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Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K - RunUltra Marathon


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Milledgeville, Georgia
United States
Kevin Hatfield
60F / 16C
Precipitation
Total Time = 4h 32m 31s
Overall Rank = 1/30
Age Group = n/a - Open Only
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

This year I stayed in Milledgeville. Last year I parked myself in Macon thinking there was nothing in Milledgeville. Well, I was wrong...a mall, any kind of restaurant you want, grocery stores, etc. So, when I got there on Friday night, I checked in, settled a bit, and immediately took myself to Golden Corral. I knew I could get lots of carbs there. I ate mac-n-cheese, rice, pasta, salisbury steak, meatloaf, fried chicken, and I even had a chocolate cupcake. Talk about pre-race carb/calorie loading! It was yummy!!

After dinner I ran some errands, got some Gatorade, and related things I'd need for race day. I headed back to the room to put my supplement bags together, load up my race belt, and get my race nutrition in order (cola, chicken broth, gels, etc.). I fell asleep early...arond 9pm.
Event warmup:

On race morning I woke up around 630am. I heard raindrops outside. I looked out the window...it was like a monsoon! Pouring down rain, wind, etc. I "ugggghhhh"ed loudly. But I had driven all the way there, so I wasn't about to puss out. I got all my stuff packed up, took it to the car, and headed out. In the car I ate a protein bar and drank some Gatorade. Due to the weather, the 8 mile drive to the race site took 20 minutes.

Once I got there, I got checked in, mixed and drank my Hornet Juice, and ate the rest of the protein bar. I was ready to go. A quick phone call to Bri, and I went to the start line. It was drizzling and about 55 degrees.
Run
  • 4h 32m 31s
  • 32.47 miles
  • 08m 23s  min/mile
Comments:

The race director stood with us and the assistant RD took some pictures at the start line. The "go" was given and we all headed out onto the trail. I immediately took the lead.

Lap 1: An older guy, about 55 years old, hung with me a while. My starting pace was probably a bit too fast as we immediately just took off from the entire field of runners. I think I averaged around a flat 7 for the first two miles. On the first hill ascent, the older guy hung with me til the top, we crested and headed down the other side. But soon, he kinda fell off a bit. Only about 100 feet or so, but I was slowly pulling away. On the long downhill portion, on the fire roads in the back half of the trail, there was a "river" of sorts crossing the trail. A drainage pipe must have come loose and the trail was cut in half by a flowing waterway. It was only 6 inches or so deep, but it was in a foot-deep ravine. So I had to jump it. I knew that wouldn't be fun come lap 4. On the second half of lap 1, we climbed the long hill again. But this time, I pulled much further ahead. It made me confident that I could gain time on the hills, since it seems now that I'm a climber (CdA did this to me perhaps?). I powered up the hill and turned the corner towards the last mile of the loop. He was still hanging with me about 300 feet back. He seemed to gain a little ground on the downhills. So I needed to keep myself aware of that. I finished lap 1 about a minute in the lead, and as I grabbed a gel and water at the aid station, I saw second place finishing up. So I headed out.

Lap 2: The rain increased in intensity. Full-on downpour. The trails were getting muddy, but not yet river-like. The hill was still pretty easy, and second place was still about a football field behind me, not giving up his chase. I bounded over the "bridge out, please jump" river. The fire roads were now starting to fill with water. My feet, and the rest of me, were already soaked completely. I climbed the hill for the fourth time, looked behind, and I didn't see the second place guy at all. But I knew he had to be there somewhere. I came back into the start/finish area about 3 minutes into the lead. I took another gel and water and headed out on lap 3.

Laps 3 and 4: These were pretty much the same lap twice. Torrential rains, mud, river jumping, 4 more hill ascents (hill ascent number 8 made my heart rate jump so I decided I'd start taking a gel before each hill ascent for the last two laps). I started lapping people on lap 4. People started asking if I started early and I said no. Got the usual "wow" and "damn you're fast"...of course I thanked them, smiled, thumbs up, and all that. I always cheer for other runners as I run by in an ultra...the community is just that cool. Everyone's always looking out for ya. Ultrarunners are very different from marathoners or shorter distance runners. Anyway, I came in from lap 4 very cold and very tired from slogging thru mud at 8:30 pace. But I knew I had 2 more laps to go. I asked the assistant RD how far in the lead I was. He said "by alot". So I wasn't too worried. He said that some people started early though, so he wasn't totally sure, but he didn't think anyone was going that fast.

