Lookout Mountain 50 Miler 2012

Let me start by saying this report is long and at times can seem self-glorifying. Please know if you choose to read that I am proud of my accomplishments but I know that I could not do them with out the blessing from God and those that have helped me along the way. 

For most individuals, the idea of running 50 miles is considered and impossibility. However after getting more involved with the Ultra community, I know several who have done it or plan on doing it soon. For me, the idea of 50 miles also seemed outlandish, but for the past couple years I had worked hard and wanted to test my limits with such a race. The Lookout Mtn 50 miler was going to be that race. Nathan Judd and I had planned on running it for nearly half the year and tried to train accordingly. Time for training was now done…it was time to race. Ready to RunItFast!

The race starts at Covenant College in GA. It is a Presbyterian School that was built around a 1920’s hotel in the 60’s. The hotel was built to be a “castle in the clouds.” From the steep drive up to the start, I knew that is just where we were. Covenant College on top Lookout Mtn

The weather was nearly perfect. I wore Brooks Cascadia 5’s with Injinji socks, DG gaiters, my favorite reebok racing shorts, a RunitFast shirt with a bright orange Brooks pullover, North face gloves and OR hat. As we made our final preparations before the start my nerves were in full force as I was about to embark on a new journey. I had trained hard though, and I was ready. 

We run along campus for about the first mile before diving down to a trail that will connect to the Ochs Gateway and National Park’s Bluff Trail. It is aptly named Bluff Trail being along the Bluff of Lookout Mtn. We are running north along the mountain with Chattanooga and the Tennessee River to our left. The pace is slow because of the trains of runners that we find ourselves in and the technicality of the trail. Nathan and I start out together chatting about what we got ourselves into. The trail is runnable but it is also full of rocks and roots that are covered by leaves. I had twisted my ankle fairly bad a couple weeks before and this was the first time I had been back on a trail, the last thing I wanted to do was sprain my ankle in the early miles. Sure enough about 2 miles in I slightly twisted it…Nathan made a comment about how bad the twist looked. It hurt but stopped after a few more miles. We ran comfortably passing some as the trail and pace allowed. After a few miles we passed by Point Park which was on our right via a tall stair case. From Point Park is where you can supposedly see seven different states, I would run through two today.

My first minor mishap other than the twist occurred on what is called the Beautiful Mountain Trail. It is a switch-backing trail that descends down the mountain to the Hardy Trail. Along this trail we have to duck under the old incline railway. I was not paying attention or whatever and nailed my arm on a large bolt that was sticking out of the trusses.  It took me off guard and hurt, I would feel it several times later when running, but nothing to worry about.

Once we got off the Beautiful Mtn Trail we joined the Hardy Trail. This was about to begin the fastest section of running for me. Hardy is a wide gravel service road that uses the old rail bed of the Chattanooga railway. I opened up and started running freely. Somewhere along this trail I pulled away from Nathan, I would see him again at the finish line.

Cravens House 8mile markI got to the first aid station 8miles in at Craven House. (A house once owned by Robert Cravens who made his fortune through the sale of iron. His house was used during the Civil War by both camps and was later burned by the Union during a drunken brawl. Cravens later rebuilt it and the house along with the land was donated by his family members the Ochs to the National Park.) I dropped my jacket and gloves with Jonathan Harrison who was crewing for Nathan and helping me and some other RIF’ers out. The next several miles were going to be on wide runnable jeep path and I was going to try to open it up some more. I caught up with a group of 4 other runners that were running 2 wide and 2 deep. I decided to join behind them. The path was easy and very enjoyable while we put down 9 min miles or faster. I didn’t talk to any of them just listened in on their conversation some. The guy that was right in front of me had a visor on with an ipod shuffle clip and head phones wrapped around the back part of it. I guess just in case he wanted to listen to something later. We eventually got back to some more single track trails where we I ended up passing all four guys. I would stay ahead of them for the rest of the day, except for the visor guy, more about him later.

