The morning began with a very early rise. I have been dreaming about this race for months, and now it was finally time to stop dreaming about it and toe the line and see what I had in me, see if I could complete what seemed like the impossible. I showed up to the field, walking in with all my gear and realizing I was the very first person there and I felt alive! Nerves never did set in, just pure excitment. 9:00AM was the start of the 4.3 miler's run, and I was so stoked to watch them start their race and cheer them on, than following them at 1030AM was the 8.3miler's. I had alot of good friends running this leg of the race, and again I used this time to cheer them on and keep my mind off my race, which would begin only 1hr30mins later.
The course was very well thought out and technical. At first glimpse it looks easy, and thinking 8.3miles in 2hrs seems easy. No, not at all, this course has some seriously hidden sections that really slow you down and test your ability, mentally and physically. You begin with a short dash around the running track and off into a 4.0mile out and back loop to bare mountain. As you leave the track you hit a short outer loop around the local baseball field. From there, it carries you into a couple quick (Very well monitored) road crossings. At this point your at the base of bare mountain. This section is special, its where you gain some speed and time to save yourself on the lower 4.3miles of the course. Once returning to the track for your crossover into the lower section, you have the opportunity to suck up all the enthusiasm around camp and people cheering you on (I found this really motivated me on my later loops).
Once exciting the track again this time you turn right and back towards the track but on the outer side, entering the lower portion (4.3mile loop), through a thick, rugged, rooty section. This is where the fun really begins, this is when you know you need to be serious with your movements and directions. There are several trails down there and they can be misleading, but as long as you remember the route and directions there is only one way to go. Finally approacing the entry point to the lower loop, you climb "baby Bear" to the finish. This is an incredible section for many reasons that ill explain later. Once back to the track, you enter and run the remainder of the track to the finish/restart line, from there you restock, replenish, smile and hit the start line again, again, and again!
The course was very well thought out and technical. At first glimpse it looks easy, and thinking 8.3miles in 2hrs seems easy. No, not at all, this course has some seriously hidden sections that really slow you down and test your ability, mentally and physically. You begin with a short dash around the running track and off into a 4.0mile out and back loop to bare mountain. As you leave the track you hit a short outer loop around the local baseball field. From there, it carries you into a couple quick (Very well monitored) road crossings. At this point your at the base of bare mountain. This section is special, its where you gain some speed and time to save yourself on the lower 4.3miles of the course. Once returning to the track for your crossover into the lower section, you have the opportunity to suck up all the enthusiasm around camp and people cheering you on (I found this really motivated me on my later loops).
Once exciting the track again this time you turn right and back towards the track but on the outer side, entering the lower portion (4.3mile loop), through a thick, rugged, rooty section. This is where the fun really begins, this is when you know you need to be serious with your movements and directions. There are several trails down there and they can be misleading, but as long as you remember the route and directions there is only one way to go. Finally approacing the entry point to the lower loop, you climb "baby Bear" to the finish. This is an incredible section for many reasons that ill explain later. Once back to the track, you enter and run the remainder of the track to the finish/restart line, from there you restock, replenish, smile and hit the start line again, again, and again!
So 12pm was approaching, I began to feel ALOT of emotions. Everyone was so excited, cheering and encouraging me, telling me I can do this. Filling my mind with nothing but absolute positivity, and i was very much feeding off of it. The clock began to tick down, and Robert Pond (race director) shouted out the countdown... 5.....4.....3....2....1....GO!!! Off I went, nice and slow. Slow is exactly how I wanted to begin my run, I had to make sure I wouldnt allow my excitement and energy take over my race. As we started to enter the trails my mind started to ease a little, my heart was pounding with emotions, my legs where furious with unstopable energy and strength, and I knew I just begun my very first 50 Miler race.
