Subject: Re: Very Looooong Personal Massanutten report @15 min.
Date: Fri, 28 May 1999 23:10:50 EDT
From: Thewashman@aol.com

Folks,

This run is the third 100 mile run in a series of ten that I will be running in 1999.
I am calling my running odyssey the DecaCent (10 one hundred milers).  The
Massnutten Mountains are in western Virginia, one ridge west of the northern
terminus of the Skyline Drive.  The race is mostly on very rocky trails with
about 14 miles of dirt road and 4 miles of asphalt.  There is about 16,700
feet of cumulative climb and an equal amount of descent.  The run has a 36
hour cut-off and is one of my favorite races.  The course is very well marked
and the race director and volunteers are the best anywhere.  The race is put
on by the Virginia Happy Trails Running Club (VHTRC) who are a group of
mostly trail runners from the Washington, DC area.

My wife, Paula, and I purchased a travel trailer for our adventures this year and
this will be the first race that we get to use it.  We left Massachusetts on
Wednesday evening to begin our trip to the race and went as far as a rest
area in Pennsylvania and parked for the night.  The next morning, we were off
for the Skyline Ranch Resort from which the race is started and finished. We
arrived Thursday afternoon and hooked up the trailer and relaxed.  Friday,
when we awoke, people had started to arrive.  After greeting many of my ultra
running friends, it was time for the race briefing.  Ed Demoney, the race
director, gave us all the information and introduce the National Forest
Ranger who told us how to shit in the woods and other important trail
information that we would need to know.  After the briefing, most runners
stayed around for the dinner but Paula and I went into Front Royal and
feasted on Pizza Hut pepperoni pizza, my favorite pre-race meal.  After
eating my fill, we returned to the trailer and prepared for the run.

Since the first two races were on loop courses, I did not need Paula to be my
handler; however, from this race forward, she will be invaluable to me.  I’m
not sure how she does it.  A handler’s job is extremely difficult.  She has
to read the directions to each aid station, find her way there (often in the
dark), wait endlessly for me to come by and all I do is grab some food,
refill my bottles and occasionally change my shoes or clothing.  She
certainly qualifies for sainthood.

At 3:30AM the alarm goes off and I rise to prepare for the day.  I eat some
breakfast bars and two bottles of Conquest Thirst Quencher to super-hydrate before
starting.  I can hear runners arriving as my trailer is very near the
starting line.  At 4:45 I go out to the start and check in.  101 runners are
stating the race.  After Ed gives a blessing, we start the fun.  The first
2.4 miles is in the dark on a paved road so most runners do not yet turn on
their flashlights.  The energy is high and the day starts out relatively cool
and comfortable.  We soon reach the first aid station, which I bypass, and
turn onto the trail.  I pull my Mini-Mag light out of my fanny pack since it
won’t be light for at least twenty minutes or so.  We constantly climb for
the first couple of miles and I am following Chris Scott (CA) who is a VHTRC
member but who has moved to California.  He is talking about the four-day
stage event that he directed in February.  I wished that I had been able to
attend.  It sure sounded like fun.  Just before we reach the top of the
climb, it becomes bright enough to put away the light.  When we crest the
hill, the first overlook gives us a great view of Fort Valley.  Although we
have topped out on this climb, there is still some more uphill to do before
we reached the absolute top.  Once  there, the trail is literally on the top
of the ridge.  There are excellent views to both the west and the east.  The
trail is extremely rocky at his point and one has to stop to enjoy the views
to keep from taking a tumble or spraining an ankle.  I take it easy through
this section because I know that there will be more than enough sections to
run that I don’t need to waste my energy on this rough part.  Sooner than
expected, I reach the left turn to head down to the Shawl Gap aid station.
Anstr Davidson (VA) from the VHTRC is there
directing traffic and making sure we all make the turn.  Just after leaving Anstr and
starting down the hill, it gets so dark I almost need to pull out my
flashlight again.  It
looks like this year’s thunder storm will come on the first day.  There has
been a strong thunder storm for every race except last year (which was the
wettest year as it rained for three weeks prior to the race).  The storm
struck hard and I was glad that I had started down the hill and was not still
on the ridge.  It poured heavily and I was soaked in seconds.  At first, I
was cold but because I was going downhill and I was running, I warmed up
quickly and the rain didn’t really bother me much.  I also knew that it
wasn’t going to get any colder so I just became a kid again running through
the puddles.  Since I couldn’t stay dry, why bother avoiding the water.  I
reached the aid station and Paula had full water bottles and a jelly sandwich
waiting for me.  I didn’t change clothes since they would be just as wet as
soon as I put them on.

