The season Finale--- The JFK 50. 5th place

Ladies and gentlemen, I am very honored to write to you about the JFK 50 mile race. This was my last big race for 2014 and the moment I signed up for the race in early March,  I was ready to perform to the best of my abilities. I had numerous runs where I envisioned myself running a smart and calculating race, running the Appalachian Trail nice and relaxed and then picking people apart on the towpath only to hit the final 8-mile road stretch ready to fly. My training for the whole year was focused on this one race and when I became sick with bronchitis and a sinus infection,  during the Tussey Mountainback, I became worried and hesitant about what I would be able to do. After Tussey, it took me 3 weeks to feel a little better. I would attempt to run but every run was hampered by myself coughing my lungs out and so many 45 minute runs became 15-20 minute runs. It was until a week out from the race that I was beginning to feel like I could run near 10 miles and not completely cough my brains out.  I was still hesitant about racing as I knew my fitness would be dramatically affected. I decided since this was a HuGe goal of mine, I should attempt to run the race and see what happens. Hopefully, I could just cross that finish line.

My father, Ashlee, and myself all made the trip to Hagerstown , Maryland on Friday evening after Ashlee finished with classes. It was a fun drive down as we sang songs to the radio, talked about life, and cracked jokes to pass the time.  About 5 hours later, we made it to home base. We checked into the hotel, grabbed a bite to eat at Outback Steakhouse and then went to bed. With full bellies, we caught some sleep.  While asleep, I had a dream about the race; we were running late and arrived at a school that was the wrong school and I was pretty bummed we went all the way out here to get incredibly lost. I had one of those running dreams where you do not feel you are going anywhere. Then, the alarm went off.

Night Before the Big day!  (Mammut Aenergy Thermo Vest/Go Far Hoody)

We got all of our belongings and loaded up the old trusty van and headed out to the race site about 10 miles away. After my father almost made a few wrong turns, we were cutting it close to the time the race gun would go off. We had about 15 minutes and I had that déjà vu feeling I had in my dream the night before. I hustled with Ashlee and my father to the starting line as I was kicking off my warm-up pants and putting my bib on. I gave them both a hug and kiss goodbye and ran to the front of the starting line.

It was a crisp morning with temps in the teens and 20's. I felt decent considering I had no idea if I could finish the 50 miles with a month and was hopeful I could mix it up as best as I could.

With the start of the gun...we were off. I settled into the main front pack, ready to assert myself as best as I could. We hit the first 3 miles of rolling hills and about a mile into the race, began the climb up to the entrance of the Appalachian Trail.

There I am in the green hat!!!!

To be with a nice pack of 8, we all settled into a decent rhythm, and I just tried to remain relaxed and to really enjoy the moment. With the type of year I had, if was a true blessing to be here and to be able to compete at an extremely high level.  As we crossed the road onto the rocky and leaf-covered Appalachian Trail, I was energized and talking with 4th place runner, Bobby Longnecker. We got to know one another as some of the Adi-Ultra team members shot out at a blistering pace on the trail.  

Let me tell you people, the Appalachian Trail is ROCKY! Not Catskill level but pretty close. You have to concentrate on every footfall and you must learn to become comfortable with planting your foot on uneven ground.  As the trail began to wind around, I was hacking a little and I could tell that this was freaking out the guys I was with a little as they probably thought I would not be able to hang for long.

Once we hit the bike path only a few miles after on the AT, the top runners started to fly by as myself, Ryan A., the top finisher from last year and Bobby Longnecker just hung back at the back of the pack which had numerous Adi-Ultra Runners and Eric Senseman.  I knew that running smart on the AT would be my best bet for a successful time and finish.  I found those two other runners that were running totally in control and having fun. We chatted and danced along the rocks of the AT for what felt like hours.

I was in about 9th place.

As I started catching early starters, I knew that we would be coming up to the end of the AT with the winding switchbacks.  I was taking in a Boom gel every 45 minutes and had consumed three of them while on the trail and filled up with electrolyte drink only once.  Then I had a moment. I recalled how I felt on my last trail training run before the race at Labrador Hollow Natural Area.

It went something like this....

The view from the Hanglider Spot

Down in the gulley

Mammut Red---Going for the selfie!

So this run began with myself trudging through muddy, slick trails. I started off coughing heading up the steep incline. It was tough. By the time I had pushed myself to the top of the high point near 2,000 ft at the Hanglider's Spot, I began to float, and run effortlessly. I was a wild gazelle, bobbing through the deep dark woods. The run was as if it was yesterday. And before I knew it, I was hitting the winding switchbacks and had separated myself from my two running comrades.