My climb up bare mountain was fast and furious, as I expected would be on my first couple loops. I reached the top and realized the front runners cruize on past a segment challenge, so I took the opportunity and sprinted to the very top of the mountain, for a chance at the fastest time on the segment (segments where positioned throughout the trail, for runners to compete in and see who could run that specific section fastest). Once I made the dash back onto the course I knew I was done with messing around, and was 100% ready to keep my head in the game for the remainder of the race.
It didnt take long before I was returning to camp, to begin my lower loop. As I set off for the 4.3 mile loop I was still feeling amazing, absolute high on life. I pushed through this section with no mistakes, and had a few encounters with other runners, which allowed me to talk, and joke, about the race and what we were attempting to accomplish. Little did I know this was going to be one of the last times I had the opportunity to run with someone else. I approached the track to finish off my 1st Loop. It went very well, now it was time to see how insync me and my new friend where with eachothers planning for the interloopal period. She came onboard to help me through my whole race, and she did ONE HELL OF A JOB! absolutely flawless. So after being so well taken care of, and restocked and refueled, I toed the line to begin my 2nd Loop.
3....2....1.... and I was off again to do the exact same course another time. This would be repeated 6 times in total. I was feeling amazing still and extremely full of energy and good spirits. My entire loop 2 went very much the same as loop 1, except this loop was in the clockwise direction (Every loop switches from counter-clockwise, to clockwise direction). I seemed to favor this direction more as the race went on, as we got to knock off the toughest part of the lower section first when we enetered the 4.3mile loop. Once I successfully completed my 2nd loop, in a faster time than my first loop, sparing me with 30 mins to rest before my next loop, I took the opportunity to relax and breathe for a moment. My crew had my food cooked, my vest ready and I was ready to go with 10 mins to spare. I decided to have a stretch and quick massage. Quickly after I rushed over to the line, ready to get my start on the halfway mark of 40km.
Loop 3 begins, Im feeling great, spirits still high, but I notice something floating in the back of my mind, something I knew i didnt want to surface, it was doubt. I was starting to doubt i could do another 3 full loops in the time frame we where given. I knew at that moment, this is where I said I couldnt wait to get to in the race, because I knew this is when my body was going to finally get in tune with what I was asking it to do. I quickly shook the idea from my mind and carried out my remainder of the 8.3mile counter-clockwise loop. I had a couple moments after this one where the ideas of things that could go wrong to prevent me from finishing my next loops, but I knew it was early in the race, I was still feeling strong and fresh, and mainly my spirit was SUPER high. Nothing was bringing me down today. Finally finished up my 3rd loop, and once I returned to camp, my friends asked, "how come your getting faster?" , I honestly didnt have an answer, other than im having fun, and feeling good!
I knock back my food, chicken broth, some fruit, and abit of soda, and right back to the line I go, But this time in a mad rush, as I sort of lost track of my time. The start of my 4th loop was sort of a mess and I had my vest hanging off one shoulder and my jacket off the other, as I was trying to put them both on while running around the track. Finally got myself in check, and got my mind back on the race. This loop I felt strong, very strong. I have no idea where the strength, and energy came from, but damn it felt good! I remember taking off up bare mountain alone, just pushing past other runners, knowing that the front runners where a few minutes ahead of me. I make my way to the lower section again clockwise direction (my favorite), and just started moving, moving quick. I just had this feeling come over me where i had no pain, no shortness of breath, nothing it was like I was able to move at my fastest pace, with littel to no effort. Before I knew it, I was quickly approaching the last climb back up to the finish. All of a sudden I see the front runners... I was trying to figure out how I ended up catching them, as I was aproaching them. Than suddenly I just took off screaming "I FEEL AMAZING", as I leaped over the trench and passed my friends, to continue on partially sprinting up this hill to the finish/restar line. Once i returned to my camp, my crew was amazed that I was continuing to run faster each loop, and that I came in ahead of the front runners this loop.
Now because I showed up earlier I had a longer time to prepare, eat, stretch, washroom break, and change clothes. It was honestly great to put on a new shirt as the crisp air, blowing through camp was begining to get cold, very cold. As the other runners entered camp I began to see fatigue, and pain settling into them (myself included). So it should as we where about 50km into the race, and it was miserable weather out, rain and windy and very cold temperatures. We all managed to pull ourselves together and toe the line for our second last loop, Loop 5!