Off I went eating my sandwich as I ran down the dirt road toward the Veach Gap
aid station.  Unfortunately, because of the rain, Gerry Wales, who runs the
aid station, couldn’t get her stove going and I wasn’t able to eat any of her
famous grilled cheese sandwiches.  I just grabbed a turkey sandwich and
headed up the Big Blue Trail back toward the ridge.  The rain was slowing to
a drizzle by this time and the climb back up to the ridge is not very steep
here.  In the revolutionary war, soldiers created this road to haul cannons
over to hide in Fort Valley.  Obviously the trail has deteriorated much since
then but it wasn’t a bad climb.  And because of the rain, it wasn’t too hot
either.  Once on the ridge we are back on the Massanutten Mountain East
Trail.  We follow it south on rolling, very rocky trails to the next aid
station at Milford Gap.  The aid station supplies for this one had to be
brought up in four-wheel-drive vehicles from Fort Valley.  The old
Massanutten Mountain Massacre 50 miler used to come up this road and go
out-and-back in both directions from this point.  After this aid station, we
run along a rough double-track trail to the Indian Grave Ridge trail.  We
then start down a very steep twisty, rooted trail for over half a mile.
After that, the trail goes gradually downhill for more than a mile of good
running.  When it comes out on a dirt road, we turn right and follow it for a
couple of miles to the Habron Gap aid station.  I arrive at Habron Gap (24.5
miles) at 10:45.  Just slightly slower than last year.  I was feeling good
but was running out of Succeed electrolyte capsules.  I had forgotten to
order a new supply and was rationing what I had.  After I started using them,
I have been able to drink only water and have not been sick to the stomach
since.  I was able to bum a handful from someone (I want to thank him again
but do not know who he was).

The climb up the Habron Gap Trail is usually the first really tough climb.  It is
usually quite warm and the climb is very steep.  The good thing is that the
climb is only just over a mile long.  Today was cooler than other years but
was still rather warm.  I  struggled up the hill without stopping and reached
the top nearly out of breath.  I was worn out by the climb and decided to
just power walk for a while until I recovered.  The trail rolls significantly
until it reaches the out-and-back climb to the Kennedy Peak tower.  Runners
are required to climb the tower and, to make sure it is done, you must read
and memorize the famous historical quote that the VHTRC club writes upon a
paper plate tacked to the tower.  The famous historical quote for this year
was “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.”  After a good chuckle,
I looked out at the fantastic view from the tower.  This is the first time
since the first year that you could see anything but fog from the tower and I
was enjoying it.  Eventually I had to leave and headed back down the trail
and left on the Massanutten Mountain Trail heading toward the Overlook aid
station.  The trail from Kennedy Peak to the overlook is generally downhill
or flat and, except for a few spots, is very runnable.  Last year at the aid
station they had cold jello in the shape of cars.  This year they weren’t
car-shaped but they sure did taste cool and refreshing.  After leaving the
aid station you turn back into the trail for a fast mile or so of downhill
running to where the handlers were waiting at Camp Roosevelt.  My brother had
come down from Maryland to meet me there and I probably spent too much time
visiting because Fred Davis picked up a rock and threatened to throw it at me
if I didn’t get moving.  I got the hint and off I ran.

This section is very runnable for a while with a few stream crossings.  There is a
good chance of getting the feet wet here.  After a few miles the trail goes
to the right and climbs gradually but constantly for more than a mile with a
few switch-backs.  After reaching the top, it immediately drops down for over
a mile to the Gap Creek aid station.  This section was extremely wet last
year and this year was only slightly better.  The worst part about going down
this trail is that, once you reach the aid station,  you turn around and come
back up the trail for nearly a mile before turning right and heading for
Waterfall Mountain.  At the aid station, I waded through the creek to clean
my Montrail Vitesse shoes and then took them off and put on my Asics 2040’s.
Climbing back up the hill, I walked through the briars trying to keep my
shoes dry.  I knew that the trail would be dry after this point for quite a
while so I felt it would be worth the effort.  Once you make the right hand
turn, the trail is runnable for a few miles until you start down a rocky old
stream bed.  At this point, you are on the same trail that you will be coming
up after the Massanutten South loop.  I passed Scott Mills (who directs the
Bull Run Run 50) coming back up the trail.  He is in fourth place and is
looking pretty good.  I also see Aki Inoue from Canada who is moving pretty
well also.  I tell him that he should finish at just under 25 hours if he
keeps it up like he is now.  I pass John Geesler from New York who
has finished this race all four times so far, winning the first year and
finishing under 24 hours in the first three.  He is not feeling well but is
toughing it out as he usually does.  At the bottom of the stream bed, the
trail splits from the two-way section and we start up the dreaded Waterfall
Mountain trail.  I’m not sure why this climb is so tough.  It might be
because comes at about 40 miles into the race during the hottest part of the
day.  Last year it was the coolest it has been and the climb was tolerable.
This year wasn’t too bad and I managed to make it to the top without
stopping.  As I neared the top, I ran into Long Vu (OK) who was going to call
it quits at the Visitors’ Center.  I told him to just change his shoes like
he had planned and try the next section before dropping but his  mind was
made up.  The climb up Waterfall had claimed another victim.  The second and
third years, I was felled by this mountain.  Once the hill is crested, it is
a runnable downhill to an unmanned water station just before stepping unto
the road to the Visitors’ Center.  The water was very cold and I drank quite
a bit as I started along the road.  The first part of the road is slightly
uphill but I was able to run most of it.  I seldom run any uphill sections
but I just felt good.  I ran all the way to the visitors’ Center where I took
a quick break and ate some pudding and some great chocolate cookies that
they had.