Lap 5: Before leaving the aid station at the start/finish area, I drank some cola and chicken broth. It started out just like the other 4, except that now, there were rivulets on the trail, rushing towards, across, and with the runners as we traversed the trail. I started to notice advanced fatigue in my quads. I tried to keep my heart rate low by not working too hard. I knew my pace was going to suffer, but I didn't want to completely tire myself out in case someone behind me was getting faster. When I got to the first hill ascent of Lap 5 (ascent 9), I ate a gel and started up. My pace was slow, but I was still passing people. Then, I came upon the guy who was in second place at the beginning of the race! I had lapped him! But he was all bloody on his face and hands...I slowed to ask if he was okay. He said "yeah I'm fine, go get that win!", so I headed off. At the top of the hill, I visited the aid station there, I hadn't before this point. I drank some HEED. I thought to myself...okay, he's not chasing me anymore...so WHO IS?!?! I started to get nervous. I decided I should start pushing myself for the last hour or so. I ate a gel at the bottom of the hill before ascent 10. At the top, more HEED. I was about 7 miles from finishing. The course was long, so I knew I needed to look at my Garmin before getting to the finish area. My marathon split was 3:33:41. Upon finishing the lap, at 27 miles, my time was 3:44. The marathon winning time turned out to be 3:47, so if I'd stopped there I'd have taken first place in that race.

Lap 6: Before starting lap 6, I drank a little more cola and some more chicken broth...this time it was heated, and from a cup that the aid station volunteers had prepped for me. I had a lot of time on my hands, I figured, so I didn't rush. I drank some HEED, as I had on the previous lap. I grabbed a gel to take with me for the bottom of the big hill. I was out of gels myself. I took off for one more lap, knowing I'd be done in about 45 to 50 minutes. The rain was still relentless, I was soaked, cold, my hands where white, almost transparent. My feet were wrinkled, cold, and in pain from the constant rubbing. When I got to the big hill this time, I felt like I was gonna die. I wanted to walk SOOO bad, but I thought...what if second place is gaining?! So I took the gel, and headed up. My pace was around 10:05...I felt like I was going much slower though. At the top, once again, more HEED. On this final time on the back trails, they were absolutely covered with water. It was like running thru a river, nevermind a trail. Mud sucked my feet in constantly, and the "jump me I'm a river" part...yeah, I had to stop and jump over it now as it was wider than ever. Missing that would have sent me 2 feet down into the ravine. I looked behind me a few times and I knew at that point that I had it in the bag. If someone was gonna catch me, they'd have to be running at least 2 minutes per mile faster, and I was still running 830 to 9 minute pace. On the last hill ascent I decided not to take the gel I had in my hand. My stomach wasn't having it, and I was so close to finishing that I'd have to simply die not to finish now. I was fully fatigued and working off of adrenaline and mental fortitude only, so the physical limitations were just NOT limitations now.

I knew I wasn't gonna beat the course record (4:10) because it had already passed, I knew I wasn't gonna PR (4:17) cuz it too had already passed, and I knew I wasn't gonna beat last year's time of 4:28. But I was at 31.1 miles and my Garmin said 4:24:41. Being that the course was long I knew I still had over a mile to go, so I just ran as well as I could to get to the finish. I was really glad to see the last little bit of trail leading to the finish line. I ran up the little hill and then down the other side toward the pavilion where the finish line was. I ran thru and stopped my watch. 4:32:31. I was pretty sure I'd taken first place but I wanted to be sure. I looked for the guy with the watch, and spent at least two minutes asking where he was. When I found him, they recorded me as the first finisher in the 50K. 4:37:00


What would you do differently?:

Order up some better weather!!
Post race
Warm down:

The first thing I wanted to do was sit down. So I did. They recorded my time, the RD came over to give me my prizes (a free pair of Montrail shoes of my choice, a bottle of Endurolytes, a Montrail shirt, and a big ol' gingerbread man) and we took a picture. I relaxed for a while, had a hot chocolate, some more chicken soup, and some cola. I stretched a bit, went to the car to get some warm clothes, changed, and socialized a bit. Then I headed out, I had a six hour drive to do!

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Weather and the condition of the course.

Event comments:

It's a small town race, it cost me 15 bux to do it. This year there were sponsors, hence the free pair of shoes and the bottle of Endurolytes. But it is such a great group of people, and the trail (when it's not raining) is quite fun and challenging to run. I've really enjoyed this race the past two years.


Profile Album


Last updated: 2008-07-08 12:00 AM
Running
04:32:31 | 32.47 miles | 08m 23s  min/mile
Age Group: 1/
Overall: 1/30
Performance: Good
"Offical" race time (counting the couple of minutes I tried to chase down the timer guy) - 4:37:00
Course: 6 loops of a skewed figure 8...an east loop and a west loop, with a common hill between them. The hill was a 6% grade for .3 miles each time. 12 ascents in all.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2008-11-30 4:37 PM

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Master
1978
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Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Subject: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K


2008-11-30 5:07 PM
in reply to: #1831138

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Champion
7704
50002000500100100
Williamston, Michigan
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
WHOOP WHOOP amazing Job Jeff...you are a running ROCKSTAR !!!  Congratultions   I can't imagine....esp in those conditions!! Hoep you are dried out and warm by now. 
2008-12-01 6:45 AM
in reply to: #1831138


2

Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K

Congrats on your win!  You looked strong at the finish.  It was a tough set of conditions and your time proves you handled it well. 

Me?  I was there to do a training run between 10-15 miles.....and during my second loop on that back fireroad area the fun meter pegged (lol).  So, it was a two looper for me.  Puddle jumping is fine...but having to trudge through 2-3" of flowing water for 300m is not fine.

