COURSE *** The course has been compartmentalized into two loops. I refer to them as the "morning loop" and the "afternoon loop". If you somehow are on the evening loop, you may want to know the local car service phone number. Morning Loop *** It's 4.66 miles in distance and a combination of 60% road (paved paths) and 40% trail terrain. You will need to complete four such circuits to equate 30 kilometers. Special Note: You do "not" have to declare what distance you are running. In the words of the renowned philosopher, William Murray, "It just doesn't matter". All participants are (basically) in the 30K and will receive an official time and place for that distance. You then will have the option to stop or continue. Afternoon Loop *** If you do go on (and I hope you do), your 5th loop will be the same as the above EXCEPT you will "not" include the trail section. Instead, you will do a U-turn around the aid station and head back to Alley Fieldhouse. This loop will be 2.76 miles, and you will be required to traverse it four times. For those with a math aptitude, four times 2.76 does not equal the additional 20K needed. Short Loop *** You then will be transferred to complete two abbreviated loops of .69 miles around the staging area to finish 50K. COURSE FEATURES *** The paved portion of the loop will feature the more challenging stretches. There is a long significant climb (and descent) at the start and 3 other inclines that may get your attention. (Remember 50K trekkers: This paved portion will have to be completed 8 times.) Regarding the trail section, I guess you cannot consider it as a technical trail. About 3/4 of the trail will seem similar but different like a snowflake or the Republican candidates. More like nature trails, level with an occasional incline or decline and very runnable. BUT there is a 1/2 mile stretch that will test your fortitude. It include roots, rocks, big and little dippers, narrow passage, log & rock steps and flood boards. Directional Aids *** This Park will feature a whole bunch of markings: green arrows and dotted lines, white and yellow arrows and some strange ones. The latter consist of a triangle and a circle. Probably painted by a Vulcan or a geometry teacher. Taking all this into consideration, I have tried to simplify how you will follow the correct course. I'm sure on Sunday, you will be saying, "I hate to see what he thinks is complex". Loop Description *** We will start by following the alien arrows to traverse to the Motor Parkway (bike path) up the hill for 1/2 mile to turn right into the Alley Picnic & Springfield areas. We hope to have a monitor there or something with antennas to direct you. From there, you will follow the Alley Pond Strider green arrows. They are sizeable and noticeable. But at times, an arrow may be a little crooked or on the wrong side, but just let it lead you to the next marker. At 1.85 miles of the loop, you will encounter the "on course" aid station and the volunteers will guide you to turn left into the trail. The trail markings will be arrows on stakes. The trail segment is just short of 2 miles and will exit at the same location where you entered. The homestretch will be back on the green arrows to the Motor Parkway and then downhill to the staging area. There also will be some marking on the "short loop, but I will spare you. I realize about now you are scratching the walls. Course Note: Your main irritation (besides this information sheet) may be leaves. There will be an abundance of them: covering up those surprises on the trail, being slick in spots and even covering course markings on the paved paths. Be on a lookout when applicable. AID STATIONS *** There will be a fully equipped station adjacent to the Start/Finish, including water, Power Aid, defizzed cola, bananas, chips, cookies, energy gel & bars, PB&J mini sandwiches, pretzels, trail mix and medical supplies. The on course station will serve you twice on the morning loop (only once on the afternoon loop) and will provide all drinks and limited food snacks.
I was looking forward to seeing a lot of people that I know. Tons of people were going to show up. Also, it was close enough to home that I figured I would see some family as well.
Our crew:
Heidi convinced Jim to do it and he actually signed up. Heidi wasn't sure about signing up. Lots of reasons. She didn't have a way to get there (Jim offered, Hammad offered, I offered), she didn't want to run alone since her friend who she thought would be coming moved (I spoke to Hammad who immediatly said he will stay with her), she wanted Adele to do the race so she can sign up (this one I completly didn't and don't get) and lastly her ankles were hurting. This one is in my humble opinion the most important reason. Everything else was nonesense. Still, why suddenly the ankle that has been hurting for a year became important, I gotta wonder. Still, she did a MRI on Friday and still don't have any results to show for. Sucks. Oh well. Since she was saying she doesn't have a ride, it seemed like Jeff was out. Adele had a race I believe. Andre who the hell knows... I was suprised that Donald actually signed up early.
So bottom line is that Heidi/Jeff/Adele/Andre weren't doing it. Hammad commited to do it but procrastinated and suddenly whenthe extended forecase came out, the race got sold out the weekend before. Wow. There were 122 people signed up. Richie, the RD, was shocked.
I asked him for rough directions so we can try the trails. People were worried. Jamey, Ed and I tried. I kinda got most of what Richie said but we promptly did not find our way. Oh well... By the way, during the race, I realizd that whatever Richie gave me was kinda useless almost straight from the beginning.
The Freds showed up. Jim showed up. Donald eventually strolled in. Bree came in to run a loop. Scalzo and skinny Karen also came to run a few. The striders showed up as a relay for the 30K. They were the only ones so assuming they don't DNF, they will win. Hammad in typical fashion didn't sign up in advance but since they were some no shows, he got in. I was worried about him. He was the wildcard here. Let me explain.
