the drive from ct wasn't bad, mostly because it was after 10:00 at night when we hit the road because i had to work, and robbie was nice enough to drive while i tried to get some zzzz's in the back. got to the race sight just before 1am and passed out for a couple hours. up at 3am to pick up my race bib and bag, which was great! included in the entry fee was a tech tee and a great all purpose sports duffle with 3 zip compartments! the first runner i bump into is zsuzsanna (who would place 2nd in the 100 mile course) i don't know if i recognize her but she pegs me as the "accidental 100 miler at virgil crest!" the east coast ultra scene you end up seeing a lot of familiar faces, its great. sticking around to see more runners off for the 4am race start of the 100 miler i found johnny getting geared up for his race! we exchanged hugs, and words of encouragement. i would be seeing him out on the course due to the looped layout.
back to sleep for me!! for a couple hours anyway.
snoozed a couple times then finally up at 5:30. my race was starting in 30 minutes. i ate quickly and filled my camel pack with the goods i would need, my go to race formula of water and nuuntablets, and a couple organic food bars. scarfed down some food and went in search of coffee. coffee is always a race day essential for me!
i lined up with the other runners, with my headlamp beaming in the dark i was not nervous at all. i had decided only 2 days earlier that i would switch from the 50k course to the 50 mile course, and i was hardly ready for what i was about to start. but a huge smile on my face and feelings of pure excitement were enough to get me going.
and off we went trotting into the darkness....
the first portion of the course was along the grass then lead into a single track trail section. a sharp turn and soft ground left one runner down in the mud just a 1/4 mile into it. while settling into my rhythm for the day i made a goal for myself to take this one easy. feeling great, but knowing i was a little undertrained for this one, i didn't want to push my limits and go out too fast. soon the trail took us out onto a short road section, then through the grass again to turn onto a carriage trail. the beginning miles of my course would be 2 loops of the western section of 16 miles each. then the shorter 9 mile loop on the eastern side 2 times. (the 100 milers would do each section 4 consecutive times!)
falling instep with various runners at different times we had good conversation that helped pass the time. the course was very flat and demanded little attention so it was nice to be able to chat with fellow runners and hear stories of how they got to the "ultra scene".
i soon crossed paths with johnny and betsy (3rd place female finisher). johnny was my life line at virgil crest so i was so excited to be seeing him again! and betsy i knew from lake waramaug 50 mile. we were going opposite directions but we stopped for a second to chat anyway!
eventually i found myself a little more comfortable running alone. i enjoyed the conversation, but found that i picked up my pace a little when running next to other people. normally that would be great, but i really was trying to take it easy. my first loop back to the pavillion where the start was i was thrilled to see my support crew, robbie and my dog drago, waiting for me. i had never had any kind of support at a race before so it was great to see them waiting for me. i didn't need much so i pressed on pretty quickly. getting close to the marathon point i was happy with my pace. i was very consistent and my body was feeling great! but that soon changed. once i completed the western loops and was headed out to the east side i started to feel a little pain in my left knee. it wasn't bad though so i continued on. soon i forced myself to walk a little while i was eating. and really focusing on my form so i wasn't adding any pressure. the pain didn't get worse, but it didn't get better either. but i was here to finish so i just tried to forget about it. the 9 mile loops were mentally easier to tackle so that helped. the sun was shinning warm and all the runners, including me were still smiling at this point! coming into the pavillion for my last turn around i see robbie and drago again. we walk together a bit and its a nice little break. but not too long!! at 41 miles i'm happy to have just 9 to go. falling into rhythm again i decide to listen to a little music to help get me going. the carriage trail provides the same scenery mile in and out. the music definitely helps. as well as seeing all the other runners. i have done some races were i've gone more than an hour before i see a face! when your hurting it sucks to be alone, so that was my favorite part of this race! luis is out for the 100 miles. i've seen him a couple times and so far he looks great! i hope that continues, as i know how hard it can get out there mentally. then i cross paths with mishka, he is out here to complete his first 50 miler and to do it in under 11 hours. when i see him he is on his way to finishing in under 9 hrs!! i don't want to stop him so just yelling out encouraging words while we pass will have to do. i'm super pumped for him to be surpassing his goal. so pumped i start running faster. i look down at my watch and realize i can finish this thing in 10 hrs! all the sudden running faster hurts less, crazy i know! i reach the turn around quickly and before i know it i'm running towards the pavillion. that last 9 miles was a breeze!! not so easy that i wish i was doing 100! it felt great to finish, and i did it in 9:58. not my fastest time, but i was very happy. also happy to see my "boys" robbie and drago at the finish cheering me on. back at the tent a quick baby wipe shower for me and fresh clothes then down to see the post race massage therapist. felt great, but it was too short!! my muscles started to tighten up pretty quickly but i could still walk. break time for me, i shoveled some left over pasta into my mouth and washed that down with a beer then laid down for a little rest. but before i knew it johnny was coming in off his 4 laps of the west side.
a group of us had our tents next to each other, and lined up just past the pavillion along the course so you could have your own little staging area if you needed. he sat and put his legs up and grabbed my beer and chilled out for a bit. only 4 x 9 mile loops to go. breaking it down seems less daunting. after a short break johnny was off.
i tried resting some more but i was feeling wired. i walked around the campsite and mingled with other runners....
the rest of my night would consist of little sleep to no sleep. i decided to spend the night crewing at the main aid station for the 100 mile runners. bundled up in the cold i waited as each runner passed through getting them what they needed. each runner with there own story, each with there own goal. some stayed a while to rest in between loops, others grabbed what they needed quickly and moved on. but every runner had the same look deep in their eyes... past the pain, past the thirst and hunger, past the cold!, you could see a feeling of accomplishment and even some pride in each runner as they counted down the miles. first time 100 milers, record breakers and even those that couldn't reach the 100 miles had earned that feeling of accomplishment and i felt honored to be a part of it. my efforts were minor compared to the race directors that were around ALL weekend working like crazy, and the volunteers that had been helping all day. i will make it a point to volunteer at a race that i'm not running in the near future, and recommend it to anyone interested in ultras.
overall i had an excellent experience at this race and would recommend it to many including road runners, first timers, runners that don't want to carry a lot, socialites, and beer drinkers. the post race brunch held a very low key awards ceremony boasting prizes for everyone that showed. top pick, the local beer :) always a runners favorite.
until next time...
kelly bird
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