It was a VERY cold start, as the finish/restart line was in the most exposed section of the course, it caused the runners to encounter very cold breaks inbetween loops, and until we got into the woods on our loops we where all practically shivering.
Loop 5 begun, still feeling relatively good, spirit somehow is still high. At least I was putting on a good front to make it look like I wasnt affected by the shit weather, fatigue, and the begining of some nautious activity in my body. I knew one thing, the same thing i said in the begining of this race, Im here for one reason, that is to finish this damn thing. My loop up around bare mountain this time was slow, very slow and it started to make me worry as I knew I would really have to push extra hard on the lower section to make it back in time, let alone have time to spare for preperation for my last loop. As I ran through camp on my transition to my lower loop, quitting was floating in my mind, it would have been so easy to just walk away and say im done, but why? why would i quit if I didnt have a reason? I was moving, and moving good considering the length of time I have been exposed to the weather and elements of the race. I began to start to feel overwhelming emotions as I past through camp, just hearing everyone still cheering for us, Now more than ever. I knew at that moment it has to happen so I pushed hard and ran as hard as I could to make it back before the 2hr cutoff.
This was now my 2nd consecutive lower loop where I was alone, completely alone running, now in the dark and cold. If there was ever a time to give up it would have been now, but I knew myself and how stubborn I can be and just didnt want that to happen. I continued moving and when I would slow down to a walk I would physically yell out loud, "MOVE, YOU HAVE TO BE RUNNING NOW". It was beginning to be a battle in my own head. I finally began to get back to the last climb to the finish/restart, and I felt it, the fatigue really set in. Not only fatigue but emotions, emotions I had no control of. I roll into camp with I think 10 mins to spare, and it was a fast switch over, it was freezing, raining, dark, and late. I found myself kneeling down next to my tent, with a blanket a friend immediatly through around me to keep me warm. I was hurting, as I told Sherry (crew), I need those letters you told me where here for me. She immediately grabbed the envelope, tore it open and passed me a hand full of letters.... these where encouragement letters from my very close friends, and family.
My climb up bare mountain was fast and furious, as I expected would be on my first couple loops. I reached the top and realized the front runners cruize on past a segment challenge, so I took the opportunity and sprinted to the very top of the mountain, for a chance at the fastest time on the segment (segments where positioned throughout the trail, for runners to compete in and see who could run that specific section fastest). Once I made the dash back onto the course I knew I was done with messing around, and was 100% ready to keep my head in the game for the remainder of the race.
It didnt take long before I was returning to camp, to begin my lower loop. As I set off for the 4.3 mile loop I was still feeling amazing, absolute high on life. I pushed through this section with no mistakes, and had a few encounters with other runners, which allowed me to talk, and joke, about the race and what we were attempting to accomplish. Little did I know this was going to be one of the last times I had the opportunity to run with someone else. I approached the track to finish off my 1st Loop. It went very well, now it was time to see how insync me and my new friend where with eachothers planning for the interloopal period. She came onboard to help me through my whole race, and she did ONE HELL OF A JOB! absolutely flawless. So after being so well taken care of, and restocked and refueled, I toed the line to begin my 2nd Loop.
3....2....1.... and I was off again to do the exact same course another time. This would be repeated 6 times in total. I was feeling amazing still and extremely full of energy and good spirits. My entire loop 2 went very much the same as loop 1, except this loop was in the clockwise direction (Every loop switches from counter-clockwise, to clockwise direction). I seemed to favor this direction more as the race went on, as we got to knock off the toughest part of the lower section first when we enetered the 4.3mile loop. Once I successfully completed my 2nd loop, in a faster time than my first loop, sparing me with 30 mins to rest before my next loop, I took the opportunity to relax and breathe for a moment. My crew had my food cooked, my vest ready and I was ready to go with 10 mins to spare. I decided to have a stretch and quick massage. Quickly after I rushed over to the line, ready to get my start on the halfway mark of 40km.
