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Mountain
Masochist 50 mile Trail Run Race Report by Jennifer Bower MMTR
was my first 50 mile ultra marathon.
My goal for the race was completion ahead of the 12 hour cut
off time. I managed to
stay 15-35 minutes ahead of the cut off time at the 16 aid stations
throughout the course and finish in 11 hours and 36 minutes.
Here is my race report: Background: I
have a long history of road racing (first race 25 years ago) and short
course triathlons (first race 18 years ago).
I did my first road marathon in 2003, and over the past few
years I have developed a real passion for hiking and trail running.
In past year I had run 3 ultras, Ramapo Mountain Madness 50K in
NJ, Promise Land 50K++, and The Damn Wakely Dam Ultra 32.6 miles in
the Adirondacks of NY. Additionally,
I hiked a long section (160 miles) of the Appalachian Trail
(Waynesboro, VA to Harpers Ferry, WV) in a ten day period.
I do most of my training locally in the Harriman State Park, on
the AT, the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail, and the Long Path.
I am not a fast runner, but typically finish middle to back of
the pack. Preparation: I
really relied on my base and a couple of long weekend outings in
preparing for the MMTR. I
did two weekends of long runs back to back (Saturday and Sunday).
My strategy was standard to trail ultra running, walk the
uphills and run the flats and downhills.
I came to MMTR confident that I could make the distance, but
concerned about the cut offs and not knowing how my body would react
on the far side of 34 miles. I
also had some trepidation about the weather because during each of my
previous ultras the heavens opened and dumped INCHES of rain on me
race day. I was hoping
and praying that MMTR race day would be dry. I was anxious to explore the expanses of the race course and
myself. Pre-Race: My
handler (Bridget Smith) and I arrived in Lynchburg early and planned
to attend the pre-race pasta dinner.
We arrived around 6:45 and had some challenges with finding the
cafeteria at the school (finding the school wasn’t difficult, but
finding the cafeteria in the back of the school was tough).
The dinner was well attended, and the pasta and pizza were
plentiful. Race
Day: The
forecast called for no rain but cool temperatures with the high only
in the mid-40s and 25 degrees at the start.
I decided to wear a short sleeve silk weight base layer, with a
next to skin wind stopper fabric zip tee over that.
I also donned a smartwool beanie and gloves with a head lamp
for the start. I felt
like this was ample clothing, but I also knew that I would be seeing
my handler several times throughout the day, so offloading unneeded
items, changing shirts and refueling would be easy.
After
waking at 0400 and devouring my usual prerace breakfast of a bagel
with peanut butter and banana, we were off to the James River
Visitor’s Center for the start.
Since I brought a much appreciated handler with me, we opted to
drive to the JRVC in lieu of the early morning bus ride from the high
school. Since it was so
chilly, it was great to have a warm place to wait for the start.
The first 6 Horton miles of the MMTR are on pavement, including
a 1.5 mile out and back at the start.
I was feeling really tired and sore on this part of the course;
it was a huge relief to step onto the trails after aid station 2.
I opted to wear a headlamp, but many runners did not.
Since I had my handler there, I handed it off to her when I no
longer needed it (I was still on pavement at this point).
After aid station 2, we began climbing on a leaf-covered single
track. There were several
runners in my pack at this point, and most were keeping a speed hiking
pace as we ascended this first hill.
I
had a couple of strategies for my first 50 miler.
One was to be patient with my body and try my best to run
conservatively within my limits (and hopefully within the cut offs!)
I knew that this race would transcend the parameters of time,
so I didn’t use my chronograph; I simply kept my watch on time of
day and periodically referenced the aid station time signs to make
sure that I kept a reasonable cushion on the 12 hour cut off time. The other hope was that I would encounter some experienced
race veterans and learn what worked for them in the past on the
course. I
carried my Nathan Intensity pack with water, shot bloks, Lara bar,
motrin, electrolyte capsules, my iPod shuffle, and a foot care kit.
The aid stations were every 2-4 Horton miles, so running
without carrying any food or water is possible.
