2013 Fire on the Mountain 50k Race Report

 

I struggled to find my way into dreamland as I listened to the wind blow outside my bedroom window.  The challenge of little sleep isn't anything new when its the night before a race.  After all my years of running and racing I am still filled with butterflies as the day approaches.  So as I finally gave up on trying to grasp the elusive hand of sleep, I wasn't surprised to feel the flutter of anticipation as I dressed for the day ahead.

 

The house was quiet as I dressed.  My family wasn't able to be with me for this race but had left me a note of encouragement.  It was a great way to help settle the race day nerves. 

 

 I quickly made my way down the list of usual morning activities and headed out the door into the dark day that lay ahead.

 

 

 The finish line is about 40 minutes from my house which makes this one of my favorite 50ks for yet another reason.  My morning drive takes me along some beautiful rural roads as I slip out of Pennsylvania and into Maryland.  I often see wildlife as I make the drive and this morning was not except.  Several herds of deer, a porcupine, a very slow skunk and a fox all joined me in traveling the country roads in the early morning hour.

 

 

I pulled into the open field; which would serve as our parking lot, finish line and post party, with over 30 minutes to spare before we would need to board buses for the 20+ minute ride to the start line.  I quickly checked in and returned to my car to gather my pack and quell the butterflies which had taken up residence in the pit of my stomach.  But soon the buses arrived and we began the ride to the start line.  I spent my ride chatting and listening to runners swap stories and race day predictions.

 

 

Once we arrived at the over look I jogged down the trail to answer the first of many nature calls.  The cool morning air was giving me a chill but the weather throughout the day would be as near perfect for running as any race day I've ever had.

 

The plan for the day was to attempt to better my time on the FOTM course from the challenging run I had experienced last year and if possible go for a course PR.  I had only filled my hydration pack half way to keep it's weight to a minimum and planned to avoid stopping at most aid stations by fueling myself.  As the minutes ticked down I reminded myself to run my own race.  I chatted with a bunch of trail friends and meet a few who had read about Fire on the Mountain in my previous race reports.  But the minutes ticked away until our race director, Kevin gave us final instructions.  Something about remembering this was a trail race and general course description of Red trail; follow the ...RED blazes, Green trail; follow the .....GREEN blazes, fire roads; duh follow the road, Purple trail; follow the....PURPLE blazes and your done.  Then we were off.

 

 

 

 

Red Trail

FOTM starts with a quick mile-ish on a forest road.  With 140 entrants (104 actual starters) this allows the field to spread out a bit before entering the technical single track that is the Red trail.  As we weaved our way through the beginning of the Red trail I was struck with how much the footing didn't bother me.  It seems that my time on the Massanutten trail has altered my definition of technical trail.  The Red trail was by no means easy but it was largely runnable albeit my pace reflected the more challenging sections. 

 

  During the first miles of the Red trail just before the first serious climb I was leading a group of runners when I couldn't ignore a familiar calling any longer.  There is something about the woods in the Green Ridge State Forest that inspires me to get friendly with the trees.  I had to run down a side trail to answer a nature call.  Although I lost quite a few minutes I was certain I would be able to make up the time over the coming miles.  I walked back up the side trail as another group of runner went past.  The urge to rush past them crossed my mind but I reminded myself that I need to run my own race and focus on what I wanted out of the day.

The Red trail may now be one of my favorite sections of this race.  Although it challenged me the trail kept giving me something new just when I needed it.  First single track, then hills, then descents, a little mud, a creek crossing always something to keep my mind occupied.  A chatted briefly with several trail brethren when my pace lined up with several others but for the majority of the race I would run alone.  Every uphill seemed to have an equally daunting downhill but despite the fallen leaves I wasn't running as cautiously as in previous years.  The acorns were all but absent on several down hill sections but the walnuts were plentiful in others.  The Red trail provide a wide variety of things underfoot for runners to stumble over.  I'm happy to report I traveled it unscathed.