The next section is mostly an out-and-back section to the turn around at the
southern-most part of the race which is called Bird Knob.  The climb up to
Bird Knob is a steep climb through huge boulders with a few blow downs to go
under.  After more than a mile of climb, you reach the top and are treated to
more great views.  In a matter of minutes of running (if you can still run
after the climb) you reach the aid station.  I had a few potato chips and
then found the perfect long distance sugar rush.  They had Tootsie Roll Pops.
I took one and was able to suck on it, getting the slow constant sugar rush,
nearly all the way down the hill to the next aid station at route 211 East.
Just before getting to the aid station, I was joined by James Moore (VA). It
was getting dark and he was looking for someone with whom to run through the
night.  Before we reached the aid station, we had to get out our lights.  I
always keep my Mini-Mag in my fanny pack in case I do not quite reach the
next aid station before it gets dark.  And it was very dark this evening.
Eventually we reached the highway and Paula had gone to get me a burger and
fries.  I ate the double cheeseburger and some of the fries and was ready to
go.  I decided to wait until the next aid station to change my clothes.  I
yelled to James that I was ready and off we went.

I don’t usually run with anyone but James wanted some company throughout the
night and, after last year’s experience on the Short Mountain section, I
didn’t mind the company at all.  After crossing the highway, we started up a
dirt road which eventually became trail.  Soon we were where the trail to
Waterfall Mountain turns off and we started up the river bed.  For some
reason, when I suggested we do Waterfall again, James wasn’t up for it.  We
had come down this section hours ago and knew that the upper part of the
climb was going to be tough.  We trudged on until we finally reached the top
and the trail leveled off.  I had gotten slightly ahead of James at that
point as I try not to stop while climbing up hills.  I feel that, if I stop,
it will be that much harder to get going again.  If I keep going, I keep
whatever momentum I have all the way to the top.  Soon we turned left off the
two-way trail and started down to the Scothorn Gap aid station.  As we were
going down, we came upon a runner who was having a bad time.  He was going to
stop at Scothorn.  We were able to run down the hill to the aid station and
gained some time on the cut-offs.  We were worried when we found out that we
were only 45 minutes under the cut-off at the highway when we left there but
we were more than an hour under the cut-off at Scothorn.  I met Paula and
changed my shorts and shirt.  It wasn’t cold and I was still moving pretty
well, so I just put on another short sleeve shirt and put on some light
weight gloves.  As we started down the road, we hooked up, off and on, with
Jamie Hurley (OH), Harry Smith(PA) and Matt Mahoney(FL).  The section from
Scothorn to route 730 is almost all runnable.  Last year, the section, just before we
came out to the road, was a knee deep smelly and unavoidable swamp.  This
caused me to have a down spell before entering the Short Mountain section.
This year, we were able to get around it.  When we exited the trail, we made
a left and climbed what seemed like forever up a dirt road to the aid
station.  We sat a few minutes and I had a cup of hot chocolate before
starting the next section.  I knew what was coming up and was not in a hurry
to get started.  But James and I finally pulled ourselves up and started
along the trail.

Short Mountain is anything but short.  It is, however, a mountain in every since of
the word.  The climb is not any higher than many of the other climbs we did
in the race but almost the entire way up the hill it is like someone found
all the rocks in the world and just dumped them on the trail.  There was
nowhere you could walk that your feet weren’t rocking to one side or the
other.  Once the climb is finally completed, the rocks do not end.  Once you
reach the top there are only small rolling hills to climb and descend which
wouldn’t normally bother anyone; however, they seem to go on endlessly and
the rocks never relent.  Jamie came along and passed us along with a couple
of other runners but we kept plodding.  After nearly four hours we started
down to Edinburg Gap.  This was over half an hour faster than I did this
section last year.  The trail was marked much more often than last year plus
I had help following the trail this year.  Near the end of the section,
James’ flashlight battery went out and I gave him my Mini-Mag to get him
through the section instead of bothering to change his batteries.  It would
be light by time we left Edinburg.  I arrived at Edinburg Gap at 5:45, nearly
45 minutes behind last year.