The rush of noice as I came down the switchbacks was exhilarating as I felt solid and was ready to open up my pace on the towpath.

About 16 miles gone and now began about a marathon (26.3) on the Towpath canal route. This would feel relatively flat in relation to the rolling sections of the AT.  I sprinted through the screaming hordes of people at the base of the trail. It was like running through a wind tunnel of noise and excitement. I may have split some 5 minute pace through the aid station, the excitement was amazing.

I then hit the towpath and settled into what I thought was 7-6:40 pace based on feel as I have a Wal-mart watch.  I was in I think 7th pace off of the AT and felt really good. I knew that the pack of runners that shot out ahead of me on the AT would be hurting later on in the race as I split a solid 2:00 first section split with reserve left. 

I was ready.  The towpath felt relaxed as I began to turn-over the legs. I think where people struggle with this section is that it is monotonous but smart pacing here is where this race is won. If you run the towpath the best and the most even in terms of effort, you will come out on top. 

About 10k into the towpath, I passed a gentlemen taking a bathroom break!  One down, 6 more to go.  I took in another Orange Vanilla Boom energy gel and could feel the energy pulsating in my body! I know that sounds weird but these gels really give you exceptional energy.Then I came up about a mile after I passed one guy, I caught Jim Sweeney and another Adi-Ultra runner and as I saw them about a minute away in the distance, I became excited and began to reel them in. It was maybe a minute or two before I made my decisive move and kept pushing.  

My pace was hot! I was running some 6:15-6:20's to pass the two Adi-Ultra runners but I felt like a million bucks! Would this be my magical day.  By this point, I was not coughing and all of my Mammut gear (MTR 201 Pro Low, Micro Jacket, 71 shorts etc) was making my effort as comfortable as possible. In the heat of the moment I forgot to take in extra calories which would cost me later. I had no blisters thanks to my Fits Socks!!!! 

Shout out to Mammut Fleece Beanies---Love them!

The gear that powered me to a solid finish!!!!

Then at one of the aid stations, I finally was able to connect with my Father and Ashlee!!! They told me I was in 3rd place and was only a minute or two from 1st.  I felt great and energized some and headed out. I was running about the best race of my life. If I could keep my energy levels consistent, I could win this thing! This run, I never felt more moved before in all of the running I have ever done. I was fighting the odds and succeeding. I loaded up on calories and said I felt great and headed out on the hunt. 

I kept pressing on: Ashlee and my Father were driving on the road parallel to the towpath cheering for me as I waived their way, It was exciting and truly a celebration of all of their hard work to get me over my bronchitis and sinus infection, their sacrifices of time, their commit to me and I was flowing with that energy, that power of love.  I kept going....

Before I knew it, the next aid station, I could see second 20 seconds in front of me and 1st was only a minute away. I made a strong push to catch them.  They also were moving well as it felt like the gap was not closing soon enough. 

Then I hit a low point. 18 miles of perfection on the tow path and my faster miles were catching up with me. 

I hit a low-patch from miles 35-38 where I went from third right into 5th in one fell swoop. I took a 40 second walk break and that set me back some spots in the standings. After that point, I could not regain much vigor and strength in my legs as I pressed onward towards the next check-point.

I was hurting pretty bad. I had moments of self-reflection with this being my last race of the year, I wanted to run my best and to celebrate a year of hard work and tremendous support from my family, friends and sponsors that have made my dreams a reality. As I hit the last 8 miles of tarmac, I was just praying my body would get me to the finish as my legs became sheer lead.

THe moments of the year:

The First snow in Cortland.

Memories from the Virgil Crest Ultra Marathon 50k!!!

In the Tussey Mountainback, I felt extremely sick with both a sinus infection and bronchitis. Somehow, I managed to run close to 5:30 50 mile pace for the 40 miles of the race before falling apart with 10 miles to go. Never before had my body completely shut down on me like this in a race. Without the encouragement and love from my father and my love, Ashlee, I do not think I would have finished.

I dug deep one last time and pushed forward. I had moments where I was able to get my stale legs to move again in the low 7's only to accept the urge to slow down. It was a grind the last 8 miles but as I neared the finish, I was elated to hold on to a 5th place finish in around 6:11. It was not my best time for the 50 mile distance though I was very pleased with how I hung tough.  I will be eying this race in the future to hopefully run a time I think can be reached with my fitness.

A strong and valiant finish! 6:11 for 5th Place!!!

