Cresting The Summit!: USATF

Let me start by talking about 0Spf. This race was a USATF Niagara Half Marathon Championship with some decent prize money for a local trail race. The top Men and Women looked pretty solid and I hoped with a month away from Manitous Revenge, I could run a decent race and feel more confident about how my season has been going. Sadly, I am still a ways off from being perfect with my ankle and this race I may had aggravated the healing process. I was very fortunate to make the trip out to Rochester area to run this race and to compete for some prize money. My training since Manitous' had been progressing nicely and I felt that a half marathon trail race could not do me in too much. I had also been feeling that my ankle was improving in strength and dexterity. This course was a rolling course of lovely single track through the hidden points of a large shopping area. It was shaping up to be a great race and I was excited to run fast after doing most of my training on the roads.

Once the race started, I decided to hang near the front until the first large move. The move came around mile 2 as Daven pushed the pace and then I followed. Soon, Kip a Stotan Racer took to the lead as we were flying down the trail at sub 6:30 pace. The winding narrow trail was starting to make me wary about my ankle so I began to tone it down pace wise. It was at the second to last aid station on the way out where I cranked my ankle hard on a steep descent and still tried to run but I could sense my race ending early.

At Chair Hill-- Heading out feeling alright

Photo Credits (Trailsroc)

Myself power hiking up the hill--(Ankle is too hurt and had to throw in the towel)

What transpired was I wanted to see how I could hang at least until the turn around. I had poured some water on myself before the turn around and then I knew that after the turn, that I had to drop. My ankle was pounding and I could feel every nerve in my foot screaming out. It was not good. The photo above shows how I felt. I headed to the next aid station and through in the towel. I would have loved to compete in the race but for my first DNF, I knew that with how I felt, dropping out was the right decision.

I am not much of the DNF type of person as I feel finishing is always the number one goal, but as I continue to build strength into my ankle, I know that the DNF was the smart decision.

It was great to be apart of the event even if it was for a short time. It was great to see such talent run so well and have like 5 people break the old course records for men and women. Great job to everyone out there.

I also had the chance to check out the North Face store and talk with the staff there. They were very knowledgable and fun. Overall, I was glad I made the trip and it was a great time to spend it with so many wonderful people. TrailsRoc put on some great races and runs and Rochester Area should be grateful to have such passionate people.

Here are my photos from the Event:

North Face Sale!

The Start

So where does that lead me…

Run 1: Route 41A

This was a hot and muggy day where the creek was so lovely to jump into at the turnaround to get some extra refreshment before I high-tailed it back.

Run Two: Tuller Hill State Forest--Access Roads

New Mammut MTR Long Shorts and MTR 141's

Because of my ankle, I have been limited from running trails hard and have used the rocky seasonal access roads as my trails primarily because they offer a little of uneven surfaces without the risk of cambered sections which has given my ankle a little of a workout with impeding the healing process.

Run 3---Labrador Hollow Unique Area: Crazy Adventure

SO how have things been going with my ankle. I must say that this medial sprain has become a pain in my side as I still want to keep training but I have been very careful: icing, running with an ankle brace and sticking to the roads. My ankle has begun to heal and I am optimistic that I will be in good health come September. I need the time to rest the ankle and really strengthen it. For example, my trail run at Labrador Hollow, I ran very slow to not hurt my ankle but wanted to test it on some uneven terrain. It is nowhere near where I would like it to be but in a solid week of taking it easy, I have felt much better. I am taking it day by day. In the meantime, I am trying to enjoy the rest of summer and get some fun and adventurous running in. I plan on my days off to explore new areas I have yet to do. I feel that some of these new locales can help pick-up my spirits as I work to get myself back into form. I will be running the Wildcat Romp 50k as a 50 miler I feel is too risky for myself right now but I am itching to run a race and see how I fare. I am excited about testing my new Carboom! Energy Gels in a race scenario and I am excited to showcase the rehab I have done on my ankle since the 0SPF injury.

