I got some runs in while we were in England, but missed out on two weekends of long runs, soooo...after we got back, I knew there was some catching up to do. I knew a couple of friends who were doing the Jack Bristol Lake Waramaug races, which consisted of 50k, 50m and 100k options. After some hemming and hawing, I threw my name in for the 50k race, figuring it would also kickstart my racing season! I also somehow convinced my friend Adam to enter (because I'm chock full of bad ideas, just ask!), and we made a plan to carpool to the race.
Leaving my house at 4:30 under cover of darkness SUCKED. Not a fan of fumbling around in the dark, waking the dogs and having to let them out, etc. while trying not to wake the family. But that's how it goes sometimes!
Met Adam at a commuter lot, and we hauled ass across CT for the early start. I'd scoped out some results and knew that it was a low elevation, rolling road loop around Lake Waramaug. We'd have a short out/back, three 8-ish mile loops around the Lake (which was beautiful!), and one more out/back at the end of the 50k.
Long story short, I messed up my packing the night before and left my handheld at the house. I also left my good raincoat in Adam's truck, which I was sure was locked (it wasn't). Whoops. It then proceeded to rain for the first two hours of the race. I had a windbreaker on, but got soaked through, and when the rain finally stopped I changed into a dry shirt and was instantly recharged.
Pacing? I wanted to start deliberately slow and maintain my "All Day" pace, and I was able to accomplish that, in spite of the weather. Steady as can be, and no walking...my only takeaways from the day were: pack your shit better the night before a race; and stop spending so much friggin' time at the aid stations, you glutton! I figured I lost 20 minutes of unnecessary time at the aid stations...but disclaimer: their aid stations were unbelievable...the deviled eggs at AS3...loved those...
My friend Faith was running with an Achilles runner in the 50-miler, and they started early...I was hoping to run into her at some point but we stayed on opposite ends of the lake all day! Some highlights included running with local friend Meghan M. for a while, and Maria C. from Rhody, who was kicking ass in the 50-miler.
On the last out/back I was trying to get to the turnaround mat, and was just ready to be done, when I heard a runner coming up behind me...I said something like "Nice to hear footsteps, I've been in no man's land for a while," to which he replied "Yeah, I've been there before..." We chatted for a bit before I got to my turn and he continued on, and I said "I'm Mike, what's your name?" and he said "John, it's been nice running with you!" Turns out it was John F., one of the only finishers of the Barkley Marathons (kind of a big deal)...and that's a good way to cap off an ultra, I'd say!
I ended with 31.6 miles in 6:09, good for 28th place of 56 finishers in the 50k. I'm good with that! On the way out, Adam wanted to see his grandfather's old home, where he would spend summers and run down the dirt road to the lake to go swimming, and it just happened to be across the street from Kent Falls Brewing! Ha! I've had their beer, it's good! On the way out, I had a sudden craving for an ice cold Coca-Cola. I don't drink soda ever, except at Ultras, and we stopped at a store, I bought one and drank it in one shot, and it was delicious!
Hey! My first marathon/ultra on roads!?!
And the following weekend...
5/6 - CT Trailmixers Spring Fling 600:
Another last-ish minute decision. I'm a Trailmixer, which got me half off the race. Sweet! I was concerned about the weather driving up, but it was an easy drive and not too early, easy setup and the rain basically held off all day. Overcast and basically cool, perfect running weather.
With a 3-mile loop, I was able to run without anything. No handheld, no pack, etc. After I got set up, the race started quickly and I decided to just go for it, plowing through the muddy bog 1/2 mile into the race and getting really muddy...
Yeah, muddy puddin'! But not THE Muddy Puddin' ;)
No chance of knowing who was doing what distance, for how long, etc...so run your own race! I also got through the start/finish area in less than a minute for the first 7 or 8 loops. I'd hit my drop bag for gels and stuff, then have my friend Brian count me down from 10, and I'd stuff my face, drink quickly, and head back out with handfuls of chips and shit. Better than last week!
p.s. Great aid station! They even had a dude making crepes, and cups of fresh lobster meat later in the day! Who does that???
After I passed marathon distance, I called my better half to see what was happening. She mentioned some things for her car that needed doing, and I agreed to head out on one more loop to pass the 50k distance (and then some). Officially I was 24th of 129 runners, and did 34.1 miles in 7:10. Sweet! Back-to-back ultras. Now we can relax until June...
Mud.
Fling Done!
Except...
The following weekend I banged out a hilly, technical 16-miler in Pachaug with some friends, and filled in the week with a couple of other trail runs...
Then?
5/20 - Soapstone Mountain 24k trail race:
A last-minute decision to jump in on the Soapstone Mountain 24k. I'm also a Shenipsit Strider, and again got a half-off discount to enter, and we had no weekend plans, sooo...I entered the race and drove the 1.5 hours, while heating the water in my new portable shower, a gift from my nephew this past Christmas! I'll say in advance that this is one of the best gifts I've ever received.
Best. Gift. Ever. Believe that shit. Nothing like washing off the trail funk and driving home clean as a whistle! Thanks to my badass nephew Tristan for this gift. Beer by Beer'd.
I get to the parking lot, meet up and chat with a few people, and jog the 1/4 mile to the start line. The aid stations were supposed to be stocked with Tailwind (which I drink) and solid food (which I eat), so I downed my only gel before the start and drank about half my bottle before the start. The race began with a screaming downhill on a dirt road, which spread out the field. I was just happily cruising along until we reached "the Sandpit," and there's suddenly a line formed to climb straight up a sandy hill. Short but steep enough that the heel of the person in front of you was at eye level. Fun!
The big climb at the race was a few miles in, and was a rocky vertical scramble up a power line cut, very steep and very slow going. After that, mainly runnable but technical terrain for the rest of the race.
It was very humid and quite warm. I'd say I bonked, although I was only walking the steeper uphills toward the end. Not having Tailwind at the aid stations really messed me up, as Powerade doesn't sit well with me and water isn't enough on days like that. Also, I made the cardinal error of not being prepared to be self-sufficient, and pack my own shit. S-caps (I sweat like a bastard), hydration pack (just in case), extra gels and food. My fault. Won't happen again. Otherwise, the course was kickass!!! I really like the tough race courses, they're the most memorable! That said, I'd have changed things there slightly, including adding directional signs at the outer lollipop section, strictly for idiots like me who can't follow simple directions...
I ended in 3:14, and was #58 of 125 runners in the 24k-ish. Ok then! I'll take it.
And now I'm all caught up! Two 50k races and a 15-mile race in four weeks, and one more Ultra on the horizon at the beginning of June, the Chesterfield Gorge Ultras (directed by rockstar runners Brian and Amy Rusiecki), where I hope to go longer than I have so far! And hey, I'm happy as Hell that I'm running more, not injured (knock on wood), and seem to be on a pretty regular training schedule (for me!). My mileage has been climbing steadily since the beginning of the year as well, and I'm hitting all my goals right now, so fingers crossed!
Next up: Back to weekly updates, hahahahahahaha ;)
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