Loop 3 begins, Im feeling great, spirits still high, but I notice something floating in the back of my mind, something I knew i didnt want to surface, it was doubt. I was starting to doubt i could do another 3 full loops in the time frame we where given. I knew at that moment, this is where I said I couldnt wait to get to in the race, because I knew this is when my body was going to finally get in tune with what I was asking it to do. I quickly shook the idea from my mind and carried out my remainder of the 8.3mile counter-clockwise loop. I had a couple moments after this one where the ideas of things that could go wrong to prevent me from finishing my next loops, but I knew it was early in the race, I was still feeling strong and fresh, and mainly my spirit was SUPER high. Nothing was bringing me down today. Finally finished up my 3rd loop, and once I returned to camp, my friends asked, "how come your getting faster?" , I honestly didnt have an answer, other than im having fun, and feeling good!
I knock back my food, chicken broth, some fruit, and abit of soda, and right back to the line I go, But this time in a mad rush, as I sort of lost track of my time. The start of my 4th loop was sort of a mess and I had my vest hanging off one shoulder and my jacket off the other, as I was trying to put them both on while running around the track. Finally got myself in check, and got my mind back on the race. This loop I felt strong, very strong. I have no idea where the strength, and energy came from, but damn it felt good! I remember taking off up bare mountain alone, just pushing past other runners, knowing that the front runners where a few minutes ahead of me. I make my way to the lower section again clockwise direction (my favorite), and just started moving, moving quick. I just had this feeling come over me where i had no pain, no shortness of breath, nothing it was like I was able to move at my fastest pace, with littel to no effort. Before I knew it, I was quickly approaching the last climb back up to the finish. All of a sudden I see the front runners... I was trying to figure out how I ended up catching them, as I was aproaching them. Than suddenly I just took off screaming "I FEEL AMAZING", as I leaped over the trench and passed my friends, to continue on partially sprinting up this hill to the finish/restar line. Once i returned to my camp, my crew was amazed that I was continuing to run faster each loop, and that I came in ahead of the front runners this loop.
Now because I showed up earlier I had a longer time to prepare, eat, stretch, washroom break, and change clothes. It was honestly great to put on a new shirt as the crisp air, blowing through camp was begining to get cold, very cold. As the other runners entered camp I began to see fatigue, and pain settling into them (myself included). So it should as we where about 50km into the race, and it was miserable weather out, rain and windy and very cold temperatures. We all managed to pull ourselves together and toe the line for our second last loop, Loop 5!
It was a VERY cold start, as the finish/restart line was in the most exposed section of the course, it caused the runners to encounter very cold breaks inbetween loops, and until we got into the woods on our loops we where all practically shivering.
Loop 5 begun, still feeling relatively good, spirit somehow is still high. At least I was putting on a good front to make it look like I wasnt affected by the shit weather, fatigue, and the begining of some nautious activity in my body. I knew one thing, the same thing i said in the begining of this race, Im here for one reason, that is to finish this damn thing. My loop up around bare mountain this time was slow, very slow and it started to make me worry as I knew I would really have to push extra hard on the lower section to make it back in time, let alone have time to spare for preperation for my last loop. As I ran through camp on my transition to my lower loop, quitting was floating in my mind, it would have been so easy to just walk away and say im done, but why? why would i quit if I didnt have a reason? I was moving, and moving good considering the length of time I have been exposed to the weather and elements of the race. I began to start to feel overwhelming emotions as I past through camp, just hearing everyone still cheering for us, Now more than ever. I knew at that moment it has to happen so I pushed hard and ran as hard as I could to make it back before the 2hr cutoff.
