2012 HAT Run 50k ~ Race Report

When last you visited...

The spy and I had just arrived at our hotel at 1 a.m. 

It's going to be an interesting race was my final thoughts before falling to sleep.

After an inadequate night of sleep, I was happy I greeted the morning eager to race.  Quickly I got ready and we headed to the Steppingstone Museum and the start line.   I stuck to my plan of limiting my race morning fuel intake and only had a few bites of plain bagel, a little honey and a few sips of grape G2.  While we drove the weather that had been deteriorating completely dissolved into a downpour.   What had been ideal trail conditions were quickly being replaced with the makings for yet another shoe-sucking mudfest.

Packet pickup was a breeze as usual.  I got my bag and bib and headed back to the truck to grab my drop bag and wait until final instructions.  With the rain diminishing slightly we made our way to the pavilion.  I dropped my bag and huddled with the spy to keep warm. 

The course consisted of a short 4ish mile loop and then two just shy of 14 mile loops.  Although the start was in an open field we were quickly on a short paved road section before looping through open fields, returning the the start pavilion aid station and entering the trails over sections of trail that would be crossed three times.  By 900 feet.  Which means a fair amount of mud.  We would return through the start pavilion aid station again for each of the identical longer loops. 

The running surface consisted of open fields, a brief paved road section, single trails, a roughly 1.5 mile paved section with hills and rollers throughout.  For me it would be the last 5 miles on each of the two big loops that would prove the most challenging.

After the final instructions I found myself again gathered in a field with 450 other runners but this time we were standing in the rain.

After what I can only imagine were words of encouragement or an invitation to sanely decide to stay put, we were sent on our way through the wet grass and into the gray day.

I had placed myself rather close to the front.  Well, honestly since the "front" was a wide expanse of field, I was at the front.  Sorry to all the fasty-fast runners who don't like when middle-of-the-packers do that.  I didn't allow myself to be a road block to anyone though.  There was plenty of road for passing at the very start.  I didn't want to get too far back and then have to deal with lots of passing when we hit the trails which I remembered to be rather technical in the very beginning of the course. 

My plan paid off well.  I ran strong paces those first few miles without going out too fast.  I finished the first mini loop in around 36 minutes.  At what I thought was between 4 - 5 miles I was happy with my pace and effort that early in the race.  I did not stop at the pavilion aid station but ran straight through. 

The big loops had their highlights.  The trails are a challenging series of hills and near constant rollers broken up with open fields and a short 1.5 mile section of paved road.  During the first loop I ran mostly by myself using the chatter of those I fell in with to distract me from the effort of those early miles.  Although there was plenty of mud the conditions were not as bad as they would become during the second loop.  The creek crossings were a refreshing sight. 

Since I was running with the main goal of training for the Massanutten Mountain 100, I decided that I was going to run a little differently at this race.  I wanted to run on constant effort instead of looking at my Garmin and attempting to average a certain pace.  I knew that this tactic might result in me having a finishing time that was outside the goals I had set but I felt that I needed to see under these harder conditions if I could force myself to keep pushing on perceived effort alone.  As I hit the "upper" picnic area aid station for the first time I got to see Jennifer who was volunteering for the day.  I had met Jennifer during the HAT Run in 2011 when she went on the beat in by 3 minutes in her first 50k ever!  I paused briefly to say hello but was quickly on my way.  I knew the speedy road section was coming.

For fueling I was sipping on grape G2 and gummies.  Yep, little kid gummies again.  Thanks to the bladder issues with the camelbak I was using a new bladder that I had never tried.  It kinda sucked.  I could only get tiny sips out at a time and I had to step off the trail early in the race after a clip broke due to the large hose and readjust everything.  But I was making due and with everything in it's place I reached the road section and flew.  I clock a 7:40-something on this section.  Yeah, I'm smart like that.  What middle-of-the-packer runs a 7:40-something during a 50k? 

This year, that's be me.

As a result of my brilliance I did stop at the lower picnic aid station when I got there.  I joked around with the volunteers about how the runners should have to limbo under the hitching post as we approach the aid station.  I salted up on olives, grabbed some ginger ale every ultra should have it and took 2 fig cookies for the next 5 miles of hills and mud.  After thanking the awesome volunteers I headed back into the woods.

The next five miles were challenging.  The hills seem steeper, longer, constant and often accompanied with thick mud.  My effort remained but I know my paces fell.  I think somewhere in the first big loop final five I found another runner.  Joel. 

Joel is from New York.  He is a talker.  If I haven't mentioned it before and very few have run with me, I should say that at the start of a race I mostly like to be quiet and be left alone.  I focus on finding a groove and getting stuck in it. 

But. 

But somewhere along the miles I get giddy.  I get into that Oh-my-gosh-I'm-busting-with-happiness-irate-those-around-me-sickeningly-cheerful mode.  I had already been driving others crazy from about the first road section with my chatter and cheerfulness but when I came upon Joel he didn't fall back or speed away, he joined in the chatter.  Let me tell you we had a blast!  I really can't say what we talked about but it was fairly non-stop and cheerfully irritating to those runners who's scales of running joy and running misery had tipped in an unfavorable direction.