The climb out of Edinburg last year was like climbing on grease with the slippery
mud; however, this year, the climb was fairly dry.  Bill Wandel started up
the hill with us but he soon was out of sight.  Once we reached the top and
recovered from the climb, we tried to power walk.  This section is not tough
but, after being out here for more than 24 hours, it’s not easy.  At about 80
miles, I got a second wind.  James was lagging behind and just before I
reached the Woodstock Tower aid station he was out of sight behind me.  We
had told each other that, if one of us felt good, to go ahead and not wait up
for the other.  I knew he would understand but I felt bad leaving him.
Coming into Woodstock, I started doing the math and realized that, if I could
keep moving at the rate I was moving now, I could beat my time from the first
year which was an hour faster than last year’s time.  This was all the
motivation I needed.  I flew through the aid station dropping off my gloves
and raced on down the trail.  Gary Knipling snapped my picture as I left the
station, an action photo.  He had dropped earlier and was crewing for his son
Keith who was just ahead of me.  I flew past him and down the trail.

The section after Woodstock Tower is flat to rolling but not difficult.  It is still
rocky but not nearly as bad as what we had run on previously.  Just before
the Powell’s Fort aid station we turn right a head downhill and then turn
left onto a dirt road.  I passed five runners between Woodstock Tower and
Powell’s Fort.  I passed two more at the aid station.  I just refilled my
bottles and got moving.  I was barely making the times I knew I had to make
to beat my race PR and was still feeling great.  Going along the road to the
reservoir, I passed two more runners.  As I cut back into the trail by the
reservoir, I passed Harry Smith again just before starting up the next to the
last climb.  I was charging up the hill.  There is a  switch-back just before
the top and then the hill climbs straight to the top.  Just before reaching
the top I heard a clicking sound.  At first, I thought it might be some
grasshoppers off in the weeds but then I stopped dead in my tracks.  I knew
what it was.  We were discussing them just yesterday on the trail.  I looked
down and, only a foot from my feet, was a rattlesnake.  It was coiled and
rattling and ready to strike but it didn’t and I jumped back a few feet.
This was the first time I had ever encountered a rattlesnake in the wild but,
instead of being frightened, I was pissed.  This snake was making me miss my
PR.  I had been working very hard these last 12 miles and this snake was
blowing the whole thing.  I couldn’t get around it because there was an
uphill on the left and a downhill on my right.  I started throwing stones at
it to scare it off the trail but that didn’t work.  I then tried to crush it
with larger rocks when Harry came up the trail.  He was wondering what all
the noise and commotion was.  He could hear the stones bouncing off of the
other rocks.  He told me not to kill it but rather to find a stick and push
it off the trail.  In my dulled brain, that never occurred to me.  I found a
stick and moved it off the trail and was soon on my way.  After cresting the
hill I was ready to crush the downhill on the other side and try and get some
of my time back.  I was sure the encounter with the snake had blown any
chance of a PR but I still wanted to try.  When I started down the hill,
whatever had clicked on at mile 80 had clicked off at mile 92 after the snake
problem.  Harry passed me and soon after him John DeWalt went flying by.  I
had passed him shortly after Woodstock Tower.  I pushed with what I had left
and finally reached the Elizabeth Furnace aid station.  I had some fruit and
cold water and began the final climb.  I could smell the barn now.

From Elizabeth Furnace you climb about two miles to where I had seen
Anstr the morning before.  On the climb, I passed Phil Wright (CA) whose back
was bothering him but he was determined to finish.  He had finished the first
four Massanutten 100’s and he was going to make this one too.  I charged down
the other side and pushed as hard as I was able.  The math told me that, if I
pushed, I could break 34 hours.  That would be a course PR (the course was
changed last year) but not beat my race PR set on the course before Short
Mountain was added.  Small victories.  I pushed as hard as I could and
refused to slow my pace.  I came out of the woods and made the small climb to
the bridle path through the woods to the field near the finish.  I ran all
the way across the field to the finish and made it in 33:57:28.  What a long
strange trip that was.

After blitzing the Catalina Island 100K recently, Ian Torrence (CA) came to fly
through this course and won the race in 19:16:27, a time that was even more
remarkable to me than Courtney Campbell’s race record of 18:21.  Courtney was
not lucky enough to have had to do the Short Mountain section which nearly
adds an hour to your time.  However, Ian did have the advantage, over most of
us, in being able to run Short Mountain in the daylight.  Debbie Berner (PA)
won the women’s division in 25:48:14, just missing Sue Johnston’s course
record set last year of 25:32.  I’m sure it won’t be long before we have our
first sub-24 hour woman on this course.  However, if the race director has
his way and keeps adding more difficult trail sections, we may not have
anybody under 24 hours.  I want to thank the VHTRC for putting on a
fantastic
race on a  difficult course in the beautiful mountains of the George
Washington National Forest. I’ll be back.

Talk Later,
Jeff Washburn