This was my second 100K race both this year and overall, and marks my 13th ultramarathon to date.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect leading into this race, my first 100K was very difficult (very technical and tons of vert) and though this race was not going to be the same, it did have a final cutoff that was 3 hours shorter. So I was hoping the lack the elevation change would help me finish on time and my only true goal was to beat that 16 hour time limit. I considered getting under 15 hours to be my “B” goal. Anything beyond that would just be icing on the cake.
I camped out at the park on Friday night and had picked up my bib and the hat and pullover they were giving to participants at early packet pickup Friday evening to have less to worry about race morning. This also let me know where things were and orient myself race morning since it was going to be dark for the 5AM start.
The course is a figure 8 type route, with a 13 mile shorter loop followed by the larger 18 mile loop that totals 50K. 100K runners obviously run this twice. I had a park map that I marked on the turns from what the race sent online and carried that map with me just in case I made a wrong turn but didn’t need the map at all. Race workers had the course very well marked I thought, though I did hear of a few runners taking a wrong turn. I think that was a result of them not paying attention but that’s just my opinion. As for other info on the course, the website for the race, (uberendurancesports.com), stated that it has about 4000ft elevation per feet 50K loop. It was mostly trail (of all sorts), just a bit road running, and of course the crossing of the boulder field!
I had signed up for this race about 2 months ago, but when I looked into this race a little more than a week or so before its date, I realized it was much smaller than I thought. The last 3 years there were only about 3 dozen finishers on average. This made me realize that I’d probably have to run a fair portion of the race on my own at times, which ultimately lead to be true.
Not only did the race have few finishers, but that was a result of few starters. I had heard where there were 43 starters, and the crowd did look small during pre-race announcements. I was actually shocked that it was 43 runners honestly. The 50K and 18 mile races had many more runners participate. Race officials states it was about 400 total participants in the 3 distances. Clearly the 100K is not the race of choice!
Nonetheless, pre-race announcements were short and with a very short countdown, we were off to it!
The start of the race is slight downhill and then a quick road crossing that takes you basically right through the park campground until reaching a single track trail that truly gets you into the woods and having that trail race feel. The first few miles were flatter than I expected, and due to this I likely went out too fast. My first mile was definitely too fast I saw when I went back and reviewed the splits from my watch—a 9:37 first mile. Note to self—don’t do that again! Honestly I didn’t think I was running that fast though. Through those first few miles I was at the tail end of the second pack of runners.
I wasn’t long before I came upon the first aid station at mile 5. I looked at my watch and saw I was under and hour! This meant sub 12 minute mile pace so far and I knew I had to slow it down because for me that is very quick to even attempt to sustain for even a 50K, yet alone a 100K. I drank some liquid and spent minimal time here, moving on but being mindful of slowing down.
It wasn’t long before I would slow down due to the course. The next 5 miles until you come back around and hit that same aid station at mile 10 are the hilliest miles of the course. The trail slowly meandered upward and runners spread out a bit. There were finally the first glimpses of daylight. Up and up we went and upon coming to a lookout of the Lehigh River, it was about 1.5 hours into the race and I could finally feel comfortable with turning off my headlamp. The course changed back to single track and lead back down the hill to that same aid station.
I looked at my watch when I first saw the aid station tent and it showed 2:00:29. Again I was still averaging 12 minute miles exactly. I spent minimal time at the aid station again, only slightly longer as I put my headlamp in my race pack since there was plenty of light now despite it being cloudy. I laughed as the runner in front of me told the aid station workers “see you again at lunch time!” His words would definitely hold true though.
The next few miles back to the start/finish were some of the most scenic in my opinion. There was a spot just a few minutes after the aid station were you ran through a tunnel of rhododendron. I don’t know what it is about that species of shrub/tree, but I always love seeing them along a race course, and going through a canopy of them is even better!
 |
| Rhododendron around mile 11 |
Just farther down is another highlight, the Shades of Death Trail. It is a lot spookier sounding than what it is though. While not easy, any average hiker or even children can handle it. It just has some tricky spots with LOTS of roots and some with lots of rocks, some slightly wet. Just take your time though and you’ll be fine. Overall it is a very picturesque trail. You’ll see water cascading over rocks several spots with one waterfall near an old dam. There’s also a spot where rocks form steps between two huge boulders. It might be a tough spot to squeeze through if you’re hiking and would have a wide backpack.
 |
| Squeezing though here! |
From here the course is more flat and easier to run, but the fact I ran the first 13ish miles fast I had to incorporate some (purposeful) walking breaks. I didn’t really enjoy the next 5 miles to the next aid station that much—I don’t know, just nothing exciting to see and too flat. There was small section mixed in there that was singletrack trail and did enjoy that part but that was about it. The only good thing was I was now catching up to the back of pack for the 18 mile distance runners and there was some company.
