Ok. The day began at 2:45 a.m. I had to drive to Baltimore for the Patapsco Valley 50k. And this is my race report. My first one. As i was leaving the house, people were just coming in from the bars. Big change for me. Ten years ago i would have definitely been on the other side of the equation (ok, maybe ten days ago). The drive to Baltimore was uneventful and full of bad pop music...just shake it off...we all have our prerace routines. I was one of the first to the race site which gave me time to hit the rest room (thrice) and snack in the jeep.
But before I knew it, I had my headlamp on and was standing at the starting line with 300 (a little cold) crazies. Within a .25 mile we were off the road and into the trails, looking like a highway at night with all those headlamps. A mile after that groups were already forming. I managed to get into the top 20-30 and settled into an 8 minute or so pace, which felt pretty quick considering all the turns and bends and branches in the face.
About five miles in, two guys came barreling towards us. Then a few more. Then more. Finally, someone said we were off course. Crap. Everyone turned around and then the pace got out of hand for a while. By the time we got back on course, we lost about a mile. And once we were back, it was crowded. Craowded crowded. And just single track. So...it was very hectic for the next five miles or so. Trying to pass people. "On your left." Trying to stay with the lead group. Even sprinting up hills. Wait, why was i trying to stay with the lead group? This was supposed to be my race to chill and "just finish"? I always say, "You can't argue with stupid." And man, was I being stupid. I'd pay the price...but not until about mile 26...more on that later.
So it was a foot race...a 31 (now, a 32 mile footrace), but finally, it mellowed out. And I was able to enjoy the race. Big thanks to Jerry and Mike who I met on the trail and let me tag along with them. Turns out not all New York Giants fans are bad. Here are thoughts I had duiring the middle 20 miles or so.
-I guess still have fat thighs. As evidenced by the amount of chubrub i got. Note to self, either lather up with Aquaphor or wear some sort of compression gear underneath.
-I don't need to walk up hills, I got this.
-Wow, were these aid stations set up by Willie Wonka? And Mountain Dew, very very nice touch?
-How does this guy with the octopus shirt keep getting in front of me?
-Where the heck did all those birds come from?
-I hope that guy who wiped out in front of me is ok.
-Maybe I should walk the hills.
-Yep, I just totally fell in the creek.
-Seriously, octopus shirt, what is this magic?
-Just a Broad Street Run to go. What can go wrong, it's only 10 miles.
-I wonder what Anne and Finnegan are doing?
-Ooh, a hill, I can walk.
-OK octopus shirt, let me know your secret.
-More Mountain Dew!!!!!
-Am I actually smiling during a race, this is fun.
-Oh crap.
That was the thoughtIi had at roughly, mile 26 (what should have been mile 25). It all caught up with me. Right then, right there. Like a swift Bruce Lee roundhouse kick to my spirits. So i did a lot of run/walk for the last miles. More than i would have liked. But you fight how you can. I tried gels. I tried candy. I tried Mountain Dew. Nothing worked (but those root beer GU's are pretty delish). Big, big, big thanks to the volunteer at the last aid station who took off my pack, filled it, and understood what I was trying to say even though I wasn't saying anything. SIDE NOTE: I'm pretty sure you temporarily lose an IQ point for each kilometer you run.
So anyway, I fought through the last six miles and then hit the last downhill. And what? My legs had a little giddyup in them. I passed two people in the last half mile...and I sprinted. I finished with a 5:32:54...ummm, 18th overall (a pleasant surprise), 3rd in my 30-40 age group (also not expected).
Overall thoughts: great people, amazing volunteers, no broken bones (thank god), awesome aid stations, beautiful, beautiful scenery. I think trail running may be a new passion. And for the folks who put on the race, you've created a lifelong fan of the Patapsco Valley 50k (maybe just a little better marking, maybe).
One last note, nothing can prepare you for the amount of the soreness you'll feel in the upcoming days. Going down the stairs was more painful than all 50k. And it seems to take just as long.
Another big thanks to my great friend, Tom Nagel, who brought his two two year olds (yes, two of 'em) to see the end of the race. Thanks brother, it was great seeing a familiar face (and meeting your daughters!)