For $ 35.00, everyone is signed up officially for the 30K. After that, it's up to you. If you are done, then you are done. If you feel good and are so inclined, you continue for the 50K. If you DNF before finishing the 50K, then you still get a 30K time. Nice... I wasn't sure what Hammad would do. He disappeared on us for a few good weeks. Turns out he bought a motorcycle without telling wife. He was taking a class and therefore missed the running. As of today, his wife is still not talking to him. Oh boy...
We started a few minutes late.
Donald usually likes to start slow but he took off. Very unlike him. Jamey and I dropped the Freds. Didn't make sense to try to stick together. This weekend was their first back 2 Back. They did the Roxbury Marathon (very hilly) in Connecticut they day before. We caught Andre. Yes, supposedly he's injured but I didn't want him taking off either. We dropped him and finished our first loop.
All systems go so far. Came across one of the Chinese guys from the pool. Wished me luck. Cool. I remarked to Jamey that we were all by ourselves. It was weird. No one in front and no one in back. He said he might have gotten lost in the trails if I wasn't there. Truthly it was very well marked but still. Gotta pay attention.
We caught up to Scalzo and another guy. The other guy perhaps was skinny Karen's husband? I don't know... Still, dude was cleaning the trails picking up runners trash. Awesome. He and Scalzo were running nicely but we dropped them too.
He looked horrible. He was sitting down in a very strange way. He told me that it feels like something was gonna come out of him. The look on his face was all pain. I was feeling awesome and I still had 12 miles to go. Different race and different mentality.
Just to add a few things to earlier stuff. The strider relay was made of Crazy Gerry, Len Richards, Rob Pasquell and some other dude. CJR went first to get the ball rolling. Len Richards, a powerhouse, did the second loop and caught us. Think about the speed there for a minute... Anyway, going down the last big hill to the fieldhouse and there he is and of course I start with smack talk. Why is he running so slow and how I am going to drop him. He rose to it and said let's go and I did drop him. And he caught up and said "bring it". And I didn't. With a smile of course. I was just busting his chops. Why? Because he is a nice guy. Powerhouse I say. Me on the other hand, ain't a powerhouse and I sure won't go hard at the end of the 2nd loop for fun.
We met a lot of nice people and it really was fun. Still, it was interesting to see how people were dealing with the distance. How they were either enjoying themselves or hurting. Clearly Donald was hurting. As Jamey and I were about to emerge out of the trails for the last time, we ran into Jim. He was clearly suffering. Later he told me his loops were 45 min, 47 min, 46 min and ... 1:20. He completly cramped up. We finished our 5th loop, right after he finished his 4th loop.
Phil at this point started dropping Ed. Phil still looked awesome. Ed started looking like he was suffering. The course is brutal. Still, I knew he could finish. We saw the 50K winner finish around this time. I think Aaron Heath did it in 3:30 or something like that. Wow. Moshie Gammes was trailing Paul Kentor. Apparently he lost 14 minutes waiting for Paul using indoor plumbing. Now, Paul wasn't waiting. Not nice. By the way, before we started, Adam Orlow comes rolling in. Didn't realize the race was today. Did a loop with the boys. Awesome.
I think right before our 4th loop of the afternoon route (loop 8 if you're just counting loops), we met with Margaret O'Conner. She stayed with us. Her friend was having issues. We had a nice talk. She was awesome. I explained to her my "argument" with Elizabeth about sleep deprivation and she told me that there are studies who agree with me. As of today, I still have not made contact with her. Tried quite a few ways :(
We finished and then went off to do the last 2 small loops. Wasn't sure about the course but it became easy. Run past finish line toward the cars or toward the end of the green line. Go 1/2 way and then U-turn. Run with the tennis courts to your left and baseball fields on your right. Make a left to go under the bridge. Make a left on Union Turnpike. Make a left on Winchester. Go into the park to finish line. Do it twice.
We finished and I grabbed some pizza and eventually we left. I took a quick shower and headed back to race site. I was hoping to see the Freds and also needed to be there to pick up Jeremy from Tennis.
My place was 22 overall and my bib was number 22. Jamey's bib was 24 and he joked that he was gonna run a little more to get in 24th place. Later when they adjusted results, we were pushed back down. Oh well.
Later family told me that a runner who did really well, got lost and messed up on the course a little. He got mad and words were exchanged and he was DQed. Oh well.
It started getting cold. Between the day ending, meaning getting dark and losing the warm sun, wind picking up, not running and well, I got cold. They had tomato soup in the field house and it was awesome. Had 2 cups. Gave Jeremy a slice of pizza and we left. Got home, changed and of course no time to rest and went to Krav Maga.
Back tracking a little... We saw Raina and the kids on the course. That was cool. They met us and then walked a little and found us again. Awesome. Then Jamey's kids walked home and Raina stayed for one more loop. She texted Elizabeth for me with status. Having a race at AP is awesome. I stopped asking for the family to show up to a race. It's too much to ask for. Still, Jeremy had to be dropped off at AP for tennis and I figured I might see them. Based on my Greenbelt 50K time, I assumed it would be around 7 hours. Way off... They were suprised to hear where we were and so they showed up. Saw them with one more afternoon loop. Managed to get a coke without Elizabeth seeing me. Jessie saw and told me so later.
This was my last race for the season. It was hard but I enjoyed it. Close to home, at AP, my family visited, saw lots of friends and the best of all was completing the 2,015 miles in 2015 on the course. The streak continues and it was fun to see what I will finish the year with but still.
I think that's it...