Holiday Lake 50k++ Race Report

Well, my first ultramarathon is DONE, and out of the way!  After my great performance at the Route 66 Marathon, (before Thanksgiving), I took 2 weeks off for some "easy paced" runs, to stuff my face full of turkey (and anything else of nutritional and non-nutritional value) before I started training for my first ultramarathon, theHoliday Lake 50K++. From the beginning, I approached this ultra as a "chill" type of race...no pressure, just get your miles in, don't bonk and most of all...cross the finish line standing up.  Sound easy for 32 miles?  Sure! :-)  I got the training in, but the "meat" of my training was in the final 6 weeks, consisting of running the Holiday Lake course, running the Rivanna Trail in C'ville, and Wednesday O-Hill sessions with the CAT group.  Pre race dinner:  Lots of carbo-rich foods and my favorite...cheesecake (I wish I got a second piece of cheesecake, instead of the second piece of lasagna).  So many Patagonia jackets in this crowd of ultra-folks...i think it's more than I've even seen inside Blue Ridge Mountain Sports!   After the pre-race briefing (where the theme was "If you don't see yellow tape on the course...you're LOST! And you're stupid." The race director, David Horton, was quite a hoot.  After the briefing, he had a quick Q&A session for any ultramarathon newbies (a lot of us in the room), ranging from topics as what to eat at the aid station, how to keep motivated (Horton's recom:  Walk with a purpose...ie. don't stop), and how to use the bathroom while running (I'm not making that up).  Race morning, pre-race: The start line was LITERALLY outside my cabin.  2 bananas, a clif bar, and some weak coffee (sorry, I'm a coffee snob).  Hit the bathroom one more time...exit said bathroom with 2 minutes before gun time (after the national anthem and a quick prayer by Horton), and we're off!  Race temps:  low 20s, no wind.  Attire: My lucky red hat, my favorite NYC marathon gloves, mittens, 2 long sleeves, armsocks, and shorts. I'm thankful the predicted 15 mph wind wasn't present!  Usually, the next lines of my race reports include mile splits, but not this time.  Race morning, I decided to PUT away the ol' Garmin GPS and just go with the trusty Timex Ironman Triathlon.  I knew the aid stations were about 4 miles apart...so it made for easy math to calculate my average splits.  I wanted to just ENJOY this one. My fellow training buddy TJ  and I were literally the LAST two up the first hill. Horton suggested the night before that newbies WALK that hill, from the start line until we got into the woods.  We took that advice to heart.  It was wall to wall people until 30 minutes in (from being in the back of the pack).    Miles 1 to 4:  Just trying to get the motor going.  TJ and I spilt about 30 minutes in...he stopped for bathroom break...he told me to go on.  Admiring the sunrise as we made our way along the course.    Miles 4 to 8: The course thins out...meeting people along the way...most of the people I encountered had done an ultra or Holiday Lake before.  I realized I'm OVERhydrated.  So, taking a nature break every 4 miles became routine from here on.    Miles 9 to 12 - my fastest 4 mile section.  Can't explain that...many downhills (which later would become uphills).  Doing my best to not FLY down these hills, and risk breaking something.  I decided against taking salt tablets or eating potato chips at the aid stations...rather; I brought pistachios to eat/get my salt intake.  And when I wasn't taking a GU, taking an electrolyte capsule.  The lead runners are coming my way...they're making it look easy.    Miles 13 to 16: I started hearing cheers from across the lake, so I knew the end of the first loop was soon!  The course gets narrow coming in...so I stopped for faster traffic to pass by (and made sure I didn't fall down the side of the trail into the lake).  I went off course very briefly...when I saw the trail I was on went STRAIGHT into the lake!  Thankfully, it was only a few yards of the course.    End of loop 1: 3:06 minutes (cut off for the first loop was 3:45).  In and out, after donning a dry shirt and refilling my Camelbak.    Miles 17-32 are just the loop, in reverse.  With every significant hill on this course, I reduce my speed to a fast walk...and take in some fluids or eat some nuts.  Glen (my traveling buddy, a couple months out from the completion of his 50 marathons/50 states under 4 hours tour), runs this loop with me. He's keep me entertained along the way...laughing....and keeping me from thinking about what madness I'm putting my body through.  I tell him the tricks I've been doing to keep myself motivated on the first loop...and making him aware of a some stream crossings.  We encounter lots of mud on the second loop, which is easily cleaned up by stream crossings.  Sidenote:  I POWERED through a stream crossing...literal gallop through it.  The runner behind me exclaimed "Dude! That was hard core!!!!"  Well...wearing smart wool socks helped!   On the final mile, I catch Kathryn, a fellow C'villian.  I told Glen (and I think she overheard) that once we get to the pavement, I'm putting the hammer DOWN and getting to the finish.  There was an orange marker, stating it was a mile until the finish. I looked at my watch and saw that a 6 hour finish time was out of the picture (I didn't have a time goal in mind....though a 6 hr finish would have been great).   After passing 55 runners during that second loop (thanks Glen for counting...I'm still amazed!), I crossed the finish line in 6 hours 3 minutes (and some seconds).  I wasn't beat up when I got to the finish line...I was surprised! I finished the second loop in 2 hours 57 minutes...9 minutes FASTER than my first loop.  I was shocked.   Things I learned:  - Running without the GPS was a blessing.  Not worried about the pace.  I wasn't chained to technology. I ran by how I was breathing and how my body felt. - Speed really does kill! As does pavement.  The softer surface and slower pace were also a blessing over 32 miles.  - Race week fueling and race day fueling plan: it passes!  Salmon and veggies early in the week and a low carb diet until 2-3 days before the race got the old carbs out of the system, enabling to build up a great supply for race day.    Things that motivated me:    - Friends and family that thought I was crazy for attempting my first marathon 12 years ago...and even crazier (18 marathons later, ha ha) for going for my first ultramarathon.  It was a challenge to break through to the next level.  I know many were cheering for me; despite this crazy goal! - This hymn, which I learned from my days in a Mennonite High School. So appropriate:  It's called Guide My Feet. - Thoughts of my Tita Kelly, my aunt and my godmother  She died last month at the young age of 77.  A massive heart attack.   For 32 miles, I carried a picture with her in my Camelbak.  When I felt tired,I thought of her and her family...and for my extended family, as we continue to grieve. Will there be another ultramarathon for Andrew, you ask? Mmmmmmmm....there is a possiblity. I just won't say the % of that possiblity.  :-)     Andrew Zapanta