In no time at all, it seemed like I was to the next checkpoint (15 miles) at the Reflection Riding Center. This was at the bottom of the Mtn where Lookout Creek runs. I had spent the last mile or two chatting with a guy by the name of Blaine from Johnson City. We talked about the race and what our goal was, both of us wanted to sub 11hours…unfortunately he would finish in 11:02. I was feeling great and had thoughts of a great day ahead of me. Blaine and I *photo courtesy of Mark McKnight*

After this aid station, the climb began. The first 16 or so miles was a somewhat gradual down hill with rolling climbs here and there, but the next 6 miles were going to be up and down, mostly going up. We joined the John Smart Trail…I don’t know who John is, but I know he wasn’t very smart! There has to be a better way to get up the mountain than by that steep climb of 4 miles.  

One of the advantages of the climb is that I get to use my long legs and power hiking ability. I love to hike and I was hiking hard when it was too hard to run. I also pass more people on the inclines too. One of the individuals that I would Yo-Yo with for the next several miles was a lady by the name of Kimber. I was very impressed with how strong of a runner and hiker she was. We didn’t talk any at this occasion but we would see each other again later in the race.

Climbing back up the mountain was tough, but I handled it well. I had thought that it would be the hardest part of the race and I was kicking its tail. This gave me hope that the other 27.5 miles were going to be easier….well that was stupid to think that, because once I got back up to Covenant aid station at 22.5 miles in 4 hours, the next 1hr and half were going to be my personal worse.

At the Covenant aid station I thought I might get to see some friends: Jonathan, Leah, Melissa, and Amber. Instead, none of them had made it up there in time to see me. So I took my time fueling, taking in some salt tablets and boiled potatoes before going over to my drop bag to change shirts. I also refilled my pockets with some waffles and Powerbars. I went back to the table and grabbed a handful of peanut butter filled pretzels before walking back on to the trail.

I tried to pay special attention to the course for the next 7.5 miles to Lula Falls. I knew that I would come back this way later and I would want to have an idea of what it would be like on the way back up the mountain…again. I did well running along a creek bed then to a right of way where some large power lines were. I even did well back on the single track part of the trail, but then at about 27 miles, things got bad and would soon get worse.

Let me try to break down what I think was happening. First of all, I didn’t’ realize that I had to go 7.5 miles to the next aid station, I thought it was shorter…I should have and could have known but just didn’t. So as time marched on, my mind was playing tricks on me as to how much farther it was. I was getting tired…I had run a marathon worth in 5hours of time. To put that in perspective my first road marathon was in 4:28, so I was moving fairly quick for a trail marathon. I hadn’t had any caffeine all day. I realized this when the Kimber girl passed me again. I asked her how she was doing, so that I could voice how bad I was doing. She said she was alright. I said I am feeling pretty rough. She then said that she had just taken a gel with caffeine and that made her feel better. So maybe I needed caffeine, I took a similar gel and felt better for maybe all of 30 secs. Then my feet got heavier or the roots got taller because I kept tripping, not falling, but tripping over roots and rocks. I knew this was not good. Then I started to get passed by more and more people 4 or 5 in all, but it felt like the entire field as each one came by. We finally got down to another creek type area and I thought we should be close to the aid station, it had been 1hr and 20 mins since Covenant College. The world started to get darker…I started to walk. The trail got harder and I started to doubt. I looked at my watch and it read 5:26 (from start time). I decided that if I didn’t see the next station in 4 mins, I was just going to take a nap and hope I felt better. I had been told by other ultra-runners and through reading that there will come times like this and if you wait 20 mins or so, it will get better…maybe. Three very long slow minutes passed by as I walked and then I came to a clearing and saw a tent….Aid station not a moment too soon!