I was happy to be done! 

It was an incredible year. I learned a lot about myself and in my relationships with others. I worked very hard and hit numerous set-backs. But when I look at 2014, I am very grateful for what I have.

I want to thank first my sponsors:  Mammut North America, Acidotic Racing, Boom Nutrition, Craft/Karhu North America, Fits Socks, Redfeather Snowshoes, Red Newt Racing/MPF, The USATF Niagara Association for their continued support. Without you, I would not be where I was in 2014 and to where I will be going in 2015. Again thank you!  

I would like to thank my family, my loving father, Charles Crosby and the love of my life, Ashlee Prewitt for taking the time and money spent to share in these experiences. I love you all. To a healthy and happy 2015!!!

Valentines, Running in the Snow and the PA State Snowshoe Championships---Feb 14-16---Prep for Snowshoe Nationals

So I had to cancel the trip out to PA for the snowshoe race because my amazing girlfriend, Ashlee ended up getting severely sick with one of the worst sinus infections I have ever witnessed. 2 weeks later and she still is having headaches and feeling off.  It would have been nice to run a tune-up race but I can always get in a nice 10 mile snowshoe run as preparation for the big dance!  I have been able to keep my mileage consistent even with running in deep slippery snow which has slowed my running.  Just today, running in snowy roads made every effort to gain traction seem like I was running in waist-deep snow.  An absolutely exhausting run where I got some nice vertical near 1,500 feet of elevation gained in 11 miles but averaged like 7:40 a mile for the run which is about a minute a mile slower on that same loop most days.  It has been like this all winter just getting in the time and mileage and hoping I can gain some traction for once the snow melts.

USA Snowshoe Nationals is going to be my next big race and it is going to be a fun one. With lots of great athletes I am excited to see where I stack-up.  I think I have the potential to make the team and really this year in my two snowshoe races have not run well or at least to my potential I think. The Cockadoodle shoe I was mentally drained getting stuck in the ice and at Highland Forest not only did I leave people off-course but I ran more conservative looking to wear-down the racers rather than sprinting out to the front.  What I learned from the races is that I need to stay focused on position and that if I run comfortably and draft a little once it comes to that last downhill sections watch out! I want to run smart and fast at Nationals. I want to give it all I have and to leave it all out there. I want to crawl to the finish the last 10 meters.  I hope to blitz those with some quick speed.  It is going to be interesting how Nationals will play out. I do know it is going to be an amazing experience and I cannot wait to share it with everyone.  Stay warm and see everyone in Bennington, Vermont.


Sights and sounds of a Cortland, NY Winter:

My trusty Mammut MTR 141's have been my road/snow/trail shoes this winter getting in the miles and staying super durable. I have had these shoes for about a year now and they have still run like brand new.  Mammut makes some of the most durable products out there and their footwear is exception to the rule.

How my running has played out:  

Lots of snow, wind, and hills have made for a slower type of winter training but worth building the proper strength.

View of Greek Peak Ski Resort in the distance.

LimeHollow Nature Center 10 mile Snowshoe run Prep for Snowshoe Nationals:

I had the chance to run around Limehollow before the warm-up and as the temps were near 34 degrees, I thought some nice melting snow would make for a faster run. I was right!

View on the Wilderness Way Trail. A Long and windy trail through the woods.

I felt really solid averaging about 7:30's for the run with some deep snow, fast single track, and snowmobile trails that felt like a race track.  This run has provided me with some confidence heading into Nationals. I feel strong and even though I have not managed insane mileage this winter, I have done some great core runs like this one where with snowshoes, I hit some 6:30 miles and also have been working on my uphill technique. Nationals is going to have a nice long climb which I am excited for as it will pack people up for the fast downhill which I hope to blow by and secure a podium spot.

The City of Cortland from our 3rd Floor Window-View

 Training has been very interesting this winter as life has made getting in any type of run longer than 14-16 miles pretty tough as my time is pretty jam-packed. Luckily, I have been able to keep solid 10-12 mile runs almost every day which equates still to a nice base that I can begin to build my longer runs once Ultra season comes around the corner in June for me which will be (ice and snow-LESS)  which will be a very exciting thing. It is pretty funny but I have a feeling that all this tough running through deep snow, intense winds, cold temps and short days will all lend itself to a great Summer and Fall of racing.  Though my training may not look incredible on paper, I think the types of footing I have experienced and the tough conditions will allow for me to build up some extra strength that will help play into some fast times.