Having so much fun, I didn't stop at the first aid station at all.  Then at the second I grabbed a cup of coke and half a banana and ran off thanking the cheerful volunteers. 

 

 

Green Trail

As Red turned to Green the theme went from single track goat trail to rocky root littered creek crossings.  My mind wanders frequently while running the Green trail.  At first I'm lost in memories of previous year's of the race.  Remembering the first year when I got confused about the markings through the low laying section.  This year I laugh at the memory of getting lost on what is one of the most well marked races I run.  My internal laughter lights my spirits.  I am alone during the majority of the race but I am filled with such happiness to once again be here that I often find myself talking out loud.  I say a few prayers for those that can not be on the trails with me this day.  I remember Michelle passing me through the Green section one year and think of her working on her own kind of marathon this year.  My thoughts cover many people and things that have happened throughout the past year; the blessing of having my sister start running and fall in love with it, the new friend met and old ones lost, the birth of babies, the illness, the healings...  My wind is given the gift of time to wander throughout this section as I splash across one stream after another.  But  soon I recognize the end of this section is near and the climb to the oasis aid station begins.  I see that my mind wandering has slowed my pace and I arrive at the oasis later than I wanted on the clock but uplifted.

 

The Oasis

This would be the only aid station that I stopped at for more than a minute.  To this point I had only been fueling from my pack with the exception of a cup of coke and banana pieces.  I always thanked the cheering volunteers as I went by the aid stations.  Kevin, the RD had such a great group of volunteers helping throughout the course.  Many of whom I would see at multiple aid stations.  Having run the race every year, seeing them was almost like having family at each pit stop.  Knowing that each and every one of them has given much more than just their day to help support me and the many other runners it feel inadequate to simply say thank you because without them this would just be another race.  Their presence makes this race feel like a reunion of friends.  Thank you to everyone who help guide the way, clear the trail, fuel my body, lift my spirits and fill my heart with all your acts of kindness.

 

Fire Roads

I left the oasis knowing the experiences I have had with the fire roads.  So I wasted no time answering another nature call because I had plans to make up a bit of time on what becomes a very boring section.  Well, what used to become a boring section.  This year I ran the first mile setting up my music.  I debated about using it.  The sounds of nature are all part of why I am out there in the first place but I knew I need to run so I popped my ear buds in and well, I think I may have embarrassed or amused those I passed.  I danced and sang my way through the forest roads.  The look on the aid station volunteer's faces was priceless.  I think they wanted to dance with me.  I pause only to offer my thanks and grab a quarter of pbj.  It's uphill as I leave the aid station and I know there is still far more rocky road to travel before hitting the purple trail so I take off cranking up my music to help drowned out the screams from my tired legs.

 

Purple Trail

 

 

If I was going to get sentimental I would have thought it would happen on the purple trail not the wet green trail.  I remember a tree along the purple section very fondly although I'm sure it's still missing me as I didn't need to visit it this year.  I remember a kind face at an aid station which appeared in the middle of no where.  This that kind face was a familiar one too.  Lindsay was behind the lens of her camera when a fellow runner and I approached.  The aid station was moved slightly to a new overlook and there she was happily clicking away.  (Thanks Lindsay for all the great shots!)  She had been at several other spots along the course.  Another unbelievable perk of this very amazing race, photos.  I chatted with Lindsay and finally added a little water to my pack.  A final nature call and we were off running again through the final miles of the race. 

 

Sadly I broke my own rule in these last miles.  Knowing that I was be very lucky to hit any time goals I had for the day, I hadn't looked at my watch since the Oasis.  When my trail companion asked what mile we were at I wouldn't even look.  Instead I said what a runner never wants to hear.  I said, I think we are close.  I must have said it three or four times.  So to the young man who was victim to my cheery chattiness, I'm so sorry.  (yes, I talked so much that I didn't even get his name)  But we did make our way to that final hill which lead to the most beautiful clearing.  The smell of the fire and the grill, the sounds of people talking and the cheers as the began to rise as we broke through the clearing were some of the best things of the day.  I dropped my pack and was handed a piece of wood for the final victory lap around the edge of the clearing. 

