C&O Canal 100, Knoxville, MD

    This race would be my second attempt at the 100 mile distance.   I originally planned to run this race in April 2020, but it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Most of my races were cancelled that year with a few that were still held late in the year.   I decided to register for this race for the 2021 year.   I had heard so many good things about this race from friends that had run it previously.   But this year, I wouldn't be going at it alone, I would be going with two other Greenville runners.   Earlier in the year I sent out a spreadsheet that I found online that contained a list of various 100 miles races in the US.  The spreadsheet had detailed information about elevation, completion rates, links to pictures of the buckles. 

After sending it to my running buddies Brittany and Rachel.  After looking at it Brittany texted me and said she was considering C&O.  She said she and her husband had ties to that area and thought it would be a great race.  I then told her that I planned on running it and that it was a carry-over race from 2020 that was cancelled.   

    I used the same training plan as before, 20 miles during the week and back-to-back long runs.  I was able to find a race that fit well in my training cycle, March Manic 11-hour race.  It was an night race that started at 7pm and ended at 7 am.  It's considered an 11 hour race because it was held on the day we turned our clocks back for daylight savings time.  This race gave me confidence that I could again tackle the 100 mile distance. Late in this  training cycle I learned that another running buddy, Jenny would be running C&O too. 

    I decided to head to Knoxville, Maryland the day before the race.  I decided that I would drop my dogs off at my parents house since it was on the way to the race.  It would also give me an opportunity to spend time with my family after the race. Normally, this wouldn't have been a big deal, but my dog Roscoe developed diarrhea the day before.  I explained to my parents what medications to give and the frequency. My parents took on the task and assured me that they would take care of everything and that I should just focus on the race. They fed a healthy meal of Salomon and veggies which was greatly appreciated.  Thanks guys!

    I arrived at the Hillside Hotel in Knoxville later that evening.  Ryan, Brittany's husband told about this hotel and said it was about 5 minutes from the race start. The hotel staff was very friendly and the accommodations were basic but clean.  I dropped off my stuff and met Brittany, Ryan and Jenny at a local bar.  We sat and talked for awhile and discussed individual race strategies including preparation for inclement weather.   A week prior we had discussed on a FB group chat about bring rain gear.  I didn't think it would be needed but I packed it anyway. 

    After the bar, we parted ways and got my drop bags ready.   I had to predict when the rain wold hit, so I could have my rain gear in hand prior.   There were a total of 3 drop bag locations, Manidokan, Antietam, and Brunswick.  I slept well that night,  I hadn't eaten much that day so when I did, my body shut down.  When I woke that morning, I texted Ryan to see if they were up.  I followed them to Camp Manidokan where the race would begin.  When I arrived I was shocked how beautiful the area was.  The picture doesn't even do it justice.   Jenny had decided to "car-camp" the night before and when we arrived she was just waking up.   We all place our drop bags (dry bags used by kayakers) in their designated locations, submitted our COVID-9 waivers and made any last minute preparations.  

    Due to the COVID-19 concerns, the race would start in waves.  The faster runners would start in the first wave and slower runners in the latter waves. The waves would start every 5 minutes.  Your official time would start based on your wave number.  We had to run around a field first before heading out of Camp Manidokan to the C&O Canal Towpath.   

    After leaving Camp Manidokan we had to travel down a steep hill and cross over a steam.  There were several logs that would used to created a makeshift bridge.  For some reason, my legs felt really sluggish.   I thought that they were tight from the decreased activity from taper.   I figured that as the warmed up, the muscles would loosen up.   

Running along the rock path leading to the Canal Towpath.

    I continued to run towards Antietam and noticed Brittany had caught up with me.   She was moving at a much faster pace than I was.  We were both using a run/walk intervals and kept leap frogging along the course until we came across the Antietam aid station.    I dropped off my vest and long sleeve shirt  and changed to something a bit cooler.   Hot breakfast (French toast, sausage, and bacon) was available, but I didn't partake of any.   My legs were still very tight and I was becoming a bit concerned.  Did I not taper properly?   It really got in my head, but I kept telling myself just keep reevaluating every 5 miles.   

    Several hours into the run the temperature started to rise.  I also, began feeling the early stages of leg cramps.   I made a bottle of Drip Drop electrolyte mix and that seemed to keep them away for a while.   The majority of the day was spent enjoying the beautiful scenery of the C&O Towpath and chatting with fellow runners.  I was still battling leg cramps and kept alternating between Drip Drop and Himalayan Pink Salt.  It was helpful but nothing seemed to get rid of them.  I continued to run and take in at least 200 calories per hour.

