Rob and Anna, and he is her father.  Originally Anna's mother was going to run with her, but an injury forced her to drop out, and the ever-accommodating race director Stephan allowed Rob to take her place.  This is Anna's first ultra and she is concerned about making the cutoff at the end of the second loop (50-mile runners have to run three loops, including a mini-loop, to the two loops of 50K runners).  Rob is an experienced ultrarunner, with a 100-miler and two 100Ks to his credit and does not seem as concerned.  I express confidence that they will be fine as well.

Back to the start-finish, I head out on the second loop while they stop by their drop bags.  It isn't long before they catch up to me and it is a chance to re-tell my oft-told tales to new ears.

In the meantime I have texted Emaad to ascertain his lead over me.  He replies and seems to be about 15 to 20 minutes ahead.

I mention my fear of necrotizing fasciitis - along with that of ticks and poison ivy - and hit the jackpot! Rob is a military doctor, and has treated cases of the flesh-eating bacterial infection.  He provides advice on ways to reduce the risk of getting it.

The trail along Pennypack Creek.

We come to the turnoff for them to do the mini-loop and I go on.

After several more miles Anna catches up with me without Rob.  She has decided that she needs to assure making the second loop cutoff and has pushed on.  She passes me and is soon gone.

Levitating to the finish.

I go on too.  Emaad texts that he finished in 6:57.  I reply that I have another two or three miles to go.

Soon the finish is in sight and I see Emaad ready to take pictures. Feeling frisky, I hop into the air, then run to the finish, crossing the line in 7:38.  I collect my Wetterhaus for being first in my age group (and last, and only) and seek out Stephan for a picture with the race director.  I get a bratwurst and potato salad to ear and head back to our chair.

Next to us, Rob is seated.  I ask him if he intends to continue.  He confirms that, as he prepares to head out on his third loop.  He has only a few minutes to spare, but experiences runner that he is, knows he does not need to rush.  We cheer him on as he heads out.

Results

I finish in 7:38:18, good for 153/181 overall, 104/118 males and 1/1 in my age group.  I'm the oldest finisher. I'm also four and a half minutes faster than five year ago, but the may largely be due to the course being easier, the weather better, and not lingering at the aid stations.  

Age group Wetterhaus award with
RD Stephan Weiss.

Emaad finishes 45 minutes faster than five years ago.

And Anna and Rob? Rob catches up with her somewhere on the third loop and they finish the 50-miler together in 12:28.

Swag: zipper shirt, Wetterhaus, medal, hat and bib.

 

Farm Park Challenge Marathon - May 4, 2024

Bigfoot, or bare foot, or little Bigfoot?

Century!

I ran my first marathon, the now-defunct Frederick Marathon, on April 30, 2006. Today, completion of the Farm Park Challenge Marathon marks my 100th marathon or longer race. More details below, but let's get to the sloppy details first.

Weather or Not

The forecast for race day remains unsettled as the day approaches.  The probably of showers yo-yos up and down but never disappears. Temperatures are predicted in the low 50s. It sounds like perfectly miserable running conditions.  But registration remains open until 1159 Thursday evening, so I wait to hear the 11 p.m. TV weather forecast before making a final decision. When the forecaster says that he does not think Saturday will be a rain-out, I sign up. Showers are manageable.  And I had run FPC in 2022 under similar conditions, so I knew what to expect and how to prepare.

Repeat five times.

I bring three bags: one with dry clothes and a towel for when I'm finished, one with four shirts and hats, three buffs, a pair of socks and towels for in-race changes, and an empty one to put wet clothes in.

Friday night, after turning in, I'm awakened by the sound of a downpour and thunder, with lightning flashing. I figure it is 1better to get that over with before the race begins.

The morning is cool and there is a sight drizzle and I put on tights, a pair of long-sleeve shirts, a buff and gaiters to keep mud from my shoes. To minimize time at aid stations I use my hydration pack, which also provides pockets to carry gels and other food, and most importantly, a poncho.  Before we start I put on gloves.

The only stream crossing, just before the turnaround.

Out and Back (Repeat five times)

There are three other events at the challenge in addition to the marathon: 3-, 6-, and 10-hour challenges, each of which require the entrants to complete the 5.1ish mile out and back within an hour, then do it again starting at the top of the next hour.  Marathoners have the luxury of not having to meet the one hour requirement, and have the full ten hours to finish.

The 17 marathoners start at 650. It is not quite raining but not quite not raining either. The grassy sections of the course quickly get my feet wet, but the dirt single and double track are not muddy. Since the field is small it quickly sorts itself out. There will be little or no passing or changing places after the first couple of miles. I catch no one and no one catches me.

Turn-around.

The ten 10-hour competitors and the 39 6-hour competitors start ten minutes behind us at 7 a.m.  Within a couple of mile the leaders have caught and passed me.