Holiday Lake 50k++ 2012 - A first Ultra experience

I just wanted to share my experience of my first Ultra and get it into writing before I forget some parts!

I decided to sign up for this event after watching Unbreakable a few months prior. My training went pretty well and finally got to the point where I could complete a trail run without falling. The week before the race, I was becoming more nervous with each pre-race email. The weather report forecasting a chilly 16 degree start had me rethinking my decision to do this race however my family flew in from Colorado so I knew I was starting :)

I was a little less nervous race morning. Maybe it was the 30 degree weather that calmed me down more. The first few miles went great! I met someone from Philly and we started talking about our trail running experience. Well after falling twice while talking I decided I better first stop talking and start focusing on the trail and secondly walk off the pain from a second fall.  After a few minutes I was good to go.  I have to admit that I let out a little scream at the creek (I know trail runners are not supposed to scream at such things) but it was a refreshing break. The rest of the first loop went by pretty fast and before I knew it I was greeting my family at 16 something miles. I grabbed some Powerade, Advil and some quick hugs and I was off. At the first aid station after the turnaround I felt great and starting calculating how fast or slow I could run to beat 5 hours. I see Marc and chat with him for a while until he speeds ahead. I also see Sophie along the way and try to keep her in sight. The next aid station came pretty quick, now one more aid station and then the finish. At mile 27, I did a mini celebration of surpassing the longest distance I have ran to date. Now only 5+ miles to go. No need to stop at the last aid station, I had all I needed on me.  I decided that my one GU was not going to get me to the finish so I took one more...still not feeling that needed energy to make it back so I decided to take one more. Guess I needed to take more nutrition earlier on! Oh well, no more time for carbing up...I was anxious to get to the finish. I get passed by a girl who speeds by and don't even think about trying to catch her. The rest was a blur until I hit the paved road. I knew I was almost there!  I was so glad it was downhill because my left knee was screaming at me to stop running.

