October 13-14, 2007
24 Hours of Momentum

Back to back 24 hour events may not sound very appealing to many. I wanted to see how my body would react to such stress on consecutive weekends. Also, the last 24 hour lap race I tried turned out to be my only racing victory.

I awoke at 2:45am to make the drive to Richmond, VA. On the way, I discovered that however thoughtfully I packed my bag and cooler, I left my Camelbak at home. Since the circuit is just five miles, a water bottle would do just fine. I didn't have a water bottle holder so I had to call Dave Snipes to borrow one. He gave me his usual "What the **** are you thinking?!", mocked me a bit but brought the bottle to save the day.

The race took place at a Boy Scout camp which had been host to many endurance mountain bike races. The start/finish was totally exposed to the sun but there was a large shelter as well. The solo runners set up camp in an easy access area.

I like the noon start for 24 hour races. It limits your time in the sun. By the time your body starts heating up, the temperature begins dropping.

The run started off with me drifting toward the back. I thought I was the last one to make it through a lap but two runners werte well behind me. I had tried to stay with the runner who looked like Jessica Simpson. I talked to her after the race and found out she had recently completed The Badwater 135 mile desert run.

It didn't take long for someone to lap me. Two relay runners passed me on the second lap. On the third lap, Bryon Powell and Michael Hayden lapped me. Micheal had recently placed second overall at the 108 mile Burning River race in Ohio, setting a junior American record for a 100 miler. I finished over 7 1/2 hours behind him so I wasn't terribly concerned.

The laps came and went. The course was mostly on mountain biking trails. It was runnable but contrary to the name, it was difficult to maintain momentum. I'm used to mountain trails with extended climbs and descents. These were all tight climbs and descents with assorted dips which zapped any and all momentum. I had trouble maintaining a pace for any length of time.

The temperature was stable during the day. There was plenty of shade and I never overheated. Only a small portion was exposed to the sun and it was near the end of each lap. The course fools you into thinking you're through with the lap but just before it hits camp it sends you away and back into forest for another 1/3 mile.

Some solo runners dropped early or took extended breaks. I continued around the course very slowly. I sat after each lap to give my feet a rest. Dave Snipes was having a strong run and continued to pass me along with Michael Hayden and Bryon Powell.

Just before nightfall, I grabbed my headlamp and set out into the dusk. I'd just used it the week before and hadn't thought about changing the batteries. My spotlight was dim and narrow, just like my thinking when I forgot to change the batteries. There was still some residual daylight but the heavily forested sections were difficult to traverse.

I continued on, barely able to see. When a relay runner passed, I'd stay with them for a while but couldn't maintain the pace for long. I appeared to be doomed until the next runner arrived and then something ridiculously bright lit up the forest, like an UFO in the movies. It was a mountain bike with two halogen spotlights. The rider was sweeping the course to aid the runners. I told him of my plight and he followed me along. It was the fastest bit I'd run all day!

I went out for the next lap well prepared for the darkness. My pace was slow but I kept moving. Several 24 hour runners continually lapped me.

I had a couple of run-ins with wildlife. A very large animal was quite agitated and made a ridiculous amount of noise. I assume it was a bear as it resembled other bear encounters. Another animal moved through the forset. This one was much smaller, so I figured it was a raccoon. On the next lap in the same area, I heard it again but it was much closer this time. It ran behind some brush but the trail turned around the brush and I had a very close encounter with a beautiful fox. It was about six feet away and didn't take off in a hurry, rather it slowly scampered away.

I spent a little more time in the chair between laps as the night wore on. The temperature dropped but it didn't warrant adding much clothing. I began to frequent an amphitheater on the course where I could lay down flat on my back and relax. The pounding of four straight ultras was taking its toll on my body. I developed shin splints in my left leg, which slowed me considerably. After the thirteenth lap, I knew I'd only complete one more. With that realization, my body relaxed.

I took plenty of time resting before lap fourteen. When I departed, I used only one gear, except for a couple of downhills. I gazed at the stars from the amphitheater. Some runners passed and inquired about my state of being. I was at peace and relieved to be nearly finished with my day's work.

The sky came alive with the first rays of morning as I approached the shelter. My body thanked me for not pushing on for another lap. It was only 19 hours into the run but I would retire from it. My shin was in pretty intense pain with every step and the only logical thing to do was to relax. I caught a nap and then watched the last few hours. Dave recorded 22 laps while Michael logged 23. My pittence of 14 was still good enough for fourth place.

B-Rex