I hit the next aid station and ate some more and kept moving. Out of the aid station was a long gentle downhill and then a turn onto the Boulder Field Trail. It quickly turned more technical and difficult which I liked at first. Eventually the trail became VERY narrow and mildly overgrown. Since I was running with trekking poles, the narrow trail made it hard to advance them. It was also hard to pass anyone. I made it through there and I can say it was very cool eventually when you could see more daylight and catch the first glimpse of the Boulder Field! This to me is the highlight of race and of course what gives the race its name.
 |
| Boulder Field |
Coming out of the boulder field was an aid station again. It was there where they had bacon. I had one piece and I swear it tasted like the best, most succulent piece of bacon I had ever ate. Really—it tasted that good! I drank some more, thanked the volunteers and kept moving. By now runners were reaching the farthest reaches of the park. To me, again the course was “boring.” At one long stretch it was very narrow again. Intermittent rocks made it hard to run. I could not get momentum due to this.
About the time the course opened up again, another runner had caught up to me. This was the first time I really engaged in much conversation with anyone during the race. As continued to the next aid station we went back and forth on how it’s going so far, favorite (and least favorite) parts of the course, goals for the race, and what other ultras we’ve each done.
I have to admit, I forgot how tired I was starting to feel while talking to him. The miles did seem to go by fast as we were at about the same pace. It wasn’t long before we hit the last aid station. I did stop at this one for a little longer, I don’t know why really, I just did. Again I made sure I fueled up both nutrition and hydration and me and the other runner left at the same time.
We covered the miles back to the end of the 50K loop actually. The end miles were diverse and enjoyable. Some open spots, some more single track and an eventual long slow descent to the park and end of the 50K loop. There was a road section in there that was mostly uphill and felt like it went on forever but a cool waterfall at another dam did make it worth it.
 |
| Waterfall at Saylorsville Dam |
Getting to and crossing the start/finish at the 50K occurred just under 6 and a half hours. I did some stretching at the aid station to ease my aching muscles while again eating and drinking. I was starting to think that maybe this could be a really good day. I was right about where I thought I should be time-wise for 50K. My muscles, especially my quads and hip flexors were aching already though. I knew though that by just slowing down a playing things smart the second half I could turn in a good time. While I knew I couldn’t hit the 13 hour pace I was at currently, with smart race management on my part I could still turn in a very respectful finish time.
Going out for the second half of race was more solo racing for sure right from the start of it. I somewhat jockeyed with a few runners through the second loop catching up to them near an aid station only to see them leave just as I was stopping at it and vice versa. Overall just more solo running though.
The big difference for the early course miles now doing it the second time, was at least I could see what was up ahead in those early miles since it was all in the dark the first go around. It’s funny, the same course had a different feel the second time. Sections that seemed to go by quick on the first half seemed to drag out on the second loop. The hills seemed steeper too. My quads were screaming back at me on the steeper inclines.
I also spent more time at each aid station, but not excessively. I made sure to eat since my stomach was allowing me too (I didn’t have much of an appetite during my first 100K) and also drink too. It was wasn’t excessively hot but it felt like it. I guess it was mostly humidity. The temperature was about 58 degrees at the start and rose to the mid-high 60s I guess from what was forecasted. Coke and Gatorade were the go to choice for aid station drinks with the Coke tasting especially good to me for whatever reason. I made sure my water bottle was always filled at each station and that got me through things out on the course. Grilled Cheese sandwiches cut into quarters and bacon were definitely the go food choices. Each tasted so good! One aid station did have some chicken and that tasted very good too! I did eat some candy and cookies but for the most part stayed away from the sweets this race—they just didn’t appeal to me. I also had just a few chips, pretzels, and half a banana, but none of those really appealed to me.