Bear Cub Observed Near the Trail

    As dusk approached I made certain that I grabbed my Columbia rain jacket.  The rain was predicted to begin in the late evening and continue into the night.   Initially, the rain was just a drizzle and it was still warm out.  I figured I didn't need the jacket and that it would only make me hot. The jacket wasn't one of the those light-weight packable jacket, but was made of a thicker typical rain coat material.   However, with time, the rain became more intense and the temperatures began to drop. I donned the jacket.  I eventually arrived at Brunswick (### mile) where I saw a lot of runner in bad shape.  The cold rain had gotten the best of them.  Many were sitting under a collapsible canopy drinking hot fluids with the look of despair on their faces.  As I was leaving the aid station, Roy, a runner that I met on the course earlier that day told me that he was going to drop. He said his body temperature had dropped significantly and that he was having trouble staying warm.  I looked at him and I could see that he had been through a lot just to get to Brunswick.  His light-weight jacket was soaked and so were the rest of his clothing.   He encouraged me to continue on and do everything I can to stay warm.   I asked if he had someone to pick him up and he said his pacer would be by to pick him up.  We exchanged farewells and I put a disposable plastic poncho on top of my Columbia rain jacket.   The Columbia jacket was so saturated that the rain was seeping through.   I continued my journey toward Keep Tryst Aid Station.  

    When I arrived at Keep Tryst, fatigue was getting the best of me. My mental status was a little fuzzy.   I handed the aid station volunteer my bottle for a refill and while she was doing that I grabbed a stash of food to help me make it to Manidokan.  Everyone at the aid station was helpful and I continued down the trail to the next aid station.   About 1.5 miles out from the aid station, I reached down for my water bottle and noticed it wasn't on me.   I retraced my steps about a 100 yards to see if I dropped it. No luck.  As I  was searching, two other runners were passing by and I asked if they had seen it.   One runner seemed annoyed that I asked her, but promptly replied with, "NO!"  The guy that was with her asked me what it looked liked and I told him it was a grey bottle.  He told me he saw it at the aid station.   I began to panic a little.   I had a decision to make, do I turn back and walk the two mile back to the aid station and risk missing a cutoff or do I continue on and take my chances of acquiring a water bottle at the next aid station.   I decided to continue on to the next aid station.  Relentless Forward Progress,  right?!   The only problem is that the aid station was approximately 2 hours away at the current pace I was going.  Also,  I was already thirsty.  This probably wasn't the best decision but at this stage in the race good decision were rare.   

    I went into survival mode and prayed for guidance.  The thought came to me that I could use the outer rain poncho (which was basically a plastic bag with a hood) to collect water.  I held the bottom portion out in front of me so that it was in a horizontal position, so that the rain would collect in the poncho instead of running off onto the ground.  Once a considerable amount was collected, I would suck the water from the poncho.  I continued to do this for 2 hours.  As I was approaching Manidokan I texted Ryan and asked if he had an extra water bottle.  He let me know that he had a couple of Brittany's Propel waters and that he would bring some to Manidokan.  He had planned to be there for Brittany at that time.   

     As I was approaching Camp Manidokan, the logs that served as a makeshift bridge across the stream was extremely wet and muddy.  I was able to find a large branch to use a staff to support me while I crossed the log and travelled up the slippery, rocky incline leading to the camp. While I was climbing the hill, Brittany was coming down.  She was full of energy and I told her she was running a great race and that her children are going to be so proud of her when she brings that buckle home.   When I got to the camp I was greeted by Ryan with, not one, but two propel water bottles.  My clothes were damp but not soaked but I decided I needed a dry layer.  The rain didn't look like it was stopping anytime soon.  I changed my outer shorts, shirt, ball cap and put on a pair or rain pants.  This seemed liked simple process but it took way too much time.  I think I spent 40 minutes changing clothes, eating and getting my gear together again.

