Triangle Running Group

I think the resounding comment I heard today was “that’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done”. It truly was in my case. Karen, thanks for the suggestion of epsom salts. I think that’ll help a ton. Thanks to Karen and Heidi for coming out to “jockstrap” us kids splashing in the rain. That was a fun race. In a sick, twisted kind of way.

Wow! Awesome job you guys! It must have been a great feeling seeing that Finish come up! I hope y’all are willing to still run Umstead again sometime. For those of you who ran Umstead today and OBX last year, remind me never to enter an event with you — you’re gluttons for punishment! (At least you weren’t swimming or biking today).

PS Does Rama look any better yet?!

That truly was the hardest thing I have ever done. Even after all that running in Umstead, I never expected what that race had in store for us. But I am so glad I did it. Now I have the coolest t-shirt.

The worst part?
It was not the rain at the start, the puddles and mud on the single track, the howling wind and dropping limbs, or the torture of running Cedar Ridge Trail and Cemetery Hill at the very end with nothing in the tank.
The worst part was that Litl Bit was not there by our side to run it with us.

There is always next year. Did I just say that?

The best part?
Training with a great group of people, seeing Terp, Kareng8r, Stabu, and the Squeeky family on the course to cheer us on, watching Forrest and Dusty have great runs, and running in at the end with my buddy the Sandbagger. All those things almost – almost- made me forget Cedar Ridge. Congratulations, Forrest, on an incredible first marathon.

On a completely different note, I heard Rap Master made it to the podium at Azalea, placing in his age group. Congratulations, Jon!

Wow! I agree with the others in that this was the toughest thing I have ever done. It was great to see Terp, Kareng8r, Stabu and the Gump clan on the course. Thanks for all your support! When the bottom dropped out of the sky while standing at the starting line, I knew we were in for a tough 6-7 miles of single track. At one point, I stopped to remove a boulder from my shoe that had lodged itself dead center on the palm of my foot. I went to sit on an embankment on Sycamore and watched both of my feet get completely submerged in the mud. Running the single track was like watching a bloopers video. People were sliding around corners, tripping on roots and taking the line less traveled and sinking in the mud. Coming out of the single track was a sight to behold. The rain had cleared and the forest was a beautiful shade of green. My feet were already hurting at this point and felt like prunes from being soaking wet. Knowing that the single track was done was a good feeling, but knowing I was about to tackle a double shot of Turkey Creek started to make me nervous. Even with all of the training at Umstead, Turkey Creek felt like virgin territory. I have never seen so many people walking! At one point on Turkey, I felt as if I was running the race alone. I couldn’t see anyone in front or back of me. This was kind of cool, but my mind started playing tricks on me. Since it was just the two of us, body and mind, I started recognizing multiple ailments and decided that I had surpassed my pain threshold. At this point, my mind won and I began to take some walking breaks. I remember seeing the same volunteer on a bike pass me at least 10 times. I think she thought that she may have to throw me over the handlebars at some point and needed to keep a close eye on me. Somewhere on the climb out of Turkey Creek, I ran into my buddies Sandbagger and Squeeky who were looking very strong. We ran together for a mile or so and I enjoyed their company. It was great to have Turkey Creek behind us. Next was a grueling out and back on Cedar Ridge at 22 that was just plain cruel. I did get a chuckle at the prop queen aid station. After guzzling 2-3 cups of water, I looked on a tree and saw a sign that said, “Be off like prom dress.” After letting gravity take it’s course on the downhill, I managed to stumble up to the turnaround point. There was a three man volunteer crew and they took distinct pleasure in reminding me that I only had a 2 mile climb back up to Reedy and then I would be on the home stretch. That two mile climb made me call out for my mommy. The last hurdle was a quite cemetery run that had been done so many times before. Never did it feel like this one! It was greet to see everyone at the finish where I was immediately handed a my finishers pint glass. Squeeky was my pint glass spotter and immediately took it from me so that I didn’t drop it from exhaustion. Even though I didn’t have a great race, it was a fantastic experience. Since we were a runner short, we will have to return next year to do a litl’ bit better. Right?

Congrats to Forest for an incredible sub four hour finish and also to Rap Master for placing at Azalea.

Congrats Umstead Marathoners! I enjoyed reading your stories…It must’ve been a doozy out there…But you did it!! Awesome….

Well I thought everyone looked strong out there – that must have been one tough course! It was certainly fun being on the spectator side of things as there are always some interesting sites to see! I hope you all are recovering well (Squeeky and Rama – I hope you both found a chair to sit in last night….); I look forward to seeing everyone back at it next weekend!

Report from the 7 mi. marker – Sandbagger, BelkyMD and Squeeky looked strong at mile 7 and had big smiles on their faces. I missed Forrest Gump, but I understand that he did a great job. Congrats to all.

Great pictures! Who is #115 above? He looks familiar – perhaps a parent from my daughter’s school.

Again, congrats.

You guys are amazing! Great recap Belky! The recap & pictures made me feel like I was there. How are the legs? No doubt the faces are smiling…
We had smiles stretched from Wilmington to Umstead……. nice!
I miss you all!

