The Last man Running ! - Holiday Lake 50K++ - The first Ultra Story !

         Exactly one year ago this week, I moved to Richmond. I was NOT a runner then or knew a person who was. In fact, I never been to a running event or ran for more than 15 mins even on a tread mill. Flash forward a year I was ready for my first ultra marathon. And what a memorable snow ultra it turned out to be. My longest, hardest, most painful and extraordinary run till date. 33.26 miles (53.5 km) of pure adventure.

So...why?
I thought about doing an ultra since I finished my first marathon in Richmond in Nov., but couldn't find enough courage to register. I am not fast, my marathon pace is 11:30ish and worse on trails. So it was a hard decision to make. But as luck would have it, in one of racing events on New year day, Tammy (my most awesome team mate) told that she is planning to run her first ultra at Holiday Lake, which is good for beginners. That gave me confidence, and after giving some more thought i finally registered for my first ultra. Days leading to the race I read every mail by Dr. Horton (the race director), race reviews from previous years and prepared cautiously, recovering from my (delicate) ankle injury in Charleston marathon.

In the Horton's world (#Pre- Race)
On pre-race day evening, I reached Holiday Lake Park to collect my Bib. It was a good sunny day but still there was snow all around the place (except roads Thankfully). Everything was neatly arranged and after getting the bib and T-shirt, I was assigned a bunk bed in one of bunkhouses with 17 more runners, which later turned out to be great as i got really good pointers from experienced ultra runners and seeing their pre-race rituals was fantastic. At dinner table, i met with an ultra runner Victor and his supportive wife from Newport news, who gladly shared their experiences with me.
And, now it was time for famous (yes, i read about it) Dr. Horton's race briefing. Dr. Horton has lot of energy, his humor on-the-edge and his briefing sharp. After a much enjoyed briefing session, it was time to hit the bed. Did i mention, it was the first time i slept in a bunk bed.

Image a. The bunk bed for the night   b. Dr Horton's pre-race briefing

Morning happened early, like 4:30 early. After a refreshing bath, change, bagel and cream cheese breakfast, i was ready for the run. I met Ralph Gibbs, who incidentally was in the same bunkhouse. This is the third we met in an event. Small world of runners. I also found Alan and Tammy, and was really glad to see them.

Leg #1 - Its a good morning 

Image -  At the starting line

Around 6:20 Dr. Horton called runners to the starting line. It was drizzling and slight chill was in the air. Runners headlamps and reflective gears created a small light show at the start.

Image - It was this dark for a while

Without much ado, it was 'Get, set, Go' on time, and the race started. After first half mile on paved road we entered the narrow snow covered trails. For another 1.5 miles of gentle slope around lake I followed the single line of runners and then maintained my pace in the elevation after that. There was snow all around which created some fantastic views early morning. The field begin to spread now, I passed a few runners,chatted a little, took a few pictures and moved on.I was committed not to look at my watch, so it was good to see first aid station earlier than expected.

 Image - The trail

Image - End of first leg

Leg #2 - The wounded generous lady

Image - The second leg trail

The next 2.5 miles were easy with gentle slopes and i was rather careful not to wet my shoes (I know that's funny now) till i saw this wide stream. I hesitated for a minute seeing other runners just crossing in knee deep water, but then i crossed. The water was really cold which took away all the heat i built up in my legs. So i started running a little faster to get the blood flow back.

 Image - The knee deep stream

After a few minutes i saw ruckus ahead, a group of runners walking together like holding something. As i came near I realized it was an injured runner (Amy) who broke her right leg (later i found she  broke her tibia and fibula) just before the stream. I assisted the group in carrying her till the next aid station. Even in so much pain, Amy asked me to go ahead when i mentioned it was my first ultra. Such a generous lady. And it was exceptional to see the camaraderie between ultra runners. I met Tammy and Alan at the second aid station, which was offering wonderful hot soup with noodles.

                                                Image - Tammy and I at Aid-station #2

Leg #3 - The breeze

  Image - Wider trails in Leg #3

The trails were wider in the third leg but covered in snow. So i stick to the snow trails made by faster runners. The third leg was relatively easy with lot of easy downhills. I felt good and was still not looking at my watch. When i reached the aid station #3 i was relatively confident to reach the turn-around in good time. I asked the volunteer to take a quick picture and moved on to the 4th leg.

 Image - At aid-station #3

Leg #4 - The hard way
What i did not realize that how hard was the 4th leg. It was mostly narrow single trail with slippery snow, mud, steep slopes and on top fast runners coming back on the reverse loop. Every runner encouraged each other while passing "Good Job", "Nice work" "Way to go" "A little more" helped me continue on tough 4th leg. 4th leg included a steep slope, where it was required to hold on to something to stop rolling down the hill. A frozen bridge, where it was must to hold on to the rails, and angled trails, which made it hard to find footing. I added 2.5 minutes to my pace before reaching the turn-around aid station.