Almost at the turn-around there is a small stream crossing, but conveniently located rocks make it possible to cross without getting wet feet. The faster runners don't waste time doing that and simply dash across.

Back we go, and I finish the first lap in 1:03.  This gives me a 7 minute head start on not only the 10- and 6-hour challengers, but also on the 27 3-hour challengers, who join us for the next three laps.

It doesn't take long for the challengers to catch up with me and then pass.  I exchange greetings with familiar faces, both passing me and returning toward the finish while I am still outbound.

"Crowded" second lap.

The rain picks up on the second loop and I put on my poncho.  It helps keep me from getting too much wetter, although I'm already a bit wet from the mist and light drizzle.  

At the end of the second lap (1:15) I go to the car and change my shirt and hat.  It is refreshing to feel partly dry, even if that won't last for too long.

As the day proceeds the course becomes increasingly muddy.  Puddles start to appear. The temperature is stuck in the low 50s, and I put my gloves back on. That is a bit of a struggle, as they are wet and my hands won't slide into them.  It takes a combination of tugging, pulling and interlocking fingers to get them on.

First lap not muddy.

Sloppy fifth lap.

Back to the start/finish at the end of the third lap (1:13) and back onto the course.  More muddy, and on the way back the rain picks up again the the poncho comes out again. With four laps finished (1:20) it is back to the car to once again change the wet shirt and dripping hat.

Back for my fifth lap, there are fewer runners on the course as the 4-hour challenge entrants and finished and the remaining 10 and 6-hour challenge runners are on their sixth lap. In fact, the 6-hour challengers will finish their event before I have made it back to the start/finish at the end of my fifth lap, and I'll see the remaining 10-hour challengers headed outbound while I approach the end of my fifth lap.

But the end of my fifth lap is not the end of the marathon.  There is still a mini out and back to complete. It is a mini-lap that has gotten longer than last year.  I'm confused by it, as the laps are pretty much the same course as last year.  Now, however the extra bit is about a mile. But no sense complaining; in trail races the distance is what the race director says it is. So I run and walk it, and return to the finish for the final time in 6:34:27.

On the course.

Finished now, it is the first time all day I take advantage of the aid station, getting an Athletic non-alcoholic beer and two slices of pizza. A volunteer offers to warm up the slices, and I accept. Even with the warm pizza, tt isn't long until I start to get cold. I'm wet, the temperature is in the 50s and I've stopped running.  It is shades of the 2015 Madrid Marathon.  Quickly going to the car, I change into my dry clothes, put on my hoodie and turn on the seat warmer and heated steering wheel for the drive home. The hot shower there (after a clothes-on shower to remove mud) finally warms me up.

Results

Of the 17 marathoners, I'm 12 of 17 overall, 11 of 12 males, and 1 of 1 in my age group. Six of 10 finish the 10-hour challenge; 32 of 39 the 6-hour challenge and 22 of 27 the 3-hour challenge.

Century

As I noted at the top, this is my 100th event of at least a marathon or longer. According to my records, I've run 37 marathons, both road and trail, 44 50Ks, a 32-miler, two 55Ks, two 60Ks, twelve 50-milers and two 100 Ks. I've DNF's at a 100k, two 50-milers, and two 50Ks.  I've run in nine of the United States and three European countries, 

It wasn't what I planned when I ran that first marathon.  That was a check the box event, partly spurred on by a feeling of missing out, and partly from listening to my internal clock ticking. and I did not know that it would lead first to more marathons, and then to trails.  But it did, and it has become a part of me that I'm not ready to give up.

In fact, I've got a 50K planned for the weekend following Farm Park Challenge.  That report is forthcoming. 

Swag: Shirt, 20-oz. glass, car magnet, bib, 2 non-alcoholic beers.

Black Canyon 60K - February 11, 2024

Water Crossing I

"There's a river down there," I note, "and this car isn't getting across it."

We are in line to go to packet pickup for the Black Canyon 60K at Deep Canyon Ranch the day before our Black Canyon 60K, but the cars ahead of us hint at a bottleneck on the unpaved road down to the field below.  Glancing to the head of the line we see why - cars need to go single file and one at a time to ford Black Canyon Creek, swollen with rain from the previous days. There is no way that I'm going to attempt the ford with our rented Mustang convertible.

Cold at the start.

We park at the top of the road and walk to the creek, where we hitch a ride across with someone willing to risk their somewhat higher rental car.

After gathering our bibs and swag we watch some of the leaders of the 100K come thru the aid station at Deep Canyon Ranch before retracing out steps to the creek to hitch a ride back to the other side.  At the Mustang with talk with a couple in a BMW Z4 facing the dilemma we had confronted.  We give them our parking place so they can hitch a ride, and we head back to the rental car center at the airport to exchange the Mustang for a Ford Escape, which we figure probably can get across the creek in the morning, where we need to be to get the bus to the start of the point-to-point course.

