2023-05-21 at 6:00am
50.32 miles (12:18/mile)


Starting at 6am in Montgomery, the first nine miles were easy road miles. Held back on the pace, having had experience from the prior year. Was very briefly in the lead near the beginning, and then a pack of then runners (including Elissa Tubergen) passed by…never to be seen again…

At mile ten, the initial climb began and continued for four miles. Laura Maile and Martin Wileman overtook me at the base of the ascent. The portion was gravel and dirt road, with beautiful woodland as the backdrop. Deliberately did not push uphill but kept a steady pace. At the top, was strangely out of energy…probably due to my initial fueling for the race being depleted. It felt a little like Opposite Day, as Laura and Martin left me behind as they flew down the descent. From the prior year, I knew that the next six or so miles were predominantly downhill, so maintained a middling pace, aimed at conserving energy. Coming down miles eighteen and nineteen, opened up a bit on the road.

Mile twenty marked the beginning of easy park trails. It also included the first bag drop location…where I refueled and changed into trail shoes. Single track trail began just after the bag drop, with a steep climb to gain elevation.

The next five miles were through gorgeous woodland mountain country, ending with a steep switchback road bringing myself, Martin, and Laura down to the high bridge in the New River Gorge National Park.

Once over the lower bridge, another steep climb began on the road at mile twenty-six. Felt absolutely “amazing”…turning back onto single track. Lowest emotional point in the race. Lost sight of Martin and Laura for a while…reestablishing contact with Laura at mile twenty-nine.

Miles thirty and thirty-one were semi-technical park trail. Fatigue was definitely kicked in…and once gain lost sight of Laura, but the out-and-back of miles thirty-two and thirty-three in the cool shade helped to revive.

Going down the steep decline of mile thirty-four, regained sight of Laura as she paused to chat with Raheleh Ghasseminia and Liz Goodman. Caught up with the three of them, whereupon Laura sped up and went (again) out of sight. Played the running game of “back and forth” with Raheleh and Liz, sometimes in the lead and sometimes in the back.

Around mile thirty-seven, Laura was waiting for the three of us, whereupon we ran together until the aid station at mile forty. Raheleh began a solo adventure at that point, with Liz continuing on with Laura and myself.

Knowing that there was only ten miles left put a bit of energy into our steps. Quickly dropping elevation on the road, we were looking forward to the next aid station…where watermelon and quesadilla awaited. While the station was not where it was the prior year, it was just down the trail a half mile or so. The watermelon was delicious…totally making me forget the quesadilla…

Laura set the pace and rest periods for the next eight miles, alternating between heart rate, rest, and completing distances. It was interesting running, keeping me engaged and moving. We came across Whitney StCharles, looking like she was loving life, at mile forty-five. We all had a brief chat at the nearby aid station…at which point, Liz, Laura, and myself pushed on together.

Mile forty-eight marked the final serious climb. Up and up rock steps and switchbacks…was glad to arrive near the top. Shortly after, a set of wooden steps brought the three of us to the actual top.

The last two miles were incredibly runnable, with mile forty-nine in the shaded woods and the final mile on the road. Reaching the finish line and feeling the sense of accomplishment, I was again reminded why we do challenging things…

Thirty-eight minute PR over the prior year. Reminding me not to pre-judge a race. Official time was 10:24:40.7, 12:30/mile pace. Overall, pleased with the result.

Thanks to the many people who accompanied me along the way, and those who made it possible. Special shoutout to Liz Goodman, both for pacing us (?) and keeping is all motivated…and to Laura Maile for running with me for the hardest miles…and to Martin Wileman for the companionship and mentoring over the years…including this one!