This was now my 2nd consecutive lower loop where I was alone, completely alone running, now in the dark and cold. If there was ever a time to give up it would have been now, but I knew myself and how stubborn I can be and just didnt want that to happen. I continued moving and when I would slow down to a walk I would physically yell out loud, "MOVE, YOU HAVE TO BE RUNNING NOW". It was beginning to be a battle in my own head. I finally began to get back to the last climb to the finish/restart, and I felt it, the fatigue really set in. Not only fatigue but emotions, emotions I had no control of. I roll into camp with I think 10 mins to spare, and it was a fast switch over, it was freezing, raining, dark, and late. I found myself kneeling down next to my tent, with a blanket a friend immediatly through around me to keep me warm. I was hurting, as I told Sherry (crew), I need those letters you told me where here for me. She immediately grabbed the envelope, tore it open and passed me a hand full of letters.... these where encouragement letters from my very close friends, and family.
I instantly opened up and couldnt hold back, I was so overwhelmed with emotions, and was soo proud to have such amazing people in my life, I was so happy for that moment, that moment I forgot all about the bad weather, the pain I was going through, and realized I had so much support to help me finish this race. Than sherry gave me a hug and said get this done, I know you can do this your such a strong person Mike!!! I stood up made sure I had all my stuff for my last and final loop and I got myself to the start line.
Rob looks at the 3 of us solo runners, the only ones remaining to complete to 50 mile run. At this point I had no idea it was only three of us left standing. We start and immediately chills hit my body from all the excitement in everyone left in camp, cheering us on to finish this. My spirit lifted again, just a little. As I make my way to bare mountain I cought myself choking up for no reason, I was literally loosing my mind. I was so proud of myself for making it this far and all I had in front of me was one more 8.3 mile loop. I managed to stick with Seamus and Abrham for the whole loop around bare mountain, which was just what I needed to keep my mind occupied, and that it did as I continued to laugh at Seamus as he ran ahead of us, singing Newfy music the whole way. This was very short lived. As we where coming down from bare mountain, the hill was taking a toll on my legs, and I started to notice I couldnt keep up with their pace no more, and they began to disapear in the distance. I knew that was it, I was completely alone for the rest of the race, I wouldnt see no one else, except for when I would pass through camp for my final switch over into the lower loop. I make it back to the track and it was crazy, the second I entered I had people asking me what I wanted, food? water? electrolyte? anything, and they followed me all the way around the track to make sure I was still in the game and that I would push for my finish.
If there was ever a time to dig deep, it was now. Once I left the track it felt like it took forever to reach to trail entrance to the lower 4.3mile loop. Finally I was on the trail and I knew I had to MOVE. I said over and over to myself, Keep moving, just keep your pace at around 7-8min/km and you can do this. The best part of this loop was I didnt need to have any extra time to refuel or anything, I could just use the whole 2 hrs to run my loop. And I pretty much did.
Im about 3 km out and I begin hearing woman cheering on what I thought was Seamus and Abrham, but there was noone there or around me, no headlamps in site, nothing. I was honestly hearing things, and alone in the cold, wet, pitch black trails. As I got closer to the last climb back to camp I could hear a huge cheer in the distance, it was Seamus and Abrham finishing their race. At that point I began to push harder than I ever have before, had a quick glimpse at my watch and seen I had about 1.5km to go and 15 minutes to make it happen, No Problem. I ran, and I forgot about everything else that happened that day, the pain I was in, the fatigue I felt, everything went away and I just had one goal left, to finish.
I reach the last climb and I hear " Lets Go Mike, You Got This Buddy"... I thought it was rob up on the track just yelling out into the woods encouraging me on. Nope he was about 20 ft ahead of me on the last climb, he came down to find me, and once he did he made sure I knew what my goal was. He encouraged the hell out of me and I began to run up the climb with every ounce of strength I had left. I can still remember so clearly breaking free from the woods and seeing the lights of the track, immediately someone shouts, "THERE HE IS, HE MADE IT"!!! I was immediately greeted with so many friends at the entrance of the track to encourage me into the last sprint around the track to my finish.