 

 

Time didn't matter anymore somewhere in these FOTM miles I found a new love for this course and the people who take part in it and those who support me so that I can be a part of something so special. 

 

 

It all started with one person telling me, "You can do that."   I awoke to a tiny slip of paper.  As I tossed the little piece of wood into the fire I thought about how big all these little things really are.  Those encouraging words, a tiny note, a simple stick of wood.  They all serve such a bigger purpose.  Those little things all bound us together as family and friends.  That's what FOTM is that other races are not.  It's a family of trail runners coming home for a day together in the woods.

  Maybe next year you will want to come home too.

 

 

FOTM 2013

7:11

 

 

 

 



 

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.

Wondering....

 

Have you been

 wondering what I've been up to?!?!

 

 

 

Oh just running a little race called the Ring. 

71 bad a## miles of Massanutten ruggedness. 

Only 121 other people have ever finished it. 

 

And I did it all for a sticker...

 

 

and a pin.

 

Come back soon for the long version of events.

 

A look behind to see ahead

 

As a trail runner one thing you quickly learn is to not look back.  Looking behind almost always causes you to stumble and fall.  Then you lose momentum and, at times, have trouble starting back up again.  But there are times when it's safe and even beneficial to look back and take in the path you have already traveled.

 

 

 

As I was running this morning I was in a nostalgic frame of mind because today is my firstborns  birthday.  It was difficult to reduce to a few words what I wanted to say to him.  Those words were something like the first words he and I shared together, private.  Because I'm old fashioned like that.  But the walk down memory lane got me thinking about where I've been in different aspects of my life.  Of course, running was one of them.   

 

With that it's time for a numbers update: 2095.4 miles for the year. Day 1195 of the streak. 10,497.6 streak miles.

 

Now that I've looked back it's time to look forward.  Often I remind the biggest of my littles that he needs to remember where he has been but have a plan for the direction he wants to move forward in.  The same is true for me.  Let's see where I'm going in the days ahead.

 

In 15 days I will be running The Ring.  This is 71 miles on the Massanutten trail.  The reason I am running it three fold.  1.  I need to get past a mileage barrier I feel I have created for myself.  2. It will be the first on many runs to prepare myself for another MMT 100.  3.  The Massanutten trails are calling me back.

 

In 42 days I will be running the Mega.  The Mega is about a 27ish mile climb in PA.  It is a course like no other I've ever been on.  It offers an element - boulder climbing - that I don't get anywhere else. 
 

 

In 71 days I'll be back again for FOTM.  That's the 50k in MD that has an unexpectedly challenging course.  It's low key, real ultra trail running feel always makes me feel like a bada## when I finish it.  Plus this race was one of the first races I really found trail running peace during.  I go back year after year to find it again.

 

 

In 91 days I'll be back again for the Stone Mill 50 miler.  This could be the year that Lesley at Racing It Off joins me for some very supported fun.  Although with those long legs of hers and her killer racing lately she may been at the finish before me.  If she is she'd better get some great finish line photos of me. 

 

Sprinkled in between these dates are a hand full of training runs for different races and of course my daily running streak continues.  So it's a trail without end.  It's a race without a victory.  There will be no finisher's medal or golden buckle for reaching an end point.  I have not ultimate destination.  The trails just continues and as long as I keep feeling that pull to see what is around the next bend or over that hill, I will continue to run forward.  No matter the pace I will continue to see what draws me to those place that are just beyond where my eyes can see.

A Day in Shenandoah

 

I had to wait 8 hours to see that our starting point was marked by this wonderful little concrete trail marker thanks to the hour of darkness when we started our adventure.  But it had been there marking the place where we began the long climb up to introduce my body back to serious trail running.

 Happily I was not alone but again in the fun company of D, hubby and their wonderful dogs.  After a crazy start to the morning with some forgotten trail shoes, I was quickly thrown back into the arms of those wonderfully taxing trails I have missed so much over the summer.