    I left Manidokan and headed to the next aid station, Dargan Bend.  I decided not to stop at Dargan Bend in an effort to make up lost time at Manidokan.   My next stop was Antietam.   As I was heading toward Antietam, I was sleep walking/running and almost travelled off the travel which paralleled the river.   I spun around to prevent myself from falling and became disoriented.   I didn't know which way to go, left or right.   I event tried to look at the map and to see which side the river should be on but I could not figure it out.   I made a decision based on the information that I thought was accurate.   As I was running I came across another runner.  I pointed in the direction that I was going and asked him if Antietam was in that direction.   He gave me a dazed look and hesitantly said, "Yes."  I kept running in that direction and was relieved that I was going the correct way.   This feeling didn't last long.  As I approached Dargan Bend again,  I knew something was wrong.   This time I stopped by and chatted with the aid station volunteers to make sense of what was going on.   As I was talking to the volunteer (which I later found out was the race director's wife, Emily) and we quickly came to the conclusion that I ran in the wrong direction and repeated the miles I already covered.   When I heard that, I was devastated.   I didn't have it in me to add on anymore miles in addition to the 100 miles it would take to finish this race.   She assured me that I was way ahead of the time cutoffs. She was very encouraging and I thanked her and headed back out to Antietam.   I was in a a bad headspace.   I tried to be positive about the situation but I was struggling to do so.   I had such a nice cushion between cutoff that had now been erased.   I decided at that point, I'd take things from aid station to aid station.  Eventually, I arrived at Antietam.   I told one of the volunteers about my earlier mishap.   She was quick to get me in and out the aid station.   She even pointed me in the correct direction.   

    As I was running, I came across a group of runners,  Meghan, her father and Deepak.  I ran with them for while until we made our way back to Antietam.   I sucked down some Luke-warm ramen at Dargan and continued on my way. I was a bit concerned about cut-offs and decided I needed to run more.  I began a 30 step run/walk interval.  This allowed me to cover more distance than walking but kept the risk of cramping down.   During this section (Manidokan to Keep Tryst) I witnessed the most beautiful view of the sun break through the clouds.  That gave me hope.  I had a chant that would regularly say during this run, "Not for my Glory but for His."  I kept saying this and it gave me strength to continue moving.  When I arrived at Keep Tryst my stomach was a bit upset.  Nausea had been to set in.  The aid station volunteer gave me a couple Tums and I put them in my pack to use later.   I came across the water bottle I left the night before. I figured it would've been trashed by now.  I'm guessing the volunteer placed it on the table after filling it up and I was too busy grabbing food to noticed.  To my defense it was raining, dark and I was already physically and mentally drained.  I place the bottle in m pack and continued on in the direction of Brunswick.

"Not for My Glory but for His"

    Once I arrive at Brunswick (Mile 90) I saw that Brittany and Jenny had made their way there already.   They were both lounging in chairs, laughing and having a good time.  I said, "Hey y'all, you do realize we have cutoffs!," in a concerned manner.   "What cutoffs?" replied Jenny.  "We're are only 30 minutes ahead of the cutoff at this aid station," I answered back.   When I said that Jenny jumped out of her chair and got her gear together.   When I arrived at Brunswick I had been running with Meghan for quite some time.  She managed to catch up with me after we separated at Dargan Bend.   Meghan is a strong runner and after chatting with her, I found she was a very experience runner.  She was very humble when telling me about all the races that she had run.  At Brunswick, I grabbed an overly toasted croissant (no complaints- it was really good) and headed out with Meghan. We started off running.  Brittany and Jenny left around the same time but started off walking.   Meghan and I continued to run, knocking off a mile at a time.  While at Dargan I was given Tums for my upset stomach.   Not did I learn that Tums helped my stomach, it also made my leg cramps go away instantly.  Could the calcium in the Tums be the key to the cramping I had been experiencing?   Heck, calcium is considered an electrolyte, right?  

    My stomach was now my main concern.  I couldn't stomach any solids, even the small silver-dollar pancakes I  had picked up.  Meghan offered me a gel which I was able to hold in.  I also took small nibbles of ginger root paired with a Tums to help settle my stomach.  During this stretch, I kept asking Meghan how much longer did we have.  I'm pretty sure I asked her every 10 minutes, but the time seemed to slow down those last  5-miles.  The medial side of my left ankle was starting to become painful, so I had to adjust the amount of running I could do, but the conversation with Meghan helped take my mind off the pain.   

