Sunday, February 5, 2017
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
2017 Running Comeback from Depression
If you've followed my blog for any amount of time you know that the primary purpose of it is a journal to pass along to my kids one day. I'm a complex person and have battled some form of depression for the past year. I went so far as to schedule an appointment with a therapist for help, but I chose to pray and stay mixed up in my own head instead. I think some part of me actually enjoys it along the same lines as being at mile 78 of a one hundred mile race. Sick, sad, but true.
Running has brought me close to a lot of people and if you're one of them please know that I haven't turned my back on you as a choice. It's been a difficult season of life that I know will eventually change into something better.
In the morning I will get up for the first time in over a year and lace up my running shoes which actually have cobwebs in them. I'll be lucky to actually shuffle for 25 feet, but the first step seems to be the most important one.
I refuse to let life slip by without climbing The Pinnacle at Pinhoti 100 again or dragging myself into an aid station after coasting on nothing but fumes. I miss my running friends and the struggle of it all. Without the struggle there is nothing to overcome.
I'm not sure what my next race will be, but when I do toe the line it will be with a much deeper appreciation of who I am and the others around me.
My first goal is to run a mile non stop. I'll report back when it happens.
Running has brought me close to a lot of people and if you're one of them please know that I haven't turned my back on you as a choice. It's been a difficult season of life that I know will eventually change into something better.
In the morning I will get up for the first time in over a year and lace up my running shoes which actually have cobwebs in them. I'll be lucky to actually shuffle for 25 feet, but the first step seems to be the most important one.
I refuse to let life slip by without climbing The Pinnacle at Pinhoti 100 again or dragging myself into an aid station after coasting on nothing but fumes. I miss my running friends and the struggle of it all. Without the struggle there is nothing to overcome.
I'm not sure what my next race will be, but when I do toe the line it will be with a much deeper appreciation of who I am and the others around me.
My first goal is to run a mile non stop. I'll report back when it happens.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Chattooga 50K 6th Race Report
The weekend of September 6th 2014 marked a bitter/sweet weekend in the sport of ultra running for many runners. It would be race director Terri Hayes' final event to ever be held in South Carolina. She has since moved to Florida and is now hosting races there. http://www.ultrasontrails.com/
Out of the 72 ultras that I've ran, 17 of them have been Terri's races. My first ultra was her Buncombe 55K in May 2009. She taught me how to run a 50K, then a 40 miler, 50 miler, 100K, and finally 100 miles. I spent hours with her out on the trails asking her questions and soaking in all of her years of experience that I could take in. She is one of the biggest reasons that I run ultras today and I will always be grateful for her unique, low key, and mainly fun events.
The final running of the Chattooga 50K was to be a celebration run as it ended her series in the state. I headed up to the race alone early around 4:30 AM and started running in the dark at 6:15. I instantly found myself lost in all of the race memories as my headlamp showed my feet were to land down the trail.
It was an emotional start to a run that would prove to be a tough one. With 100 degree heat indexes forecasted and my four month break from running I knew that I had to be smart and make wise decisions. I still got a little choked up thinking about all of the great friendships and runs that had taken place on this very trail over the years. It made the first 7 mile out-n-back stretch go by quickly and I found myself pouring sweat as the sun was completely up.
Terri surprised me with a mobile aid station around mile 8. I was prepared to run it fully self supported, but I was more than happy to take some ice and soda from her before heading into the remote & treacherous 10 mile Chattooga River stretch of the run.
I made great time running down the river while temperatures were still in the 80s. The river gorge provided spectacular views and cooler temperatures down near the water.
There were only about 10 other runners out for the race and I was one of the few taking on the challenge alone. As I past the 15 mile mark of the run I was excited and surprised to still feel great. I kept a nice even 13-14 minute mile pace navigating over beds of roots & rocks. I always feel like a little kid playing in a big tree house during this stretch of trail.
I made the turn back to the finish around mile 18 and headed back up the Chattooga River section starting to feel weary. The temperature began to soar and I was pouring sweat. The final 6 miles of the run are a big blur to me. I remember seeing a few runners who had gotten off course that I was able to get going in the correct direction. Also a young boy & girl who were lost out hiking.