We ran the entire second loop within ear shot of each other.  I lead mostly and again loved every creek crossing, splashed in every mud puddle and mockingly rejoiced at every hill.  I cheered as we entered the upper picnic area aid station and reported my tally for trash picked up on the course. 

I still don't know who won that little contest, Joel? 

I flew down the road section at a little over an 8 minute mile this time losing Joel for a short while.  The lower aid station was a welcomed refueling spot.  This time I indulged in more olives, a few hot french fries come on it's HAT you gotta eat the fries!, ginger ale and 2 fig cookies for the hills.  As I left the aid station Joel had caught up with me.  A fellow New Yorker, Charles had caught up with him and joined us for the remainder of the race.

For the second time these last five miles took their toll on my average pace even though my effort remained constant.  Quickly dubbed the pink energizer bunny by my running mates because I didn't want to be reduced to walking hills, I lead the way.  I would pull ahead of my running mates and grow quiet by myself for a distance.  It was in those moments that I gave thanks for being so blessed to be doing this thing that fills me with such joy.  So much joy that the discomfort it creates in my physical body is outweighed to such a degree that I can continue on for miles and miles with a smile on my face.

The rain had been falling off and on throughout the day and a lite sprinkle had resumed as we climbed the final hill to that old stone wall that marked the end of our trails and the last open fields before the finish line.  Joel and I cheered and yelled as we raced across the now muddy fields towards the finish line.  As we crossed a road to the final field we were greeted by a honking horn from the super secret spy who was just driving  back into the park.  Fueled by knowing that my husband was watching I pushed up the last hill.

And we crossed the finish line together, new friends.

6:25:55

Charles would finish a mere 30 seconds behind us.

2012 HAT Run 50k ~ Day # 685

7/49 AG ~ 179/391

Many thanks to the race directors who greeted us at the finish; the volunteers who put up with my crazy cheerfulness; the family and friends of all the runners who cheered all day for the strangers who ran by and to my wonderful husband for being there in the rain and mud while I played like a child.

just a little pair of socks

While I was blog hopping late the other night (which is what all blogging runners do, right?) I hoped down through my ever increasing google reader list and came across Lesley at Racing It Off. 

She is currently hosting a CEP Compression giveaway.

This got me thinking.

I own two pair of compression socks and a pair of compression shorts.

I almost always wear my CEP Compression and not the other ones I have since I truly feel the CEP Compression is a superior product.

Those beautiful pink socks are on my feet from the moment I step out of the shower post workout until I step back into the shower the next morning.  I have worn them to work all day in the days following my ultra races.  They have been with me in VA, TN, PA and soon they will join me at the beach.  They have gone on training runs, picnics, movies and out for dinner.

It's a lot to ask out of a little pair of socks.

Maybe I put too much faith into those little socks.

But it is hard to deny results.

I have been able to run every day for the past 417 days.

I ran after a PR setting trail 50k followed by my second best PR trail 50k followed by a fabulous finish in my first trail 50 miler.  Not to mention after all the shorter races sprinkled in between.

Every day I ran.

Every evening I slip into my socks and some nights shorts too with tired legs and I wake up ready to go.

It is a burden to place on one little pair of socks.

That's why I need another pair.

CEP...I'm just sayin'

Three Things Thursday ~ What made the Difference Edition

Today is Day #305 of my running streak.

For those of you who follow me on DailyMile and if you are not, you should be? or FaceBook you already know that my streak survived the first of my two March Ultras.

Some of you have been wondering how I was able to keep running in the days after my race.  I'm going to tell you how. 

I did have a little help.

I wore these bad boys on race day.

#1  CEP Compression Tights

A little of what CEP says:

The CEP Compression Tri Shorts represents a unique new version of what you've known as triathlon racing apparel. The shorts feature a compressive knit in the leg section which absorbs less than 3% moisture and dries very quickly. Constructed with an upper and lower section, the compression Tri shorts offer an incredible amount of compression for the quads and hamstrings for a truly new experience in muscle oscillation dampening.

Features:

•Secure back pocket

•Elastic waist band

•Flat seams

•3D Fit with Ventilation Panels in the back

•Compressive legs, no gripper needed

My experience. 

The downside.

The Pocket.  First off I am searching for the downside but if I really had to pick the product apart one downside is the back pocket.  The placement of the pocket on my backside is a little low.  It hits right below my tailbone.  I didn't use the pocket while running at all because anything hard would have felt awkward.  I put my car key there before the race only to remove it and put it in the pocket of my carpi's which sits higher on the top of my backside.

The length.  While I was running I actually noticed a big huge difference in the way my muscles performed once they were fatigued.  The downside to that was "cuff" at the end of the shorts is where any noticeable compression ends and I could actually feel a difference in the way my muscles felt from the cuff down.  I wish the compression had gone past my knees or at least to my knees.   

