Mt. Mitchell Challenge

Been a long time since I posted, but its been a crazy early 2013. This semester both Lisa and I are teaching so we are busy. On top of this, we are doing multiple job searches at VT so we are especially busy. We have hosted a couple of visitors, etc.

On to the race. This is my big race each spring for the past 4 years. My training this winter went pretty well, I had numerous long runs but no super long runs (24 miles plus). Still, given the complexities of life, I was as ready as I could be.

We drove down to Black Mountain on Friday afternoon. We rented a house near the race finish, a good plan given that at the end of the race I can't go far. We then went to dinner at our favorite pizza place and had a good pre-race dinner. We also went to the race-meeting to hear that the race was being re-routed off of the trails to the top and onto the road. There had been a big storm and the trails were covered with snow and ice and they couldn't get race support where they needed to be.

Race day started off horrible! I got up early and ate and then we hustled to get the kids mobilized. Then I went to the car the realize I had left the reading light on the night before and killed the battery. Great. So we had to walk to the race start. Not a big deal for distance but it was supposed to be rainy later and we were already getting late. So we set out on foot. I was stressed then and forgot my bottles. So we went a block or two when I realized this and had to run back to get them. Finally I got my bottles and we hustled to the start. One of the race organizers saw us and gave us a ride the last few blocks to the race start. We were there with 15min to spare!

Once the race started it was time to run, for me at least. The rest of the family went to a coffee shop for hot coco and then went to a toy shop.

The first 15 miles of the race went fine. I took it easy and set a good tempo, probably a bit slower than last year but the trails were super muddy, sloppy, and slippery. I didn't feel great but not bad either. I hit the Blue Ridge Parkway in the top ten and then started to walk a few miles. It was a steep section and I decided to save myself. A few people passed me and I was fine with that. Near the top, a guy caught me and we ran together for a good 5-10 miles. It was helpful because I was in the midst of a serious pity-party as I got near the top of the mountain. Mt. Mitchell is the highest mountain east of the Mississippi at 6,685ft. It was cold on top with some wind but nothing too bad. I just felt bad and wanted to quit. But I hit the top and turned around.

Going down the mountain was tough. I hit the top around 12th place and started me way down. Running down a road is brutal on the legs so it hurt. Lots of foot pain and quad shock but I got back to the trail with 12 miles to go. A couple of guys caught me on the trail but I didn't care. I am conservative running downhill on trails as I don't want to turn or break an ankle. Near the end of the trail I had some serious cramping. This was with about 5 miles to go and my left leg was locking up. A guy I had passed and re-passed a couple of times then caught me and offered me some electrolyte pills. I happily accepted and tried to get going again. Ten minutes later I was rolling again. Not sure if it was the pills or something else but I was past the cramps. I started catching people again. With a mile to go I saw the 'pill guy' up ahead with another guy in our race. I decided to catch them if I could. And I did, with about 1/4 mile to go. The 'pill guy' waved me through but I refused to pass him. I couldn't see passing a guy who had saved my race. So the three of us finished together in 15, 16, and 17th place... just under 6 hours for the ~37 miles.

I was quite happy with the result. Long distance running races take a long time and you go through lots of emotions. My biggest issue was the pity-party I had at the top. Luckily a volunteer snapped me out of it. I was ready to quit and this guy notes that I am near the front of the race. Seemed like I should keep going, so I did.

Here is the track from my race: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/277531522