Mountain Masochist 50 Mile(ish) Race

Well. This was number three for me at this race, and each one has held different experiences and emotions for me.

Number one was one of my first 50s and my wife's first ever 50; we were to run it together. And like our marriage, we started together, found our own stride, but came together in the end to finish strong, satisfied, and exhausted.

Number two was to be solo with aspirations of kicking butt and getting a PR. This race didn't go quite like I planned. First, I went into it not fully recovered from an injury. Second, because of logistic issues, the RD changed the course so there was to be additional technical climbs and more elevation. And third, a winter storm dumped 8" of fresh snow on the back half of the course. The race went great after I came to terms that it would be a slow one. I took my time, enjoyed the journey, and finished feeling accomplished.

That was to be my last MMTR. I had done it twice, enjoyed the trails, excitement, friend's company, and great overall race experience.

 Over the years, I've had the pleasure to meet and run many a race with Donna U. She's amazing, and her running is just beyond anything. We've helped each other through some tough, rough lows and we've shared trails and views few people will ever experience. I'm proud to know her.

 My love for the trails and my friendship with Donna is what brought me back to the MMTR for a third time. This is one of Donna's most run 50 milers. In fact, this was to be her 10th; a big deal in the Ultra running community. So how could I not be there to share such a great experience with her? The answer, I couldn't. As soon as we heard that she was in, Paula and I made arrangements to enjoy in the fun. Hotel booked, registration paid for, time off planned - all before Summer.

 A lot of running this year. A lot of races. A lot of good racing. Strong legs, fast paces, great weather. The MMTR was turning from a run to cheer Donna to a race. No more just a fun run, but a real opportunity to get a good time, and maybe a PR.

 Two weeks out. I get a text from a friend, "Got room for one more?" "Heck,Yes!". Ken was in. Now it's a party!

 Two days out - Thursday. We're packed and on the road heading south. It's raining the entire drive, but we know the weekend is forcasted to be perfect. We enjoy the drive and the Fall colors; the trees just keep getting brighter the closer we get to the Blue Ridge Mountains. We're laughing and singing to 70s hits all the way. Long drive, checked into the hotel, dinner was great, and the day had gone.

 One day out - Friday. Paula goes for a run while Ken and I enjoy the city park and the warm day. Lunch. Donna and Bill check in and the whirlwind starts. Time for supplies, laughing, packet pickup, laughing, pre-race dinner, laughing, plans for the morning, then it's time for bed.

 Where did the day go? I've got to get up in 4 hours! No worries, I've got the gas station picked out for morning coffee.

 Race day! We're up. It's early, really early. The RD lost the buses, yup no buses this year. So I drive. Donna, Ken, and I are in the Subaru and headed to the start. Everyone's quiet and in their pre-race mindset. I like the drive, like the ability to park and be comfortable unlike the years past sitting on the cold, dark buses until it's time to start. I'm running late because of my lax attitude and tell them to head down, that I'll be right there. But I'm running behind and just make it to the start; the last to cross the line and the best views to see all of the headlamps bobbing into the darkness around the lake. The weather at the start is in the 40s, but the promise of sunny skies and 60s is ahead.

 My legs feel good and my breath is slow as I take my time warming up along one of the few flat sections of the race. Within the first mile, I catch up to Ken. We chat for a moment, but I want to pass as many people as I can; I know that in less than a mile we turn onto trails and then passing becomes difficult. This is the last time I see Ken until that evening.

 Donna's ahead somewhere and I set my sites on catching up and running with her until dawn. By mile 2 we're together and climbing. During the next five miles, the runners are finding their grooves and we chat with a lot of people passing us and that we're passing. Donna starts a conversation with some other ladies while I'm feeling like sprinting so as the sun comes up, I pull away from the group and go solo.

 For the next 20 miles, I cruse along gradually passing and chatting with a variety of runners; some young first timers and others experienced men and women. All are friendly and enjoying the warmth, sun, and trails. The aid stations come and go.

 Mile twenty-six is the halfway point. It really is the dividing line between two completely separate races.

The first half is wide fire roads, rolling trails, and the darkness of night into the day. It ends with a climb that goes forever, ending in farming fields and the only major aid station. I find my drop bag, clean up, and dress down because of the heat of the day. Donna is behind me, and Ken is behind her. So Bill, Donna's husband, chats it up while I change. And as I say she's probably 20 minutes behind me she glides up to us. She's so fast! So much for my lead on her. 