Yes! 32.5 on my watch and the finish line steps away. I was done!  Hugs by family and friends made it even more perfect at the finish. I didn't break my 5 hour goal, but that is for next time I guess.

Kendra

Running Becca: Holiday Lake 50k++ Race Report (2011 Edition)

Running Becca: Holiday Lake 50k++ Race Report (2011 Edition)

a little later, a HL race report from CATster Rebecca

Holiday Lake 50k– 2/12/11

Holiday Lake 50 k– 2/12/11

Robin Ramm

After a hour and a half -ish drive to the 4-H camp, we settled into our cabins and had the Horton Dinner which consisted of salad,  sketty and meatballs and some delicious cheesy bread. There were a ton of desserts and lasagna too that I didn’t eat. Horton gave his speech which was a hoot, and then threw free gifts at the crowd. We heard this was going to be a record crowd of nearly 315 runners. Many doing their first 50K. I got a T-shirt for Montrail, but it’s too small for me.

Rebecca, who drove me, gave me many pointers for the day as this was her first 50k last year but has since accomplished so many races – including JFK 50 miler. We thought we had it made in our cabin, 4 of us with top bunks to lay out our goodies for the morning. Got my #167 pinned to my pants – who knew that ultra runners do this. Crystal, the sleeping back you gave me was very comfy and super warm! Loved it!!

We were all up at 4:45 am dressing and went over to the cabin to get hot water for my oatmeal and a bagel. Excitement was in the air.  TMI alert, but runners understand…3 attempts and a no go – I was worried.  Perhaps I’ll become an ultra runner and have to do it in the woods! LOL, luckily I was told to bring wipes and tp for that special occasion. Amazingly, it never happened…anywho….

 6:30 sharp we were off. There’s a long .6 mile uphill on a road leading to the trail turn off. I walked it since I heard that even if you rush up there – you need to wait for everyone to funnel on to the course. Why bother. My goal was to be in the back anywho.  Once on the course, I was glad to have my headlamp be so bright and illuminate the roots and rocks.  We were pretty close for the first mile or two but then soon the group spread out. At the first aid station, mile 4, we were able to drop off our headlamps into a box in hopes of seeing it at the end. There were so many goodies on the table from chips, M & M’s, pretzels, bananas and the usual drinks. I grabbed water and a piece of nanner and was off.

Things are fuzzy from 4-8 miles but I think the stream crossing was in this part. It was icy cold and ankle deep, but I decided to not try and walk the rocks since it was so icy and others were saying very slippery. After all, part of being an Ultra runner means running thru streams right? It was like icy daggers stabbing my feet after going thru but only lasted about 10 minutes and I moved on to the next hurdle. Grabbed more banana and a few chips at 8 miles and kept up with my regimen of Salt tablets, Perpetum blocks by Hammer and a few peanut butter pretzels. Boy they tasted good. 

By the time I got to 12 miles, runners were already coming the other way! Seriously I was thinking? They went to 16 and were back at my mile 12…calculated quickly - they were 8 miles ahead of me! Unreal. Everyone was so supportive and saying “great job” or “looking good” as they passed our pitifulness.  Ha ha.