My amazing girlfriend Ashlee takes the best photos and braves the cold for a guy like me. She is truly the best!

For Races I have commited to:

Cayuga Trails 50---Going to be a super-competitive event with the race as the host-site for the USA 50 Mile Trail Championships. There will be some great runners coming from all over the country for the opportunity of running some Upstate New York terrain.  I look forward to besting my 9th place finish with a top 3 as I was close to that in 4th last year before I twisted my ankle which stopped me in my tracks. 

Manitou's Revenge 54 Miler---This race is crazy! Anytime you summit high peaks in a region, especially the rocky Catskills, it is going to be a fun time. For one, I hope not to fall off an escarpment or embankment, I hope not to get lost as well, and I hope maybe my leg speed and climbing legs will help me run a fast time for such a crazy course. I hope I get to run with Acidotic Team-mate Ryan Welts up front.

Virgil Crest 50k----I ran the Virgil 50 Miler last year and beat up my feet and legs pretty bad. This course takes a lot out of your legs. I have always wanted to run the 50k and with a new course design, I would love to crush a super fast time. Sub 4 hours is the goal which would be pretty legendary on such a rocky, rooty, up and down technical course like Virgil Crest. While Manitous' has sections that are not true runnable sections, Virgil has runnable sections the whole way through yet they are slow going.  Any time you run on the Finger Lakes Trail, the pace slows down from even hilly road running.  I am very excited about running my home-town ultra again this year but in a different distance.


Races in Question:  Call of the Wilds Trail Marathon----With the Eastern States 100 going on, who would not want to be apart of that excitement. And with a say 2.5-3 hour drive, the distance is not too bad. I may or may not run the race but if it fits my schedule, then I am in for some fun!

Tussey Mountainback 50---I guess I missed registration and if I cannot get into the race as an elite entry, then I will plan on running the Syracuse Marathon which is I think on the same day. I would love to run Tussey and as a historic race with great competition, I would love to see how I stack-up with some of the best road 50 milers in the country.  I would like to think of myself in their company and I hope a great performance at this event could prove it.

JFK 50---Come April 1st, I hope to get an elite spot in a race I am dying to do. If I can get in, I have a feeling I will do some great things on the towpath.  JFK suits my strengths in so many ways as a nice consistent pace will play into the go slow during the AT then Sprint the Towpath then hold on for dear life strategy. I would rather run the AT strong and come off onto the Towpath in a consistent and relaxed pace. I hope to be one of my breakout races.

Race for Redemption--Highland Forest 10k Snowshoe Race

Here is a nice link to the coverage of the race: http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2014/01/highland_forest_hosts_empire_s.html

http://npaper-wehaa.com/syracusenewtimes/2014/01/15/#?article=2124206






This was a very exciting race.  After a tough weekend as the Cockadoodle Shoe that saw me post-holing the whole way through I was primed and ready to race fast at the Highland Forest 10k also the New York State Snowshoe Championship.  I woke up at 8 am and headed to Tim Horton's with my father for a delicious cinnamon raisin bagel and cream cheese.  We then drove the 20 miles to the race site.  It was a race I had done last year and was the first where I felt like I could do this snowshoe running thing.


I had the chance to meet with Jack Hillenbrand who I have met through my job at Confluence Running and I convinced him to give snowshoe running a shot this weekend. What we found was that Jack was able to win his 5k race and qualify for Nationals with the hopes of making the US Junior National Team.  I am very glad he gave it a shot! 




The race prep has always been the same with all of my other snowshoe races. I jogged about 10 minutes with Jack and warmed-up in cold 10 degree temps with a -5 windchill factor and hung out inside the lovely Highland Forest Skyline Lodge.  If you have never been to Highland Forest, I highly recommend it as they have some amazing facilities all nestled high up on the hill.  With like 2,000 acres of wild forest, this park has been labeled the "Adirondacks of Central New York". It really is something and the Skyline Lodge is awesome.  Once inside, it was time to get those snowshoes on and race.


The Race!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Go Get him" was my mantra playing in my head at the Highland Forest 10k Snowshoe Race

To begin the race, I did in fact lead everyone off course which I take the blame for!  

