I was just looking back at my first ever race report from an ultra-marathon which was written after my first ultra-marathon, the 2006 Holiday Lake 50K++ Way back then, it was promoted to me by a good friend as an “ideal” first ultra. It was, unquestionably. I, and two other friends experienced Holiday Lake as our first ultra, and life has never been the same.So, what is Holiday Lake like “later in life”? With lots of other 50Ks, and 50Ms and 100Ms behind me, while “The Beast” looms before me, what was Holiday Lake like? It is still a great race. While some of the “wonder” is diminished, the challenge and the joy remain unabated. It would have been nice to have an “ultra-virgin” with me on the trip to see it through their eyes, but two good friends who are more accomplished ultra-runners than I are all the good company I could ask for.
The course was fast, really fast. No snow, no rain, no mud. This “new” course is even faster than the one I ran in 2006. I did not encounter, or at least did not correctly identify, any “walking hills” on the way out to the turnaround. That is either because the hills are more gradual on the way out, or my pacing was lousy. I suspect the answer is: BOTH. I got to the turnaround in 2:15, way too fast for me and the shape I am in. The return trip took 2:35 not including my 5 minute “nap” at the turnaround. Quite a diminished pace, and the “walking hills” were obvious on the return trip.
Impressions:
David Horton is a great Race Director and Master of Ceremonies.
A 20 hour / 1200 mile car ride for a 5 hour race is just right if you are enjoying the company.
You CAN run a 50K hard enough so that it hurts for a few days.
With excellent aid and benign weather, a handheld bottle is all the “gear” you need.
I mark trail races. Holiday Lake is marked better than those races. You CAN’T get lost.
Great atmosphere in camp, and with less smell of fear than in Camp Bethel at Hellgate !!!!
Crossing the finish line is just like being welcomed home after a long journey.
I wish I hadn’t been training in thigh deep snow the last 7 weeks!
Warm bunks at the start and hot showers at the finish are GOOD.
One recent negative, not unique to Holiday Lake:
Too many Gu/Hammer packets on the ground. They aren’t from the horse riders people!
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Impressions?
1. If you run any distance hard enough, its going to hurt!
2. You mark ‘my’ trail races, if Holiday Lake is better – we need to chat! 😉
3. The welcome at a Horton finish is unique.
4. Warm bunks and hot showers? – you’re getting soft!
5. Gu packets on the trails? A sad indictment of the times 🙁
One down and just 5 to go – bravo!
Mr. Bimble…
re:
1) I have been working my way “up”. It USED to be that 5Ks were the only races that left me unable to run for several days due to pain, as opposed to fatigue.
2) YOUR races are marked as well as MY competitors need them to be marked 🙂
3) You are a most gracious host yourself.
4) Don’t worry, I will take the cold hard ground and a dip in the creek right in stride at Promise Land
5) It is a spreading disease.
I can not believe you guys went down there without a Virgin to sacrifice! 🙂
It is going to be an adventure following your Beast program! Thanks for the report!!
IGGY,
Have you noticed that it is getting harder and harder to find Virgins out there?
Following????? I expect you to be CREWING before we finish slaying this particular dragon!
The trash problem is making the job of “sweeper” more apropos than ever.
They also had horses here? In general, or just for you?
Great race everyone and thanks for the report Forrest.
Wisdom, like horse sense, is overrated! If it feels good and hurts, then we choose to do more?! What a group with which we hang!!!
Congrats on knocking one off. And congrats to your cohorts too!!
Congrats Forrest and Spuds and Loopy. Finishing any race is an accomplishment and an ultra is in a class of it’s own. You all are rock stars! What is a terrapin, besides the mascot for the University of Maryland? In any event, good luck with number 2!
Lefty and Shelly Girl