I threw my poles on the ground and began actually sprinting, and when I thought I was moving fast I pushed harder and ran even faster, 50 ft from the finish line I look to my watch, 3 mins to spare and I push into my first ever 50 Mile trail race finish! I was in disbelief, I was overwhelmed with the support I recieved from everyone all day long, and mainly I was done. I didnt have to run no more, and my body knew it. I couldnt beleive I fought so much doubt and accomplished what turned out to be a very tough race!
Rob looks at the 3 of us solo runners, the only ones remaining to complete to 50 mile run. At this point I had no idea it was only three of us left standing. We start and immediately chills hit my body from all the excitement in everyone left in camp, cheering us on to finish this. My spirit lifted again, just a little. As I make my way to bare mountain I cought myself choking up for no reason, I was literally loosing my mind. I was so proud of myself for making it this far and all I had in front of me was one more 8.3 mile loop. I managed to stick with Seamus and Abrham for the whole loop around bare mountain, which was just what I needed to keep my mind occupied, and that it did as I continued to laugh at Seamus as he ran ahead of us, singing Newfy music the whole way. This was very short lived. As we where coming down from bare mountain, the hill was taking a toll on my legs, and I started to notice I couldnt keep up with their pace no more, and they began to disapear in the distance. I knew that was it, I was completely alone for the rest of the race, I wouldnt see no one else, except for when I would pass through camp for my final switch over into the lower loop. I make it back to the track and it was crazy, the second I entered I had people asking me what I wanted, food? water? electrolyte? anything, and they followed me all the way around the track to make sure I was still in the game and that I would push for my finish.
If there was ever a time to dig deep, it was now. Once I left the track it felt like it took forever to reach to trail entrance to the lower 4.3mile loop. Finally I was on the trail and I knew I had to MOVE. I said over and over to myself, Keep moving, just keep your pace at around 7-8min/km and you can do this. The best part of this loop was I didnt need to have any extra time to refuel or anything, I could just use the whole 2 hrs to run my loop. And I pretty much did.
Im about 3 km out and I begin hearing woman cheering on what I thought was Seamus and Abrham, but there was noone there or around me, no headlamps in site, nothing. I was honestly hearing things, and alone in the cold, wet, pitch black trails. As I got closer to the last climb back to camp I could hear a huge cheer in the distance, it was Seamus and Abrham finishing their race. At that point I began to push harder than I ever have before, had a quick glimpse at my watch and seen I had about 1.5km to go and 15 minutes to make it happen, No Problem. I ran, and I forgot about everything else that happened that day, the pain I was in, the fatigue I felt, everything went away and I just had one goal left, to finish.
I reach the last climb and I hear " Lets Go Mike, You Got This Buddy"... I thought it was rob up on the track just yelling out into the woods encouraging me on. Nope he was about 20 ft ahead of me on the last climb, he came down to find me, and once he did he made sure I knew what my goal was. He encouraged the hell out of me and I began to run up the climb with every ounce of strength I had left. I can still remember so clearly breaking free from the woods and seeing the lights of the track, immediately someone shouts, "THERE HE IS, HE MADE IT"!!! I was immediately greeted with so many friends at the entrance of the track to encourage me into the last sprint around the track to my finish.
I threw my poles on the ground and began actually sprinting, and when I thought I was moving fast I pushed harder and ran even faster, 50 ft from the finish line I look to my watch, 3 mins to spare and I push into my first ever 50 Mile trail race finish! I was in disbelief, I was overwhelmed with the support I recieved from everyone all day long, and mainly I was done. I didnt have to run no more, and my body knew it. I couldnt beleive I fought so much doubt and accomplished what turned out to be a very tough race!
You never know what you can achieve if you dont believe in yourself. So next time you hesitate to go for your run, or sign up for a race because it scares you, or its hard, DO IT! It may scare you but, you will feel AMAZING when you complete it! I have been continuously signing up for VERY difficult races, and doing very difficult runs when I train, I believe if I push myself to run when there is doubt, it will make me stronger when I really counts. I beleive this race poves just that!