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Harbison 50k


Harbison 50k located at Harbison State Forest, Columbia SC,  this 50k brings in a larger crowd and is one of the harder ultras in our region. 20 miles of technical single track trails, rest fire roads, wide trails and a few water crossings. This course is rocky, rooty and a few fallen trees along the trail. Overall it is a tough course, and considering the amount of rain Harbison received the weeks leading into the ultra, we were running through some slippery slopes. Total elevation change is 4,186 ft.

I ran this event in 2013, I had a little revenge I wanted to get out on this course, after it had been my slowest 50k and most difficult, also I had missed my turn, back tracked to tackling on a little over a mile or so. I had still placed 1st Female with a time of 5:05. 

Considering there was another local 50k that was flat and fast, I felt needed something more technical and hilly like Harbison to use as training leading into Iron Horse.

Tom and I decided to leave at 10pm the night before, the drive was about 2.5 hours. But luckily we didn't have a hard time falling asleep in the hotel when we arrived there.

I had 2 goals set in my head for Harbison.
1. Run a course PR, anything under 5:05.
2. Shoot to be sub 4:49 (which would be the CR)

Any time under 5:00 on this course is VERY good. With the all elevation change, the areas of trees down and the rocks throughout Spiderwoman it's easy to have your paces drop from 8:00 to well over 10:00. 

Starting out pretty fast staying with the leading pack on the fire road which is actually rolling hills and if not careful will either make or break your race for that day if you aren't careful. 

Turning into the trail I found a group of gentlemen to pace with, the previous years winning male, John Bruno and also previous years runner Keith Hanson. Right behind me was Blaise Brochard. The 4 of us ran the first loop (approx. 15.5 miles) together. There were still a big group of men and one lady a head of us.

Our paces for the first loop were great, running 7:40s when we can, tip toe climbing when we had to. I stayed mostly behind John, following his steps, I felt pretty good, I didn't feel like I was pushing myself too hard out there. I did stop at every aid station to fuel up, PBJ, water once I ran out of Trifuel which was early since I only had a 9oz bottle on me. We crossed the half way point at 2:10. Which was fast for where I wanted to be, but had another loop and I was feeling great. 

Second loop, aid stations were telling me I was 2nd female and she wasn't too far along, catching her was the last thing on my mind- I was stoked for her because we both were crushing this course, and knew I would only slow down with the miles to come- At this point, Blaise and I ran most of the last loop together, we caught a few men, between 20-25 miles. Keith blazed by us around 25 miles, Blaise went on with Keith, I couldn't keep up, I could only keep moving, looking back I wish I pushed to stay with them because I lost motivation the last 6 miles. I took a few spills out there alone, got a little muddy and bloody, but nothing serious. Crossed the finish line 4:34:06. 2nd Female, 5th Overall. I was/am happy with how i did out there. Harbison is a tough course and I got well over my goal. I cut over 32 minutes from my previous Harbison 50k and most of all had a great time doing it.

They say Harbison 50k is a great first 50k, with all the help from the volunteers, aid stations and course markings, yes it is. But I strongly recommend you train on similar trails for this. If you are not use to technical trail running you are going to have a long day out there, specially living in the south and training on no hills, this will be a shock to your body!

GEAR: Ran in Lone Peak 2.5

NUTRITION: Trifuel, Water, half PBJ.

What's next.
Iron Horse 100 mile. February 6.



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