Bimbler’s Bluff 50k(my tree hugging experience)

The weather could not have been better for my first Ultra Trail Race. As we ran through Timberlands it was quite apparent the storm the night before dumped a whole new thick layer of leaves. The color of the autumn leaves gleamed in the morning sunshine. I coasted through Timberlands touching the old growth trees as I ran by them. I boogied through the race Hill section past the boundary boulders. I yelled at a runner going forward on Race Hill when they should have taken that hard left north into the Genesee Section. Power walked up first long hill. Reassured runners that we were on the right trail once on Red dot. Cruised up to and thru Mattabasset Trail connector (vw green). Carefully navigated gnarly sharp slippery rocks in the Broomstick ledges area. Yelled with excitement on my way down the trail to aid # 2. Met my buddy Nate there. I refueled my water bottle and heard Iggy say “eat like a horse Suds” so I did. Meet and greet with fellow bimblers Iggy and Ticket. Then off up steep trail (escalator) to the top for photo opts.

What a day for a trail race I thought as I paused to re-tie my shoes on the edge of the Bluff cliff. The view was awesome. Clear, sunny mild, and no bugs. The autumn colors were beautiful. I spent a lot of time on top in years past and completing the Bluff race meant a lot to me. So off I went over the Bluff. I found a runner off course on the Lone Pine Trail and helped her re-navigate the way. The trap rock on the trail in this area was all covered with leaves. But somehow I managed to run fast right over it. Thru the pines by the river and over the bridge where some people were walking their dog and politely got out my way. Past barking fenced in dog. Down dirt farm road around the puddles not thru them. Left on trail to rt.77 past flipped over Plank Bridge. I waived at cars as I ran by them up to aid #3. Refueled my water bottle with my special stuff. Ate more pb and j and bananas and soda pop. Ticket comes into station soon after me. I pretty much walked up into the Braemore section to the top of the rocky ridge. Then I starting running again and decided to run up to the Lone Pine Tree and give it a big hug and thank it for being there. If only trees could talk! Off into the Rockland preserve back onto Mattabasett Trail. I’ve got a good pace now with all that food and drink I just had a few minutes ago. Somewhere near the cabin Ticket catches up to me and we share the trail for a while but she eventually passes me. I helped someone navigate the trail near Coan Pond. I saw someone’s ankle blowout. I offered them some homeopathic medicine (arnica montana). It’s good for muscle injuries. They refused but still managed to get to Aid #4 for aspirin and finish the race. I cruised up to that glacial boulder and touched it and thanked it for being there. If only stones could talk!

Into aid station #4 at 1:00 pm. I hung out and ate like a horse and refueled my bottle and enjoyed the soda pop. I left at 1:08. The rest period was well deserved. I thanked everyone there for volunteering and off I ran. Back south on the MT. trail where I helped a couple runners navigate thru the logging section. Now I’m starting to wonder why their off the trail? Are they not concentrating on navigating their way on the trail? The trail is clearly marked with the ribbons as described in the prerace briefing. I soon realize that these runners are tired and one of them is slightly injured. The fatigue and pain can ruin your focus to run and concentrate on the trail. I reassured them to keep chugging forward. As I passed thru the MT. connector trail I noticed my energy level increase. So I picked up my pace and found this second wind miracle and ran with it. Past the mud pits. Past broken blue bike. Left on trail to flipped over rusty cars. Take right back into Genesee area. This is where I really started running hard passing several runners. Down hill and hard right onto Race Hill. I started petering out again at the boundary boulders and realized I was out of water. Water all gone must run will get there. I dreamed of drinking from the river. I knew there were some runners up ahead so somehow I caught up to them and they gave me a sip of water. I thanked them as I passed them. Once I crossed Hart rd. there were all these birds in the trees. I heard turds hitting the ground all around me so I yelled and clapped my hands to scare them off and they flew away. I managed not to get hit. Past the Indian cave but no one was home. Over slippery bridge and still going strong. I made a train whistle noise as I approached aid #5 and got this huge applause. It was so reassuring to make it here. There was no extra beer. So far I’ve come to get here so little to go.

Back into the Timberlands (my favorite section of the course besides the cliffs on Bluffhead.) I knocked on those old growth trees again and thanked them for being there. I paused for a second on the wooden bridge and gave thanks for a beautiful day and thanks for my ability to run this challenging race. Back up on the ridge thru the pine trees trying not to emotionally lose it with joy. The pine needle covered trail had a golden shine in the afternoon sun. It was soft and it seemed like I floated on it in this blissful state of mind. I yelled at some runners to not finish on the road but to finish on the last little trail section between golf course and the road. I ran down the trail and across the road yelling with complete satisfaction. The finish was awesome with tons of congratulations! I was really proud of myself and of my finish time. I did it! All that hard training had paid off for me. I enjoyed every mile of it and had fun.

It has been great training with other Bimblers. I’ve learned so much about physical endurance and mental stamina and self determination. Trail running has been an amazing and rewarding experience for me. I look forward to many more miles on the trails.

Thanks to Mr. Bimble who reassured me from the beginning of my training that I could do the Bluff 50k. Special thanks to Iggy for giving me all those pointers out on those training runs.

Posted by Suds