With three miles to go from the finish I plowed into the river like a big grizzly bear. I was so hot that the cold mountain water didn't even feel too refreshing. I laid there on my back for a few minutes under a small water fall and let the cold current breathe some life back into my beat down body.
I slogged back up out of the river looking like a swamp creature and stumbled onto the trail for the final three mile push. Shoving a handful of ginger snaps into my mouth, I hoped for enough energy to make it out alive. For the first time in years I wasn't sure that I was going to survive this run.
I became very dizzy and kept having to lean on trees to gain my composure and balance. I just kept drinking water and moving forward at any pace that my body would allow.
At mile 29 with two miles to go I felt a huge blister pop on my right heel and it sent pain racing through my entire body! This was just the jolt that I needed and I began to run because a longer stride meant less pain & steps.
I finally crossed HWY 107 back into remote civilization and finished the final climb of the course into the campground to finish. There were no spectators at the finish, no T-Shirts, no medals, or prizes. (Ok, Terri did surprise us with a medal!) Just a few spent runners and Terri waiting to congratulate whoever was able to stumble in and finish. I've come to love finishing races this way and once again got emotional knowing this would probably be my final finish to one of Terri's races.
I ended up with a 8:50 finishing time which is a great for the shape that I was in. I want to thank Terri Hayes for this event and the many many others that she has put on in South Carolina. We will all miss you and thank you for helping us learn how to survive in this crazy sport. I will always be proud to be called one of "Terri's Runners".
Out of the 72 ultras that I've ran, 17 of them have been Terri's races. My first ultra was her Buncombe 55K in May 2009. She taught me how to run a 50K, then a 40 miler, 50 miler, 100K, and finally 100 miles. I spent hours with her out on the trails asking her questions and soaking in all of her years of experience that I could take in. She is one of the biggest reasons that I run ultras today and I will always be grateful for her unique, low key, and mainly fun events.
The final running of the Chattooga 50K was to be a celebration run as it ended her series in the state. I headed up to the race alone early around 4:30 AM and started running in the dark at 6:15. I instantly found myself lost in all of the race memories as my headlamp showed my feet were to land down the trail.
It was an emotional start to a run that would prove to be a tough one. With 100 degree heat indexes forecasted and my four month break from running I knew that I had to be smart and make wise decisions. I still got a little choked up thinking about all of the great friendships and runs that had taken place on this very trail over the years. It made the first 7 mile out-n-back stretch go by quickly and I found myself pouring sweat as the sun was completely up.
Terri surprised me with a mobile aid station around mile 8. I was prepared to run it fully self supported, but I was more than happy to take some ice and soda from her before heading into the remote & treacherous 10 mile Chattooga River stretch of the run.
I made great time running down the river while temperatures were still in the 80s. The river gorge provided spectacular views and cooler temperatures down near the water.
There were only about 10 other runners out for the race and I was one of the few taking on the challenge alone. As I past the 15 mile mark of the run I was excited and surprised to still feel great. I kept a nice even 13-14 minute mile pace navigating over beds of roots & rocks. I always feel like a little kid playing in a big tree house during this stretch of trail.
I made the turn back to the finish around mile 18 and headed back up the Chattooga River section starting to feel weary. The temperature began to soar and I was pouring sweat. The final 6 miles of the run are a big blur to me. I remember seeing a few runners who had gotten off course that I was able to get going in the correct direction. Also a young boy & girl who were lost out hiking.
With three miles to go from the finish I plowed into the river like a big grizzly bear. I was so hot that the cold mountain water didn't even feel too refreshing. I laid there on my back for a few minutes under a small water fall and let the cold current breathe some life back into my beat down body.
I slogged back up out of the river looking like a swamp creature and stumbled onto the trail for the final three mile push. Shoving a handful of ginger snaps into my mouth, I hoped for enough energy to make it out alive. For the first time in years I wasn't sure that I was going to survive this run.
I became very dizzy and kept having to lean on trees to gain my composure and balance. I just kept drinking water and moving forward at any pace that my body would allow.
At mile 29 with two miles to go I felt a huge blister pop on my right heel and it sent pain racing through my entire body! This was just the jolt that I needed and I began to run because a longer stride meant less pain & steps.
