Fall 2011 Highlights

It was a busy fall and time just seemed to get away from me, but here is a quick recap of a few memorable events...better late than never...

Vermont 50 Ultra Run  Sunday, September 25, 2011

After a somewhat disappointing finish at the Vermont 100, I was hoping to turn in a solid performance at the Vermont 50 Mile ultra run, plus, I figured that after running a couple of 100 milers it was time to try a 50-miler too.

mile 49+

I'm not a stranger to the Vermont 50 events in Brownsville, having run the Vermont 50 K a couple of times before, and the race day is always a blast with a fun and interesting course, beautiful rolling hills, horse farms, single track, autumn foliage, and a fun and supportive group of participants with a great race organization.

I showed up on Saturday feeling pretty well-rested, relaxed, and ready to go.  After a good pre-race dinner I retired back to my car-turned-camper and joined Jack for a pre-race cocktail, which has become a ritual by now.

Sunday morning's weather was mild with a low of only about 61 F and the day promised to be warm and humid for late-September.  The trails would be decidedly wet and muddy, after Tropical Storm Irene tore a path through this area only one month prior, and recent rain reinforced the soft conditions.  It was actually somewhat remarkable that the race organizers and private land owners were able to come together to clear the storm debris and re-route the course, as required, in the few weeks since the storm.

After each of the mountain bike classes started the race, just after 6:00AM from the now-defunct Mt. Ascutney ski area, the 50-mile runners moved up to the start area and prepared to take off.  As usual, I made a deliberate effort to pace myself once the race started.  It's so easy to get caught up in the moment and go out too fast.  Feeling that my first 50 miles at the VT 100 were well run and managed, my plan was to go out with a similar approach but add a little more speed where I could comfortably do so.

Not more than a mile into the run the course was on a re-route and climbing up a hill on a dirt road.  I throttled back a bit and kept running at a controlled pace.  There were a few ups and downs before we came to the Coon Club aid station which intersected the old course.  On trail now, the course climbed through often muddy sections and I started passing mountain bikers who were mired in the mud.  The conditions were tough for the bikers and I passed a whole bunch of riders throughout the day.

The course alternates between trails and dirt roads, climbing, descending, and winding as it goes.  One of my favorite sections was the climb up to Garvin Hill, the highpoint of the course and site of one of the aid stations at about mile 20.  In spite of the warmish conditions- 75F is hot for late September around here- it was shaping up to be a nice day.

I started with one pre-mixed bottle of Amino Vital Pro drink mix and topped it off with straight water as I went.  I ate GUs at regular 45 minute intervals regardless of aid stations and grabbed some snacks at aid stations to supplement, plus I drank some Coke at the later aid stations.  And I discovered that GU Roctane was like jet fuel.  Past Goodman's aid station I was really feeling good.

At Johnson's aid station with only about 3 miles to go and one final climb and descent, I passed a young buck who looked crushed at being passed.  I put some distance between us.  I've been there before my friend.  This was one of those days when everything just seemed to come together for me.

Descending the lower slopes of Mt. Ascutney I pushed myself harder and faster toward the finish, passing a few 50K runners, and coming through with a time of 8:17:55.  Overall I was really pleased with the result and I finally felt like I was able to run a good race and live up to my potential.  Just to keep things in perspective, the winner came in a full two hours earlier.  VT 50 Run Results

This was the second tour of duty for my Hokas and I was pleased to have no joint pain and only some slight soreness in my quads.  Joe and Jack both told me later that meant I didn't run fast enough... they're probably right.

Mt. Katahdin October 1, 2011

Mt. Katahdin may be in New England, but it's so far up in Maine that the act of preparing for and traveling up to the far reaches of The Pine Tree State make it feel like a true expedition.