The Lula Lake Aid Station (mile 30) was beautiful. First of all it was my light at the end of a very dark few miles. It had Coca-Cola that I downed 4 small cups of and it was overlooking beautiful Lula Falls. I saw several pictures of it before the race, but none do it justice. The entire Lula Lake Land Trust was the idea of a Mr. Davenport who had acquired some the land. By the time of his death in 1994 he had over 1000 acres in the area to his name. The trust began and has spread to over 4000 acres. To help preserve the area, it is only open two days out of the month…the first and last Saturday. We were allowed to run through it on this Saturday, and it was spectacular. Feeling very refreshed from the aid station and the beautiful view, I started running again. Lula Falls *photo courtesy of Nathan Judd*

Shortly after the falls there is a very steep portion of the trail to get to the top of the ridge. So steep that there are three ropes that runners have to use to pull themselves up to the top. Once on top there is a wide jeep type road that continues to climb the Mtn again. I was feeling much better and I started to run uphill while others were hiking it. Along the way I started running beside a guy by the name of Brett Miller. We stayed together for nearly 4 miles. It was enjoyable to talk with someone. We shared some life stories, talked about what else…running. It truly helped the hour or so go by quickly. During this section we ran through where two years ago a huge tornado had gone through knocking down all the trees. On this newly cut trail it was interesting to see all of the blow downs and how the sky opens up with no tree cover at all. Eventually we came down to a road that would lead us to the next aid station and the Long Branch Residential Preserve (mile 34).

This aid station at the Long Branch loop was extra special because for the first time in 6 and half hours I saw someone I knew. Amber along with the rest of Nathan’s crew was waiting there. I didn’t feel like talking much or stopping long but it was good to see them. I grabbed some stuff from the aid station and my drop bag. I also told Amber what I would want when I came back through in about 4.5 miles. Fueling up at Long Branch mile 34

The Long Branch Residential Preserve is the brain child of Odyssey Land Company which goal was to make high end houses in remarkably beautiful areas without destroying the land itself.  Trails wrap through the forest where the Preserve has several trails that intersect, I assume to different houses, although I only saw two or three houses, I think. The 4.5 miles seemed long and it was full of ups and downs, some wide trails some more technical. Close to the end of the loop is a creek crossing. Not like a creek crossing with a bridge or with rocks you can jump across. This crossing causes you to go over ankle deep in the cool creek water. If I was smart I would have splashed my face, but I was anything but smart at this point in the race.

Back at the aid station (mile 38.5) I borrowed a truck tail gate and Amber helped me get out of my wet socks and shoes. I am sure that I could have gone on with them, but I didn’t want to. I got a fresh pair of smartwool socks to replace my injinji ones that I had on. I also put on my Cascadia 6’s to finish out the day. Fueled up and then I was off. 4 miles or so to the falls then 7.5 to finish.

One the way back down the stick of the lollipop I ran by myself most of the way. No one passed me, some people came by in the other direction, and most of them would have to drop before the night was over. I passed some others making my way back up the mountain again to the ridge where now Flintstone, GA and the Chattanooga Valley could be seen on my right in the afternoon sun. Along the ridge I was enjoying running pretty fast for this stage in the race. I was back on the jeep trail and it was a gradual downhill on the way back. I was contemplating on how well I was doing and then, as if to shock me back into reality I tripped over a rock, or a root, or some small woodland creature and fell. My nearly 6’ 5” frame crashing towards the earth just to be caught by my water bottle filled hands. Dirt and gravel covered my sweaty body and even got into my short pockets where I had stowed away gummy bears. Falling hurt; getting up hurt worse. My right leg seized up and I was stuck in some type of Spiderman pose for a few excruciating seconds before I could press up on my left leg and begin walking, jogging, then running again. I ended up passing two more guys on the ridge before getting to the ropes again. This time going down was even more difficult in fear of cramping up. I took it slow and made it to the bottom, ran a little further till I got to the last aid station (mile 42.5).

I looked at my watch. I had 2hrs and 10 mins to meet my goal of sub 11hrs…and only 7.5 miles stood in my way. I thought about just playing it conservative and I did for the next mile or so. I would jog slowly and hike at any opportunity I could, but then I got a metaphorical kick in the butt from the “visor guy.” The same guy that I passed at mile 13 or so! He came barreling down the trail right past me running harder than I would have ever expected. Now I realize that ultra-runners are deceiving. Some that are in the best looking shape can be very slow out on the trails and others that look like they like hamburgers more than long runs can be very strong runners. I looked at this guy and thought, there is no way that he should be able to run like that and I not. So I decided in the 6 miles that I had left I was going to run as hard as I could. I wasn’t going to hike unless I had to, and even then I was going to hike hard.