I finally crossed HWY 107 back into remote civilization and finished the final climb of the course into the campground to finish. There were no spectators at the finish, no T-Shirts, no medals, or prizes. (Ok, Terri did surprise us with a medal!) Just a few spent runners and Terri waiting to congratulate whoever was able to stumble in and finish. I've come to love finishing races this way and once again got emotional knowing this would probably be my final finish to one of Terri's races.
I ended up with a 8:50 finishing time which is a great for the shape that I was in. I want to thank Terri Hayes for this event and the many many others that she has put on in South Carolina. We will all miss you and thank you for helping us learn how to survive in this crazy sport. I will always be proud to be called one of "Terri's Runners".
Monday, May 26, 2014
Setting my targets on Laurel Valley in August
I can't help but to begin this post laughing. Laughing about my 2014 New Years post on Facebook about running every possible ultra that I could find, but not running any of them well. I sure hit the nail squarely on the head with that prediction. It's okay though. I had to traverse the rocky road instead of the nice paved one. It's emptied me out here to where I am now.
I've promised myself to take some proper rest time over the summer and actually train for a race. I've decided that race will be The Laurel Valley 32 Mile Ultra on August 9th. This gives me 12 solid weeks to train and improve my overall fitness with every expectation of shattering my fastest finishing time of 9:13.
Why Laurel Valley? Why now?
Most everyone I know that has ran this rugged & remote section of the Foothills Trail agrees that there is something very different and special about it. It possesses those intangible attributes that are nearly impossible to capture with words or photographs. Maybe that's why National Geographic named it as one of 50 of the Worlds Last Great Places.
August 9, 2014 will be my 6th official race, but 16th overall time of running the course. Each time I've gained something new from each experience. It's one of the few trails that keeps pulling me back in. Even where I swear off ever running it again after a tough finish. It's the perfect race to prepare for and expect solid results from.
Maybe it's more about the friends that I've shared nearly 500 grueling miles with out there. It motivates and excites me to see so many others taking on the challenge. Some do well and some don't, but either way they have to finish. One way in - one way out. That's part of the mystique of the trail.
So in closing I will have Laurel Valley in the back of my mind for most of the 2014 summer. Not only the race, but the experience and cloud of friendships that have been built through it over the years. I will be lining up on that hot & humid August start line ready to embrace what lies ahead. Faster, leaner, and more focused that ever on a strong finish, but more importantly a meaningful adventure.
Oh and it sure would be nice if the heavens could pour down some of that sweet summer rain just like last year as well!
I've promised myself to take some proper rest time over the summer and actually train for a race. I've decided that race will be The Laurel Valley 32 Mile Ultra on August 9th. This gives me 12 solid weeks to train and improve my overall fitness with every expectation of shattering my fastest finishing time of 9:13.
Why Laurel Valley? Why now?
Most everyone I know that has ran this rugged & remote section of the Foothills Trail agrees that there is something very different and special about it. It possesses those intangible attributes that are nearly impossible to capture with words or photographs. Maybe that's why National Geographic named it as one of 50 of the Worlds Last Great Places.
August 9, 2014 will be my 6th official race, but 16th overall time of running the course. Each time I've gained something new from each experience. It's one of the few trails that keeps pulling me back in. Even where I swear off ever running it again after a tough finish. It's the perfect race to prepare for and expect solid results from.
Maybe it's more about the friends that I've shared nearly 500 grueling miles with out there. It motivates and excites me to see so many others taking on the challenge. Some do well and some don't, but either way they have to finish. One way in - one way out. That's part of the mystique of the trail.
So in closing I will have Laurel Valley in the back of my mind for most of the 2014 summer. Not only the race, but the experience and cloud of friendships that have been built through it over the years. I will be lining up on that hot & humid August start line ready to embrace what lies ahead. Faster, leaner, and more focused that ever on a strong finish, but more importantly a meaningful adventure.
Oh and it sure would be nice if the heavens could pour down some of that sweet summer rain just like last year as well!
Monday, May 19, 2014
Thunder Rock 100 Mile Race
This will be a short post because I'm so tired of running. Just really tired in general. I still love it and will continue on, but I need rest in the worst kinda way. Mental, physical, spiritual. I'm spent.
This race hammered what strength I had left in my body down to virtually nothing.
It was a blast to hang out with the regular goons before the race. Race morning came quick and I felt great until about mile 10 (haha). My legs were so fatigued from the previous races and the bottom of my feet were on fire from all of the prior blisters and peeling. I took a nasty fall around mile 20 and slammed by hip into a rock, then nearly repeated the fall again at mile 30.