As has become an annual tradition, Joe and I drove up to meet the guys at Baxter State Park for a fall climb.  Arriving just before the gate closed, we set up our tent at Katahdin Stream and headed over to visit the rest of the crew at Daicey Pond, much to the consternation of Betsy the camp caretaker.  Technically the cabin sleeps a prescribed number of people, but when we arrived there was plenty of room for all and we spent the night.

southwest ridge on the Hunt Trail

Next morning we started up MtK via the Hunt Trail in warm, overcast conditions.  In the few times I've been to the park, I've developed a deep respect for this mountain.  There isn't really an 'easy' way up and the trail footing was rough and rocky as it climbed the southwest shoulder of the mountain.  At treeline, the trail came to a series of enormous rocks with intermittent steel rungs to clambor over and around the jumble.

The Hunt Trail climbs a sharp and rocky ridge that eventually gains the tableland, a markedly flatter area that sweeps from the summit.  Reaching the crest of the ridge we stopped for a snack as it began to lightly rain.  It was probably another 30 minutes from here to the summit, which was quite crowded given the less than ideal conditions.  There were Appalachian Trail thru-hikers here, who were posing for photos at the MtK summit sign, jubilant in their accomplishment.  I have to hand it to these folks - I have a tremendous respect for those who persevere and complete this endeavor.

the guys devour a blueberry pie

After lunch it was a long hike back down through the intermittent rain showers.  Back at the cabin David got to work preparing a delicious feast for us while we stoked the wood stove and enjoyed the apres hike food and drink.

Mt. Abraham October 8, 2011

A beautiful weekend for Mom and Dad to visit, this was my first time up Mt. Abe since Tropical Storm Irene ripped through the state, prompting the U.S. Forest Service and Green Mountain Club to take the draconian measure of closing the network of hiking trails.  Fines or imprisonment for trespassing?  Seriously?!  With the Battell Trail still closed, we started from the gap and made our way up the Long Trail.  For all of my ascents of this local favorite, I've only been this way a handful of times.  It was a beautiful day, and I was blown away by the number of people hiking, whether it was due to the excellent weather or the pent up demand of hikers who were finally allowed to leave the confines of malls and living rooms and return to the local wilds.

New Orleans Nuptials October 15, 2011

There isn't a city in the country that knows how to throw a party like New Orleans and it's hospitality, culture, and food is second to none.  This was the place for an awesome weekend of celebration with family and friends for Ben and Kelly's wedding.  Less than two hours after landing in the Crescent City, I was savoring Cain's fried chicken and a cold iced tea.  Life was good.

All of the weekend's events, from the cocktail party to the rehearsal dinner, to the ceremony and reception were so enjoyable and I was truly honored to be a best man to Ben.  The thoughts and reflections in the toasts to Ben and Kelly were particularly heartfelt and their relative calm and grace through the festivities was impressive.  Without a doubt, there was a tremendous amount of planning and detail that made this celebration possible, and it couldn't have been more perfect.

Eager to check out the running scene in this corner of the world, I managed to squeeze in a 15K along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain.  Lakefront Classic 15K  Fueled by a banana and a cup of coffee plus the mango daiquiri from the night before, it wasn't my best run, but it was a whole lot of fun!

Patriots and Black Dogs November 5, 2011

Patriot goal kick

Early November and I headed south to visit family in Virginia.  The time together is never long enough, but we make the best of it.  Particularly enjoyable on this weekend was the chance I had to watch my niece and nephew's soccer games.  I haven't been to either of their games in a couple of years, and I was thoroughly impressed by the level of play and competitiveness of the teams.  My nephew is on a traveling team and they had two games over the weekend, including one on Sunday when they battled back from a deficit, showing extraordinary grit and toughness.  An added bonus was getting to see my nephew score one of the team's goals!  I was so incredibly happy for him and the team.

Black Dog shot on goal

warm-up drills

a flat stretch of the TAM trail

Holidays came and went quickly including visits to family and friends and turkey, pies, trees, caroling, and walks in the woods.  When the dust settled on 2011 I ended up with a second consecutive 3000-mile year of combined running and hiking, although the annual vertical gain was down to 377,000 feet.  For perspective, that elevation is roughly equivalent to 90 hikes up and down Mt. Washington, but then who's really counting?