Category: Richmond, VA

An ultra legend (Saab)  and an ultra virgin (TYA) showed up early Saturday morning for a short trip through the woods just north of Charlottesville.

The Thang:

50k, no, 55k, no 56k through the trails and roads of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  My super accurate Garmin GPS clocked us in at 34.91 miles (17.46 on the way out and 17.45 on the way back).  GPS said it was just over 5,000 feet of climbing though the run.  Here is how it was from my perspective.  Nice downhill start for 2.5 miles on the road, 5 miles up and down in the woods, steep 1 mile descent (25k turnaround), 6 miles mostly flat or downhill in a valley in the woods, and 3.5 miles on a torturous paved/gravel road that was uphill both ways.  Turn around and try to survive the ascent after the 25k turnaround spot and limp back to the finish line.

NMM:

Weather was definitely a factor.  For some it was negative, some folks had a problem with the camelback tubes freezing.  For YHC it was a huge positive as itcut down on the sweating and made hydration a much more manageable issue.  Only time we were really cold out there was prerace.  Temperature was around 18 degrees at the start and we opted to stand next to the fire and keep warm versus being cold and listening to the preface instructions.  Once the running began, weather did not cross our minds much at all.  Just a few minutes of cold wind at the highest point of the race, but that is all.

For the first 8 miles all the Richmond PAX (except Lab Rat) were within spitting distance of each other.  So good to have 9 of us out there for support an encouragement.  A familiar face and a few kind words when trying to accomplish a huge task like this is invaluable.  Post 8 miles, Saab stuck with me the whole way.  From mile 8 – 14, we kept up a pretty pace and I don’t think I slowed down Saab too much, Mile 14 – turnarounds was tough and we both slowed down a little.  For the rest of the race, I was definitely the pacer (holding Saab back).

Once we passed the turnaround, I knew that I would make the full distance.  I still felt pretty good and was mentally in a good state.  I also knew that I was holding Saab back.  I told him on many occasions that he was free to go, that I was good and that he could press on at his pace.  He would never leave.  At some point in a race this long, you just want to be DONE.  That, I think is true for everyone.  For Saab to prolong his run to provide me with support and companionship while his mind and body were telling him to finish ASAP was incredible.  I cannot express the gratitude and emotion I have at his self sacrificing actions.

Running is fascinating to me.  For me, it is all mental.  The first mile and the last mile always suck.  The number of miles in between, really do not affect my mood much at all.  For this race, I just told myself that I had 9 hours to finish and had nothing else to do with that time except hang with my buddy Saab.  That kept me pretty happy and occupied the whole time.  I just stayed in the moment and enjoyed the company, scenery, and at times the lack of talking.

Interesting things we learned along the way

• Traversing a creek is much easier without walking poles.  Saab was ready to kill the guy in front of us who had poles and was gingerly crossing the creek trying to avoid any contact with water
• The ladies love Saab.  At one particular aid station, Saab had his own personal assistant.   She was attentive to Mr. Saab from the moment he entered the area, and was real concerned about the minor cut on his knee.  I think she wanted to go all Clara Barton on him.  Good new for her, was that Saab got to visit twice
• Best snack was the peanut butter pretzels.  Yes, saltines with pb&J are awesome, but the pretzels were the best.  Worst snack pb&j on a corn tortilla.
• Saab is a bit competitive.  When we were about a mile from the finish, I looked back to see if any of the 50 milers were coming.  He said to me that if one started to catch up to us, I had no choice but to run as fast as I could the rest of the way so that they could not catch us
• Nothing is better than finishing a race and have F3 Pax members waiting at the end.  WOW.  the support is amazing.  It is very much like finishing a BRR leg.  You have all the guys there interested in one thing and one thing only: what do you need and how can they help you.
• Just keep moving.  One step forward is one step closer.  It is that simple
• Water freezes below 32 degrees.  Ask Lab Rat about the person he helped whose Camelback tube had frozen.

TYA and Saab Out.

Last thing, for Honeydo, I hope you noticed that Upchuck listed Saab and I in his backlist PAX list.  That means we double dipped for BIG DATA on Saturday

“In the pursuit of awesomeness, there is betterment.”
— Chris Sterling, (Chum Bucket)

9 intrepid cragsmen, including one FNG (Liberace), strapped on their climbing shoes to take on the Bel Monte Endurance Race. 7 PAX started the 25K and 2 opted for double-pain, 50K-style.

The Thang:

Start in Love, VA, head south on Blue Ridge Parkway for roughly 4K (downhill), then proceed off-road on single-track. Route tracked roughly (pun intended) down, up, down, up, down, up, down for many kms.