I somehow managed to continue on for 46 miles in a constant state of deterioration until finally dropping out of the race just minutes before the sweepers came into the aid station. I collapsed into a chair beside the fire and had never been so happy to be finished with a race.
About 1 hour before reaching this aid station I was running on a gravel road and decided that I really needed to take a break and lay down for a while. Maybe a short nap would help me feel better. After quickly drifting off to sleep, I was suddenly awaken to the sound of a ambulance and four fire trucks speeding down the road. It was all I could do to just roll over into a ditch off the road and avoid becoming some of the largest road kill on record in Tennessee.
After I managed to scrape myself up out of the woods, all I could do was try and smile and hobble into my final aid station of the race. It was over and I knew it.
I was happy to be finished with the agony in my body at the time, but I was dreading the thought of dealing with the feelings of dropping after I got home. However, I've been surprised to not have any negative feelings about it at all. It was a race that I simply wasn't prepared for so I can't beat myself up over not finishing it. Lesson learned - at least for now. Haha again :]
So my plan is to take a break from racing over the summer and let my body rest. I've averaged over 1 ultra marathon per month for the last five years and its simply time for a forced rest period.
Golf is actually sounding really fun right now, but I'll be back to ultras later on.
I did want to say congratulations to so many friends who finished the race. Weezy, Christian, Kat, Gordon, Jason F., and Joel. Great running on some tough trails!
This race hammered what strength I had left in my body down to virtually nothing.
I knew deep down inside that I should've sat this one out and rested, but I hated to miss the 1st year Rock Creek 100 mile event near Chattanooga TN. I had just ran the Blind Pig 100 four weeks ago on 4/13, then Fort Clinch 50 Miler on 4/25, then the Oconee Park 50K just twelve days before this race. What made it even worse is that I ran the Blind Pig 100 on virtually no training in 2014. I was actually stupid to go, but I had a number in the race so that meant I had a fighting chance. Actually, this was the perfect storm of stupidity.It was a blast to hang out with the regular goons before the race. Race morning came quick and I felt great until about mile 10 (haha). My legs were so fatigued from the previous races and the bottom of my feet were on fire from all of the prior blisters and peeling. I took a nasty fall around mile 20 and slammed by hip into a rock, then nearly repeated the fall again at mile 30.
I somehow managed to continue on for 46 miles in a constant state of deterioration until finally dropping out of the race just minutes before the sweepers came into the aid station. I collapsed into a chair beside the fire and had never been so happy to be finished with a race.
About 1 hour before reaching this aid station I was running on a gravel road and decided that I really needed to take a break and lay down for a while. Maybe a short nap would help me feel better. After quickly drifting off to sleep, I was suddenly awaken to the sound of a ambulance and four fire trucks speeding down the road. It was all I could do to just roll over into a ditch off the road and avoid becoming some of the largest road kill on record in Tennessee.
After I managed to scrape myself up out of the woods, all I could do was try and smile and hobble into my final aid station of the race. It was over and I knew it.
I was happy to be finished with the agony in my body at the time, but I was dreading the thought of dealing with the feelings of dropping after I got home. However, I've been surprised to not have any negative feelings about it at all. It was a race that I simply wasn't prepared for so I can't beat myself up over not finishing it. Lesson learned - at least for now. Haha again :]
So my plan is to take a break from racing over the summer and let my body rest. I've averaged over 1 ultra marathon per month for the last five years and its simply time for a forced rest period.
Golf is actually sounding really fun right now, but I'll be back to ultras later on.
I did want to say congratulations to so many friends who finished the race. Weezy, Christian, Kat, Gordon, Jason F., and Joel. Great running on some tough trails!
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Oconee 50K
As I ran around the lake heading towards the finish I could only be caught up in the moment of achievement. My time pretty much sucked and I felt fat & out of shape. However, I was running with my best friend under a deep blue Carolina sky and enjoying the moment. I reached a milestone that few probably ever will. There were times along the journey where dignity was all but shredded, but I stayed true to the course. The world was right for those few minutes as I crossed the finish line.