At 9:35 Saturday night I get an email that because "the buses will not cross a flowing stream" the parking location has been changed.  That's a relief and I can go to bed with one less thing to keep me awake the night before the race.  Even so, sleep pre-race takes its usual fitful course.

Leaving Mayer High School.

Starting Off

Parking and boarding the busses is easy, even in the pre-dawn darkness.  It is chilly, and the bus ride is long, at least a half hour.  The bus is cold even full of runners.  The eastern horizon gradually starts to lighten as the bus labors up the 2000 foot ascent of I-17 toward Mayer High School.

Off the bus at 6:40, the temperature is a frigid 26 degrees.  I huddle in the lee of the school's doors, trying to stay warm before the start. Finally we go to the start line, and at 7 a.m., run a lap around the dirt track, which is mostly frozen mud with a frozen puddle toward the end.  Around the school, onto local streets and we head out a couple of miles to get onto the Black Canyon Trail.  The sun is just about peeking over the horizon, but a steady wind from the northeast keeps it chilly. 

Michele leads us early.

It is nice to get off the hard surface of the road, but the trail is reminiscent of running on dinosaur tracks, as the 100K runners on Saturday had churned up mud, which froze overnight.  Now we have to navigate over thousands, no tens of thousands, of frozen footprints.  Caution is the word for this part, as a misstep could result in a twisted ankle or worse.

But after awhile the mud section is finished and the trail is generally smooth with a bit of rolling up and down.  Discussions begin with runners travelling at the same pace, including with Michele, who is not only a veteran 100-mile runner, but the owner of Ornery Mule Racing, which puts on a number of iconic 100-mile races in the mid-West.  We exchange stories, including why trail running is better than road running (no mile markers, better scenery, no repetitive running motion, better aid station food, nicer people).

Welcome to the trail.

At mile 7.7 we reach the Antelope Mesa aid station.  I'm warmed up enough to discard the Little Hottie hand warmers from my gloves.  

Enjoy the Scenery and the Companionship

The first part of the course was a bit of up and down with only about a net down of about 100 feet.  Now we have serious downhill, dropping nearly 900 feet over the next 5.2 miles to the Hidden Treasure Mine aid station.  Part of the course is alongside a canyon with a creek at the bottom.  I inquire if it it Black Canyon. None of the other runners seem to know. (It turns out to be Antelope Creek.) View to the west reveal peaks covered with snow.

About a quarter mile from the aid station a female runner comes hustling by. Normally, a dozen miles into a trail race, getting passed, or passing another runner happens infrequently and in slow motion. But she volunteers an explanation that perhaps only is the sort shared by perfect stranger trail runners with each other, "Gotta hurry, gotta get to the portapotty!"

At the aid station is a women sitting being attended to by the medical staff. She's suffering some ankle pain and they tell her that they cannot provide any medication to her, but perhaps another runner may have something to offer.  I overhear it and offer her a couple of ibuprofen while the medical staff studiously scans the far horizon for coyotes.  Hours later she will pass pass us, her ankle feeling better.

Over the next stretch Emaad and I spend some time leapfrogging and running with Amanda and Carol, a pair of Canadian runners.  Both are using trekking poles. As usual we chat and share stories with them as we go along.

Snow covered peaks to the west.

As we continue to descent, the vegetation changes, most noticeably with the cacti.  Near the top of the course there were only some prickly pear cacti, and maybe some barrel cacti.  But a bit further down we start to see the dreaded chollas, notorious for barbs that stick with you. And in awhile with come across the iconic saguaros.

It is about 6.5 miles to the next aid station and I pull out my pace card to see how far more we have to travel.  I made the pace card to keep track of the cut-off times, but the generous 12 hours to finish should mean there shouldn't be an issue.  Indeed, we were 25 minutes ahead of the cutoff at the first aid station, then 35 minutes ahead at Hidden Treasure AS and I stopped thinking about it the rest of the day.

Emaad in the saguaros.

But looking at the pace card means not looking at the trail, and in one misstep gravity pulls me down.  I sit on the ground and note blood from my left palm, and some scrapes on the right forearm and right knee, and some soreness in my right shoulder.  Emaad picks up the pace card. Amanda and Carol ask if I'm OK. I sit - it is curiously relaxing as I look at the mountains in the distance - and evaluate.  I assure them I'm alright and tell them to go on. After a minute I get up and put my left glove on to protect the scrape there. and wrap my buff around my right palm as protection in case I fall again.

At the Bumble Bee aid station (mile 19.4) I get my drop bag, dispose of my buff, gloves and two shirts, and realize that I've lost my warm hat, perhaps when I fell. With my shirt off I wave to the medical staff and a tech comes over and cleans  my scrapes.  I put on a clean shirt from the drop bag and Emaad and I go hit the trail again, where we accompany Amanda and Carol on the climb out of Bumble Bee.