It was quite inspiring to see you and some of the others attacking the course.  It has given me the desire to train up for next year and see if I can complete the 50k.  No need to worry about me though...i'm slow.  If I managed to turn in an overal 10 min pace I'll be happy.

Again, congrats on the win.

Tommy

2008-12-01 6:58 AM
in reply to: #1831138

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Elite
3683
20001000500100252525
Whispering Pines, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
Holy cow! Great run! I ran a half mary and felt beat up. I can't imagine a 50K!!! Sounds like you had a blast!
2008-12-01 10:57 AM
in reply to: #1831138

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Elite
2515
2000500
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
Pure awesomeness!!! Congrats, Jeff!
2008-12-01 11:28 AM
in reply to: #1831138

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Elite
2998
2000500100100100100252525
Fishers, Indiana
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K

Wow, you are a running rockstar machine...what an incredible run in crazy weather with ravines to jump.  You continue to set the bar high! Congratulations on 1st OA!!



2008-12-01 1:32 PM
in reply to: #1831138

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Master
3546
2000100050025
Millersville, MD
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
great race Jeff - thanks for the blow by blow... I could never remember where/when I ate on a run like that.  Sounds like a blast, in a sickandtwisted way.
2008-12-01 3:02 PM
in reply to: #1831138

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Regular
102
100
Tampa, FL
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
Amazing job Jeff, congrats on the first place finish. Don' t think I would have had the mental fortitude to complete it in those conditions - you are a running superstar!
2008-12-01 3:15 PM
in reply to: #1831138

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The Original
7834
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Raleigh/Durham
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K

Congrats Jeff!  All I remember from that course is that one kinda long-ish hill- that you have to run twice in one lap!  Way to kill it!

One quesion- did you devour the gingerbread man on the drive home?

2008-12-01 3:29 PM
in reply to: #1831138

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Expert
748
50010010025
Big Bear City, California
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
Wow amazing job! That course in that weather sounds BRUTAL!
2008-12-01 4:19 PM
in reply to: #1831138

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Pro
4228
2000200010010025
Broomfield, Colorado
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
Minus wet feet, I think running in the rain is awesome!  Way to kick some booty Jeff!  You did great!  I cannot believe you had to find the timer guy....nuts!  Pick out some pretty shoes for your win!


2008-12-01 5:57 PM
in reply to: #1831138

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2008-12-01 6:27 PM
in reply to: #1831138

Elite
3602
20001000500100
Mesa, AZ
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
YOU WON?? Like the whole, thing? HOLY CRAP...you won an ULTRA. That is so freaking cool!!!!!!

You are AWESOME!!!!
2008-12-01 10:40 PM
in reply to: #1831138

Champion
5312
5000100100100
Calgary
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
Pretty impressive, congratulations.
2008-12-01 10:59 PM
in reply to: #1831138

Extreme Veteran
344
10010010025
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
Winning an Ultra? That's bada*s man, and getting a free pair of running shoes for the win is some seriously functional hardware, congrats!!
2008-12-02 8:40 AM
in reply to: #1831138

Elite
3519
20001000500
San Jose, CA
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
great job!!!


2008-12-02 9:22 AM
in reply to: #1831138

Extreme Veteran
331
10010010025
Latonia, Kentucky (near Cincinnati)
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
Well written my friend!  GAUD!  That just sounded PAINFUL!...and you want ME to try one of those?  We'll see.  Congrats on a win....that's certainly a large feather in your cap....do you wear caps?
2008-12-02 12:34 PM
in reply to: #1831138

Regular
137
10025
Fort Collins, CO
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
Congrats on keeping your mental toughness in the conditions.  It sounds like the rain alone was enough to break down most of the runners. Congrats on the win!!
2008-12-02 1:40 PM
in reply to: #1831138

Expert
1099
1000252525
Orlando, FL
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
whoohooo! Now THAT sounds like my kind of race. You are amazing! Congrats on the win. Maybe some year I'll get back to ultras and try this one out - I will aim for LAST place :-) we can bookend it!
2008-12-02 3:11 PM
in reply to: #1831138

Extreme Veteran
339
10010010025
Tucson, AZ
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
What a testiment to your dedication to fitness!! You are a Machine! Congrats!
2008-12-03 2:24 PM
in reply to: #1831138

Pro
3715
20001000500100100
AZ
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
Holy crap! That sounded epic!!!  WOW! But you did it and totally rocked it!!!  Ur such a stud!!!


2008-12-03 3:49 PM
in reply to: #1831138

Master
2301
2000100100100
Rogersville, Alabama
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
Great Job! Congrats on the WIN!
2008-12-03 4:58 PM
in reply to: #1831138

Champion
8766
5000200010005001001002525
Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K

Congratulations!

 

2009-01-15 2:19 PM
in reply to: #1831138

Elite
2999
2000500100100100100252525
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Subject: RE: Bartram Forest Winter Trail Run - 50K
Q, I told you I'd evetually get to your RRs, so this is the start. Great job. I don't know if I would conitnue running on a trail with all the rain. Awesome job.
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