On May 3rd 2009 I ran my first ultra which was Terri Hayes' Buncombe 50K. Since then the miles, friends and adventures that I've experienced have enriched my life more than I could have ever imagined. Sure, there have been disappointments as well, but even those helped me grow as a person and runner.
I certainly don't intend to boast about this accomplishment, but at this point I need something positive to build off of. Runners have certainly accomplished this before and in much grander fashion, but this was my personal running portrait that I painted. I'm proud of it.
This was about my 40th 50K, but the first Sean Blanton race that I've ever ran. Yes, Sean Blanton who I call "Blanton" because I knew him before he became the Run Bum. The event itself featured a 50K and half marathon to choose from. Us 50K runners were challenged by a 6:00 AM dark start which meant leaving my house around 3:30 AM.
Wayne and I had decided to treat this as a training run since neither of us where in condition to try and push the pace. He was doped up on antibiotics and I was coming off 100 mile & 50 mile races over the last few weeks. We decided to go out at a good pace and just see how long we could hold it.
That ended up being about 23 miles until we faced the gravel road of doom. The course was an out and back and on the way to the turn around we flew down this long gravel road for several miles. I knew it was going to be awful coming back. It was.
I red lined my body climbing up the road ignoring the fatigue from the prior weeks where I had trashed my body mile after mile. I had to say & do things that are better left for the trail itself, but Wayne was unfortunate enough to witness some of them.
“When you dance with the devil, the devil doesn't change. The devil changes you.”
― Amanda Hocking, My Blood Approves
After finally climbing up the gravel road I was feeling too spent to eat but I forced down a cookie. It was going to be a long nine miles to finish this race out, but thankfully the tough part was in the rear view mirror.
Weezy (Wayne) set the pace for most of the final stretch as many of the runners we had shared miles with before took off at a faster pace. We shuffled down every hill and only managed to slowly run up a few as we were reduced to mostly walking. Wayne took two nasty falls during this final stretch and I knew he was feeling bad because he rarely ever falls.
It was great to finally see the lake and run around it for the finish. Blanton even joined in with us and ran through the finish. The race was very well organized and the volunteers were helpful and supportive. This was a beautiful course that I'm sure any runner would enjoy.
We decided to eat lunch at Taco Bell on the ride home. As we are eating lunch he tells me to turn around and a 80 year old man is standing beside the both with his shorts on the floor around his ankle. He just stood there for about 5 seconds before even realizing it! That was a good send-off to end a great day of training in the mountains.
The Rock Creek Thunder Rock 100 Mile race is coming up in less than two weeks, but I'm nearly certain that I'll miss it. I'm too emotionally, mentally, and physically beat up to face that challenge right now. I'm looking forward to some rest and vacation to renew my body.
70 Ultra Marathon Runs Completed In Exactly 5 Years.
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On May 3rd 2009 I ran my first ultra which was Terri Hayes' Buncombe 50K. Since then the miles, friends and adventures that I've experienced have enriched my life more than I could have ever imagined. Sure, there have been disappointments as well, but even those helped me grow as a person and runner.
I certainly don't intend to boast about this accomplishment, but at this point I need something positive to build off of. Runners have certainly accomplished this before and in much grander fashion, but this was my personal running portrait that I painted. I'm proud of it.
This was about my 40th 50K, but the first Sean Blanton race that I've ever ran. Yes, Sean Blanton who I call "Blanton" because I knew him before he became the Run Bum. The event itself featured a 50K and half marathon to choose from. Us 50K runners were challenged by a 6:00 AM dark start which meant leaving my house around 3:30 AM.
Wayne and I had decided to treat this as a training run since neither of us where in condition to try and push the pace. He was doped up on antibiotics and I was coming off 100 mile & 50 mile races over the last few weeks. We decided to go out at a good pace and just see how long we could hold it.
That ended up being about 23 miles until we faced the gravel road of doom. The course was an out and back and on the way to the turn around we flew down this long gravel road for several miles. I knew it was going to be awful coming back. It was.
I red lined my body climbing up the road ignoring the fatigue from the prior weeks where I had trashed my body mile after mile. I had to say & do things that are better left for the trail itself, but Wayne was unfortunate enough to witness some of them.
“When you dance with the devil, the devil doesn't change. The devil changes you.”