However I found it comforting to have some hydration and
nutrition with me. Early
in the race (maybe around aid station 4 or 5) I heard someone cheering
for number 24. I knew
from Dr. Horton’s prerace talk that number belonged to Tom Green,
the only runner to have finished every year of the Masochists since
its advent. I turned
around and greeted Mr. Green, and we ran together for many of the next
30+ miles. It was so cool
to hear his stories about the many 100 mile races he’s finished, his
experiences with great crew members, being the first finisher of the
Grand Slam, and what the ultra world was like in the early years.
I feel very fortunate to have spent some time on the trail with
an ultramarathon legend. I
also asked Tom many questions about the upcoming sections of the
course. Thank you so
much, Tom, for sharing some of your day with me, for your insights
into the course, and for helping time pass by so quickly.
I
also met Steve Michael, another seasoned ultra runner who has finished
many 100 milers. I
enjoyed discussing running and life with Steve also as the miles flew
past. The
morning hours went by so quickly, and before I knew it I came to aid
station 12 and my handler was there to tend to my refueling needs. I commented to her that I was so happy to be at The Loop.
She quickly corrected me that this was not The Loop.
We had a mile plus climb up to The Loop.
She ended up climbing with me, and off we went.
At the next aid station I left Bridget behind and entered The
Loop. My friend Alex Kahl (winner of the Lynchburg Ultra Series
last year and five time Western States finisher) had told me that this
was his favorite section of any race course anywhere.
I found The Loop to be extremely tough.
There was more climbing than I anticipated, and the leaf
covered ground made for slow progress.
After cresting the steep climb, there is a steep downhill.
I fell hard in this section, but (thankfully) I was okay, save
a bruised knee. This
would turn out to be my only fall of the day.
After lying on the ground a few seconds and regrouping, I was
back on my feet and heading back downhill to finish The Loop.
As I left AS 14, I caught up to Tom again.
He provided some words of encouragement, told me that I was
doing very well and that I just needed to keep on moving and I would
finish. In
my race preparations, I read several reports from previous MMTR years.
I also talked to Alex and Brennen Wysong, friends who had
completed the MMTR in past years. I knew all about what to expect with ample aid stations, that
the course was mainly double track jeep roads (with the exception of
The Loop and a few other sections), and that most of the climbs and
descents were long and gradual. What
I didn’t know in advance was that the toughest part of the course
was the 4.1 Horton miles between aid stations 15 and 16.
Maybe this was all my perception, but I felt good physically
going into that section of the course, despite never running farther
than 34 miles before race day. I
was hydrated and doing well nutritionally.
I was with Tom entering this section, and I commented that I
did not realize that this section was single track.
There were several other runners in a pack, and we all started
trudging up the climb from AS 15. The trail was leaf covered, rocky, and fairly steep.
With 40+ miles on my legs, it made for slow progress.
After cresting the first climb, the trail leveled out, but then
climbed again, more steeply this time.
It took real effort to put one foot in front of the other.
Additionally, there were several large blow downs in this
section. I’m petite, so
I had to straddle and sit on these to get over them.
I had a difficult time keeping forward progress.
I really just wanted to stay seated…but I also knew that I
was in the final stages of this course.
Stopping now simply wasn’t an option.
I continued on and eventually saw the last aid station. After downing a couple more advil (10 today?) I was off to
the final mostly downhill miles and to find the finish line.
I was going to make it!! The
final miles were pleasantly gradually down hill with a couple of small
stream crossings. After a couple of miles I was on a dirt road that steeply
decended down to a “One mile to go” sign, a gate and at last
pavement. I knew that the
finish was close! The
paved road curved several times, finally revealing the finish and a
small, hearty crowd. I soon saw my handler and I was overwhelmed with emotion.
In the hundreds of races I have done, I have never been as
filled with emotion as I was at this finish!
I finished in 11 hours and 36 minutes, well ahead of the cut
off. I was elated and
relieved and exhausted. In
the end, I realized that Dr. David Horton puts on a great race. I am so appreciative that running venues like this are
available: well organized, well supported, and well attended. Thank you for a great day in the woods! Sincerely, Jennifer
Bower Major,
United States Army
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