And of course, an even bigger thanks to my wife Anne who let me go play in the woods on a Saturday morning.
Ooh, and my SLS3 compressions socks were dope. No one could miss me with that color!
But before I knew it, I had my headlamp on and was standing at the starting line with 300 (a little cold) crazies. Within a .25 mile we were off the road and into the trails, looking like a highway at night with all those headlamps. A mile after that groups were already forming. I managed to get into the top 20-30 and settled into an 8 minute or so pace, which felt pretty quick considering all the turns and bends and branches in the face.
About five miles in, two guys came barreling towards us. Then a few more. Then more. Finally, someone said we were off course. Crap. Everyone turned around and then the pace got out of hand for a while. By the time we got back on course, we lost about a mile. And once we were back, it was crowded. Craowded crowded. And just single track. So...it was very hectic for the next five miles or so. Trying to pass people. "On your left." Trying to stay with the lead group. Even sprinting up hills. Wait, why was i trying to stay with the lead group? This was supposed to be my race to chill and "just finish"? I always say, "You can't argue with stupid." And man, was I being stupid. I'd pay the price...but not until about mile 26...more on that later.
So it was a foot race...a 31 (now, a 32 mile footrace), but finally, it mellowed out. And I was able to enjoy the race. Big thanks to Jerry and Mike who I met on the trail and let me tag along with them. Turns out not all New York Giants fans are bad. Here are thoughts I had duiring the middle 20 miles or so.
-I guess still have fat thighs. As evidenced by the amount of chubrub i got. Note to self, either lather up with Aquaphor or wear some sort of compression gear underneath.
-I don't need to walk up hills, I got this.
-Wow, were these aid stations set up by Willie Wonka? And Mountain Dew, very very nice touch?
-How does this guy with the octopus shirt keep getting in front of me?
-Where the heck did all those birds come from?
-I hope that guy who wiped out in front of me is ok.
-Maybe I should walk the hills.
-Yep, I just totally fell in the creek.
-Seriously, octopus shirt, what is this magic?
-Just a Broad Street Run to go. What can go wrong, it's only 10 miles.
-I wonder what Anne and Finnegan are doing?
-Ooh, a hill, I can walk.
-OK octopus shirt, let me know your secret.
-More Mountain Dew!!!!!
-Am I actually smiling during a race, this is fun.
-Oh crap.
That was the thoughtIi had at roughly, mile 26 (what should have been mile 25). It all caught up with me. Right then, right there. Like a swift Bruce Lee roundhouse kick to my spirits. So i did a lot of run/walk for the last miles. More than i would have liked. But you fight how you can. I tried gels. I tried candy. I tried Mountain Dew. Nothing worked (but those root beer GU's are pretty delish). Big, big, big thanks to the volunteer at the last aid station who took off my pack, filled it, and understood what I was trying to say even though I wasn't saying anything. SIDE NOTE: I'm pretty sure you temporarily lose an IQ point for each kilometer you run.
So anyway, I fought through the last six miles and then hit the last downhill. And what? My legs had a little giddyup in them. I passed two people in the last half mile...and I sprinted. I finished with a 5:32:54...ummm, 18th overall (a pleasant surprise), 3rd in my 30-40 age group (also not expected).
Overall thoughts: great people, amazing volunteers, no broken bones (thank god), awesome aid stations, beautiful, beautiful scenery. I think trail running may be a new passion. And for the folks who put on the race, you've created a lifelong fan of the Patapsco Valley 50k (maybe just a little better marking, maybe).
One last note, nothing can prepare you for the amount of the soreness you'll feel in the upcoming days. Going down the stairs was more painful than all 50k. And it seems to take just as long.
Another big thanks to my great friend, Tom Nagel, who brought his two two year olds (yes, two of 'em) to see the end of the race. Thanks brother, it was great seeing a familiar face (and meeting your daughters!)
And of course, an even bigger thanks to my wife Anne who let me go play in the woods on a Saturday morning.
Ooh, and my SLS3 compressions socks were dope. No one could miss me with that color!