Notes
Where to start, what an experience. This was a multi-purpose race. One, I wanted to run 36 miles for my 36 birthday this weekend. This thought went in conjunction with Robin doing her 100 miler. Thus I registered for the ultra along with her and decided to do 2.5 laps with her, this I got 37.5m. I drove up friday night so a saturday morning start. I went to the turn around point on the out and back, thus, 7.5m from the start and set up my tent and a canopy and prepped what I could for our make shift aid station. We had extra clothes, food, water, anything we might need for her 24-30 hour ordeal. Things get off to a rocky start when I fin the grill I was borrowing was not working to perfection. Thank god I bought my small camp stove as a backup so I could make my spaghetti and get a decent meal in me. I called Allycia and she spent the night calling friends to get another one lined up for the morning so she could drive it up to us. I got some sleep friday night and woke up feeling pretty good Saturday morning. Thank goodness for a 0900 start as I didn't have to wake till 0600. Had some coffee, bagel with peanut butter, banana and some oatmeal. All went down well. Drove to the start area to get a message on my phone that Robin had called me earlier. Call her back and find out she left her bra in one of the bins at the tent. Since I was the volunteer help for this sort of thing, in the truck I go and back to the tent about 15m away and grab what she needs and return, plenty of time to spare though so no big deal. we meet up before the race, have some small talk and it is time to line up.
Off we go. I felt pretty good the whole time. I let Robin set the pace as she had a lot further to go then I did and just went along with her. We talked a bunch the first lap and then it started to die off the last lap or so but that is expected after hours and hours of being side by side on the trail. I never got my stomach issues which I had last race so that was a plus, not sure what was different. I eased up on the intake of my electrolyte drink so maybe that was it, maybe not. Finished the 37.5m feeling pretty good, tired legs sure but all in all good. Allycia was there as always cheering support and I even had enough energy to playfully go sprinting after her for a short ways. I felt like I defiantly had the energy and ability to go on, for how much longer I don't know but think I could have pulled off 50m. If it wasn't for Manchester next weekend and Philly on the 18th I might have but have to go easy and play it safe.
The trail was great, what a great 100m course, lots of flat, lots of woods and easy trail as it is in old railroad bed, aid stations are either 3 or 4.5m away which isn't bad.
Afterwards I jumped in the lake real quick to clean off a bit as there was no running water anywhere. Then Allycia got some hot chicken soup and hot dogs in me. I was feeling good and we headed to the start finish line to see Robin complete 45m. After she left and hit the trail again Allycia headed home to get some sleep and take care of the boys. I went back to the tent area, helped robin at the tent site to complete 52.5m and then hit the sleeping bag. Lance and Cremer and arrived and where now covering the other end. I saw her and lance again around 0330 as she finished mile 67.5. Allycia and I talked at about 0530 and she was up and getting the boys ready for the car ride over to see us Sunday morning. Robin called around then saying she was done at mile 75. She just couldn't go on. She showed up at the tent site around 8, Allycia shortly behind with the 3 boys in custom just to cheer Robin up some. She must have made these special Ghost Train Trail Race gifts for us. When you do the 100 miler they give you a rail road spike as a medal. Robin gave Allycia and I both one that had Ghost Train Trail run 2012 Crew on it as a gift for our support. How sweet it was. Thanks Robin, very thoughtful. We are going to hang them on the wall with all the other medals I have, which I must admit are a few. We packed up the tent site with Chris's help and saw them off and then Allycia and I and 3 boys with costumes went for a short walk around the camp area a bit before heading home.
My thoughts of the future?? A 50m for sure and then after that TBD, maybe if I home next year at this time I will think of 60-75m or even a stab at the 100. Time will tell. For now, just recover and get ready for the next one.