Mammut is also coming out with some amazing products for Spring/Summer 2015. Be on the lookout on this blog for some sneak peaks. The new redesign of our footwear is going to place Mammut on the Map as well as the new innovative apparel and run accessories. Super excited. I hope everyone is enjoying the summer.

This weekend, I will be running the Mendon Ponds 50k Nov, 2nd to ensure I keep my lead in the USATF Niagara Ultra Running Series Points standings.

It is going to be a great experience running with some solid NY talent: Here is Tom Perry (Can-lake 50 race director)'s post on the event:

"The online registration for the Mendon Trail Runs is SOLD OUT for the first time ever. The 50K has 133 pre-registered entrants... Double WOW. The 20K has 82 pre-registered; the 10K has 63 and the (longer than) 5K has 18 signed up.
The 50K has some real horses: Cole Crosby who won Virgil Crest and Can Lake (both 50 milers in new course records), Daven Oskvig (Mendon 50K record holder), Jim Sweeney from Albany (frequent ultra winner). Local stars Phil Nesbitt, Ed Housel, Ted Thull and GRTC President Wilt Alston (in what we believe will be his first ultra) are in the field"

This event is turning out to be historic and I am so lucky to be apart of the history.

I do not know how the race will play out on Saturday but with it being my last ultra of the year for 2013, I might as well go for it. What do I have to lose?

The race is over and let me tell you my legs are feeling it today! It was a hard fought race where the pace we went out in was under 7 minute pace at many points. I kept that pace until my GPS watch died around the end of Lap 2 into Lap 3.

The race course was actually deceptively challenging. The continuous ups and downs really got to you by laps 4 and 5 of the course. The course being a lovely wooded section with hardly any roots and great trail conditions made for a fast day out there. The rain towards the end did in fact take away from quick foot speed but by that point, I think everyone was ready to finish like myself included. I had a great time running a 50k which in comparison to a 50 miler is much different than going that additional 20 or so miles in a 50 miler. The 50k race started out hot from the get-go with Daven leading the way. I hung behind assessing our pace and just having fun. At times my watch would read 6 minute pace and other times we were near mid to low 7's just depending on a hill or a downhill or flat section. We were running strong. I felt fairly fluid throughout the run. We kept pace for the whole first loop. Myself running a second or two behind Daven. I wanted to see the course so that I would not get lost or confused later on when I knew I would be tired. We went through the first 10k aid station point and then continued on lap 2. Somewhere in Lap 2 we continued to run together and with our blistering 6 minute range pace even on the uphills and then by about mile two in lap 2, I caught even with Daven and then kept going at that fast pace.

Thanks to Tom Perry For these awesome photos:

Making the climb near mile 2 of the race 1st loop of the 50k

Loop 1

Ready to take my Jacket off!

Loop 2

Loop 2 at this point in the photo, I had kept going at that fast pace and just focused on being relaxed. I knew I was already primed to run well so even I was going to tank in the race, I was going to be happy with my performance regardless. The winding trails of Mendon were a lot of fun. The uphills were a challenge later on in the race and the cool weather I think allowed for me to run quick as I enjoy colder weather. The rain made it even cooler on the last loop. And so the games begun. I was running relaxed going up and down the hills of Mendon.

Loop 3

*By Loop 3, I was in a rhythm except for the fact that my GPS watch died in the second lap past the 5k aid station. I had no idea what pace I was running so I was running quick. I took my gels at this point to get some calories and sugar going and my stomach was actually a little off this run. I had some indigestion from the Hammer Heed which I do not totally love but I fought through it. At this point, I was starting to feel the beginning signs of fatigue but nothing too tough. I also was not enjoying the fact that it was a loop course and I still had 2+ more loops to go.

