This has always been my favorite 50k, running through NJ’s
wilderness during the short autumn daylight hours. I felt great from
recently jumping to 90-100 mile weeks with speedwork, b2b long efforts, a ton
of calisthenics and my usual 2/week hard tempo runs. After training on the
actual main loop counterclockwise as it would be this time, the altered course
shifted my time goal: to at least meet the 5:43 from last year's time when the main
loop was done clockwise, and most thought, the faster way to go. A year ago my
diet was more processed-based and I stacked two tough 100-milers only 5 weeks apart
shortly before MoMa: I felt way fresher this time and I my legs felt more developed
for long hill efforts. So that hopefully would compensate.
I did no taper, just wasn’t tired enough. The Saturday before
I PR’d a 50M by two hours from 2010 at Virgil Crest- and still felt fresh.
Recently I had switched to almost a no-meat diet and massive amounts of fruit
all day long and it helped me drop 15 pounds in 6 weeks and my recovery was
near instant, I felt light and strong on the hills, and ran all but the
steepest sections of the course. This time I’d have to run everything to make time. I think
being short-legged makes me slow hiking up hills so I trained to run everything possible.
At the start the front crowd thinned to 6-7 of us, Julian
(last year's winner and course record) pulled ahead to the front and hauled up the first 3-400 ft climb. Everyone
else followed suit, ran right up it and began to disperse. I fell back a little
wanting to at least preserve something, knowing the course beforehand was a big
advantage. I jumped over a log uphill, probably unnecessary. The course flattened
to single track, I was leapfrogging with a few guys as we traded names and
moved on. Back up another long hill, still felt strong. I realized unlike
other years we didn’t have to go up and down Bear Swamp road, instead we’d only
go down it once- no big change, only more trail elsewhere, but mentally it seemed we were given a big break. 9 miles in I reach
the far-point and high-point, Skyline Drive. All my training runs began here as
it was a full 7-8 miles closer to the highway- and Doungking Donuts. Without me even realizing it, Harry Hamilton who was
helping at the aid filled my water and Dan O’Keefe filled me in that the
leaders were only 5 minutes ahead, sweet. Laurie Timko, who unfortunately got
injured right before the race, snapped some great photos right here when
everyone is anticipating a long downhill.
The next section was long downhill and rocky, and I felt loosened up
really good by now and tried anticipating foot placement as fast as possible-
nearly missing some potential falls on some not so friendly rock garden
sections. After this, the halfway point was a few miles away. There I realized I
had only drunk two handhelds by this point, which didn’t seem healthy and also might cause
bad cramps and bonking. Still, I felt focused, and grabbed two gels, barely
stopping for more than a water fill. The toughest section was ahead, a long
climb, 10% grade for the first mile, and would take most of my energy leaving nothing
for the last 9 miles if I wasn’t careful. I stuck with running the whole thing
anyway, feeling great. I knew there were about 6-7 runners ahead and I started
passing many on this hill. A few shorter climbs later and the main loop was
done. I was getting thirsty at this point but the mini-aid station a few miles
from the end of the main loop was tapped of water- another good reason to move
quickly to the start where I had an extra filled bottle stashed.
Nearing the start, I hadn’t passed anyone in a few miles. Figuring
the 2 ahead of me were miles ahead, they will easily break the course
record! Coming down into the same straightaway we started on I saw
Julian blasting below on the beginning of the second loop. Coming back to the
start I threw my hip-gear down, forgetting again to drink, and grabbing my
spare bottle. I downed it in the first mile- only thing left to do is haul and
not get dangerously dehydrated. I figured 9-10 minute miles I’d be safe. Never
before did I sacrifice time in drinking a little extra for time on the clock.
Now it was necessary to put in a good finish.
Since the 7.77 mile bike loop was hilly but no long hills,
it would have to be done at 10k effort. I downed a gel and I felt energized but tapping
into my final reserves. The first main hill I powered up, but the nastiest
groin cramp ever came over me and I tried stretching in a V hoping it would go
away. Luckily, it was the top of the hill and a little downhill would let it
rest. I got complacent about being in 3rd but I knew the 4th
guy was right behind; we passed at the turnaround stairs. But then after 3 miles into this final loop on the backturn portion, I looked behind about
3 miles in at the end of a long straight stretch, nothing but trees! Relaxing,
I probably lthen et off the gas too much- because coming in the last 2 miles of
hilly single track, 4th place David came sprinting out of nowhere!
He later said he knew I was only 6 minutes behind and ran HARD to catch up. And
he did, leaving me in the dust. 10 yards from the finish I see Dave at the same time finishing his first loop, looking ready to eat the trail up. David goes on to finish 5:01, I came in at 5:04.
The top two broke the 5 hour mark, Julian at 4:59, and Michael at an
Astounding 4:39. It was a jaw dropping finish- could have even been neck and neck, rare for these kinds of events!
Next thing I hung around watching some friends finish and
kill their goal times on a harder course than before. Unfortunately a few buddies
got injured right before and had to sit out, as running this terrain on
injuries cannot ever be a fun experience, I've been there too many times. I felt more than pleased with the
race, and even more excited with seeing how much further I could take it. Nothing
is more satisfying than feeling strong running up steep hills. My personal
training schedule can be draining, but I feel like my timing is more nailed
down than usual for consistent increases in endurance and speed. What's great is how everyone is already taking bets on the results for 2013. Thanks NJ Trail Series!
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