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Pine Creek Challenge


I started running again 6 weeks ago after recovering from a stress fracture in my femur (12 weeks zero running). So I'd like to say my training for this ultra was jammed packed with long runs. Heading into Pine Creek my main goal was to finish, but I always like to make small goals happen along the way. I used this race as also a training run for NJ Trail Series One Day-12 hour event. 

Going to make this as brief as I can...

Before Race- We stayed at Millers Store Blackwell, which was also a main aid station. I was nervous morning of, I really felt like it was my first ultra again because it had been 6 months since I have competed. Also, my knee had been giving me problems so I was hoping that would hold up with KTtape and a patella strap. I wore Altra Olympus, I trained in them since I started running again so I figured it would be for the best, plus it matched my outfit! lol 


Race- Start at Asaph, PA. The 100 mile runners started 3 hours earlier, my friend Mary Siegel was one of them! Starting I followed the leading runners, a group of 3 men, we chatted and I honestly did not look at my watch at all while we ran together, but I felt like we were moving pretty quickly.


I was in and out of the first aid station (3.5 miles), I started moving pretty quickly , slowly moving away from the other runners. I felt like I needed a goal, so I wanted to be sub 4:30 for the first 50k (I ended up 4:17). I felt surprisingly well on my entire way to the turn around point. I enjoyed my run, the course was breathtaking, along the creek with mountains along side you. It was humid, and at points got to be pretty sunny. I had on a Nathan running pack and kept myself hydrated as best as I could.

I think it was about mile 32-37.5 where I hit a slump.. I was running alone for the last 30+ miles and hit the wall hard. I also started to feel sick, wasn't sure if I was actually sick or if it was just a mental block.. Decided I need to shake this from my mind because my body felt good and this demon was all in my head. I got to aid station around mile 37, talk about a boost in confidence, the volunteers at the aid station brightened my spirits and mood, I also sipped on some ginger ale, made me feel so much better, and a lady dunked my hat in cold water. The next male (David Stango) caught up to me, I was excited now to have someone to run with, starting off I felt even better at this point and I think I caught my second wind. We ran along side each other for a short time, I fell into a nice 8:30 pace and felt comfortable and went with it. Didn't last long, and back at that wall again, every curse word, every bad thought, asking myself why? Telling myself this is stupid. Then I reached an aid station, the aid station around 42 miles, where my dog Champ and my boyfriend await. I sipped more Ginger Ale, it was the only thing I was keeping down at this point.... I was in a happy mood now, I had 20 miles to go! David caught up and left the station before me again, so I had to catch up.  

I can not be more grateful to the aid stations on this course, every time I saw those white tents, it looked like heaven!-- Friendliest people! Lifted my spirits!! On wards!... 

The next 7+ miles I just kept trying to push myself forward, trying to stay relaxed and not think about how I wanted to just vomit everywhere and fall asleep. 

Reached aid station around 51 miles, drank more ginger ale and chatted a bit, they told me I was there too long and had to get moving, I didn't want to leave.

Started getting sicker, this was slowing me down from sub 9 min paces to over 10 minute paces, but I kept trying to move my feet and took a couple walking breaks, and talked way too much to myself out loud "swift, strong and steady" over and over... Zac Marion said this to me the day before and it just stuck with me the last 10+ miles.

I reached aid station around 59 miles and knew I was very close to the finish so I tried to be in and out of there as quickly as I could. 

The last 3.5 miles were the hardest, I tried to keep my feet moving as steady as could. I saw the portapotty at the end of the trail and I knew I was almost done, so I ran the fastest I could to the finish line, was greeted by my family, boyfriend, dog and race officials. 


I won first overall and set a new course record for the 100k 9:44:05. This course was beautiful, and I recommend this ultra to everyone who loves to run the distance! Friendly volunteers! Scenic views! Loved that this race was out and back, turning around seeing everyone smiling and in such a great mood and watching them run so strong with many miles under their feet lifted my spirits.

My dad captured my finish...

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Comments

  1. Paul EncarnaciĆ³nSeptember 12, 2014 at 4:17 PM

    Awesome feat, even without the handicap of the 6 week crash course training! Congrats!

    ReplyDelete

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