Intermittent stops were made for frozen water and various nibbles, pickings, and goodies (Camp Marty was a favorite stop).

Post-Camp Marty, route descended at conservatively a 40% grade. Maybe 60%.  After .8km downward, 25k runners hit the turn-around point, and headed for home.

50k travelers continued up, down, up, down, up, down…AMRAP…until 50k turn-around.

Post the respective turn-around points, the route was up, down, up, down, up, down in alternating fashion from outbound route.

All PAXs, on the return leg, met the Blue Ridge Parkway and completed the final 4k UPHILL to the finish. Many PAX learned to swear during this period.

Moleskin

PAX, minus FNG Jim (Liberace), met for pre-race dinner at Blue Mountain Brewing Company. Meals were ordered, beers were consumed, and a schedule assembled for the following morning (alarms, coffee brewing, etc.). Rise and shine came at 4:30 a.m., when approximately nine alarms, all synchronized to the mobile phone networks, erupted simultaneously.  Symphonic.  Teeth were brushed, dry showers were taken, Glide was applied, shoes put on, and coffee was made (well, one pot…then a second pot….no, wait, coffee not made….ah, THAT’s how it’s done…coffee made, bullet dodged),…and the PAX were off.

Temps were chilly (mid-20s at start time), but as the sun rose steadily on the last day of Standard Time, it was sunny and 70 in the PAXs’ hearts. Until it wasn’t.  Props to the Bad to the Bone Crew for having a bonfire pouring out heat in the pre-start Gloom.

After the start, eight PAX hung close together for the initial 4k black top section, with the appropriate mumble-chatter and backslapping.  Except for Lab Rat. “Gde Lab Rat?” Gone, but not lost. Lab Rat was on it from the start, having said “Dasvidanya” to the PAX early and moseyed at break-neck speed down the mountain. More on that shortly…

Once onto the trail, the PAX spread out into roughly groups of two. YHC ran most of the way with Honey Do, Flashdance with Liberace, and Chum with Circle K. 50kers TYA and Saab lost themselves in the moment and owned it all the way. That left Lab Rat running on his own, and a good thing too as he crushed this race. 3:41 minutes if YHC’s post-race hallucinating is to be trusted. Well done, sir. YHC attributes Lab Rat’s performance to a solid training regimen and a mysterious red blood cell donation (transfusion?) 4 weeks prior the race.  In unrelated news, Lab Rat issued a one-word statement at the finish in response to allegations that he had met pre-race with Russian Olympic team officials,“Nyet.”

With the PAX spread across various mountain ridges, YHC spent most of the day with Honey Do, who provided an indomitable spirit throughout the day. Thank you, kind sir, for strong support.

As this was YHC’s first off-road race, a few observations are in order:

1. Funny thing about nature… there were rocks of all sizes and the occasional fallen log throughout the trail. YHC realized that concentrating on the trail step-by-step was key to not ending up face-down. In short, over 4.5 hours on the trail, YHC spent approximately 30 seconds scanning the scenic vistas for which the Blue Ridge Mountains are known. Conversely, due to selecting Honey Do as his running partner, YHC spent approximately 3 hours looking at red leg hair and black socks….the defining scenery of the day.
2. Two saltines + peanut butter + Welch’s Concord grape jelly = Nirvana.
3. Also, having started the day with minimal expectations for a podium finish, YHC will engage in shameless self-congratulations for finishing FIRST in the inaugural Bel Monte 33k Endurance Race. Kudos to Honey Do for finishing 2^nd.   This duo proudly represented F3 Richmond!! But wait, you ask. How do PAX finish 1 and 2 in a 33k race when the advertised options were 25k, 50k, and 50 miles? Ah, therein lies the magic of the Q and his compadre losing themselves in the moment and running an extra few miles. Any mathematician knows that it’s hard to finish 3^rd in a 2-man race. Counting extra credit, a 20.43 mile race. To quote Honey Do, ”That’s a ballbuster.”  FEBA all the way.

Finally, two big shout outs…first to Lab Rat, who, having completed his own race, drove back to help his injured teammates (Flashdance and Liberace).  When Round 1 of his search came up empty, he nonetheless found a cramped runner literally curled up in a roadside ditch, administered modest life-saving first-aid (have some of my soda?), and returned the man safely to base. A simple act of kindness, perhaps, but a lifesaver to that man, for sure.  Double-well done, sir.

Lastly, a round of backslaps to Flashdance for offering lodging to the PAX. What a place! YHC had hoped for a free floor space – bonus if carpeted. No, sir. This was first class all the way. Thank you, Flashdance.

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