The last finisher

Today is Wednesday and I ran the Bluff. I hatched my plan Sunday, when I saw everybody having such a good time. Since I was unable to run on Sunday, and Snobody had gone early I figured what the heck I will go late! Tuesday night was my first big school concert of the year so I figured since the day after a concert is usually a day of rest, plus it was a half day of school, Wednesday would be a perfect day. I was reasonably sure that all the great aid stations had been taken away so I headed out shortly after 8:00 a.m to drop off some provisions at Braemore. Much to my surprise I got to Guilford Lakes school to find that school was in session so there was no parking. After finding a place to park I got ready and went to the starting line to wait for the start. I soon realized nobody was going to sing the national anthem or say go so I said go and then I went!

I had decided to just take a handheld up to route 80 and then grab my pack, which I had stashed in the bushes. The first part of the run was dandy and I made it to route 80 in 25 minutes. I grabbed my pack and headed off toward the Bluff. Almost immediately I realized how much more difficult it is to run with a camel pack. Every step seemed so much more challenging. I decided rather quickly that I would dump some water when I got to the end of the Monastary road. The day was overcast and cool and I thought I would be fine making it to the Bluff with about a third of a bladder.

As we all know the slug from Northern Timberlands to the end of the stick is boring (sorry Jerry) I was feeling good so I just got along, eating and drinking, and feeling pretty good about my run. I have been having lots of stomach issues lately so I actually cut back on eating and drinking and this proved to be a good strategy. I arrived at the kiosk and began one of my favorite parts of the course. I am terrible with names but I believe this is the Broomstick Ledges and it is awesome single track.

I got to the Bluff at 1 hour and 54 minutes and began the long pull up Bluff Head. At the top I gave 4 loud “Gawps”. One for Shelly, one for Iggy, one for Suds and one for me. I loved hearing my voice echo across to the trail that I would be running in a couple of hours. The rest of the run to Braemore was pretty uneventful. I was still feeling really good and just had the usual bit of bother going through the rock garden leading to James Valley Preserve. Going through the Preserve I once again marveled at the great work Lost C and Bimble did clearing the Irene mess and made my way over to Braemore. I got to Braemore right at 3 hours. I was really happy with this time and, after resupplying, headed off toward Renee’s Way.

The section to Renee’s Way was a bit of a grind and my legs were really starting to bother me. It is interesting that pain is the least of my worries when running ultras. I get much more worried when my mind gets fuzzy or my stomach is upset. Pain seems to be just a normal part of the process! In this case the issue was cramping in my quads and it was not a big deal , except that I began losing a lot of my ability to run at any speed. All in all the miles to Renee’s Way kind of flew along and I got to the end of this section in 4 hours and 10 minutes. I grabbed some food and water, cranked some tunes on the ipod and got ready to take on the nightmare that is the next 8 miles back to Northern Timberlands.

I had a strategy of breaking up this section into chunks. The first chunk was getting back to the stick. My running was starting to become severely hampered by my tight muscles but my mind and spirit was still strong and I just kept going. Did I have a choice? Chunk 2 was the stick to orange trail. No real problems in here and I arrived at my absolute least favorite part of the course (sorry Jerry) ready to grind. I actually felt pretty good and was making good time until I got to the right hand turn that leads back to Northern Timberlands and the Monastery. Here I just fell apart. My legs just seized up and I was reduced to a lot of walking. It was kind of frustrating because I really was feeling good and wanted to run. It seemed like about 2 hours on this section but I eventually got back to the entrance to Northern Timberlands at 5 hours and 25 minutes. My 6 hour goal was lost but I was more concerned about my legs, I really did not want to walk the last 4 miles.

The first little bit was pretty pathetic but then I managed to figure out a stride that would allow me to hobble along. The worst part of this section was I took a couple of falls and we all know you do not want to fall when your legs are cramping. It was kind of funny. I really could not get up and laid on the trail trying to figure out a way to stand up! Once I made it back to two feet I hobbled on and got back to Route 80 at 5 hours and 55 minutes. I dropped my pack and headed home.

For some reason I began having an easier time running this last section. The sun also came out and this just made the last section magical. I had the ipod cranking, I was running, the weather was great and I was going to finish the Bluff for the 4th time (two official and now two unofficial) I was quite pleased! I broke out of the trail, crossed the road and imagined Shelly Girl and all of you cheering me to the finish line. I crossed the imaginary line in 6 hours and 23 minutes and collapsed on the field to soak it all in.

In all honesty, I am not sure which version I like more. Running the race with everyone and being a part of that special day or taking on the challenge alone. One thing is certain whether alone or in the company of good friends the Bluff is home to us Bimblers and I am grateful that I have been blessed to be a part of the experience.

See you on the trail

Lefty