    Meghan and I eventually arrive at the dreaded hill that lead to Camp Manidokan.   I wondered if I would be able to cross that log bridge with my legs in the condition they were currently in.   I wave Meghan on and asked her to cross first.  She did so with ease.  I took my first step on the log and thought to myself, at least if I fall in, I don't have much longer before the finish.   Meghan continued up the rocky incline, while I scooted foot-by-foot across the log bridge.  Once I crossed the bridge I made my way up the incline fairly quickly.  I was just ready to be done with this race.   There was a hill that lead to the camp, and I found it harder to climb than the rocky area near the stream.  My legs were absolutely done!  I eventually made my way to the finish, where Emily (volunteer at Dargan) greeted me with the finisher buckle.  I jokingly asked her, "Do I get anything for the extra mileage I ran?"   She replied, "Oh, I won't charge you for those extra miles, they are free!"  We both laughed and I thanked her for encouraging me to continue.

    I saw Meghan was already sitting down surrounded by her family.  I walked over to her and thanked her for getting me through those last miles. I even commented to her father how strong of a runner she was, bu I'm sure he already knew that though.   I hobbled over to area with an unused chair and sat down.   I texted Brittany and she said she and Ryan were about a mile away.  I asked her about Jenny and she told me that they had separated not too long after leaving Brunswick.  

    About 10 minutes later I saw Brittany and Ryan cresting the hill leading to the Camp.  I got up and wobbled over to the finish as fast as I could.   Brittany had the biggest smile on her face. I think I was more excited about her finish than I was about mine.  

    We all waited for Jenny to come arrive.  I was getting really worried because there wasn't much time left in the race.   Brittany texted her and Jenny said she wasn't too far away.  Dipak crested the hill shortly  followed by Jenny!   

Dipak Approaching the Finish

Jenny Approaching the Finish

    This was a tough race for all of us.  The course itself wasn't so bad (except for that dreaded hill), but the conditions that we had to go through made it tough for everyone.   I was so excited.  All three Greenville runners had overcome!!! 

3 for 3!

     We all sat around too sore/stiff to really do any substantial moving.  Ryan was pretty much the person to grab everyone's drop bags and place them by our cars, which were 100 yards away.  Ryan and Brittany headed back to their hotel. 

    While Jenny and I both decided we would sleep in our cars.  I'm not sure it that was the wisest thing to do, because when I woke up I was so stiff that I couldn't move.  Even the task of walking  to the Porta-Jon seemed like an impossible task.  It was.  I drove my car to the Jon to minimize the amount  of walking needed.   I looked across the field and noticed Jenny was up and moving too.  I called her and let her know I was heading out.  I told her I couldn't make the trip to my parents house, 1.5 hours away and that I would spend the night at the hotel I stayed at previously.   Jenny thought that was a good idea and did the same.  When we arrived, the attendant told us they only had two rooms left, one with a TV and one without.  I didn't care either way.  I just need access to a shower and a bed.    We were both able to get the last two rooms left.   We all continued to text each other (Brittany, Ryan, Jenny and I) throughout the evening.  Ryan was even kind enough to drop-off ice he bought at the gas station across the street, so that we could ice down our aching feet and ankles. 

    We all woke up fairly early the next morning and headed back to Greenville.  We were a sight for sore eyes!

2021 Yeti 100 Endurance Race - Abingdon, VA

Entry in this race was through a lottery system where entries were accepted New Year’s day.  This was my second attempt trying to get a bib for this race, but in 2020, I was not selected for the race.  The race took place in Southwest VA on the historical Virginia Creeper Trail.   The race would start at Whitetop (elev. 4,000 ft) and we would run approximately 17 miles downhill to Damascus (dropbag/aid station) then another 17 miles to Abingdon. Once we arrived in Abindon we would run back up to Whitetop (33 miles) then back to Abingdon (33 miles) where we would finish.  I would attempt to tackle this race without a crew or pacers.  The previous year, my buddy John C. said he would crew/pace for me, but I wasn't sure the offer still stood and I did not want to inconveniece him.  

 

My preparation for this race was very similar as my preparation for my two previous 100 milers.   Approximately, 20 miles during the week and back-to-back long runs, Saturday and Sunday.  These long runs ranged from 10-30 miles, with the peak week (70 miles/week) ending with a 50k followed up by a 20 milers.   Because most of this training cycle occurred during the Summer, I spent a lot of time on the treadmill.   I even ran my long runs on the treadmill.   I wondered if all the treadmill would help or harm me.  Several weeks prior to the race, I made sure the majority of my runs were outdoors.  I did notice that the treadmill helped me maintain my pace while out running on the treadmills.  I think I was inadvertently running tempo runs on the treadmill because I was forced to keep a steady pace without stopping. Something I wasn’t doing outside in the heat. I was also able to increase the incline to prepare my legs for the increase elevation of Yeti 100.    I tapered a bit differently this time due to flashbacks of feeling that my legs were overly tired prior to C&O Canal 100.   I cut out all strength training for my legs 2 weeks prior.  I do believe that I was doing too much in preparation for C&O.  