Loop 4

By Loop 4, the saying goes "The wheels have come off the bus". I was fatigued. From the 20 mile point to the 31 mile point, my legs had enough. I was not running downhills fast and efficient. I was clopping and having loud footstrikes. I used gels to help keep me going and man I got really hungry this loop too. I was ready for an aid station to manifest a yummy cheeseburger. It was during this time that I thought of all of the hard work that has been put in to get myself to this point. I think of myself as an average 25 year old: going to graduate school, trying to figure out life. My only difference is I love to run and run I shall! This Fall has been a culmination of hard work. Getting into Ultra running, I never thought I would be able to thrive in the sport so quickly but I have just listened to my body and been as smart as I could on the day. Here I was on my fourth lap of a 50k running under course record pace after running both the Virgil Crest Ultra 50 miler in end of September the Can-Lake 50 in October 12 and two weeks later a 50k. I would not do this again in terms of race running. I did not have enough time to recover and then train to build fitness again. You need at least a month for that training to increase your performance.

Loop 5

Loop 5, I lost tons of time in the race. I had trouble powering my legs on the ups and the downhill sections I just managed a crawl. I was running ok but my early pace had finally caught up with me. And with 6 miles to go, anything could happen. The rain began to fall and I was like NOOOO! By this moment, the trails were a little muddy and you had to be a little cautious on the descents. I stopped at the last aid station to drink some water and power it home. Those last three miles I think I actually started to feel better. I knew I was about to finish and my legs responded a little better than lap 4.
I hit the final section of trail heading across the road and into the finish. I knew I had the race and kicked it in like it was a 5k. It felt great to cap off such a season!

THE FINAL KICK TO THE FINISH!!!!!!!

Kicking with track speed!

With this finish I came in at 3:41:55 under the 3:52 previous course record. It was an incredible year and Fall season of running. I never thought in my wildest dreams I would be able to get myself this fit. I won the USATF Niagara Ultra Running Series with 351 points which I think might be the highest point total to date. Now I have to wait to get a sweet winner's jacket in the upcoming weeks. And what is exciting is that I still have tons of time to build and grow. I am brand new to Ultra running and this year has shown some success and I cannot wait to build on it for 2014.

Items Used For Race:

Ultimate Direction Scott Jurek Bottle
Ultimate Direction Essential Belt
6 GU Roctane Gels
3 Cups of Water
1 Cup of Heed (it made my stomach funny)
1 20oz bottle of GU Brew it start the race
Acidotic Racing Head Buff
Mammut MTR 201 Pro Low (Spring 2014 release)
Mammut Active Cap (Black)
Mammut MTR 201 Longsleeve Zip
Mammut MTR 141 Thermo Longsleeve Zip
Mammut Go-Far Hoody
Mammut MTR 71 shorts
Mammut MTR 201 Micro Jacket
Zensah Calf Sleeves

So what it comes down to now is what do I do next? Well, for starters, I am going to take some time off and just enjoy running. Build that base and get ready for snowshoe season. Might I do a turkey trot for fun, yeah why not! I can say that it has been a great journey and I really appreciate all the support.

I would love to have everyone voice their opinions on what races I should place on my calendar for 2014. I am looking for 2-3 High Profile 50 milers for 2014 with some space inbetween them. Here has been some of my thoughts so far.

Lake Sonoma 50 Miler in California in April

Cayuga Trails 50 Miler in Ithaca, NY (Redemption Race)

Tussey Mountainback 50 Mile Road Championships (October)

JFK 50 mile Road (November)

I have other races of interest such as the Adirondack Marathon, the ADK 80k, Manitou's Revenge, Stonecat 50 miler. If you have any suggestions of races you would like to see me at, I would love to hear your thoughts!

Top Three at Mendon!

Race Results: http://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=19386

Thank you to everyone at USATF Niagara, New York Ultra racers, Mammut, Acidotic Racing, Karhu, Craft, Fits Socks, Dion Snowshoes and Confluence Running/Finger Lakes Running for giving me the support and time to have an incredible year! Thank you to my father, my family, and my love and inspiration, Ashlee Prewitt for all the support she gives!