2013 Mega - Run Report

Mega Xtreme 2013

The Beginning

 

I saw that little red needle slide past more posted speed limits than is typical for my driving as I raced to the start line for the 2013 Megatransect.  My driving was a result of needing to leave from my house the morning of the race instead of camping out as I did last year and the untimely waking of LBM as I was walking out the door.  But a few moments of cuddling had LBM back in dream land and me out the door and headed into what might be the fastest miles of the day.

Thankfully I arrived safely and I prayed that would be the theme of the day.  I quickly got my bib and visited a real bathroom one last time before I finally took a breath and joined the growing crowd of fellow Megatransectors at the start line. 

 

My hasty arrival didn't really allow me to enjoy the pre-race activities that add to the Mega experience.  The Mega offers over night campers and early arrivals a light breakfast, small expo and energizing party atmosphere.  I did have just enough time to see a few trail friends.  Nicole was able to find me just before the start.  We had done the event together last year when her father was sidelined.  Unfortunately 2013 found her dad sidelined again but she had a friend, Joel with her this year.  We chatted before it was time to start running but with few words from our RD it was ready, set, GO!

Nicole and Joel tearing up the trails

 

Country Roads

 

The Megatransect has a large field of runners for the amount of technical single track that the course covers.  Happily it also has a few miles of country roads to help the field of runners spread out before entering the trails.  The first three miles went quickly by as I weaved around runners trying to find my pace in the cool morning air.  It's a perfect morning for running.  As we start what will be a day full of climbing I'm rapidly remembering just how challenging this course will be as we leave the country roads and enter the trails.

 

The Squeeze

aka Link Trail

 

If you remember my experience at the Mega last year (HERE) you will remember that the Link Trail was not my favorite portion of the race.  Not because I didn't enjoy the mile climb or the two miles down.  It was because of the number of trail runners and the different personalities of that many different trail runners all hitting the same technical single track at the same time.  But in case you missed my opinion last year, I'll share it again. 

 

Trail Etiquette 101

 

If you find yourself on a trail nestled nicely into your own personal pace and that pace happens to be faster than those around you, it's not big deal.  You simply announce your desire to pass the runner in front of you with a polite "on your left (or right)" to indicate which side you would like to pass on.  Then it is the passing runner's responsibility to GET OVER and pass.  The exception to this passing runner gets over rule would be when the passing runner is running downhill  then the uphill runner would yield and get over.  Don't even get me started on the use of headphones on trails...

 

Back to the Trails

 

On the Link trail, which is very technical and narrow, like many runners I had trouble finding a comfortable pace.  The upside to the congestion and bad trail manners is that I found myself running with Nicole for a few miles.  It was great to catch up as we passed the miles.  But somewhere just shy of the boulder field I lost Nicole on a downhill and I was on my own to enjoy the scenery.

 

 

The Boulder Field

Photo Overload

 

If you have ever done the Mega you will understand my need to share so many photos.  The boulders on the Mega course are without explanation.  It is just a geological feature unique to the Mega and the reason many come time and time again to challenge themselves with what seems like a short easy day in the woods.

 

 

As challenging as the boulder fields are it is one of the few courses on which I feel like I might have at least been related to a few mountain goats in a previous life.  I simply get giddy when I climb out of the tree line and see all those rocks!  I paused briefly to snap a photo of some trail friends that I met last year at the Mega and I was off.

 

 

Giddy with Mega excitement!

 

 

About half way to the top.

 

 

Rattlesnake Ridge to First Aid Station

 

With the excitement of the boulder field behind me I wanted to quickly get through the next section which I knew was along a very narrow ridge line for about a half mile before a rocky decent to the first aid station.  Once I was through the initial congestion of single track I was able to pass a few runners and get into a more comfortable pace.  I chatted probably more than my fellow trail companions wanted as we made our way into the first aid station.  At the aid station I topped my pack off with water, grabbed a banana section and was happily told there was a "make-shift" toilet.  I had been trying to ignore the fact that all my morning rushing had resulted in a very upset stomach and I had hopes that a potty stop would settle the issue.  It did not.  I left the aid station still not feeling well and under fueled.

 

"More Runnable"

 

The next section was through an area that was considered more runnable.  One of the words that was floated around in the weeks prior to the event was more runnable.  I think that more runnable would only apply if you had much strength left in your legs after the first challenging section.  I did enjoy the softness under foot as I ran my way into the next aid station.  At the aid station (about 14 miles) I was hoping for some caffeine to help take the edge off my increasing stomach pains.  I had not been drinking much water since refilling at the first full aid station.  The water had an off taste to me and I worried that it was adding to my upset stomach.  A wonderful volunteer offered me her coke since the aid stations didn't have any soda.  I thought the gesture was amazing but I declined taking her up on it.  It was a great example of how amazing the aid station volunteers were all along the course.  I ate more banana, had some grapes and a piece of peanut butter sandwich.  Then I saw another nice feature of the Mega - port-a-potties!  I'm not above a nature call but when it's just not your best running day a "real" bathroom is a wonderful thing! 

