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This was the second year a group of Bimblers drove up to the Berkshire’s to tackle Curly’s Trail Marathon. With word of course revisions, intended to tame the run, and stunning weather it seemed liked we could expect a great day on the trail.
Shelly Girl is still trying to get her heel issue resolved (Boo!) so it was left to Suds and I to make the 2 hour and 15 minute commute to Pittsfield State Forest and race registration. Upon arrival I noticed one thing, man it was cold! I had not really expected 36 degree weather and we had over an hour to kill before the start of the race. Can you say car heater on full blast! Shortly, Sprinkles and Catamount arrived and we chatted while waiting for the 8:00 a.m. start.
Last year Curly’s was a difficult course. You ran a half marathon which included a climb up a monster ski slope, great view of the mountains of Western New York, including the Escarpment course (Thanks Suds) lots of hills and miles and miles of ATV Trails, filled with ATV’s and terrain that was difficult to negotiate. At the end of the half you turned around and ran the course the other way. This year, the course was a half marathon loop you ran twice in the same direction. The course is much faster then last year but it is still a significant challenge for all who attempt the race.
I am not sure why but Curly’s is a very small race and only about 50 of us toed the line for the start of both the half and full marathon. The race is broken up into four sections. The opening section (mile1-3) is flat and fast. Easy terrain and lots of stuffed animals, yes, you read correctly stuffed animals, placed over the course to add humor and a personal touch to the start. After the initial section comes a slow climb up the Lulu Cascade (mile 3-6). This part of the race is very lovely. The trail is quite narrow at the beginning and the climb is not steep but constant. Somewhat similar to Wapack, in that the section is all very runnable but you do not want to exert too much energy this early in the race. I ran more than I should have and would later pay the price. The Lulu section ends at my favorite place on the entire course. I call it the aid station with a view. It is actually a road section but it overlooks the entire valley and mountains of New York. The course changes would put us here four times and I loved each visit. After the aid station you run a four mile loop (mile 6-10). Nothing extremely notable about this section except it include your one major date with the dreaded ATV Trails. I heard a lot of engines roaring in the distance but did not see an ATV the entire day! After completing this loop you end back at the “aid station with a view”. I refueled and began the final section of the course (mile 10-13.1), a fun downhill scream. This section starts off relatively nondescript but shortly becomes a wonderfully clean mountain bike single track trail winding it’s way downhill almost all the way to the finish. Knowing I had to run the entire course again, I decided to take it easy here the first time around. After a leisurely stroll, I saw the end of the first loop in sight. I had already decided not to stop and continue straight on to the second loop so I ran past the start and began my second loop. I already explained the course so perhaps highlights would be okay for the rest of the race. Easy three mile section? Just keep running. Climb up Lulu Cascade? Too much walking but I did my best. The Aid station with a view” loop? Just don’t quit. Last fall to the finish? Yee ha!!!! And there it is.
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I am not sure how the others did during the various parts of the race but Sprinkles came in singing and dancing to her ipod looking like she was ready for another loop. Shortly afterwards she found out she won the women’s race!! Yay Elaine!!! For her efforts she received a giant canister of Heed. Yes that’s right Heed! So if anyone feels a need for Heed I think Sprinkles will be glad to hook you up! Catamount came in next and I am sad to report that he sustained an injury to his right leg that I hope is okay. And then there was Suds! I could tell he was coming in because one always hears Suds before you see him at these races. True to form I heard a wild scream followed a minute or so later by the man himself. Looking tired but, on runners high, Suds came across the finish line in fine form with another major accomplishment under his belt.
Congrats to all the Bimblers who ran the race. With the half and full marathon option, and a more runner friendly course, Curly’s is a race well worth getting a group of Bimblers to attend. Plus, Curly himself is there to chat with and every runner gets a medal!!
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Lefty,
Great report and run. No ski slope? I am so glad that the “aid station with a view” is visited 4 times, as it is SO beautiful there. Ihope Catamount is OK, major Kudos to Nadia (yeah, I think that is the name that will stick!), and as for Suds, way to go! I knew he couldn’t stay away.
