In the depths of winter I finally learned that within me
there lay an invincible summer.
-  Albert Camus

I lived in Lynchburg, VA for 12 years and began a running habit that quickly morphed into an obsession.  I left Philadelphia in 1994 as a “city kid” and returned to the City of Brotherly Love a Trail Runner. You see … I accepted a faculty position that brought me back to the North and the urban sprawl.  It was a chance to teach at my alma mater.  But I knew I would miss the trails! 

Hellgate was going to be my 6^th ultra of the calendar year (unless you count my 35 mile Birthday Run on Candler’s Mountain, officially known as the Flying Buttress 35 Miler).  Despite moving and not being able to get the necessary mountain trail running in, I felt confident about this Hellgate Endeavor.  I competed in the MMTR in November and finished with little discomfort.  Two weeks later I ran the Philadelphia Marathon (unofficially – pacing one of my students to qualify for Boston and then decided to run the whole thing) and unofficially qualified for Boston myself.  My confidence was buoyed. 

However, I am not going to rehash the entire race.  All of the previous race reports have captured the essence of The Hellgate Experience.  As I wrote David last year, Hellgate is not a just a race.  It is more than that.  With the unpredictable conditions and the midnight start we are required to learn something about ourselves. I love quotes and after receiving my t-shirt was pleased to see the family motto of Sir Earnest Shackleford, "By Endurance We Shall Conquer".  How fitting … Despite the conditions Shackleford and his men were confronted with, he did not lose a single sailor.  Friendship and camaraderie fueled their survival.  And it is this friendship and camaraderie that helped me, and seems like many more out there, finish. 

I love cold and wintry weather, however, the great oxymoron is that I HATE BEING COLD!  Uncontrollable shivering and dangerously low body temperatures has already sent me to medical tents at previous races.  I know you are asking, “why do you continue to run mountain races in the winter?”  Everyone that signs up for a race like Hellgate already knows the answer.

Hellgate was the11^th ultra of my running career.  Though last year there was snow and ice, this year I thought was much more difficult.  I don't remember being so cold in 2005 as I was in 2006.  I was forced to look a DNF in the face for the first time.  As I hiked up to AS 4 the wind turned my overdressed/sweaty legs, torso, and arms into icicles.  I saw my friend Paul Carrasco (2005 finisher), who had to drop out earlier in the race due to a serious ankle injury, at AS 4 and he encouraged me to continue and that he will make sure my drop bag is brought to AS 5.  In addition, Dan Lehman (4 x finisher) implored me to keep moving to stay warm.  I had run with Dan from AS 3 to AS 4 and would tag along all the way to AS 5. 

From AS 4 to AS 5 was a blur.  I held an ongoing debate in my head over whether or not I would be able to continue.  My glutes, hands, legs, arms, and torso felt numb. How could I continue was the question I kept proposing to myself.  Yet the reply was, How can I quit?  As I descended to AS 5 I realized that I had to make a decision.  I stumbled in with many doubts.  BUT … here is where friendship made a tremendous difference.  Paul managed to acquire a ride to AS 5 with my bag and our other friend and two time finisher Cat Philips met us with her car.  After nearly an hour, a complete clothing change, thawing by the heather of a Jeep Cherokee, and cheerful “you can do this” from both of them I found myself jogging up the road determined to take this race one aid station at a time.  During this section is where I found my second running friend (Dan Lehman being the first).  I had caught up to Jack Kuriski (who had ironically gave me a ride to Bethel and the start, and I'd met just the night before).  We decided to stay together. 

By AS #6 I was feeling much better and now knew I was going to finish.  By AS #7 I had come across Skydome (aka Dave Kristen) and his pacer the Juggernaut (aka Ben Weis).  They lifted my spirits.  At AS 7 I was met by my good friend and education colleague Jeff Minahan and one of his Heritage High runners Jake Haskins.  In addition to this Paul, Cat, and Ho Yo/Dr. Downhill (aka Josh Yeoman 2 x finisher – who also dropped out earlier due to a stress fracture a month earlier) were also there. A cup of soup, another change of clothes, and we were off.  Jack and I were now joined by Jeff and Jake. 

At AS 8 I was met by my wife Heather running down the hill.  What a Sight!  And what a lift.  At the AS my children hugged my legs and I sat briefly.  I was surprised by two delicious slices of pizza from Yo Ho and the Juggernaut.   Jeff and Jake decided to continue to the next station with us so the four of us set out down the hill. 

At AS 9 I was again met by my wife and kids.  In addition to them one of my former high school students and top cross country runners from Heritage High also joined the group, Marina Michael.  Our group swelled to five.  The last hike and descent caused us to spread out in the order of our finish.  However, the key word is finished. 

The race was over.  I was sore.  But I was proud.  I was proud of my friends both old and new.  I was proud of my family.  I would like to thank the following people:

AS workers - you served us all with a smile

Dan – you kept me going in the cold

Jack – you pulled me through some tough times

Paul and Cat – you saved my race

Jeff – you ran 22 miles and muled for me – I am in your debt

Jake – you are 16 years old and ran 22 mountain miles – you are ready for Holiday Lake 

Marina – you are 17, your racing career has only begun – you are also ready for Holiday Lake

Josh and Ben – you gave me FOOD and laughs

Heather – I love you and appreciate your support more than anything!

Isabella and Nicholas – your presence gave me inspiration

David Horton … Thank you again for the experience.  I was recently watching a documentary on Ansel Adams.  I have never seen the mountains that he photographed in person, but these races make me long for them.  Thank you!