My favorite part of the course is around the lake and within a few miles of the turnaround you go down a series of steps and then over a bridge that is very thin but beautiful overlook of the lake. I loved it even with my fear of heights. Soon after, I was at the turn around and the clock said 3:18. Great, I made the cut off point …I can move on. I quickly went to my cabin undressing along the way and took off some layers and did a pit stop and grabbed more fuel. I was feeling like I could still take on the world and eager to go on.

Miles 16…Loop 2 we go backwards so soon I was up on the bridge again and wishing I had a camera – so pretty.  I was passing a few people on the way back, so I knew I wasn’t dead last – comforting. I knew they needed to be at the turnaround by 3:45 ish so it was sad to think they didn’t make it to do the 2^nd loop.

Aid station #5 at 20 miles they asked what I wanted, so I asked for a scotch. Apparently…they didn’t find that very humorous…so I asked for a “new body”? Ha ha. Nothing. Okay, give me a banana and I grabbed a ¼ of a pbj. YUMMY. That hit the spot. 

Soon after this I felt twinges of the darn IT band kicking it. I stopped to do some stretching and rub the leg…but by mile 22 it was locking down and my knee kept feeling as if it would buckle. Frustrated – 11 miles to go, I tried doing the gallop dragging my left leg along, going down hills sideways to prevent the pain and of course walking fast. This kept on to the finish. Every down hill made me cringe and I looked forward to power walking in between. The stream, while it was a bit warmer outside – still felt like icy daggers to my feet but I decided it was good for healing them! Ha ha. 

I was happy to see the next aid station and filled up with a few more pieces of PBJ and grabbed another slice of nanner.  Bruuuuuuuce came on my iPod at mile 26.2 (at 5:30 hours) which inspired me to move a little faster and put a smile on my face – Born to run. It makes me think of Mark when I hear any Bruce song and I got excited thinking he was probably waiting at the finish for me now.

Last aid station, mile 29 - 4 more miles to go – I was mentally doing great even with the bum leg. I had no doubts I could finish and I calculated it would be 7 hours and 10 minutes now. I had hoped for a sub 7 hour, but hey – it is what it is.

Some beautiful horses were next to me for part of the last few miles and were just gorgeous, gotta love a horse smell! I told the one lady I was tempted to jump on and she said she would if it wasn’t against the rules. Bummer man. I guess I’ll just pet them and move on.

Finally off the trail and the last .6 down to the finish on the road, I was all alone…I hobbled and galloped with my bum leg, walking fast. One lady was getting in her car and said “great job” and I asked if I was last?  She said “no way, and you look great – I didn’t even make it to the 2^nd loop and I’m exhausted!”

 I finally spotted Mark waiting and we waived at each other from a distance. I’m so thrilled to be done! Horton shouted my name and grabbed me at the finish saying how proud he was of me finishing! That was cool!!  Gave Mark a huge stinky hug and kiss as he told me how proud he was of me! My finishing time was 7 hours 11 minutes. I made my goal of finishing standing up and NOT last!! Many runners came in even past the 8 hour cut off. I ran a total of 33.26 miles. Incredible.

“Walked” back to cabin to towel off my smelliness and pack up. I didn’t even eat the lunch I paid for or get my finishers Tshirt (didn’t see them) I just wanted to leave at that point! I did however get my headlamp back! Yes!

I’ve learned that I love trail running more than road running because of the beauty and less people, but that I’m much slower on the trail than on the road. It’s odd to be at the end instead of the middle of the pack…but I’ve made peace with it as it’s just beautiful. I also like running by myself which I within the last year found out works for me. Who knew?  Don’t get me wrong BJ, our runs are great – but give me an open trail and 8 hours and I love to stretch out and enjoy it.

Would I do another 50K? Probably, but I’m not sure I’d want a real technical trail. This one was perfect for a “beginner” and I enjoyed it so much.  I won’t say never, because I will likely be signing up for another within a few weeks, right – ha ha.  Thanks to all my friends  and family for the support and advice J