Here’s the photo recap that a friend of the family posted on his running club’s website. Ron and my Dad used to work together. Umstead was Ron’s 76th marathon. Can you believe that?

http://www.tricharlotte.com/images/3-8-08_umstead/3-8-08_umstead_p1.htm

I am now able to climb stairs like a normal human being again No running until at least the weekend though!

Forrest: Very cool. I saw that guy on Turkey Creek. If you look at the first picture he posted, you can see BelkyMD and me hanging out in the cold rain.

Wow ..not only do we have some great runners in our group…but some awesome writers! The race recaps were great!! I was happy to share jockstrap duties with Stabu to cheer on fellow Mitterling Milers. Good job Squeek, Sandbagger, BelkyMD and FGump…you are now official cardcarrying, T-shirt with a giant bird wearing members of the Umstead Marathon Club!!

I guess I didn’t really give my .02 about the race, other than saying it was “hard” and “fun”. I can’t say enough about the support the Mitterling Milers have given me in my training. I wish I had found you all earlier! That was a fantastic experience. The solitude of that race truly pits your mind against the elements.

I don’t think I can capture the entire essence of this race in a short recap. This will be verbose, so get yourself a Venti something or other, and a nice soft chair.

It starts 16 weeks ago, when I entered into a training plan. It includes long runs over Thanksgiving in Todd, NC on Railroad Grade Road in 24F weather, on the ATT in shorts and a t-shirt in December, a ton of runs with BelkyMD all over the place, including my first run over 14 miles (and up to 20), in Umstead for a 20-miler in the rain-that-should-have-been-snow-but-didn’t-know-better, on good nutrition days and bad ones, on good pain days and bad ones, when I was happy, sad, just plain ticked off at the world, you name it. We solved problems on the trail.

The 16 weeks leading up to the race seemed to drag at first. Then the weeks started rolling off. Weekly mileage started climbing. Injury continued to stay away. The work started getting harder. The runs got longer, more intense, more technical, more like “marathon training”.

I began to tell folks that I was planning to run a marathon. “Where?” They’d ask. “In Umstead State Park.” “Oh. Isn’t that kinda hilly?” “Yes, it can be” I answered. “Have you ever done one?” they’d ask? “Nope. So I have no idea what I’m in for. Just the way I want it.”

I prepped as best I could. I formulated a nutrition plan. I determined that I was going to run as long as I could, as I have knee issues starting back up to a run from a walk. I told my wife I had three goals.
1) Finish…
2)…in under 4 hours
3)…in under 3 hours

Well, you all know about the rain. Know also that I’ve never run on Company Mill or Sycamore in the rain, so I had no idea how much energy and concentration it would take to keep from falling flat on my face in those tarpits. I was laughing at the starting line when the rains came, but it was one of those laugh so you don’t cry situations.

The horn sounded. The Four Horsemen started together, sloshing through the puddles, soaking wet within 2 minutes. BelkyMD and I found a few gaps and started moving up through the field. He and I hung together, trying to establish a good pace and finding out where we wanted to be as we rounded airport overlook and headed to the turnaround. That’s my favorite stretch of b/b trail, and I let it loose a little (maybe a tad too much). At the first turnaround, Belky was just a hundred feet behind me. He was looking good. Squeeky and Sandbagger were close behind that, and looking strong as well. But I was feeling good, and heck, go fast when you feel good, right? Did I mention this was my first marathon? Anybody see the lugnuts loosening up on the bus?

We get to the turnoff to Company Mill. I’m feeling good. I’m warmed up, I’m in a nice little pack of folks that are moving a little slower than I think I want to go. I actually ask them if I can pass on the single track. In wide spots, of course, but I’m sure I offended a few folks, and I tried to be courteous. I hooked up with Jason Figge, who was running a pretty strong pace through there. We stayed together all the way up until we got off Sycamore onto Graylyn, where I pointed him by and let him go. Took a little water at the Graylyn Gate aid station, and set off towards Reedy Creek. I saw BelkyMD out of the single track and heading towards Graylyn Gate, gave him a slap as we passed; he was looking great.

With Jason about 400m ahead of me, and no one really behind for 400-600m, I settled down and relaxed on the long Graylyn downhill, preparing for the first set of climbs.

Felt pretty strong pulling up to Reedy Creek, took a cup of water, then set off down towards the Corkscrew. I remember passing the entrance to Cedar Ridge, and thinking that I was not looking forward to seeing it again.

I began to get excited. I would be seeing my wife and boys at the Trenton Gate, but I needed to take a nature break first. Climbed up and past Reedy Creek Lake, checked traffic, then darted off into the woods for a 25-second relief. Back on track, I made it up to the aid station, took a water, high-fived my boys and wife, and set off towards Turkey Creek.