It was difficult and it was painful, but I was determined. I was also seeking revenge against the same section of trail that had caused me so much trouble a few hours earlier. And in the process I ended up passing several other runners. It was with about 3 miles left that I caught back up to Kimber and this time also Joshua Holmes. He was very surprised to see me, and I was too, thinking he would have finished by now. I ended up passing them both and a few others as I ran as hard as I could till the finish.

I came to my final climb and shortly thereafter saw rope lights that had been put up to guide me back. It had been dark for the past 15-20 mins now and my headlamp led my feet as I came to the finish line. 50 miles in 10:22:12, blowing my goal of sub 11hours out of the water.  

The finish was overwhelming for me. I was in a lot of pain but I also was in a lot of joy. There is some lyrics to a song by Everclear that came to mind in the first moments after crossing the line. The song is called “Local God” the lyrics: “That leaves me feelin' stupid, happy, and numb.” That pretty much sums it up! "That leaves me feeling stupid, happy, and numb"

Here are some things that I took away from the day.

1. First of all, God has made a beautiful creation in the scenes I saw, and I too am fearfully and wonderfully made. Several times I was amazed by the body that God had created. When it is feed right and used properly it can be so efficient, even for 50 miles.  
2. I also found that my 45 min fueling strategy was about right. Except for the one dark time, I stayed fueled and hydrated well. I also didn’t spend any more time at aid stations that I needed too, that helped my time.
3. I learned that hard training pays off. If I had a nickel for every time I thought about my training during the race, I would have a few bucks at least.  I had trained harder for this race than anything before. Not only did I do the long runs and speed workouts, but with strength exercises too. Running intervals with stadium steps and burpees to core work sessions. In the end, hard training makes for fun racing.
4. Finally I learned that I can run 50 miles at one time and feel okay afterwards. Meaning that now I need to find something longer perhaps.

Thanks to everyone that supported me along the way. Several of you sent me texts or Facebook comments. I was able to read several of them when I stopped at aid stations. I appreciate Amber for allowing me to chase after these outlandish goals too. 

With "Mr. RunItFast"

StumpJump 50k 2012

East Tennessee is one of the most beautiful parts of God’s creation. On October 6th, 2012 I had the wonderful opportunity to run 31 miles through this marvelous landscape along the Cumberland Trail. As the Race Director welcomed us at the start on the bullhorn, he referred the beautiful trails that we would be on in the lower east corner of Tennessee as “God’s Pocket.”

My family and I left home Friday afternoon to drive to Cleveland, TN where we would have supper and spend the night at my in-laws house. I had my pre-race meal at a favorite Cleveland eatery known as Jenkin’s Deli. Usually before endurance events like marathons or my previous ultra I would carbo load and have a lot of penne pasta, chicken, and bread (lots of bread). Then for a snack before bed and a breakfast the next morning of cinnamon crunch bagels from Panera Bread. However this year I have been on a Paleo/Primal diet since Aug 1st.  So instead of all the grains and carbs, I opted for a salad, buffalo burger without the bun, and sweet potato fries. I didn’t notice a deficiency of energy during the race, in fact, just the opposite. I got to bed early knowing that I would be up early and  on my feet a lot the next day.

5am Saturday morning I got up to start getting ready. We would have to leave by 5:30 to get to race in time to get my packet, bib number, and ready my drop bag. I had slept fairly well and 5am is not that early for me because I am used to getting up earlier than that on MWF for BootCamp as it is. Amber and I got into the van to drive the 1hr trip to Signal Mtn for the race start leaving the kids with their Grandmaw and Pee-Paw for a fun day with them.

