Sunday, October 28, 2012

Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK ~ 50 mile Ultra

Things did not go quite as planned leading up to this event. I spent the months prior to the start nursing and working around a bout of planter fasciitis that limited my training. Some how I was able to stay positive,  focused and flexible enough to continue training at all. It was a test of patience and perseverance that got me to the starting line feeling strong and comfortable although admittedly not 100% confident about my ability to finish under the 12 hour cut off time. I was confident I could cover the distance but unsure how quickly, and I was a little worried about that.

 I was very fortunate that my in-laws have family in the State College, Pa area that where gracious enough to have me as a guest. I arrived mid-day Saturday and spent a lovely afternoon chatting and watching college football with my hosts Ed and Carol. I slipped out in the evening for race packet pick up, check in and to attend the race banquet. The volunteers where extremely friendly and helpful allowing for a smooth painless experience followed by good eats and an opportunity to meet and speak with a number of other racers.

 Morning came quickly as it always does on race day. I woke rested, enjoyed a bowl of oatmeal and cup of coffee before heading to the venue. The early morning weather felt a little fickle so I mulled over what to wear, again.  Pre race activity was similar to a busy ant colony. Participants and support crews streamed into the parking lots, volunteers received assignments and jumped into vans headed to distant aid stations out on the course, last minute sound and timing system checks being administered, racers in varied states of readiness awaited go time at 0700.

 The energy in the air immediately intensified in anticipation of the start as racers streamed out of the cars they had been warming in like ants to a dropped chip at a picnic.  Being an elite event, host of the 2012 USA 50 mile Championships, the field consisted of those vying for prize money and those hoping to keep ahead of the cut off times of there first 50. Some 200 racers left the line at the sound of the gun just as the sun was throwing out its first rays of light into the chill of the morning.

 At the last minute I had decided to throw on a vest, I am glad I did, it was still quite cool as we left the start and headed into the trees crossing a stream a couple times before heading into a steep climb. I felt strong in the first 17 miles of varied terrain along gravel roads, lined with old conifer groves, passing several old hunting cabins from the 30's and 40's fittingly named: Sand Spring Camp, Laurel Run, Manor Hunting Club and Bard Gun Club. The dense cover of the huge trees rarely allowed a glimpse of the sun and I was quite comfortable after adding my vest. My split times at this point where with in a couple minutes of my plan so I was extremely pleased with myself.

 Unfortunately, my pace slowed during the next 10 or so miles as the course took on several long and moderate climbs. I felt sorry for myself, knowing that my slowing was directly related to the reduction in training cause by my sore foot, but my foot didn't hurt, never did. My mind wondered everywhere as I slowed to a trudge quite sure I was not going to make the cut off. "Keep moving!" is what I told myself repeatedly and with the help of other runners and aid station volunteers I was able to do just that.

 Prior to the 1/2 way mark I met a runner who appeared to be moving at a similar pace, we exchanged a few words as we yoyo'ed back and forth through the miles. Eventually deciding as it became evident we would be racing to stay ahead of the cut off, we would finish together, cut off or not.

 One thing was clear my new found partner could speed hike like I was standing still. If I slowed at all she would disappear up over the hill or around the bend as if telaporting. We checked in on each other as we moved through the check points, staying just ahead of the cut off. At one point I found it quite funny that I had been running and hiking and talking with this women but didn't know her name. I asked " What is your name?" she said "Monica, yours?" "Michael" I said, we kept running.

 After passing mile 40, which had been the furthest I had run to date and still being ahead of the dreaded cut off I knew I would make it. I had started the race with 10 min. miles slogged through a few twice that but now with the end in site I felt a renewed energy. The finish was in my grasp, "Are we there Yet?" NO... we still had this little 4 mile out and back section that took us up and over and out to a scenic overlook that on this day would received less attention than Clark Griswold gave the Grand Canyon in Vacation.

 I left the last aid station knowing that I would have to keep moving to finish in time. Monica and I fell into a comfortable 12min pace. At this point I was just ready to be finished. I had gotten past the disappointment of not reaching my goal and embraced just accomplishing such a feet. In the end after a long day Monica and I did cross the line in 11:36, Tussey mOUnTainBACK FINISHERS!