It was a cold morning with temperatures maybe with a high of 10 and with the wind like minus 5-10. Thankfully the Highland Forest course is all in the woods so the windchill would not be too much of a factor. I had my usual warm-up and prepared for a fast race. As this year was the New York State Snowshoe Championships, I was expecting the best talent out there.  After the last race at the Cockadoodle Shoe, I was primed for a fast performance and I wanted to run controlled and strong, not to mention a smart race.  From the gun I was in the lead running a nice pace. It was great to actually have some soft snow versus the potholing experience at the Cockadoodle Shoe which was disaster for me. Once the initial wrong course maneuver was fixed (which I thought something was off but I saw Eric Sambolec who has run this race many times and I thought if he is following then surely this is the right way).  I then hear a loud " COLE! Wrong WAY! WRONG WAY COLE!!!"  And as 45 runners were all bunched up, we pretty much just decided that the race had now began right there in the woods.  I resumed the course and yes this new direction was in fact the right way.  It was slow-going through the winding uphill single track. We hit a couple of road crossings with myself in the lead and Eric and another runner pictured above and below in the green Brooks Jacket right on my heels.  I took it easy and ran a relaxing pace.

The Start of the Race!

Kicking up snow!  

MILE 2----- Once the single-track now became the nordic track, I began to open-up my stride.  I still had my Brooks Green Jacket runner right behind me as I was kind of breaking trail which of course is exhausting. I felt fine though and had the plan that because we lost time going off course, I would run more conservative and then put in a huge move to end the race which would be great practice for Nationals.  I hit the downhill sections and floated down them like I enjoy kicking up snow and adding some sizable time to my overall lead. I kept glancing back to see my lead of a few seconds turn into half a minute then to almost a minute.  I hit the last downhill section before the slight uphill and back into the downhill single track.  It felt great to be having a race where I did not feel like I was going to get stuck or do something to ruin my effort.  On a nice section only less than a mile from the 5k point, I made a wrong turn and if it was not for the runner behind me, I would have been lost and would have had a lackluster race so Thank you!  I quickly turned around and sprinted the minute or so to get back onto the trail. Now I was in second.  The Brooks runner gained some time on me here and I fought the last mile to close on him from maybe a full minute deficit to about maybe 3 seconds.

LAP 2----Here is the photo above of us coming out of the woods only steps away from the official 5k mark.  As you can see I was catching up.  As we came out of the woods, our split was 27 minutes or so which was not bad considering we took a half mile detour. That would mean we were on pace with my time last year if not faster by almost 30-60 seconds. This was a great confidence boost knowing I was running a quicker time than last year with the course detour. As we merged onto the uphill single track I was almost caught up with first place. I surged on sections he looked like he was halting and was able to pull-up right on him. On some sections he would try to gap me, but I held my ground. Out of the single track we hit the nordic section with him kicking snow up into my face and still I remained unfazed. I kept right on his heels all the way until the last turn into the woods for the final say half mile to mile or so.  Something out of the blue happened, he asked me if I wanted to pass. Without hesitation I said "Sure" and proceeded to take the lead. I made a nice move and then meandered through some of the other finishers of the 5k and headed for the finish.  I was preparing my move in the race as I was asked to pass and had now established my finish.

Coming into the last straight, I put the pedal on high and finished the race.  My time was under 51 minutes probably pretty close to last year's time which meant we had run under 8 minutes a mile and what was a perfect day for a race. The snow conditions were not too bad and minus two wrong turns, the race was a lot of fun.

1st and 2nd place!

Myself and Jack!

Fits Socks Shout out--Warm and Dry feet the whole way and never once did I have my sock bunch-up!

THOUGHTS:  This race boosted my confidence. I was worried I did not have it this year for snowshoe running with my mishaps but that I have been feeling nice and relaxed these races and still having tons left in the tank in terms of energy is a great sign.  I think at Nationals running the race smart and controlled with the top pack will work out really well as I sit and wait for my moment to really go for it.  I am fit and even with this super cold winter and lower mileage weeks for me than in most winters, I have had solid quality runs and that is why I think I have kept my fitness much higher than it ever has been.  My next race will be near Valentines day out in Hazelton, PA area at the Pennsylvania State Championships.  I hope to run this race really fast from the get-go maybe 2 miles of control and 4 miles of all-out speed. We will see. I will use that race as my last tune-up before Nationals which I cannot wait for. Last year was so much fun and I think this year will be even greater!


RACE GEAR!!!!!!!!!!




*Mammut Snow Zip (Peridot: warm and kept all the snow from making me wet)
*Acidotic Racing Ball Hat and Acidotic White Tech Longsleeve
*Craft Gunde Windboxer
*Craft Thermal Run Tight
*Craft Hybrid Weather Glove
*Dion 121 Snowshoes with Deep Cleat
*Acidotic Head Buff as handkerchief
*Fits Socks Ultra Light Trail