Thanks for the great report, Lefty! Curly’s was great fun: beautiful course, beautiful day, great spirits on the trails. And what outstanding results! Congrats to Nadia (?) for winning outright, to Lefty for winning his division, and to Suds for coming and completing the whole marathon, when I think he had decided not to try even the half! Way to go, Bimblers!
Thanks for good wishes re. my leg. I had a good race going until I began the last long descent at about 23.5 miles. Nothing sudden & sharp, like a tear, but within .25 mile an seemingly routine and tolerable knee pain went through the roof! It not only stopped my running, but I could not even walk normally, but only in pirate-like, peg-leg fashion. It made for what must have been a hilarious sight as I hobble-hopped the last 2.5 miles of winding trails down that hill. And crossing the field to the finish hopping like that was a mixture of fun and the absurd! So, in the end my last 2.5 miles were done at walking pace, and my time was blown, as 3 or 4 people passed me as I hobbled down the hill. However, having come that far in my first trail marathon, I resolved that if word of my injury reached the finish and helpers showed up, I would banish them immediately! My hobble-hop was working and I was determined that I would finish under my own power, no matter what became of my time. And I did, and overall it was a GREAT day!
As for my leg, my dr. doesn’t think anything is torn, but is not confident about what is wrong, and he is sending me to a sports med orthopedist for a full exam with scans, etc. We’ll see…
WOW – awesome adventures with Curly!!!!
Nadia – CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!
Lefty – your reports are so great – I do think a Bimble trip to Curly’s next year should be planned –
offers so much the full and the half !!!! Catamount recover soon – if it is IT band – I recommend you see Guthrie immediately she will fix you up! I am going to see her on Thursday – it should hurt so good…
Sudsie – you rocked it again – way to go!!!!
Curly’sCurly’sCurly’sCurly’s!!!
Thanks for posting your account of the Curly adventure Lefty. Nadia, congratulations but suckling on a bottle is not cool anymore, get yourself a pacer with a camelbak, it is so much more – how can I put this, refreshing! Catamount, your knee might just be buckling under the increased training you’ve been doing in the build up for the Bluff, Kinesio tape might help. Suds, the photo at the top of the report looks like you’re recieving some form of divine energy – looks like it worked! 🙂
Lefty-nice report. And you are very kind (what happens at Curly’s stays at Curly’s…unless I blab! And it’s too good of a story not to…) What he didn’t report is that I merrily and exuberantly cartwheeled toward the finish line of my first trail marathon, only to realize in horror–as I noticed the confused looks on the spectators’ and race director’s faces–that I was approaching the finish line FROM THE WRONG DIRECTION!
During the last quarter mile, I had somehow unknowingly missed a turn, but been lulled onward by the consistent presence of (the wrong) orange ribbons, which were marking the outgoing course. Very deflating, after
what had been such a great race. The race director quickly identified where I went wrong and assured me the distance was identical (but slower as there wasn’t any blacktop involved in my version). So I still got stuck with the Heed (as did the second woman in).
Aside from all that…I really love this race. Beautiful scenery, especially with the leaves starting to change. Wondefully runnable single track trails and the great view from the top. I ran the half last year (my target race last season, the longest trail race I’d done, and the one that got me hooked on trail running). This year I was a bit apprehensive about attempting the full, as it seemed a little beyond my training, given the distance and elevation involved. I imagined the turnaround for the second loop would present a major motivational challenge and a temptation to leave well enough alone.
To my great surprise and glee, I realized at about the 11 mile mark during the screaming descent that I was having so much fun that I didn’t want it to be over and was RELIEVED to be going out for another loop! When I mentioned this to Catamount, the runner in front of me overheard, and said, “spoken like a true trail runner!” So I guess I’ve come a long way (literally and figuratively) during the past year. Having the company and support of the Bimbler community (those present and virtually present) also made this time around feel alot more doable and alot more fun!
Yes Lefty your report is right on!! I have been working on one but don’t have it together. We all had a pretty good time at Curly’s marathon. Trail conditions were perfect and the weather was sweet! I got a little relaxed at the Overlook aid station on the second loop admiring the stellar view but still managed to finish! It was fun!