― Amanda Hocking, My Blood Approves
After finally climbing up the gravel road I was feeling too spent to eat but I forced down a cookie. It was going to be a long nine miles to finish this race out, but thankfully the tough part was in the rear view mirror.
Weezy (Wayne) set the pace for most of the final stretch as many of the runners we had shared miles with before took off at a faster pace. We shuffled down every hill and only managed to slowly run up a few as we were reduced to mostly walking. Wayne took two nasty falls during this final stretch and I knew he was feeling bad because he rarely ever falls.
It was great to finally see the lake and run around it for the finish. Blanton even joined in with us and ran through the finish. The race was very well organized and the volunteers were helpful and supportive. This was a beautiful course that I'm sure any runner would enjoy.
We decided to eat lunch at Taco Bell on the ride home. As we are eating lunch he tells me to turn around and a 80 year old man is standing beside the both with his shorts on the floor around his ankle. He just stood there for about 5 seconds before even realizing it! That was a good send-off to end a great day of training in the mountains.
The Rock Creek Thunder Rock 100 Mile race is coming up in less than two weeks, but I'm nearly certain that I'll miss it. I'm too emotionally, mentally, and physically beat up to face that challenge right now. I'm looking forward to some rest and vacation to renew my body.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Fort Clinch 100 / 50 Mile Race
I signed up for this 100 miler on a whim last fall in hopes of running a different type of race. With roughly 65 miles of trails and 35 miles of pavement, Fort Clinch would provide a beautiful beachfront park to break up the monotony of so many mountain ultras.
The course & event lived up to it's description. 100 milers run 10X10 mile loops and 50 milers run 5X10 mile loops. The loop is actually 10.4 miles, but the last loop in each event is shortened to equal out the distances.
My wife & I made the five hour drive down to the park on Friday evening and arrived on Saturday morning for the 6:30 AM start. You could already feel the thick humidity hanging in the air as the ocean air stuck to your skin. The ocean smelled great, but I knew the heat was only hours away from haunting us all.
It was bright enough for everyone to begin without a headlamp and I choose my normal starting position in the back of the pack. I walked the first mile to warm up my legs until I slowly begin to work into a little running.
I had read that the course featured rolling single track trails with roots, but I was surprised at how steep some sections were because we were beside the ocean. Not only this, but they were very twisty with lots of tight turns.
All of the paved sections were fairly flat and if you were careful you could even choose to run in the dirt on the side of the road. Not so much on the 1 mile stretch of concrete pier. You just had to suck it up and get that section finished every loop. On the plus side you were rewarded with a nice breeze and scenery. Oh, and a outdoor shower to splash around in!
My favorite area of the course was running around the actual Fort Clinch. It consisted of about a half mile of sand, but it was so cool to think of all the history that happened in that spot. The Fort was to the right and ocean to the left. I had read that it was possible to see wild horses around the area, but unfortunately I never did. I had made a promise to sit down and enjoy watching them if I did so I REALLY hoped to see at least one.
As the morning went on I was enjoying getting a feel for the course and how to run each loop. I was averaging about 2:30 for each loop and that remained my goal up until the heat begin to break me down after noon.
I hit the 31 mile mark (50K) in 6:55 and was very surprised by the time. I was guessing that I would've been closer to 8 hours, but was still happy with how my body was responding so I decided to stay steady on my pace.
Just after this around the 34 mile mark, my left leg begin to lock up on me. The large tendon on top of my foot that connects to the shin began to keep me from running. It was only sore to walk with it, but running was out of the question. I normally don't have much trouble putting little pains out of my head, but I knew that this one would lead to a injury if I kept up on it for potentially 19 more hours.
The blisters & fatigue that I had developed from The Blind Pig 100 two weeks ago also factored into my decision to switch from the 100 miler to the 50 miler at the end of my 4th loop. As a matter of fact I had decided to just drop from the race completely after the forth loop, but my wife and another runner Dawn talked me into walking one more shorter loop to finish it. I'm glad they did.
I felt a little stupid throwing myself into a 100 only 13 days after I had just finished another one on very little training. I'm the kind of person who has to have a new challenge and push my personal limits. I knew that I had pushed it to the breaking point so I was happy & satisfied to limp around one more loop and get the 50 mile finish.
Dawn & I kept each other entertained on the final loop and it made the time fly by. We were both thrilled to reach the final mile of our race on the pier!
