NFEC Bear Mountain 50 Mile Trail Run

This was my first ultramarathon, and it won't be my last. This race was one where the only results that I wanted were to finish this 50 mile trail run. The furthest I had run prior to this event was 26.3 miles, so this race required a leap of faith that I was not accustomed to in my training. It gave me butterflies thinking about running almost twice the distance I ever had before.
I started way back in the pack with Paul, who I happened to see minutes before the start. We ran/walked together for about the first 2 miles and then he took off, never to be seen until after the finish line. It's every man for himself in this event... well, sort of. There was a camaraderie on the trails unlike any race I've done before. The people were friendly, optimistic, and willing to share their stories of past feats. The conversations and occasional witty remarks made the my 10.75 hours less painful than it otherwise would have been.

SSAP 2012

SSAP is a beautiful race. All the bicycles are mountain bikes, and all the mountain bikes are single speed, which means you just pedal and steer. Some riders dream of victory, and some laugh at the notion that there can be only one who is victorious when all are riding the same sweet singletrack.
Lessons learned:
1. Long distance running does not make you a fast mountain biker. You probably have to ride with fast    mountain bikers.
2. Don't believe the hype (#1).
3. Long Trail Pale Ale is delicious on tap.
4. Don't roll 33 x 18 if you haven't been training to be a fast mountain biker.
5. MRC mantra: HARDEN THE F UP.

Ode to Schunnemunk

Oh sylvan beast of the Hudson Highlands

You rise up from the earth like a bifurcated spine

From below you are familiar and close

But in your aeries I know you are far

Your rock laden climbs keep me scrambling

Your scree filled trails keep me dancing

Scatter my ashes in the Sweet Clover Hollow

To run among the Lenni Lenape

New Windsor - Trail Epicenter

I love where I live. I'm in close proximity to bad ass trails and some fierce races. Schunnemunk, Stewart, Black Rock, and Storm King are all striking distance from my house. The terrain enough to challenge me when I'm in my best shape.

There are tough races held within 30 miles of home. The Bearscat 50 at Waywayanda, the North Face/Gore-Tex 50 Mile trail race at Bear Mountain, the WC 100 at New Paltz (future NUE race), and of course the Singlespeed-A -Palooza and Dark Horse 40 at Stewart in New Windsor. The S.O.S. Triathalon and the adventure races that NYARA puts on will always be good reasons to train hard.

Kindling

The tinder is lit, and it's time to add some kindling to set this fire ablaze. This year is starting off better than last year as far as training goes. Last year I didn't run a half-marathon until the end of January, and I'm already up to that distance as of last weekend. I've been getting shin splints pretty bad, but at least it doesn't hurt when I'm riding. I'm going to take it easy running with out the Camelbak for a while until my shins man up. I think the added weight was too much too soon. I'll fill in the morning work-outs with trainer rides with Coach Troy and Team Clydesdale, and keep my long runs on the trail. Listening to "The Quest" has kept me entertained, but I'll be ready for a funner book after this one...