Amber and I arrived at Signal Mtn Middle-High School parking lot at about 6:30am. It was 63 degrees and it started to rain. Once there I went and got my packet and bib number. Inside our bag there was a sweet Patagonia tech shirt, some coupons, and I also got an Outdoor Research hat. On the way to the check-in table I ran into my buddy Nathan Judd and his dad. Nathan and I were roommates at Freed-Hardeman for 3 ½ years. Even though we are very different and have different likes, dis-likes, and pet-peeves and that we live roughly 8 hrs apart, we are best of friends. Nathan was one of the people that encouraged me to start running about 3 years ago now. At the time he was training for the St. Jude marathon and I was fat. Last year he came out to see me run the StumpJump and he got the itch to crank his training up so that he could run it with me this year. This was the second of 4 races that we plan to do together this year. We ran Country Music Marathon in Nashville on a warm April day earlier in the year. We also plan to run the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon and the Lookout Mtn 50 miler in November and December, respectively. When we met that morning, we exchanged hellos and then went on to finish preparing for the race.

For a race like this you get the option to have a “dropbag.” The dropbag are supposed to be no larger than a gallon zip lock bag. In mine I packed an extra shirt and pair of socks, bodyglide, 2 packs of honey stinger chews, some gels, and a powerbar. I would have access to that dropbag at mile 20.

A light rain continued as we lined up for the start and took our last pre-race pictures. For this race I wore my Reebok running shorts (I love these for long-distance because they are light and have deep pockets to hold gels and other things), and my RunItFast tech shirt (RunItFast is a running club I joined and have enjoyed, look them up!). For footwear I wore Injinji toe socks, Brooks Cascadia 5 trail shoes, and my HOV Lane DG Gaiters. I also carried my awesome camelback handheld bottle and my ifitness race belt/pack. Nathan and I made our way up to the middle front of the pack waiting for the race to start. Last year I started at the very back of the pack, a critical mistake that plagued me with a frustrating pace for the first 10 miles. The RD said go and then 700 or more runners started to run out of the parking lot toward one of two trails.

StumpJump is divided into two different races that start and finish at the same place but that divide after leaving the parking lot of the school. 50k turns right, 11 mile turns left. Unfortunately some of the elite runners either did not hear the announcement and did not see the sign, or just run way too fast. The “Lost boys” as they were called ran several miles the wrong way. By the time they got to the 10 mile aid station of the right course, many of them decided to drop from the race. They gave some others the opportunity to do very well in the race.

Entering the trail after about ½ mile of roads, we circled the campus of the school on their part of their cross country course. The first 3 or 4 miles were very enjoyable. Nathan and I talked about various things, we ran most of the minor climbs and were only passed a few times (I believe I eventually passed all of them back). At mile 4 we got to Mushroom Rock, which is a pile of rocks that looks like, well you guessed it, a mushroom. There were some people there setting up an aid station that would be used as the last aid station on the way back. The course is set up like a lollipop, 10 miles on the stick, 10 miles on the pop, and then 10 miles back on the stick again.

Once leaving Mushroom Rock the course narrows to single track, and also takes a turn downward, descending several hundred feet before you reach the Suck Creek Road crossing at 6 miles. Nathan and I keep a good pace, hiking the steep climbs and running the flats and downhills. Nathan would run the downhill very fast, sometimes I thought he would bust he was moving so fast. We cross the scenic swinging bridge that was very wet and slippery, made a climb then another steep technical downhill to the Suck Creek Aid Station at mile 6.1. Refilled the water bottle, had some grub and an electrolyte replacement capsule and we were on our way. We had run 1hr and 3 mins and feeling good.