Bumble Bee is in a valley, and we have a 300 foot climb out the other side.  But once there, it is mostly level, with a little bit of rolling.  We pass through some areas with saguaros,  The weather is getting warm,

and I've decided that I'll take my tights off at the next aid station.

Arriving at Gloriana Mine aid station (mile 24) I enter a portapotty for the tights removal, and tie them around my waist.  It is almost 9 miles to the next aid station and I make sure to fill my pack with a mixture of water and sports drink.

Emaad and I leapfrog with a young guy (32 YO; Garrett?) who seems - brave? unprepared? - for an ultra.  That is, he is running minimalist, with no water or nutrition.  He is relying on the aid stations, but now the day is getting warm, there is no aid station for 9 miles, and at our pace, that is going to take hours (turns out to take 3:03).  But he seems content and is making as good progress as we are and goes on ahead.

Creek crossing.
(Photo by E. Burki)

Water Crossing II

The course descends a bit and we spy him ahead. He is taking his shoes and socks off to cross Black Canyon Creek that is flowing fairly rapidly.  Observing him we can gauge the depth of the water - about mid calf - and the speed of the flow.  As he sits on the other side to put his footwear back on, I veer off a bit to take pictures of Emaad crossing, and once he is on the other side, I enter the water. Neither of us contemplate removing shoes or socks, and look forward to getting out feet cooled off.  The water is muddy, and one cannot see the bottom, so I tread carefully, getting each step firmly planted before taking the next step. 

We overtake our minimalist friend as we proceed through cow gates making sure they are closed behind us.

After a few more miles the course heads downhill alongside some drainage.  Unfortunately the trail is very rocky, as if itself is sometimes an intermittent watercourse, and the chance to run a nice downhill is lost to avoid the chance of turning an ankle.

Off in the middle distance to the east we can see traffic on I-17. And after a bit more we can see structures in Black Canyon City.  In a few miles we arrive at the Kay Mine aid station (mile32.8). Although we still have 5.2 miles to go, it almost seems like we are done. We see runners who have completed the out-and-back to the Agua Fria River headed to the finish.

I have some Coke and add some water to my pack, Emaad refills his bottles, having run dry on the stretch from Gloriana Mine AS, and an aid station worker insists that our friend carry a water bottle for the journey to the river.

At last!

Part of the two miles to the river is on mining roads, and we pass active mine shafts (not working on Super Bowl Sunday).  Our progress seems glacial, even though we are mostly on roads that are runnable.  Finally there is dry Slate Creek ahead and for a brief moment I think it is the river. But no, we descend to the creek bed and have to ascend the other side to cross a small ridge to the Aqua Fria. Finally we get to the riverbank, run around the turnaround sign, and head back.

My lack of training is taking its toll. Having run only 52 miles in the entire month of January is not a good base for 60K at the beginning of February.  I'm pretty tired and not enjoying the return to Key Mine.  But what choice does one have?

(When we were initially incoming to Key Mine there was a runner who had been to the river telling a volunteer that he was hurting and wanted to drop.  The volunteer told him that he only had 1.3 miles to the finish, downhill and on a dirt road rather than a trail and urged him to go on.  The runner started out but was soon back, saying he could not make it. Sometimes there are choices.) 

We go through Key Mine AS, not stopping. The unpaved road takes us down to Deep Canyon Ranch.  We run the downhills, slowly.  Onto the flat we can see the finish ahead but resume walking.  Finally, with a few hundred yards to go, Emaad begins to run.  I keep walking, until with  20 yards or so to go, and a photographer waiting at the finish, I run across the line and receive my wooden finisher's award.

The Data

Emaad's "sprint to the finish" allows him to be more than a minute ahead of me, in 11:16:48. He could have been much further ahead if he hadn't stayed with me throughout the day. Amanda and Carol are 15 seconds behind me. The minimalist is about five minutes back, and Michele paces herself to an 11:30 finish.

I finish in 11:18:00, good for 324 of 341 overall, 187 of 196 males, and 3 of 3 in my age group. I'm tied for oldest finisher.  There were 34 DNFs.

Epilogue

I can barely climb into the raised Dodge Ram pickup that takes us across the creek to the parking at Chileens on 17.  Emaad and I go inside to get something to eat and have a beer.  Although it is Super Bowl Sunday and the game is in full swing, there are no TV's inside and the restaurant is not crowded.  We are glad to have the Ford Escape rather than the Mustang, as with our tired legs, getting into, and especially out of, a low ride would have been difficult.

We arrive at our friend Sara's house just in time for the coin toss for overtime of the game. 

Swag:
shirt, buff, waterproof bag, bib, finisher award, Squirrels Nut Butter, pace card.