 

I decided that I would drive up the day before the race get a hotel early in an attempt to get rest prior to the race.   I stayed in the Motel 6 in a neighboring town of Bristol.   It was about a 20-minute drive from Abingdon where we would board the shuttle bus.  After checking into the hotel, I hopped back into the car and headed to Abingdon for packet pickup.   I met my running buddy Karen there.  Packet pickup was a fast process.   I got my bib and my swag (which included a skateboard deck).  I ran into several other North Carolina runners at packet pickup (Scott, Sean, Jessica and Charlotte).  I stuck around to see if my buddies Lisa and Keshia, but I did not see them at all until race day.  Karen and I got in our cars and headed to the town of Damascus which was 14 miles away.    Damascus was the dropbag site.  When we got there, there were several tarps lying on the ground outside.  We were to place our belongings on the tarp.    I wondered to myself if anyone would bother our belongings at night while no one was there.  Fortunately, that wasn’t the case.  Everything was okay the morning of the race. 

The NC group at packet pick up.

The Red Caboose at Damascus Town Park

My next stop was supposed to be a Chinese Food restaurant to pick up some fried rice or noodles.   I had second thoughts as I was driving there due to a flashback of a runner at C&O Canal 100 that had major GI problems from eating at a restaurant the night before.  He wasn’t able to overcome the GI problems which eventually caused him to drop from the race.  I decided it was probably best to just stop by Walmart and pick up a something I could pop in the microwave.   I decided that Amy’s Paneer and Mateer would be a safe choice.  Not too much spice and my body would probably appreciate the rice.   I also picked up breakfast for the next morning which consisted of a bagel and a banana.  

 

After dinner, I showered and laid out my race gear on the bed.  I made sure I had everything then packed everything into my hydration pack.  I looked at my watch and saw that I had about 6 ½ hours before I had to get up.   I was so excited because 6.5 hours is probably what I normally get on a regular day.  However,  it was too good to be true.  I tossed and turned for several hours.  Initially, I thought it was pre-race jitters, but then I remembered that I took a I took a 5-Hour Energy on the drive from NC to VA. I wondered why I was still feeling the effects of the drink.  Probably 8 hours had passed since I had taken the drink.   I tried everything I could to fall asleep.  I tried music, hypnosis MP3s, and even putting a pillow over my head.  Nothing would work.  I looked at my watch and it was already 2 a.m!!!  I knew that this wasn’t good.

 

I awakened that next morning (with only 3 hours of sleep) but I didn’t feel too bad.   I got dressed, got all my gear together and made that 20-minute drive down 81 to Abingdon.   When I arrived at the shuttle site, there was plenty parking.   I called Karen to make sure she didn’t oversleep her alarm and she let me know she was on her way.   Once I got on the shuttle, everything went well until about 10 minutes into the ride.  I began felling really hot.  I thought it was just because the shuttle driver had the heater on blast, but I also started to feel nauseous, and my lower GI seemed to be affected too.   It had been years since I’ve had this sensation but was able to recognize it as motion sickness.   The driver was taking the curvy road really fast and really whipping the vehicle from side to side.   I was afraid to ask the driver to pull over because I didn’t want anyone being mad at me for making us late for the race.    The driver stated we have 20 more minutes left in the drive.  I thought that I wouldn’t make it and that my race would be over before it started because the sensation to defecate was so urgent.   However, that wasn’t the case.  We arrive at Whitetop without incident.   The cold mountain air actually felt good and help to cool me down.   I found the nearest tree and relieved myself.  That along with a couple Ginger chews that I had tucked away made me feel a bit better, but my head was still spinning.   I didn’t know if it was from the lack of sleep, the motion sickness or a combination of both.  From previous experiences, I knew that nausea would take several hours to subside.   I wasn’t sure how the race would turn out, but I told myself to make it to Damascus before deciding if I wanted to drop or not.  

