Redemption at the Mountain Masochist.

  I just got back from Virginia. It was a great weekend, so much better than my last trip to Lynchburg. I thought I was in better shape last year but had some problems and eventually missed the cut-off at 41.5 miles. That didn't sit too well with me so I was determined to return this year and have a good race. I have nearly doubled my training this year and I put in a lot of miles this summer. In the past I have hardly run at all because I hate heat and humidity and would rather whine than run when it's in the 90's with high humidity. I always look forward to the pre-race dinner and the chance to socialize. It was nice to have so many of my ultra-friends there  that have been such a Blessing to meet in my 3.5 years in the sport. Some really great people that are so supportive and know what we go through out there, because they have been there too.

  My friend Tom Smith from Richmond was there and we were planning to run together as much as possible. I met Tom in my first ultra and we have shared countless miles on the trails since.Our plan was to be conservative until we got to the top of Buck Mountain at 29.5 miles and if we felt good then start pushing the pace. As we started off in the dark along the parkway we were near the back of the pack of 251 starters and after peeing and adjusting shoes by the 2nd mile there were only 6 to 8 people behind us.

  From that point we were very relaxed and enjoying the beautiful day. Once we finished the first long climb around the 8 mile mark we began steadily passing people. Shortly after leaving aid station 3 we caught up with  my friend Margaret. I had hoped to run as much as possible with her but within a mile on the next climb she started dropping back so Tom and I moved on.

   The weather was almost perfect.  At times it would start to feel a little too warm but then we would be in the shade and there was a good breeze all day. I was feeling great, my stomach was happy and my legs were in great shape. The next many miles were mostly uneventful as we relaxed and enjoyed the day. I caught up to my good friend Dru Sexton at the 20.2 miles aid station. It was nice to see her and we would be together or in close proximity for the rest of the day. She usually kicks my butt in these things so I really enjoyed  sharing so much of the day with her. She was also seeking redemption for being timed-out last year.

  People were spread out all along the course by now but we were steady passing people and feeling great. We finally began the 2.6 mile climb up Buck Mountain still feeling great.The climb passed relatively quickly and once I reached the top I knew it would be a good day. I had bulit up a 22 minute cushion over the cut-offs and I knew barring an injury a finish was a done deal. Most of the next section is downhill and the uphills are short and not too steep. I usually walk even these uphills but I was killing it today and ran all but about 100yds of the next 4 miles. I passed a bunch of people, but unfortunatly Tom was not able to keep up. I kept expecting him to catch me at each aid station but I never saw him again until the end. I was feeling so good and my latent competitive instincts had kicked in. I would spot someone up ahead and think " next victim"

  I soon found my way to the entrance to the infamous loop at mile 33.6. I actually like this section and had done well in my two previous races here. It is all single track trail. The first mile is flat on a moss covered trail, but then begins to climb and gets continually rockier and steeper. Of all the places for me to fall on this course it was on the flat trail that I found myself suddenly staring up at the sky. I was lucky not to get hurt bad and blow my perfect race. I did cramp-up briefly and I have a nice bruise on my hip but the worst pain was banging my elbow on a rock. I stayed on the ground stunned for a minute and let my cramp relax before getting up. I think the sudden assumption of the prone position caused a rapid drop in my blood pressue and when I got up I was dizzy and very nauseous and my elbow was throbbing. After walking for a few minutes I began to recover and was soon back on pace, feeling as good as ever.

  I made it to the top Ok and then began the descent back to the mile 38.6 aid station. I was surprised to hear someone about to pass me. I had not been passed since the first 5-6 miles. Then I saw who it was . It was Rayna Matsuno. Normally she would finish this a good 2 hours ahead of me. She has been having some injury issues since Vermont and hadn't been racing. When I had passed her 5 miles earlier she was running with Anstr but I think she began to worry about the cut-offs so she took off on her own. She didn't need to worry because as we came into the aid station nearly together we had built up a 41 minute cushion. COOL!

  I was still smoking the next section but around the 40 mile point I began to rapidly start feeling bad.I was breathing too hard and running out of energy and my stomach was starting to frown. I knew what my problem was and was determined to get it under control. I had been feeling so good and racing that I had been neglecting my fluid and caloric needs. The next aid sation is at 41.5 miles, the scene of last years disappointing disquailification so as soon as I got there I grabbed a couple of cups of Mt DEW for some quick fluids and energy. One of the volunteers that obviously was not an ultra runner asked if I was going to dropout when I sat down in a chair to drink them and empty some grit out of my shoe. I said "no way, I've got a 35 minute cushion and as long as I can move I got it made" I guess no one had explained to her that she needed to encourage runners, not talk them into quitting

  I only sat for a minute and started up to the next aid station at Forest Valley. It is only 1.5 miles but it is all climbing and exposed to the sun.

I still wasn't feeling good and sat down again when I reached the top. Again a well meaning lady tried to talk me into quitting. She seemed truly concerned with my well being but I was getting annoyed with people trying to talk me into stopping. But I remained polite and was joking around with them while I prepared for the final push to the finish.

  Another lady pointed over to two local good ole boys and said she had to explain to them why we did this race. I said well good, maybe you can tell me because I haven't come up with a good answer for that myself. I took a gel and immediately got very nauseous but was able to keep it down.  I  had sat for nearly 5 minutes but about that time Dru caught back up with me and we started onto the trail together. This next section of "Horton Miles" seemed to go on forever, but I was beginning to feel better and by the time we finished the last steep climb around mile 45 I was as good as new. This is also the highest point on the course I think and it is predominatly downhill to the finish from there..

   We finally came into the last aid station at 47 miles. It is really 4 miles to the finish from here. Even Horton admits this part is long. As I pulled in, I looked back and here came about 8 people right behind me. I looked at Dru and asked "where did they come from?" The volunteers asked me what I needed and I replied, I need to get the heck out of here, thanks for your help.

 I was on a mission. Nobody passes me today. Well except maybe Rayna. I was feeling fantastic as I headed down the Mountain. We came to a switchback and I was surprised to see the large group right behind us so I picked it up another notch. Dru couldn't keep up but within a mile 2 guys did pass me. I just kept pushing and  I was able to catch them both just before getting to the one mile to go sign. The last mile is flat and on pavement. I checked my watch and saw I had almost 11 minutes to finish in 11:30, my realistic pre-race goal, so I put the hammer down. The amazing thing I was able to do it. I had never felt so strong at the end of any ultra  I did that last mile in about 9:30(felt like 8:00) and finished in 11:29. That was good for 158th place. I had passed nearly 100 people after the 6 mile mark. Except for about an hour  between miles 40-45 I felt fantastic. It's amazing what actually training and running smart can do for you.

  Redemption Feels Pretty Cool.

Joey Anderson