Crossing over Suck Creek Road is in some ways fun, it is one of the few times during the trail race that you have a large audience, albeit that they are people stuck in traffic waiting on trail runners to get out of the way. Immediately crossing the road is a pretty good climb, over 300ft in 1 ½ miles. I was pleased to hike the steep portions. Nathan was a head of me for most of this and I would say to him, “Let’s hike.” I wanted to conserve my energy and I wanted him too. So much of a race like this is trying to be efficient with your energy, don’t waste your time getting more tired by trying to run something you have no business running, we had no business running that steep terrain. After the climb we came to a pack or train of people that we would run with till we reached the next aid station. Nathan had gotten ahead of me on a downhill section and I was stuck in the back of a pack of about 10 runners, 4 behind Nathan. I did not like running in that pack partly because there was a girl in front of me that couldn’t have been more than 5 feet tall. She was doing find as far as pace, but her stride being so short was very inconsistent and I found myself having to stop and wait on her in fear of rushing her or being rude. There was no reason to try and pass, because there were so many people in front of me. I was going to ride it out until Indian Rockhouse. Then…something happened that has never happened to me before. I had run this trail once last year. I have logged probably close to 500 miles on trails in the past 2 years and never have I fallen. But there, at the end of the pack, behind the short girl, I fell and fell hard. I don’t know what exactly tripped me up but I do know that the next 2 seconds seemed like 5 mins as I began to descend from my highest point at 6’ 4” to the hard rocky ground below. In that moment where time stood still I decided instead of trying to catch myself, I would tuck and roll. I didn’t hurt anything, but it did hurt. The short girl checked to make sure I was okay, I was and we continued to Indian Rock House.

The Indian Rock House is another natural rock formation that makes for a great shelter and place to set up camp. On the opposite side of the Rock is some rock stairs that we would run down later in the race. One thing the StumpJump does well with is aid stations. Everyone is so nice and helpful to get you whatever you want. I had a handful of trail mix, handful of peanut butter filled pretzel bites, small cup of coke, 2 salt capsules, and some potatoes with salt on them. I got my water bottle filled and then walked over to see the best part of the race. My wife! She had hiked down the mile or so from the parking area to see us and to bring me the rest of my Gatorade from that morning. I downed the 16 ozs or so, posed for a picture, gave a kiss and was on my way again. 10.6 miles done in right under 2 hrs.

We now entered the “pop” part of the lollipop course, known as Mullens Cove. The next 3 miles felt like they flew by. We were running at a good pace, running most of the inclines and Nathan blazing down the hills. We passed several people during this part, including a guy that wore sandals…I don’t know what he was trying to prove or if he was really in to minimal running, but his feet had to hurt. As we approached our next aid station at 13.3 we stopped off the side of the trail to stand on Snooper’s Rock. This is a Rock out cropping that hangs on the edge of the mountain and lets you see one of the most spectacular views of the Tennessee River Valley. Breathtaking, awesome, inspiring, realization of God handiwork. We stood there a couple mins and then headed back to get to the aid station. All the people we had passed now were ahead of us at the aid station, but we would shortly pass them back again. After topping off water bottles and grabbing a quick bite to eat we were on the trail again. I also reached into my belt and pulled out some Honey Stinger chews that I was going to munch on for the next few miles. Over a half-marathon done but still a long way to go, 2hrs and 40 mins of running complete.

On our way to the next aid station at mile 17, there isn’t much to write about. We enjoyed beautiful trails and good conversation. Running with Nathan made this race so enjoyable. There was never that lonely feeling that can sometimes creep in and cause you to doubt your feel depressed. We ran at a good pace until making another climb that included the old dirt and rock Haley Road. At the top of the road was another little aid station before turning back into the woods and continuing to climb. The next 3 miles were some of the longest of the race.

From the aid-station at mile 17 to the aid station at mile 19.5 it took us nearly 45 mins. The forest seemed darker through here. The terrain was definitely tougher. It included some good climbs and the dreaded Rock Garden. The rain that morning mixed with the fall leaves made for even worse conditions. However we pressed on and were walking/hiking strong. During the Rock Garden we passed at least 6 people, 2 ladies, and 3 or 4 guys. I thought we were never getting to the next aid station, then there was a guy sitting in the woods drawing, that made me think that we must be close. The parking area along a dirt road was just around the corner. This would be the end of the “pop” and another opportunity to see Amber.