 

Jason Green the race director gave a great motivational speech prior to the start.    As we started running, Karen met up with me and we chatted some.   I think we ran a couple miles together and told her she didn’t have to stay with me.   I know she’s a sub-24 runner and I’m a 28-hour runner.    I didn’t want her holding back on my account.   We wished each other good luck and she trotted ahead.   As I was running, I started a run/walk (4:2).  Probably around the fifth mile, I met a runner from the Raleigh area named Heather.   It was our first Yeti and her first hundred.   We discussed the importance of nutrition and we found out we had similar nutritional plans for the race.    I also, met another runner from Raleigh but I don’t recall his name.  He had forgotten both of this water bottles and had to settle for two of the water bottles that you would get out of a vending machine.   We all traveled together until the first aid station at Taylor Valley.   As I was leaving, I came across Lisa and Keshia, we chatted a bit and I headed back out.  Heather asked the other Raleigh runner if his water tasted funny and he said it tasted like bleach.   I told my Tailwind was a bit off too, it tasted like dish soap.   She panicked a little thinking that it would negatively affect her.  I think we all traveled together until we arrived at the Damascus aid station. By the time I arrived, all the issued related to motion sickness had resolved.   I wasn’t at Damascus long, but longer than I expected because the drop bags had been moved from their original location.  It wasn’t a big deal for me because I brought a 30L Hiking backpack that was bright orange.   I did hear stories about a runner blowing a gasket because he couldn’t find his drop bag and it was causing him additional time at the aid station.   

Heading towards Damascus with Heather.

The Drop Bag.

I exited Damascus and made my way to Alvarado.  I felt really good for the first 50k, but as I headed back to the Damascus my legs were beginning to fatigue.   I did a lot of walking from Alvarado to Damascus.  On my way there, I met up with another Raleigh area runner, Malin.   After talking to her, she eventually told me that she had run multiple 100 milers.  She was very humble.   I walked several miles with her and she started running again, I told her to go ahead of me, because my legs were so tired.   As she was running, she made it look so easy.  I decided I should give it a try and see if I could do the same.  The first 50 meters were fairly uncomfortable, but as I kept running, I noticed that my legs loosened up.  We eventually made it back to Damascus (Mile 48-ish).  Earlier I let her know that I had a blister forming on my heel. She offered me a liquid bandage type spray but gave a warning that it could make it worse.  

 

At the aid station I saw my buddy Shawn helping Jessica with a blister.   I located my bag and headed to the picnic shelter.  I must’ve had a look of despair on my face as I was walking.  I was super fatigued, moreso than I usually am at mile 50 and I was concerned about the huge blister that was forming on my heel.  I wasn’t sure how to treat it.   Shawn stated, “Hey Laurence, what are you doing?” I replied back, “I’m just going over here” as I sat down.  He jokingly stated, “Ok, don’t get beat up.”  He must’ve been reading my mind, because I was thinking that this blister is big enough to give me an excuse to quit this race.   Also, I knew his statement was a statement where he wanted me to keep pushing and continue.  I thought if he is out here all day at every aid station to greet not only his runner (Jessica) but the other NC runners, I can at least put in the effort to continue.  At the aid station I did my best to treat the blister.  I had and Iodine swab with I used to clean my heel and the safety pin.   I made two small punctures in the  blister, to promote drainage.  I was given a “blister pack” by one the aid station volunteers.  I grabbed warmed weather gear (hat, gloves, pants, hood sweatshirt, hand warmers) refilled my pack, ate some and greeted Lisa and Keshia who arrived at the aid station shortly after I did.  I changed my shoes thinking they wouldn’t rub in the same spot and I was glad that I did.   I spent way too much time at the aid station. I think after analyzing the Garmin data, it was close to 45 minutes.  That was way too long and chipped away at the cushion I had between aid station cutoffs.  As I was leaving, I linked up with Lisa and Keshia and we headed out to make the 17-mile trip back to Whitetop.   Lisa took the lead with the group.   We walked a bit and began run/walk intervals.   I knew we were still ahead of the cutoff times, but not by much.   Once we reached the Green Cove aid station (63 miles), I saw that we were only 30 minutes ahead of the cutoff.   That was way to close for me and I began steadily running again.  My legs didn’t want to at first, but again they loosened up with time.  As I climbed, the temperatures began to drop considerably and the wind began to pick up.   I put on my hooded sweatshirt and continued up the mountain to Whitetop.   I began experiencing some really bad lows.  I just didn’t want to run anymore.  I wanted to quit. Most of the mental techniques I use to get me through a low just wasn’t working.   I told myself make it to Whitetop then I would reevaluate things, then quit if I still felt like it. 