At this point, I had caught Jason back. We ran down Turkey Creek together. He did not have water on him, only gatorade. He really needed some water, and did not take any at the mile 10 station. I let him have some of mine, told him how Belky teases me about being the “Waterboy”, and we got a chuckle. He cranked up the pace a little, and I told him that was too fast for me, and to have a great race. Along about this time, some of the race organizers pedaled by in the opposite direction, and said to Jason and me, “30, 31…” I was in 31st place in the race. I had another lift coming up. My parents were going to be at Crabtree Creek bridge, having driven up from where they were RVing at Jordan Lake. I was SO HAPPY to see them there!! I wanted to give them a good show. I needed to keep momentum, as this was near the halfway point, so I pressed on without stopping for hugs and high-fives, but told them I would see them again soon, hopefully.

About mile 13, I began to struggle. My calves began getting tighter and tighter. Never mind the 3 pretty steep climbs before getting to the ridge on Turkey Creek, for the downhill to the creosote bridge. I made it through them all, passing and being passed by the same girl that would end up finishing ahead of me. Pretty much no change in position for a while here. About mile 14, the leaders began to come back the other way. Amazing. They were a full 2 miles ahead of me at that point.

The climb out of Turkey Creek was pretty uneventful. I was glad to be back on Graylyn, but I knew that I was slowing down. I remember seeing Belky along in here, but can’t remember if it was on Turkey or Graylyn. He still looked good. I made what could’ve been a fatal error and took a cup of Gatorade. By the time I got back to mile 16, that Gatorade wasn’t sitting right. Thought I might yarf, but didn’t. I saw Squeeky and Sandbagger again as they were at about 14 heading up NTC, I was heading back down it. They looked great.

Got through 17, back through the prom queen stop, where I stopped for a handful of Gummy Bears (ate 5 or 6 and saved one for my son who I would see at about mile 18).

At this point, Mr. Ron Horton meets me going the other way, stops in the path, says “Bill Bass! Let me take your picture!” And he does. What a lift.

Right around the corner was my whole family again. I handed Web the Gummy bear I had for him, got a high-five from him, and kept on trucking.

I crossed Crabtree and Turkey Creeks, and came upon this hill. Have you ever noticed how deceivingly steep and long the hill is on South Turkey Creek, just after the bridges? Me neither. But this climb out to Reedy Creek was like a death march for me. I began needing a walk on the hills. And I took them. And began being passed. I was okay with that. One of the guys from Minnesota passed me. He was doing a second marathon the next day in Maryland, so I was all for encouraging him. That’s nuts! He asked me how many more climbs. I lied and said 3 or 4.

Finally, got to the long downhill (supposedly) back to Corkscrew. I could not muster any speed on that section. My calves were done. Now my quads were starting to pipe up. At the bridge over the creek, an angel came upon my left shoulder.

I don’t know her name, but I’ve seen her around. She jogged up next to me, asked me how I was doing, if I needed anything, how I felt. Did I look that bad? Must have. I said I was doing pretty well, was cramping up, but I was going to make it. When I needed to walk, she stopped and walked with me. When I ran/jogged, so did she. How awesome. When we got to Cedar Ridge, she said I was good to go, and she was going to the finish.

So against my better judgement, I turned right and headed down Cedar Ridge. I forgot that there is some climbing involved at first on that, but then you get to go downhill a lot. I was really, REALLY dreading that climb. As I was climbing out, I think I met Squeeky and Sandbagger, and then came upon Belky at the Reedy/Cedar Ridge T. At this point, I knew that Cemetery stood in my way of finishing.
I plodded off towards the Graylyn intersection, trying to hold on to my calves, keep them from totally giving up.

I walked a bit leading up to Cemetery, but decided I was going to run as much as I could. I made it about halfway up, walked for about 25 feet, then took off again, and I believe I ran the rest of the way in from there.

I turned back down (UP?) towards Camp Lapihio, and had completely forgotten the terrain from hours earlier. I forgot it was an uphill, THEN a downhill to the finish.
My inspiration to go harder was seeing that big 26 on the right, followed by the big FINISH banner at the end

I thought I’d be the one to get all weepy at the finish, but my calf muscles were protesting so much, I went into damage control so I’d be able to walk later. It was very touch and go as to whether I’d be able to stay upright. Got my pint glass, filled it with water, then got some gatorade, some orange wedges, a bagel bite, oreo, and I began to come around a bit. Stood by the fire warming the calf muscles.
I had no idea where I was in the finishing order. It didn’t matter. I was done.

I anxiously awaited my running buddies. Squeeky and Sandbagger made it in. BelkyMD was not far behind at all. We laughed, we groaned, we ate burritos, chips, and salsa. We rested a bit, reflected a bit, then packed up. Belky and I weren’t done yet. We sprinted over to Brier Creek to satisfy a craving: ICE CREAM! Hello, Coldstone Creamery!

I arrived home to balloons from a friend, a big finish line banner my son and wife had made (since they couldn’t GET to the finish for the mud), and a huge cookie with “26.2″ drizzled on it in chocolate. That cookie was gone by Sunday night…

Sorry this is so long. You only get one first marathon right? I want to savor it as long as I can.

Thanks to the Mitterling Milers for their hospitality, advice, and camaraderie. Looking forward to many more runs together.

Forrest (Bill)