We got to the aid station and began to refuel and grab our dropbags. We expected to see our families but they were not there. I assumed that we were just running so fast they didn’t get here in time! But we decided to take our time there and see if they would show up. I changed into my RIF singlet and reapplied bodyglide. Then I changed into some smartwool socks that I had got the weekend before at the Moonshiners 5k on Paris Mtn. It is amazing how a fresh shirt and pair of socks can make you feel. Nathan meanwhile was trying to bum a phone so we could call our family and tell them we are headed on. While he was dialing, they showed up! It was great to see Amber to tell her how I was doing and good the awesome encouragement. We posed for a few more pictures and I was itching to get going! Down the hill we went back to the Indian Rockhouse. 2/3rds done! 4 hours of running behind us. I for a moment thought about breaking 6 hrs..that moment was very short lived.

We had a long 5 miles or so to get back to the Suck Creek road crossing and our next aid station. Nathan and I yo-yoed for the next 3 miles. He would fly past me on the down hills and I would hike past him on the climbs. We passed a few more runners until we made a wrong turn and had to back track a little bit and re-pass the same two guys. It was shortly after this that we had another climb where I passed Nathan along with another runner and I decided to open it up. I ran the rest of the way to the steps that go down to Suck Creek Road only hiking one or two climbs and running the rest. Once I reached the road I yelled, “Hey Judd! Judd!” I heard Nathan answer back and could tell he was still a good ways up on the mountain, I then yelled, “Hurry Up!” and crossed over the guard rail to the aid station.

6.2 miles to go! Last year at this part of the race I was ready to quit. Everything hurt and seeing people along the trail sitting down did not give me any hope. This year I was ready. I refueled at the aid station and grabbed a power bar out of my belt that I was going to munch on as I started the climb. I kept reminding myself that I had trained for this. That I am a strong hiker and that these two climbs were not going to beat me. It is during this time of endurance events where many people start talking to themselves...or at least I do.

The climb to Mushroom rock at mile 26.8 is brutal, especially on tired legs. The first climb is close to 400ft of gain in under 3/4th of a mile. Then the beat up quads get beat up even more as you pound down 400ft of descent back to the swinging bridge (here I fell, again!). Past bridge begins the hardest climb of the race, 600 ft of vertical gain. Mushroom Rock becomes a beacon of safety 3/4ths of the way up the climb. I downed two cups of coke there and ate a little bit wanting to move on and finish.

The last 4.2 miles are very deceiving. What was a gradual downhill at the beginning of the race, seems like a steady climb now. However I was ready for the challenged and started to play tricks on myself to keep my mind off the pain and the discouragement of going uphill. I reasoned that I had 4 miles to go. That means that I had roughly 12 songs to go. I can usually run a mile in 2 ½ songs or so, so 3 songs should be plenty even with the climb. So I started counting songs and running towards the finish. I tried not to walk at all these last few miles…I did some, but I ran most of the way and was even able to pick off a few more runners.

At mile 3 you can begin to hear the loud speaker from the finish line…this is cruel. But you have to know that you still have 3 miles to go or just 9 songs. It was at song number 6, almost there, that I crossed the road on the campus of the school again and was also crossed by a girl. This was the first and only girl that I am aware of that passed me and I never caught back up to…I got “chicked”. With now just a half mile to go the Foo Fighters song “Monkey Wrench” came on. I decided to put both of my earphones in, crank it, and run hard. It was all road now to the finish. 31 miles in 6hrs and 26 mins. I was happy.

I enjoyed this race tremendously. It was beautiful. It was great fun to run with Nathan.

After the race I walked with Amber to get some clean clothes at the car. While walking there my right leg cramped up and threw me to the ground, it was very painful, but I didn’t have to run anymore today. I went and got my complimentary hamburger and ate while waiting for Nathan to finish. I was proud that he had finished his first 50k! I look forward to the Battlefield Marathon in November and the Lookout Mtn 50 miler in December.

A special thanks goes to my lovely wife Amber. She is my number one encourager and is always the best thing to see during a difficult race. I could not do it without her support, nor would I want to.

Here is my Garmin info: http://connect.garmin.com/player/230694112