I'm so glad that I went to this race and was able to finish the 50 miler. I'll confess that I don't really enjoy running on roads, but this park was so beautiful it made up for it. Caleb Wilson (RD) and all of the volunteers were super friendly and helpful. Heck, they even gave out ice bandannas during the heat of the day and tied them around our filthy necks!
I don't feel any upsetting emotions about not finishing the 100 mile race. I'm content because I personally gave all that I could and made a wise decision to not get injured on purpose.
I may take the entire family back down next year to run again. The race website calls Fort Clinch a "True Destination Race" and I will absolutely agree with that. Your family & friends can enjoy Amelia Island while you run until your legs fall off.
The course & event lived up to it's description. 100 milers run 10X10 mile loops and 50 milers run 5X10 mile loops. The loop is actually 10.4 miles, but the last loop in each event is shortened to equal out the distances.
My wife & I made the five hour drive down to the park on Friday evening and arrived on Saturday morning for the 6:30 AM start. You could already feel the thick humidity hanging in the air as the ocean air stuck to your skin. The ocean smelled great, but I knew the heat was only hours away from haunting us all.
It was bright enough for everyone to begin without a headlamp and I choose my normal starting position in the back of the pack. I walked the first mile to warm up my legs until I slowly begin to work into a little running.
I had read that the course featured rolling single track trails with roots, but I was surprised at how steep some sections were because we were beside the ocean. Not only this, but they were very twisty with lots of tight turns.
All of the paved sections were fairly flat and if you were careful you could even choose to run in the dirt on the side of the road. Not so much on the 1 mile stretch of concrete pier. You just had to suck it up and get that section finished every loop. On the plus side you were rewarded with a nice breeze and scenery. Oh, and a outdoor shower to splash around in!
My favorite area of the course was running around the actual Fort Clinch. It consisted of about a half mile of sand, but it was so cool to think of all the history that happened in that spot. The Fort was to the right and ocean to the left. I had read that it was possible to see wild horses around the area, but unfortunately I never did. I had made a promise to sit down and enjoy watching them if I did so I REALLY hoped to see at least one.
As the morning went on I was enjoying getting a feel for the course and how to run each loop. I was averaging about 2:30 for each loop and that remained my goal up until the heat begin to break me down after noon.
I hit the 31 mile mark (50K) in 6:55 and was very surprised by the time. I was guessing that I would've been closer to 8 hours, but was still happy with how my body was responding so I decided to stay steady on my pace.
Just after this around the 34 mile mark, my left leg begin to lock up on me. The large tendon on top of my foot that connects to the shin began to keep me from running. It was only sore to walk with it, but running was out of the question. I normally don't have much trouble putting little pains out of my head, but I knew that this one would lead to a injury if I kept up on it for potentially 19 more hours.
The blisters & fatigue that I had developed from The Blind Pig 100 two weeks ago also factored into my decision to switch from the 100 miler to the 50 miler at the end of my 4th loop. As a matter of fact I had decided to just drop from the race completely after the forth loop, but my wife and another runner Dawn talked me into walking one more shorter loop to finish it. I'm glad they did.
I felt a little stupid throwing myself into a 100 only 13 days after I had just finished another one on very little training. I'm the kind of person who has to have a new challenge and push my personal limits. I knew that I had pushed it to the breaking point so I was happy & satisfied to limp around one more loop and get the 50 mile finish.
Dawn & I kept each other entertained on the final loop and it made the time fly by. We were both thrilled to reach the final mile of our race on the pier!
Mile 49.5 on the pier!
Enjoying this sunset as the race ended made the entire trip worth it alone!
I'm so glad that I went to this race and was able to finish the 50 miler. I'll confess that I don't really enjoy running on roads, but this park was so beautiful it made up for it. Caleb Wilson (RD) and all of the volunteers were super friendly and helpful. Heck, they even gave out ice bandannas during the heat of the day and tied them around our filthy necks!
I don't feel any upsetting emotions about not finishing the 100 mile race. I'm content because I personally gave all that I could and made a wise decision to not get injured on purpose.
I may take the entire family back down next year to run again. The race website calls Fort Clinch a "True Destination Race" and I will absolutely agree with that. Your family & friends can enjoy Amelia Island while you run until your legs fall off.
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