The upside.

Everything else. 

I thought that the seeming would rub over the 32 miles distance but I never noticed the tights at all except for the warm energized feeling I had in my legs from them.  I did not feel wet from sweat being held by the tights.  Even when I stumbled when crossing the creek and got my left leg wet, I felt dry in no time.  I wore the tights the night before, during the race and then after the race.  The tights did not seem to "loosen" over the more than 24 hours I wore them.  Now you might be thinking, "Gross!  Stinky tights" and while I did wash the tights the evening after getting home, they did not hold onto that old sweat smell even before I washed them.  Not that I recommend sniffing your sweaty tights wearing them without washing them but it's nice to know that I was able to wear them without grossing out those around me for the ride home which sometimes can be long.

I also used these beauties.

#2 CEP Compression Socks

A little of what CEP say:

For all Runners and Endurance Athletes: The scientifically optimized pressure flow provides your muscles with the maximum amount of oxygen and energy during performance and recovery.

The times are over where the sole purpose of socks and stockings was to protect feet from blistering. The CEP compression sportsocks are the first functional sport socks with a unique compression profile that provides a scientifically proven increase in blood circulation and a consequent increase in performance.

Prevent:  •Shin Splints •Cramps •Achilles Issues •Fatigue •Micro Muscle tears •Vibration trauma •Blisters •Blood clots from travel

My experience.

The downside.

The only possible downside is that I only have one pair.

If I had to find something negative about this product it would be that my compression socks pick up every cat and dog hair in my house.  Come to think of it, that might actually be an upside.

The upside.

Everything. 

I like that they are hard to get on.  That means they are perfectly tight in a supportive not constrictive way.  I love that they do not make my feet or calves feel hot when wearing them.  I love that they do not cause blisters in fact I attribute the lack of major damage to my toes ~ something I am famous for ~ to wearing the compression socks on training runs and right after finishing the race. 

I did not wear them during the race for several reasons.  I did not want to destroy them on a trail run where I knew I would be running through brush.  I also wanted to be able to review the performance of the short tights alone.

My calves did not cramp and my ankles did not fatigue during or after the race.  These are a must have for every runner!

 

# 3  The Right Attitude

While great gear can improve your comfort level, performance and recovery; nothing can ruin it like going into an event with the wrong attitude.  As you are standing nervously at the start line remember you can not change how your training went.  You can't make up that missed workout.  You can not change the fact that you fell short of your racing weight goal.  You can not undo that extra spicy meal you ate the night before.  But you can trust that you will give everything you have to give on that day, in that moment; relying on your support products and training to fall into place because

on any given day you might just see what was just beyond your eyes to see...

just beyond your dreams...

just previously out of reach...

and just might AMAZE yourself.

I was given these products for my honest review and was not paid for a positive review.  My opinions and experinces are my own.

Three Things Thursday ~ Helping Edition

I recently got a pair of compression shorts to review. 

I have worn them during several runs none longer than 8 miles.   

I only want to share a few things about the shorts right now since I don't feel that I have given them enough of a workout to know if my recovery is being helped by them.

First the seaming is not the same as the photo on the site.  It makes the shorts look more like briefs with legs attached.  However, this does not effect the feel of them at all it simply looks odd to me.

Now what I like about them.  I love how they needed my thigh measurement to fit me.  And I love how they fit.  Tight but not too tight. 

I have even worn them to bed several nights after really tiring run days.  The tights did help with the sore tired feeling I would have expected to have in the morning.  They did not make me feel too hot while I sleep or when I worn them while playing Wii Just Dance 2.

Overall, I feel they are helping me through some heavy miles weeks and keeping my legs from feeling as tired as I have experinces in the past.

I've told you how LBM likes to help with things like putting "bubbles" in the bathtub which turned out to be hair gel.  For his latest helping adventure he took advantage of playing downstairs while I was running on the treadmill.  Oh when will I get him back in that jogger?  Normally S'ghetti Girl helps keep an eye on him while I run but when he come downstairs she will usually start her homework and he will play with the extra toys stored in the workout junk room.  Some nights he hangs really close and other nights he comes and goes from the room playing with our cat.

I don't worry there are not many things in the basement to get in trouble with.  And I am sure he never thought he'd be in trouble for cleaning the cat box.

Remember, he is 2.  Sorry no photo of LBM holding kitty poop.

I think he used the scoop...most of the time.

Last night I got the nicest little gift my my daughter.  I had put in a decent mid-length run and was going to tell the kids I was done when my daughter asked me to "run a little longer."  She had created a game that she and her younger brother were playing and they weren't quite finished.  Maybe she knew I have been worried about my lack of long miles, maybe she was stalling because she didn't want to start homework whatever the real reason it wasn't so much the 2 extra miles that made me happy as it was the feeling that she knew I'd be so proud of her for playing so well with her little brother.