Kari and I picked up our friend Rob in the morning - this race would be his first ultra. We arrived around 0715 for the 0800 start. My friend Brandon also met us in the park for one loop of fun since he wasn't registered for the race. Many other friends were there as well, either running or volunteering: Dan, Snipes, Gary (the RD), Irawan, Q, Stephanie, Jo (she made the trip from FL!), Jack, Bernard, Keith, Tom, and many other VHTRC-ers. Here are some photos before the race:
Me and Snipes
Rob, me, and Brandon
My photographer and me
Irawan and me
Today, we celebrated a new VHTRC race with Jo (and Toni, who arrived later in the afternoon with delicious bread pudding. I ate a pound of that stuff.) During the pre-race brief we sang happy birthday to some folks while Q held the birthday cake. This has become somewhat of a tradition for VHTRC races. Well, Gary's races, anyway. Afterwards, Gary passed some word, obviously vital to the day's activities. Then, we hung around and drank coffee, water, or monster for another few minutes before we made our way to the start line.
It wasn't long before we started the race and took off down the road to the trail.
Me, with Snipes close behind and already in visible pain?
Reaching for Kari's belly to say bye to Little Man Cillo
The start/finish aid station, commanded by the Commander of all troops, Kari Cillo (and Little Man)
I ran with some folks for the first few miles until the first aid station at mile 6.7. Then, as always, I ended up alone in 2nd place until the turn around at mile 15.5 when I caught up with Evan. Evan and I ran together until the next AS at mile 22.8. After that, for some reason, my hamstrings started cramping up real bad. I took a salt cap but 10 minutes later I started cramping again. So, I took another one, and 10 minutes later I cramped yet again. This continued all the way to the finish. I think I simply got behind in my salt consumption throughout the first loop and it caught up to me on the second loop when it warmed up. Thankfully, the trails in Prince William aren't too technical and it was only a 50k, so I didn't have too much trouble fighting through the pain. I finished 2nd in 4:33:00. More photos:
Me, breaking the imaginary tape
Happy to be able to run (and work on my tan)
Podium finishers - James (3rd), Evan (1st), me (2nd)
The man, the myth, the legend, Dave Snipes, finishing in prideful fashion
Gary hung out at the AS at mile 12.5/28 during the race where he was stung in his lower lip by a bee who tried stealing a swig of his Jim Bea...I mean, Magic Elixir. Apparently, his lip was huge, but we didn't see him until after the race and after the swelling had subsided. As Gary told us the story he explained, "My lip's been shrinking, like everything else on my body..." That's the Gary we all know and love.
Snipes presented Gary with a small token of appreciation for...I don't know, for something though. It was a coin from Silverton, Colorado that said Good For One Screw.
Gary, Dan, Tom, and Snipes, laughing about the ridiculousness of the coin
Today was awesome. Today, I'm grateful to be able to run! I'm grateful for good friends and good company. I'm grateful that my photographer, who is 9 months pregnant, is happy and healthy. And, lastly, I'm grateful for the weekend!
End of recount...
It was great to come out and enjoy the VHTRC vibe -- David Robertson
ReplyDeleteDave - thanks for gracing us with your presence this weekend!
ReplyDelete