Running for the hat of it...

I've been chasing this race for four long years.  Yes, the first (and only other) time I ran this race was back in 2009.  I'm reminded of the post I wrote at the beginning of that year, excited to try a new adventure and vowing it would be a one shot deal.  Ha! 

That first adventure didn't end well for me.  The HAT course has a lot of tough hills (at least in my mind) and I left the course after 18 miles in a lot of pain (hamstrings felt like they were tearing), but not so much pain that I followed through on my plan to never run anything like this again.  While I struggled with injury off and on, I've never quite slowed down.  In fact, I just keep coming back for more.

Start of the HAT Run

So, why did it take me four years to hit the HAT run course again?  Well, even though I've run 50ks and marathons in the interim, I was never quite healthy enough or home long enough at the beginning of the year to tackle this one again.  Until this year.  At first I was super sad that the race went to a lottery system for entry.  I was certain it wouldn't be my year....but low and behold I got it! 

Then it was a sprained ankle that I was determined not to sideline my efforts to cross the finish line.  And then it was a very late night at work the night before the race.  But with only 3.5 hours of sleep, I dragged myself to that chilly start line (where I ran into Ron Bowman...who helped me achieve my first 50k finish back in 2009...THANKS RON!).

If you've run HAT before, you know that it starts with a pretty easy 3.6 mile loop before heading out to the main show.  You almost have to have that loop to spread runners out, because the vast majority of the race once you head into the woods is all single track trail.  Not a lot of run to pass people. 

This is a pretty course.  All ups and downs, windy trails that plummet down to the Susquehanna River.  Multiple stream crossings.  Wide open fields with views out to the foot hills of the mountains.  Stone walls.  Oh yeah, and mud.

You also never quite know what you are going to find out on the trail...you may run into that pack of horseback riders out enjoying the semi-dry trails.  You may find your foot connecting with many roots and rocks if you're not careful.  But by and large, the dangers and the joys of the trails should be under foot or in front of you (in the case of the logs you may need to maneuver over). 

You shouldn't have to look up, though, right?  Not usually in my experience at any rate.  Wrong.  After another stream crossing, at mile 19ish, I was heading back up a hill when I started to hear a crack.  By instinct I jumped back about a foot, which is good because that is when a tree limb came down about 3 feet in front of me.  That would have hurt if it had hit my head.  And can you believe it wasn't the only falling tree limb I had to deal with?  I guess mother nature is keeping me on my toes.

Through it all...all 31 miles...I had the best support system you could imagine.  With each aid station I came into and multiple early passes in the beginning, I could always count on my husband and the diva being there to cheer me on.  There's something horribly motivating about your four-year old yelling "run faster mommy" to keep you moving.

If that's not enough, I really do need to thank the two women I ran the final five miles with.  I know your names are Deborah and Diana, I know little else about you, but I appreciate the conversation, the compliments and the company.  Thank you, also Diana, for paying me the greatest compliment I could recieve when telling me I'm setting a good example for my daughter.  And to Deborah for recognizing I have the best cheering section you could ask for.  And then there are the HAT run french fries...lord do I love french fries.

As I neared the finish line (which moved slightly since the last time I was at this race), the race director told me "You can stop running now" and I recall telling him "Oh thank God."  It was a great race, and I was thrilled to accept my new hat for finishing the HAT run.  Will I do this one again?   Maybe, but I can think about that later.  Now I need to worry about putting on a dress and wearing heels to a wedding celebration tonight :)  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  31
Time:   7:06:40 (average pace of 13:45 per mile)
Feeling:  my ankle is in a lot of pain, but that is outweighed by my happiness at conquering this course.

North Face 2012...

Four years ago I ran my first North Face Endurance Challenge 50k with a great group of friends.  I loved everything about that race - the course, the race organization, the runners.  It was at that point that I decided ultratrail running was a pretty darn cool thing.  The 2010 50K race saw me scratching after 20 miles due to extreme jet lag, stomach cramps and 90 degree temps with something like 90% humidity.  The 2011 race was fun, but due to a back injury the fall before I competed as part of a marathon relay team instead of in one of the major distances.  Fast foward to 2012....almost two years after that back injury I was ready to return to marathon+ distances.  My goal for North Face this year was to complete the marathon distance back pain free...and I can report success on that mark!!!

First off, I have to say I never could have come this far or completed this race without the best running buddy the world over.  I've said it before, but you'll hear me say it over and over again - THANK YOU BRIE!!!  Sure, I like to run alone most days of the week, but that long run is never the same without great conversation and motivation along the way.  I'm also glad to have shared the toughest terrain I've ever raced with one of my best friends.  Holy hell, if you've read about the terrain for North Face you've read that tough mudder has no mud whatsoever compared to what we traversed for 26.2 miles today. 

Let's just say, that storm mother nature opened up on us last night left the trail under about 3-6 inches of sloppy, slippery mud over at least 16 miles of the course.  I am amazed that there were not a great number of injuries throughout the day.  First of all, the mud filled up the tread on shoes leaving us with nothing to grab the trail.  Second, some of the slippery parts were on hills with somewhat steep grades.  Third, the mud was so sticky you had to pull on your ankles to get your shoes out.  It certainly made for some super slow going just to ensure you could stay upright...those shoes may need retiring after this run.

All that said, this was a super great day surrounded by people with real heart.  The course was beautiful (if a little dirtier than ever), the day was beautiful (hello 70 degrees in June!!!), our crew was awesome (uh yeah, there are advantages to having a husband who doesn't like to run such as having someone to bring you clean dry socks at the halfway point...thanks Jay!) and the company couldn't have been better.  Not to mention there was a free beer waiting at the finish line.  I can't think of any other way I would have liked to spend this dazzling Saturday (now it's time to go home and start shipping off the sweat and caked on salt) .  I can't wait for next year's race (which rumor has it may move to March...can we say 50K distance here I come?)!  Until then, happy trails!!!

Also need to send a shout out to the terrific Annapolis trio finishing the 50 miler today - Lara, Gloria and Danielle - you all are crazy, but I love you!!  And also to those fantastic pacers who jumped in to support their runners throughout the race - and chat with Brie and I for a bit during a break - Jen and Missy - you're role is so important to the folks on the trail!!

The most amazing finishers in the marathon
distance at the North Face Endurance Challenge!

Stats -

Miles:  26.2 (my Garmin said it was a little more than a mile longer, but I think the Garmin was confused by the tree cover so I've lopped off the distance to marathon only)

Time:   5:40:08 (average pace of 12:58 per mile...our total time was longer due to aid station stops and chatting with buddies we ran into along the way but my handy dandy Garmin only captures time moving)

Location:  Algonkian Regional Park to Great Falls Park and back, Virginia
Feeling:  Women pay lots of money for mud baths, how can one feel bad after getting it for free!?!