I got to mile 43 in about 9 hours. The cutoff was 10 hours 50 minutes. I was in good shape hitting that cutoff which was the start/finish after the 13 mile section of the second loop. I got some energy from the spectators watching us racers. After doing some mild stretching before heading out to do the last 18 mile section, I felt infused from the cheers. I would try and soak in as much of that as I could because I knew more solitude lie ahead. I just kept ticking off mile after mile, trying mentally not to get too far ahead of myself and think about the miles and fatigue and intermittent boredom that lie ahead. With no one around to talk to your mind can wander easily and think about things too much. Like what aches, what hurts, how this section is the same as 10 minutes ago and the same as 10 minutes from now. I had to remind myself just run the mile you’re in right now and keep putting one foot in front of the other. More walking was involved this second half of the race. I knew that though and was expecting it. All it was was just managing it the best I could, which I did.
I finally got the boulder field again and felt energized from this, my favorite section of the course. I scrambled through there, but again did take just a little time to soak in this naturally occurring phenomenon. Within about 10 minutes of leaving the boulder field the rain that was forecasted started to fall. I was sure glad I was past the boulder field because I feel it would have been much harder when the rocks are wet. The rain came down fairly steady for awhile and I definitely started to get wet. I grabbed my hat from my race pack and put on to keep the rain somewhat off my head and from running down onto my face. This really helped. The rain did slow to a more tolerable level. I was thinking how the exact same thing had happened in my first 100K. Just after reaching the 50 mile mark it started to rain. This was much easier though as with the first rain it was a thunderstorm with pouring, driving rain that persisted much longer.
My GPS watch also ran out of battery life about this time. I took time to swap out and put on my old standard Casio wristwatch on since I knew the battery would eventually die. At least with this watch I knew what time of day it was and with a little math could figure out my race time.
It seemed like forever to reach that last aid station but finally I got there! I fueled up on the grilled cheese, bacon and Coke again for the stretch run. All of it tasted so good in the cooling rain! I stopped briefly to introduce myself to another runner that was in charge of that aid station who I connected with on Instagram weeks priors after commenting on the same race we both ran. Two other runners came into the aid station while I was still there, one being the guy I ran with on the first half of the course for many miles.
After I thanked the aid station volunteers, me and the other runner both left at the same time. We started talking and kept the same pace and it made the stretch run more fun as I forget how tired I was. Eventually he dropped back during the technical single track section and I kept pulling forward. With maybe 3 miles to go I was by myself and knew the finish was getting close. I came out to the final road section and kept pushing uphill. Back on the trail I passed two 50K participants hiking and kept pushing fairly hard up the slight incline. The trail crested and upon it declining, I knew the final push was on! Down the trail to where the bear ran out the first loop and then a right turn to the dirt road lead me to speed up some. I saw on my watch that it was just past 6:30 PM, meaning the 13.5 hour mark. I was so surprised I would finishing this quick. After a few turns on park roads the home stretch was in sight and I could see the (albeit few) people still remaining to cheer at the finish line. I completed my second 100K with a really strong finish!
A lady almost immediately handed me a finishers award and the announcer, also checking his electronic device for the race, asked me my age group. He checked his device and told me to hold on—then he told me I was 3rd place in my age group and handed me a trophy! Despite it being a small race I was very shocked and needless to say very surprised!
My official finish time was 13:34:40. I was 14th out of 24 finishers.
Post race I did some mild stretching to try and stay loose while talking to a 50K runner waiting for his girlfriend to finish her 50K. This was his first ultra and he stated he is quickly finding out how supportive the trail and ultra community is.
Quite frankly, that is what I love about it too. So many other runners I the events I’ve been doing have been supportive and positive. There is something about this and the atmosphere of the race that I just don’t see on the same level as a road race or shorter distances like 5K’s and 10K’s. Perhaps to some degree this support and positivity is what is drawing me into the sport.
Overall, I had a good time at this race. Hickory Run State Park is one of the places I wanted to check off my list of places in Pennsylvania to visit. I also had a great finish time that was about as good as I could have expected to run. Also positive, while I was sore, my body didn’t feel as bad after this race as my first 100K, likely due to being easier.
No comments:
Post a Comment