 

Water Crossings

 

The next section which would take us back to the first full aid station (on return around 17.5 miles) would add a repeating element into the Mega mix, water.  Lots of water crossings.  This is an element I love!  The majority of this new section featured some very soft footing.  After running on rocks and roots even short distances without having to watch every step helped me feel like I was flying along the trail.  That was until I got lost in my head and quickly found myself rolling down the trail thanks to a nearly invisible little root that grabbed my toe.

 

But the amazing sights along the way quickly removed any lingering aches from my tumble.

 

 

 

The waterfalls were amazing.  The photographer inside me wanted to spend some serious time documenting the beauty but a few hasty shots  of the falls and a few shots for fellow runners were all I indulged in. 

 

GIANT STEPS & ROTE OVERLOOK

 

 

The Giant Steps were as amazing as last year.  My legs were already feeling the combined effects of the 50 miles I stupidly ran in the days before the Mega and climbs and descents I had already covered on the course.   Much of this year's Mega I spent running solo.  I would fall in and out of little groups of trail brethren.  I shared my cheeriness with many new trail friends as I made my way along the course.

 

A genuine smile!

 

 

I knew as I paused to take in the view that there was still at least one big challenge before exiting the trails so I didn't waste much time before getting back on the move.  I had fallen in with a couple runners but I quickly had to pick the pace back up and run my own race.  Beside my cheerfulness is sometimes best shared in small doses.  A speedy downhill run on the Luge Trail quickly had me entering the final aid station.

 

Aid Stations

 

 

I have to pause for a moment to comment on the aid stations and volunteers that help make the Mega the amazing event it is year after year.  Every volunteer was cheerful and helpful.  There was the usual ultra goodies.  Since it was an off tummy day for me during the majority of the run, I stuck to my own fuel bars, bananas, grapes and a few squares of peanut butter sandwiches. 

 

RAW TRAIL, LINK TRAIL & GREEN MILE

 

I had picked up some natural hiking poles (since I had proven my brilliance and left mine in the back of my car) and they quickly became useful as I left the aid station and begin the journey through the Raw Trail.  Many Megatransectors will say that the Raw Trail is terrible which it is really challenging but pushing myself to keep my pace up as my heart rate soars is one of my favorite parts of ultra trail running.  Those around me grumbled as we made our way up and through the climb.  Just when runner think they have reached the top the climb continues.  For me that only added to my giddiness, as I would tire I would around at all the amazing beauty I was surrounded in and just like that, I was pushing to see what was coming next!  I didn't stop for photos or even a look back knowing that once I was at the top I had a wonderful downhill run to pick up some speed.  The second time through the Link Trail is always a much better experience than the first.  Every climb is now a decent, every decent is now a climb but the drive to push is so much stronger without the crowd of runners and with the knowledge of just how close the finish was.  And there it was that short forest road leading us back to the country roads we traveled to start this Mega adventure. 

 

I was running alone and chatted with those I passed as I made my way down the road, around the corner, across the bridge and to the dreaded "green mile".  Those who have run with me know that I was filled with "woohoos" as I made my way up to the top of the grassy hillside only to cruise back down and run the longest mile of the race.  The scenery was amazing.  Across the field I watched the mountain grow up into the sky as I ran.  I thought about where we had been on that mountain side.  although my legs and lungs were burning I already missed it.

 

 

 

A last push around the parking lot to the finish line and what began as a race to the start line finished the same way.  Sorry to those I passed as I gave my last push of the day but I wanted to finish the day the same way I had started. 

 

 

Mega Xtreme 2013 - 8:08

 

 

Did I miss something?  Did we run together?  Tell me what I should add.

Take Aim

Being a SAHM now I am lucky enough to spend my days with LBM.  Who is our youngest or little bug man aptly nicknamed for his love of bugs and all things nature.  I am doing my best most days to help prepare him for kindergarten.  Due to that fact this running fitness blog is often filled with photos of bugs, salamanders, rocks and plants that we find on our near daily nature walks as part of our "science" time.  Today when we were checking our container garden on the back deck to see what plants had sprouts, which ones needed watering and what little critter we might find to learn about online; LBM again mentioned the rose.  Which really isn't a rose as I have explained multiple times to him.  It really is a sole tulip that for some reason was planted within a small flowering shrub. 

 

 

Today I started to again explain that this flower was a tulip when LBM stopped me.  He started to explain how he could see the pollen and started reciting what we had just watched on an old Magic School Bus episode about pollination.  LBM told me the bees didn't know if it was a rose or a tulip, they didn't care.  He told me that nature sure did make it easy for bees.  Even though they flew around in crazy patterns instead of a straight line, he said that nature marks exactly where they should aim. 