The half way is just the beginning, of the race and the climbing. I know it. Some people don't. Who's better off, me for the knowledge or them in their ignorance? So I climb out of the aid station. And I climb and climb, for miles.

 Donna's ahead of me. I want to catch her. I want to finish before her to be there when she crosses the line. But she's fast. Super fast. And I know this might be it. But I catch her and we enjoy the next several miles together until we hit the Loop.

 The Loop. A technical six mile section that she's taking her time with. "Go. I'm gonna run it slow. Don't wait for me." So I don't.

 This is my playground! Tight and fast. Up, down, rocky, rooted, trees and leaves. Up, up, up I climb to the peak, to the 360° views of the Fall colors covering the Blue Ridge Mountains. Then down, almost a mile drop and I must run it. "Excuse me" I say a dozen times as I pass people on my way down. I love it! Six miles gone, just like that.

 For me the race is done once I finish the Loop. From there, I've got about a half marathon to go. Some good climbs, some good single track, and a great finish if you've got the legs. I run comfortably and pass a few others for the next 8-9 miles until I get to the last aid station. From here, I've got four miles to go, three are downhill and the last is a flat road section into the finish. I feel good and I run as fast as I can on the trail because while it's downhill, it's littered with rocks and leaves. Two miles two go. The trail opens up, is clear, and smooth so I kick it into high gear. Two more runners passed by the time I hit the road. Then a great feeling 8 minute mile to the finish for a 20 minute PR. So great! 

Donna and Ken are still on the course so I get changed quickly and head back to the finish with Bill. Not more than a few minutes pass before Donna is coming up the road and to the finish. She's done it - MMTR x10.

Woo Hoo

 Where's Ken? We get Donna changed and grab some soup. Time to cheer Ken in. Where's Ken? 40 minutes before the cutoff. Where's Ken? The sun is setting. 20 minutes until the cutoff. Where's Ken? Sonofabitch, 10 minutes until the cutoff. He'll be here. 5 minutes until the end, Where's Ken? He'll make it, it's Ken. 4 minuts to go. Is that Ken? GO KEN!

He made it with time to spare. Of course he did, he's Ken.

Mountain Masochist 50 Mile(ish) Race

Well. This was number three for me at this race, and each one has held different experiences and emotions for me.

Number one was one of my first 50s and my wife's first ever 50; we were to run it together. And like our marriage, we started together, found our own stride, but came together in the end to finish strong, satisfied, and exhausted.

Number two was to be solo with aspirations of kicking butt and getting a PR. This race didn't go quite like I planned. First, I went into it not fully recovered from an injury. Second, because of logistic issues, the RD changed the course so there was to be additional technical climbs and more elevation. And third, a winter storm dumped 8" of fresh snow on the back half of the course. The race went great after I came to terms that it would be a slow one. I took my time, enjoyed the journey, and finished feeling accomplished.

That was to be my last MMTR. I had done it twice, enjoyed the trails, excitement, friend's company, and great overall race experience.

 Over the years, I've had the pleasure to meet and run many a race with Donna U. She's amazing, and her running is just beyond anything. We've helped each other through some tough, rough lows and we've shared trails and views few people will ever experience. I'm proud to know her.

 My love for the trails and my friendship with Donna is what brought me back to the MMTR for a third time. This is one of Donna's most run 50 milers. In fact, this was to be her 10th; a big deal in the Ultra running community. So how could I not be there to share such a great experience with her? The answer, I couldn't. As soon as we heard that she was in, Paula and I made arrangements to enjoy in the fun. Hotel booked, registration paid for, time off planned - all before Summer.

 A lot of running this year. A lot of races. A lot of good racing. Strong legs, fast paces, great weather. The MMTR was turning from a run to cheer Donna to a race. No more just a fun run, but a real opportunity to get a good time, and maybe a PR.

 Two weeks out. I get a text from a friend, "Got room for one more?" "Heck,Yes!". Ken was in. Now it's a party!

 Two days out - Thursday. We're packed and on the road heading south. It's raining the entire drive, but we know the weekend is forcasted to be perfect. We enjoy the drive and the Fall colors; the trees just keep getting brighter the closer we get to the Blue Ridge Mountains. We're laughing and singing to 70s hits all the way. Long drive, checked into the hotel, dinner was great, and the day had gone.