    

     Once I reached Whitetop, I was excited, but drained.  I had been able to gain an additional 15 minutes to add to the cushion I had between cut-off times.   The Whitetop volunteer (which I later learned was Mike) chatted with me a bit, gave me some tips and said to mix some running in with my walking to loosen things up.  He even gave me some of his personal  baby wipes.   What he didn’t know, is that I had planned to quit.   I just couldn’t.  Not because I had the drive to continue on, but because there wasn’t any transportation to take me back down the mountain.   While I was there, Mike was the only one there.  As I was putting on my warm-up pants, Lisa and Keshia arrived.   Lisa made a comment about putting on my pants.  She had been telling me to put them on for a couple hours now.   She is a much more experienced runner and has completed some tough and amazing races.  Some that spanned across several states.   I probably should’ve listened to her earlier.  Now, I had a chill.   It wasn’t too bad, but I knew I had to keep moving to maintain my body temperature.  

    

    My memory of the section from Whitetop back to Damascus (66-84) is a bit fuzzy.  I know I ran sections of it with Lisa and Keshia, but I do remember running a lot of it solo.  There were times where I was the only one running that I could see.  On several occasions during this section, I switched my headlamp to red beam and sat on the bridge for a couple minutes.  It was enough to rest my feet and give them a break from the constant pounding.   At one point, while resting on a bridge, I felt myself nodding off and decided I shouldn’t do away with resting on the bridge because I’d risk falling asleep and ruining my race.  I kept up with the run/walk intervals but shortened them to a 1:1.  I was able to create about an hour cushion between cutoffs.  I began thinking that I could actually complete this race.

     

    As the sun began to peek over the horizon, I eventually arrived back at Damascus (84 miles) and dropped off any gear that wasn’t needed and replenished my pack with some of the snacks that I brought with me.   I picked up an egg and cheese burrito and headed back out towards Abingdon.  This late in the race I had trouble eating solids.  They would make me gag.  I used the tailwind powder that I had and doubled up the amount of mix I was putting in each 20 oz. bottle.   I put two baggies (2 scoops/bag) in each bottle.  This along with small bites of the burrito helped me.  The trip from Damascus to Abingdon was uneventful except for a cough I developed.  It was likely due to the cold air that I was sucking in during the Whitetop to Green Cove stretch.   It felt like I developed an acute case of bronchitis.  I ran a lot more that I had in earlier stretches of the race.  I eventually made my way to the Alvarado aid station and sat for a while.   The volunteers at the aid station there were very friendly and encouraging.   I was given information that I had about 8.5 miles left.  I prepared a couple more bottles of my concentrated Tailwind and headed down the road to Abingdon.   As I was running on the trail, I noticed that more people that weren’t associated with the race were out.  I explained to a couple why what we were doing on the trail and that the climb to Whitetop took me out.   He commented on how cold it was at Green Cove. 

     

    Eventually, I made my way toward the finish line.  About ½ mile out, one lady clapped and cheered me on, exclaiming, “You only have a half mile left.”  I later learned that was the first-place winner that had given everyone high-fives earlier in the race.   When I saw the blow-up arch that said Yeti Trail Races, I began to run faster.   Everyone was cheering me on.   I crossed the threshold, and the race director gave me a big hug.   He was known for hugging those that finished his races.   I let him know that I’m a flatlander and “we don’t do elevation.”   He laughed and congratulated me.    While standing there, I received a text from Karen stating she wanted to see me finish but she couldn’t move.  I sent her a text of a picture of Jason and I at the finish line.   She met me at the finish line and we waited for the remaining runners to finish.  Mike from Whitetop was waiting at the finish and congratulated me.  I thanked him for his running tips.  I even told him of my plans to quit once I reached Whitetop.  He let me know that he would not have let that happen.  Lisa and Kesha came in not much later and we all sat around and chatted for a bit before heading our separate ways. 

Jason the Race Director.
Thank God I made it!

Keishia, Lisa, Myself, and Karen at the Finish!
(From Left to Right, starting at red shirt)

Mike from Whitetop

Karen and I with our buckles. Her buckle is different because she is a 2nd time finisher.

Close-up of the buckle.