 

Gee, wouldn't that be great.  If we instinctively knew exactly where to aim?!  If we could know that we would reach the desired outcome if only we hit that mark.  That sure would make life, family, training, everything easier.  The only problem is that unlike bees or nature our paths are not so perfectly aligned.  What works for one person may not work for another even if our starting and ending points are the same.  The journey between them can be quite varied. 

 

Whether your target is a happy family, a marathon, better health or an Olympic triathlon it doesn't matter what name you give your goals it only matters that you keep your eye on the target and an open mind to a less then straight path to get there. 

 

T-24 days to Massanutten Mountain Trails 100

I Must Sparkle

It's true.  I must Sparkle because my world has been full of so many amazing things lately. 

I bet I can even control my eyebrow too.

 

 



This past Saturday I was so happy to be able to be a part of the Run for Sherry.  This run always reminds me that I am a part of such a bigger community than I often realize as I go about my day.  The chance to join together to celebrate a fellow runner and embrace the power that being able to run gives me are things that add sparkle to my life.

By mid-week I didn't even realize I needed a sparkle recharge but I got a huge one when I got the text from my Oldest that I had become a grammy.  Days are to precious to wish away but I must admit I am very eager to be able to hold this little person. 

My training run this Saturday will have to wait. 

Could you say no to this sweet face? 

Then this morning...you know, Valentine's Day, I see this amazing little rock

 

It does not take much to make me happy.  More Sparkle!

Still blinding others with my over abundance of sparkle I didn't expect anything but a normal Thursday evening run when I was getting ready to get my sweat on.  But things were just going my way because a quick check of my email before my run had me literally jumping up and down.
That counts as cross training, right?  Totally counts.

 

 I mean I've been saying forever that I am a poster child for YMX.  Just look at this YMX covered blog but for it to actually happen has me on top of the world!

I can not wait to see what amazing things tomorrow brings!
 

Accessories

Yesterday was a great day!

Don't you just love it when you end a day feeling as though you accomplished what you set out to get done and didn't go crazy in the process?!

After a very busy day at work I picked up the kids for a few doctor appointments which would have normally wrecked my evening routine however, Army Son was waiting at the door when we got home

maybe because I brought him supper from Panera Bread

to help get unloaded and offered to entertain the little kiddos while I squeezed in a run amoungst the threatening thunder storms rain drops.  I jumped at the chance to get outside even though it would have to be a shorter run and was out the door in less than five minutes. 

Right from the start I was sailing along effortlessly.  No kidding!  I felt like my form was spot on.  At barely 30 miles through Wednesday evening, I assume that the step back week was working it's magic.  It was nice to clear my head after a hectic stressfull day and reflect on life.

This morning I didn't go for my a.m. run instead I chose to spend a little extra time with my kiddos before work and be able to get ready without rushing around.  I must say that I look great today.  Maybe it was that amazing run last night and the hopes of another just like it tonight.  Maybe it was the extra time getting ready.  Or maybe it the new accessories I'm sporting today.

That's a letter C under that bandage. 

This time it only has three other friends, A, B, and D. 

They are accessories I could have done without.

Did you remember your sun screen today?

I'm off to put on mine.

Racing the storm

I watched out the window all day at work.  I saw the sun shining.  I saw the birds busy at the nests.  I saw the breeze blowing the blossoming trees.  It was wonderful to think that spring was finally here to stay.

Until 4:50.

That is when I remember that spring equals thunder storms because it began to down pour.  I thought all hopes of getting outside for a run where lost.

But just as quickly as it had begun the rain stopped.  The skies brightened.  I knew there was a window of opportunity.  I quickly picked up the kiddos and headed home.  We briefly paused to move a gorgeous orange box turtle off the road. 

Army Son was thankfully home and willing to help. 

I quickly changed my clothes and headed out the door. 

After a mile and a half I saw the second turtle of the season was one of the two giant snapping turtle who I have seen each year at the bend in the creek.  He was swimming in the water that had ponded in the field.  I'll look forward to more encounters as the days pass.

(photo rights)

I cruised along enjoying the breeze and didn't notice the dark clouds filling the cove from the south until I was nearly half way around my egg shaped looped course.  I watched over my shoulder as the dark clouds hugged the far ridge line and quickly over took me.  Luckily my route took me back across the cove and back along the opposite ridge line.  I made it home in time to watch the dark clouds begin to spill across the cove and tumble over the mountains near my house.  S'ghetti girl and I stood on the porch and watched as the lightening lit the darkening skies knowing I had raced and beaten the storm.

This time.



Day # 352 ~ 6.5 evening run