So I arrived to Eagle Creek right around 5:00 to get signed in and pick up my race packet. This was my first Planet Adventure sponsored race so I wasn't sure what to expect, but let me tell you I was impressed. These guys know how to put on an event. The total field (quarter, half, and full marathoners) was limited to 500 runners and sold out weeks before the event. Who knew there were 500 people crazy enough to run a night time trail race on a freezing January night? My point here, the race was not overcrowded and not to small, it had a great feel.
This is a really cool race trailer setup at the start finish line. The two flat screens on the left show a detailed course map including mileage and aid stations. The two screens to the left (and they switched over one of the maps after the race started) displayed live race results for the quarter, full, and half. It was really cool to see how you placed and your splits immediately after running. If you had friends running you could track how they were doing. Very classy setup and much more than I ever expected.
Quick shot of the start finish. It was a bib chip timed event. The bib did not need returned post race which is nice to not have to worry about.
We all gathered for pre-race instructions at 5:40. I was busy looking for all my blogger, daily mile, and runner friends. I did catch on important detail, and one I had pretty much expected, the course was muddy. In fact, we were told 2-3 inches of standing water and mud in places. I think Matt also mentioned quarter marathoners should just wear spikes and they would breeze right through it. More coverage on the mud to come. I was able to find Ben L. and Dan pre-race, but everyone else was bundled up due to the sub freezing temperature and I sadly wasn't able to recognize. The quarter marathoners started their run at 6, and the us halfers were to be off at 6:10. The daylight was still fading, but the headlamp was on for me and most others anyway.
I contemplated where I should start the race, front pack, mid pack, or back. I wanted to avoid the temptation to take off too fast, but had been concerned all week about the first mile, it's the most tightly winding single track on the course and I feared it wold bottle neck. I started back of the mid pack section, biggest mistake of the night as it would turn out. Just as I feared, it bottlenecked hard as people tried to avoid the muddy spots. First mile was a 12:50 when I planned for a 10:00. I was fortunate in where I started to pick up a new running friend Chris. A tall lanky bearded fella. We paced well together and made good conversation. Chris had quit smoking about a year ago and got back into running. Tonight was a training run for him as he has aspirations to run the Winona 50k this spring (another Planet Adventure race). Cool, one more person who found running as a way to help overcome unhealthy habits. Hmmm, there might be something to this.
We got to the part of the course that on the map looks like you are going to run on the water. There is actually a wide gravel pressed levee that runs through a bird sanctuary section of the lake. This was by far the coolest section of the race as you could see the streams of headlamps and runners across this nearly mile long section. We were also able to pick up pace and start moving at our own speed. We turned in a sub 9 across the levee and up the long slow hill to the next aid station. I had planned to take a gel and water at this point, but was going to rely on the aid station gel. Since we were already behind my schedule I didn't want to take anytime at the station and grabbed a cup of heed, poured it down, and kept on running.
By this point, complete darkness had set in. My headlamp was working well and there were plenty of runners in front of us so that we knew which general direction the trail would be going. Now, here comes the mud. This next section of the course is almost always wet to some degree until late Summer. Ben and I had been talking all week about how we would rather the temps stay below freezing all week so that it would be a frozen over swamp. Well, it had been above freezing the last few days, rained a good bit, and all the snow and sleet from mid week had melted. There was literally a shoe sucking mud mile. I had thus far kept my feet dry jumping over puddles. At this point, there was no jumping over. I started by trying to find a dry path, but eventually gave up and charged right ahead. I made the mistake of following some other runners around the biggest longest puddle on the course and found myself ducking through brush.
Chris and I along with another runner who enjoyed my pace finished the first lap (6.55 miles) grabbed a bottle of water and headed into round 2. This time no bottleneck through the first mile, but it's still the tightest , turniest, rootiest mile of the course so a slowed pace to keep upright was necessary. I had one close call on a downhill where I was about to run off the trail and literally bear hugged a big tree to keep from falling. I got to the levee again and realized I had lost Chris. I also noticed that at this point there were very few other runners in my vicinity and things were noticeably darker. I got passed by a full marathoner just before the lake, but other than that I was doing all the passing and it felt pretty good.
I was feeling great at this point and focused in on watching my light and the ground in front of me. I was able to keep great form by watching my light. The less it bounces, the smoother and lighter you are running. My sole focus at points was keeping that light sailing without a bounce. I also noticed other peoples lights bouncing from side to side and knew they had to be struggling. Right at mile 9.3 I got a shot of runners high. I felt it start in my head with a happy thought, and then seconds later could feel the shot of endorphines coursing through my veins to my extremities. Now, I've never mainlined anything (not counting surgery) but I imagine it feels a lot like that, only no downside to this high, I just started running faster and smiling. It couldn't have come at a better time, because the longest hill on the course was coming up coming off the lake and back into the trails.
Round two of the mud was much more difficult. This time I did it with a no holds barred full on charge through the center of it all I'm not sorry for splashing you attitude. The mud was muddier, the water was colder. At one point I was wet up to my knees and it felt like a million tiny needles stabbing my feet and legs. Thank God for smartwool socks and awesome tights. It only lasted a few seconds. My Kinvaras also don't hold water (literally) and stayed pretty light. However, running through the mud was like skating. Every step my foot would slide an inch or two. I wore my Garmin and knew my sub 2:10 race was attainable, but I had to keep it up through the mud. The little voice were telling me to stop, but I said heck no and powered on.
I went almost a mile without seeing another runner anywhere in front of me, but was determined to find more people to pass. Finally I saw a light and set a goal, pass this guy. It took me probably 3 minutes, but I caught up and passed just before the creek crossings. I came upon a couple of other runners who knew I was determined (pretty sure I was grunting and swearing as I made the creek crossings and jumped all the logs on this part of the trail) and they just got out of my way, sweet. I saw the sign for mile 6, which this time meant mile 13 and I really picked it up. I found one more poor guy to pass, hit the opening in the trees and full on sprinted the last 50 yards to finish and let out a loud and rowdy howl which was awesomely returned by others. Wow that felt great. And hello, my mom brought my kids to and they saw me finish! Best part of the entire race was hugging each of them.
I'm extremely proud of my finish and know there is much more I can do. I will be back for this event next year. Thanks to Planet Adventure, Eagle Creek, all my new running friends and family!
