Stolen from my buddy Rick |
selfie with the best view on the trail |
best view on the trail minus me |
Back to the race, I had unfinished business with the course. The course was changed this year, no longer going through the swamp that ate people alive.Those bugs destroyed peoples legs through 2 pairs of pants in the night. So there was a bunch to get prepped for with the environment, last year the bug spray did not effect those mutant VT bugs. This year the weather was changing all the time, but it kept looking like rain and thunder storms most of the weekend, so that is scary, when it is also supposed to be brutally hot and muggy, so yeah, scary conditions to run for 2 days straight! Luckily for me, it did not rain at all! I am beyond happy that I have good clothes, I had a cooling shirt and hat, they lasted me for the first 50 miles, with no problems, and running shorts without underwear, it helps when you are in oppressive heat for that long. I changed my shirt and shorts at the 1/2 way mark, another cooling shirt, it makes a world of difference, I saw 2 people post they got readings of a high temp in the 100 range! My watch got me in the high 90's and average in the high 80's, I do not know the humidity, but it was high!
2 miles left on the big loop, what a treat! |
just over 50m in Photo:Vince |
These were pretty cool to run by |
After my third Marathon was completed I was not in high spirits, those that know me, know that does not happen often a friend even asked where my smile went! Well the heat got to me, pretty bad too. Though not as bad as others! Thankfully I stayed on top of hydration and electrolyte pills, they really saved me, I am not usually good in heat when it comes to running, especially this early in the season. But a few friends saw the look on my face, and I said I was unsure if I was going to continue, and I was told that I "would be thrown back on course" (Lisa, and probably Rick, and maybe more) and if I "wrote drop on the board it would be erased"! (Marc) and talked with ,y friends, not one questioned my ability to finish! I was just drained, and needed food, not the same pb&j double decker I made to eat at the start of each lap. Luckily, my friends took a drive to get food, and brought me back a sub! (Thanks again Marc and Vince) Just what I needed, new food, I also ate a double burger and then went out again to start my final marathon, only this time, I was running again, not fast hiking, but running a decent amount of the 7 miler! this is important to not, because the loop before, for about 10 miles, all I did was walk, slow hike, I was loosing my speed! Then after the short loop I fixed my feet again (Thanks to Tom for having everything I needed, and helping me out!). An important thing to note, I was offered to skip the 7 miler to go and do the 20 miler, that way I would still get my buckle, but there were so few people that were going for the 108 that I stood a chance to be place, I could not pass that up! Then the final 20 came, and I was booking it, I wanted to do good, and I had energy, I do not know how, as I woke up around 530 on race day, and no sleep, at all, for about 2 days, I have never done that before, but the right people, the right environment, and the right activity was perfect! I did not get any hallucinations like I thought would be cool for the experience, but I did see outlines of things that were not there in the dark, and in the daytime. Also, one of the few complaints I had, they moved one of the water stops about 1/2 mile back, and never said anything to those runners that had been out there. So when I ran out of water about 2 or 3 miles before I got there, I panicked when it was not there. Until saturday the aid stations were not manned except the last one. they move the first one because people were messing with it or something. Anyway, back to my freak out, luckily I had passed a camping area, I saw lights, and heard people talking. so I went off course, found them, the were very kind and gave me about a liter of water. enough to get me going again. then trying to find the trail I got lost!! I had a mini panic attack as I circled the area all together about 2 miles, and added all the time I shaved off in the first 5 miles of the loop (I did 5 miles in an hour, I wanted to pass people). I finally find the road, but not before circling woods, and soaking my feet in wetlands. when I got to the road I texted my friend (oops sorry Hannah), and my phone said it never went through, luckily I followed the roadand found the trail and went back on, no more problems! the funny part is that I went over the course, but the markings for the catamount trail were not clear enough, and the trail was so narrow that I could not tell at 12 or 1am. Then I found where the aid station was, gave my bib and name, got more water and a snack and moved on, crisis averted! well kinda. Also, I have to note, that it was the only time I got lost, the trails were marked very well, and after so long on them I did not have to look up, even at night, it was great!
this doll was reposed a few times |
creepier at night, but still cool |
Oh I almost forgot, They like to put weird stuff on course to mess with you, like clowns, dolls, masks, and whatnot, it is hilarious!
I can not tell you enough how happy I am with actually finishing my 4th ultra, after failing a shorter one last year, it really is all in your head! And I got all kinds of support from friends, it has been amazing!
There were a number of things I had that really made it possible to finish the race they work for me, it is not the only way, just my way.
GPS Watch: My garmin fenix is a wonderful, but expensive watch, I was able to set timers so that I remembered to drink water (every 20 min, and when thirsty) Food every hour of activity, and then also when I ate, I took a few electrolyte pills, I used both salt sticks and hammer pills, I can not tell a difference, they both helped, and I had no cramps, despite being in the 90's, and humid, muggy grossness for most of the weekend. it also helps to know your pace, so you know if you are going to fast or slow.
because why not? |
Also the right gear, running gear that has a cooling effect and builtin spf, I had Nike shirts, and an outdoor research hat, they helped!
Carry a wide variety of food, it saves you, for on course food and in between laps, there really are only so many pb&j sandwiches you can eat in 2 days, and I never thought I would say that about Peanut Butter!!! I carried: Power bars, Cliff bars, Stinger waffles, Picky Bars, I had Nuun for in between laps, as I can not run with much other than water, one day I will try tailwind.
Also SOCKS!! All of them! I used 4 pairs of Injinji, and 2 pairs of darn tough socks, AND THERE WAS NO RAIN, but there was mud on parts of the course, my feet were mostly dry for most of it.
Stretch, between many of my laps when I marked on the board, I would do quad stretch against the wall, hip flexors, and calves.
Don't spend too much time at the aid stations, that is how trouble can happen, lack of motivation, or crams, or whatever can pop up. I kept it to food, drink, bathroom, resupplying my camelpak marathoner vest with pills water and snacks, and then out again.
ES Pic, this guys finishes 888k in style! |
because at 12ish miles in, crawl |
I swear it moved, with no wind, my eyes were playing tricks |
Also, for the stats, almost 4,500 ft of elevation gained over the marathaon. I got 7.13 miles for the first loop, and 1243 elevation. For the second loop 19.24 and 2,995 elevation fr the first laps. watches always vary, and I always got close to those numbers.
And to further the point I made about the heat. The VT marathon canceled to the heat, that has come up a few times since the race when talking with people.
Also, one last thing to post, I was very ,uch surprised to learn that after finishing, the next day when results came out, I placed 3rd! that was a huge surprisem and makes my first 100 miler that much more special, now to firgure out the next one!
I will be contemplating next awesome adventures and seeing what calls my attention, and where my friends go, I love the journey life takes me to, just remember to stay active, and have fun
Stephen
Also, one last thing to post, I was very ,uch surprised to learn that after finishing, the next day when results came out, I placed 3rd! that was a huge surprisem and makes my first 100 miler that much more special, now to firgure out the next one!
I will be contemplating next awesome adventures and seeing what calls my attention, and where my friends go, I love the journey life takes me to, just remember to stay active, and have fun
Stephen