Running a local trail for an hour or so is nothing like carrying your supplies for an 8 hour run.  The excitement of being out there again was quickly replaced with the reminder of how punishing those climbs - and descents - can be.  Unfortunately D even reminded me how quickly things can get serious by being the first to take a fall during our run.

 

 

The weather was prefect.  It was hard to imagine that it was August in Virginia.  Although my legs were rapidly questioning how I will be Ring read by the end of the month, I was too caught up in loving being on the trail to really give much voice to those words of doubt.

 

D happily snapped photos of me dealing with all the abuses of the trail as I was lost in getting to see some new sites.

 

The climbs up were completely worth it!

 

 

One of many reasons I love ultra running is getting to see these amazing places.

 

And having friends who tolerate my nature loving side while in the midst of a training run doesn't hurt either.  Thankfully, D waited to indulge my nature photo ops.

 

 

And she captured awesome views like this one.

 

While I was enjoying this one.  But all too quickly our time on the trail was over.  My first - and potentially only - training run for the Ring.   

 

 

How fitting the we found these butterflies at the end of our run.  Ones like these had fluttered by us all day.  A few butterflies had been hurt probably ran over while they gathering salt from some sports drink dumped on the ground but others kept gathering there taking no lesson from their injured brethren.  It made me think of the craziness of trail running.

 

 

I will blindly continue wanting to do these crazy things even though I see the carnage around me.  There is something more powerfully beautiful drawing me forward and making my eyes only see the wonder. 

 

 

 

 

 



B Words

 

This past week has been full of the B word.  Yeah, thanks to all the worrying about LBM's school situation I did loads of B####ing.  But there were actually several other B words that seemed to be really prevalent in our week. 

 

 

 BUGS

LBM has been on a mission this week to discover all the bugs around the house.  Of course that is a fun science lesson but at this time of year those little critters have often grown!  We won't be catching this guy anymore.

 

 

BEGGING

With the approach of kindergarten LBM has started being responsible for certain chores around the house.  He earns a small allowance that he is practicing budgeting his money for his "wants".  But that hasn't stopped his previous behavior of using his puppy face to beg for things.  I didn't cave this time but darn he is so cute!

 

BLOOMS

My garden and flower beds have been a botanistic inspiration this week with beautiful blooms every morning.  If you follow me on FB or Instagram you are probably sick of the daily bloom bombs. 

 

But maybe you are also inspired for notice a few of the B words in your day too.

 

 



The Letter

Many moments in life are challenging.  I often hear myself complain about silly things like socks on the floor or toothpaste on the counter.  But I know my life is a blessing and I have only rarely lived a truly challenging day.  I know those days have helped to make me a better human being so I count even them as blessings. 

 

 

This past week has been a difficult one.  I gave little things the power to begin to overwhelm me.  The approach of the school year became no longer an annual event but a catalytic phenomenon heralding the end of life as I know it.  So as I was going to return a movie, which I had used as an escape from my seemingly overwhelming life, I stopped by the mailbox.  On my way I practiced what I would say to the super secret spy when he discovered I had not talked to the new superintendent about LBM's school reassignment.  I practiced telling him how I was certain that if she talked with me instead of him, I would somehow ruin LBM's chance to go to the school we had been planning and preparing to go to.  But when I opened the mailbox I saw it had arrived.

 

 

The letter.

It was the response to my written application for the reassignment.  As I read those words, "...has been approved..."  honestly tears filled my eyes and I felt 20 pounds lighter.  I couldn't believe how emotionally invested I had become worrying about what another change might do to LBM and all the great progress we have made.  I couldn't be happier that we can continue as planned and will be able to be active and involved with LBM's school.

 

With only a handful of days to go before school starts, there's lots to do to be ready to this milestone and then, well and then I guess I'll be left with nothing to stop me from remembering that there are days, those few days that are really challenging.  Some of those days life has just given me and some of those days I have chosen.  And one of those days is right around the corner.

 

THE RING

August 31st

71.1 Miles of mountains fun.