 One day out - Friday. Paula goes for a run while Ken and I enjoy the city park and the warm day. Lunch. Donna and Bill check in and the whirlwind starts. Time for supplies, laughing, packet pickup, laughing, pre-race dinner, laughing, plans for the morning, then it's time for bed.

 Where did the day go? I've got to get up in 4 hours! No worries, I've got the gas station picked out for morning coffee.

 Race day! We're up. It's early, really early. The RD lost the buses, yup no buses this year. So I drive. Donna, Ken, and I are in the Subaru and headed to the start. Everyone's quiet and in their pre-race mindset. I like the drive, like the ability to park and be comfortable unlike the years past sitting on the cold, dark buses until it's time to start. I'm running late because of my lax attitude and tell them to head down, that I'll be right there. But I'm running behind and just make it to the start; the last to cross the line and the best views to see all of the headlamps bobbing into the darkness around the lake. The weather at the start is in the 40s, but the promise of sunny skies and 60s is ahead.

 My legs feel good and my breath is slow as I take my time warming up along one of the few flat sections of the race. Within the first mile, I catch up to Ken. We chat for a moment, but I want to pass as many people as I can; I know that in less than a mile we turn onto trails and then passing becomes difficult. This is the last time I see Ken until that evening.

 Donna's ahead somewhere and I set my sites on catching up and running with her until dawn. By mile 2 we're together and climbing. During the next five miles, the runners are finding their grooves and we chat with a lot of people passing us and that we're passing. Donna starts a conversation with some other ladies while I'm feeling like sprinting so as the sun comes up, I pull away from the group and go solo.

 For the next 20 miles, I cruse along gradually passing and chatting with a variety of runners; some young first timers and others experienced men and women. All are friendly and enjoying the warmth, sun, and trails. The aid stations come and go.

 Mile twenty-six is the halfway point. It really is the dividing line between two completely separate races.

The first half is wide fire roads, rolling trails, and the darkness of night into the day. It ends with a climb that goes forever, ending in farming fields and the only major aid station. I find my drop bag, clean up, and dress down because of the heat of the day. Donna is behind me, and Ken is behind her. So Bill, Donna's husband, chats it up while I change. And as I say she's probably 20 minutes behind me she glides up to us. She's so fast! So much for my lead on her. 

The half way is just the beginning, of the race and the climbing. I know it. Some people don't. Who's better off, me for the knowledge or them in their ignorance? So I climb out of the aid station. And I climb and climb, for miles.

 Donna's ahead of me. I want to catch her. I want to finish before her to be there when she crosses the line. But she's fast. Super fast. And I know this might be it. But I catch her and we enjoy the next several miles together until we hit the Loop.

 The Loop. A technical six mile section that she's taking her time with. "Go. I'm gonna run it slow. Don't wait for me." So I don't.

 This is my playground! Tight and fast. Up, down, rocky, rooted, trees and leaves. Up, up, up I climb to the peak, to the 360° views of the Fall colors covering the Blue Ridge Mountains. Then down, almost a mile drop and I must run it. "Excuse me" I say a dozen times as I pass people on my way down. I love it! Six miles gone, just like that.

 For me the race is done once I finish the Loop. From there, I've got about a half marathon to go. Some good climbs, some good single track, and a great finish if you've got the legs. I run comfortably and pass a few others for the next 8-9 miles until I get to the last aid station. From here, I've got four miles to go, three are downhill and the last is a flat road section into the finish. I feel good and I run as fast as I can on the trail because while it's downhill, it's littered with rocks and leaves. Two miles two go. The trail opens up, is clear, and smooth so I kick it into high gear. Two more runners passed by the time I hit the road. Then a great feeling 8 minute mile to the finish for a 20 minute PR. So great! 

Donna and Ken are still on the course so I get changed quickly and head back to the finish with Bill. Not more than a few minutes pass before Donna is coming up the road and to the finish. She's done it - MMTR x10.

Woo Hoo

 Where's Ken? We get Donna changed and grab some soup. Time to cheer Ken in. Where's Ken? 40 minutes before the cutoff. Where's Ken? The sun is setting. 20 minutes until the cutoff. Where's Ken? Sonofabitch, 10 minutes until the cutoff. He'll be here. 5 minutes until the end, Where's Ken? He'll make it, it's Ken. 4 minuts to go. Is that Ken? GO KEN!

He made it with time to spare. Of course he did, he's Ken.