 Image - The Holiday Lake, which ironically is in hardest leg

Image - The slippery frozen bridge

Leg #5 - Who's up for real test
As i turned for 5th leg, my legs jammed. Probably i stopped for too long or my mind started playing games. But after 2 marathons i know that's inevitable, so i kept moving, albeit slowly. My target was to just reach the next aid station as I felt much better till that point. So again back through frozen bridge, angled trails but this time i walked more. After 2 miles i reached that steep slope which was now a steep hill in reverse leg. I was already dreading before starting to climb. I looked around and found a heavy stick and started climbing. The stick really helped to move faster and by the time i finished the hill, my lungs were on fire. So i walked some more.

Image - After the hill selfie :)

I was clocking around 18 min/mile which was not a good sign, and now i could hear few runners from a distance. I reached the aid-station pretty beat. 20+ miles on such trails was the last thing i expected. I looked at the trails ahead in hope, but found a straight hill. Another runner (later i got his name - Alan Z.) reached the aid station, as started for the hill.


Leg #6 - Follow and be saved

Image - The icy slush trail

I walked fast to the hill top, but inside i was losing in the mind game. I couldn't see a good argument to carry on. For the next mile, I was clocking 20 min mile which was as good as going back to aid station and say ' No more'. All the snow was now turned to icy mud slush, which was really hard to walk and the freezing water with cold breeze making my feet numb.The only thing which was holding me was the thought 'DNF? No injury! Just tired. Really? - All Go. No quit'.  And then Alan Z.  passed me, he was doing Galloway. And then i blocked my thoughts, turned my focus to his legs (Yes, just his legs), instead of looking at the trail ahead, i started following his steps, to the point of placing my foot at the same place. Without looking anywhere i just followed him for 2.5 miles. We clocked 17 min/mile now, and i was feeling much better. I looked at the watch it was around 1:10 at the aid station #6.We saw a sweeper pulling out the yellow signs, which meant we were the last ones and still 8 more miles to go.

Image - The oasis #6

Leg #7 - Catch me if you can!
I couldn't dream of being DNF like this, so i started running faster. The trail was much better ahead with some paved road and less snow. I left Alan Z. behind. I felt kind of bad but moved on. For next one mile I clocked almost 12 min/mile. 7 more to go. I crossed the freezing stream from the deep end this time, and realized it was a mistake.Later i saw two runners ahead. I started following them and found it was Ralph Gibbs who was helping Sara in finishing her first ultra marathon. That was great for me as trails were turning bad again, and now i have company who just want to finish first ultra.At this point my watch showed low-battery sign, so i saved the miles and reset it. We kept encouraging each other and reached the last aid station with 4 more miles and 1 hour 15 mins to go. Easy right.

Image - The marathon distance done.

Leg #8 - Is it Anti-Climax?
Well, not so fast. We waited at aid station a little too long, and my legs jammed again. I still ran a mile with them but i was getting slower. And this was not mental this time. I already did 30 miles, which is 4 miles more than i ever did. I could feel cramp building up in my calf and hamstring. I had to go slow now. Ralph and Sara moved ahead, they were encouraging me to run but i could just say 'Carry On, Go'. The trails around the lake were all covered with icy slush now. I dint have any way to know how much more i need to go now because of watch reset. I was walking through treacherous trails as fast as i can, and thinking if Dr. Horton will call me finisher if i finish few minutes after (i was expecting 9:10). Now, my watch was dead too, so there was no way of knowing anything. I kept moving ahead, and after don't know how long i saw some orange gibberish, it was nearly ran over sign on snow "ONE MILE TO GO". Relief !


Last Mile

Image - "ONE MILE TO GO". Relief !

From the trail,I could see cars going away, means people already leaving, which could also mean the race is done. I reached the paved road section, i knew its around .5 miles more from here. I started running again. Drivers waved as cars passed by (i think it was encouragement) and then someone called "Go On. You still have time" Really? I thought. I could see the finish line turn in downhill now, means its very near. I see Victor and his wife waving me "You did it". I could see the finish line now. I high-five'd Ralph and Sara and pushed forward.  I now saw many people (runners, volunteers) cheering for me when i crossed the finish line and Dr. Horton said "We have a finisher. 4 minutes to go" which meant i finished 8:56.

Who am I?

Image -  The newly minted ultra runner

Probably last, but still i finished, i thought. And then i saw Alan Z. finishing the race. Now i could let go away the bad feeling. I thanked Dr. Horton for an unbelievable experience and hobbled towards my car. My legs were screaming now. I removed my shoes to change and saw swollen feet which i failed to recognize. But i finished an ultra which meant, I'M AN ULTRA RUNNER now :)

Image -  Screaming feet

Finish