Sunday, February 9, 2014

Uwharrie 40 miler 2014


Here I sit after a hard Sunday workout, 45 mins of a 1 hr run with some Fast TrailHeads. I was reminded 'Where's your race report?' Not really sure myself.

I started my wait for this years event last year volunteering. Planning all year about running the 40 miler. In December the TrailHeads do a recon run. This year was one of the largest groups running the recon. I ran the 20 mile option. We were amazed at the amount of damage the trail had incured during a wind event in May. Many places on the trail where hard to navigate from the amount of trees covering the entire course. This all gave way to one of our TrailHeads Edge to put together a trail work day 2 weeks before the Uwharrie race. A host of persons showed up at Yates store trailhead to clear 3 miles of the heaviest damaged trail section.

 Here is a shot of the great crew who made this section of trail visible again. I should insist that everyone who runs trails to give back. These trails are a retreat that we all care so much about. When you get to run on your race day through the sections you worked on it lifts the sprits up.

The race.  A chest cold began moving through our house 2 weeks before  the race. I'm always the last one to come down with the family illness, Tuesday of race week symptoms started.  Called out of work the next 2 days and laid on the couch drug training like a Pro. Could not sleep for the life of me. Started with the chest-lung hacking Thursday. Sweet.

We had rented a cabin right down the road from the 8/32 AS. Great place. Minutes from every piont on the course. 2 other TrailHeads joined us Friday night. I was the only one in the house running the 40m. 2 doses of NyQuil in the night and arose feeling rested at 5:20.  Took my morning cocktail of drugs and off to the races.

On the way to the start noticed most people wearing shorts. Jumped in the Uhaul and changed in my shorts as well. Good call.


Here was the sunrise at the top of the first climb. Glad to get that climb and warm up done. Settled into a great pace for the next few miles. It was hard to run and not talk because my throat hurt and I was so short of breath. Aid station after AS went by and was on pace for a 4:15 first 20. Made it to mile 15 before getting passed by the 20 mile front 2. Now I got to see all my friends returning down the course. Took a lot of photos with people on the way to the 20. Had a great turn around as I was crewed by fellow TrailHeads. Changed to new shoes socks and shirt for the return 20, 3 minutes in and out. More photos and more walking. My cold was really taking it's toll on my breathing as I hit any substantial incline I coughed up a trail marker. Saw my wife Lawst right where we thought we would meet. It amazes us how good we are at doing this.  I was having a hard toime regulating my body temp at this point. Sucking on numbing throat lozenges is aweful. Saw the last of my TrailHead mates at mile 26. The trail was now quite and slow. I was hitting and swelling into a low point. I walked and walked and walked for what seemed miles.  More food more drink and slowly pulled the pace back up. My splits had been well gone from my 9 hr goal. Smiling that's good. As I ran into the 32 AS I saw Lawst pull up into the AS having just gotten done with her 20 miler. Really the timing is insane. I was told to engage the butt by the resident TrailHead Physical therapist goddess Terra. No words could have pulled me throughout the next 6 miles as quick and comfortable as engage the butt. A year of working on my arse muscles had paid off. At the 2 to go AS I new I was going to finish,when? If I could run the last 2 in under 30 minutes I could come in under 9:30. Run I did almost the rest of the way up the final climb pushing and hacking my way up. I flew down the rocky section under the mantra 'he's racing and pacing he's plotting the course yearning and burning for the cup' Cake lyrics. After deftly maneuvering down the trail for 40 miles I crossed the line for a 9:23 finish.
So proud and grateful for all the people out there supporting this event. I really look forward to giving my race spot to someone else next year as I will enjoy volunteering again.

Until that time, keep the trail ahead smooth and full of smiles. Galoot