February 7, 2009
Uwharrie Mountain Run
41 miles

Uwharrie was a return to the site of my very first ultra, in 2006. That attempt took every ounce of determination I could muster just to toe the finish line. I felt confidant but unsure of how I'd perform this year. Last year featured a worn out body which had slept in a car at subfreezing temperatures and a lost contoact, which resulted in a cyclopsian run.

The weather at in Asheboro was cozy, nearly 50 degrees as I left. I opted for a hotel this year and that got things rolling smoothly. The temperature at the start was in the mid 30's. Uwharrie is loaded with microclimates.

I started off a little quicker. I've noticed that I start off too slowly I never get up to speed. Lisa Arnold and I compared notes about this phenomena during the race. On the first climb, I knew Ihad overdressed a bit. The air was much warmer on the hilltops but the valleys remained cold throughout the morning.

I moved well and continued to do so. Eventually, I met up with Lisa Arnold, and we stayed together most of the run. At one point, I was leading a train of four runners and I took a spill, rolling comically but jumping right back up with a renewed vigor.

I also ran much of the first half with Walt Robinson and Quattro Hubbard. I knew running with Quattro would keep me moving at the pace I wanted to maintain. Walt was fairly new to ultras and we ran off and on together for the entire day.

I saw Charlie Roberts about a mile and a half rom the turn, which was a very good sign. Shortly afterward, Doug Blackford and Rick Gray passed. I was exstatic that I was only a short distance behind them.

My goal of hitting the midpoint at 4:20 was right on target. I made the turn and headed back. Chris Shields was finishing up his 20 mile run. Mike Day caught up with me after an extended rest at the turn.

I was on my own for a good part of the second half. Walt went ahead and I saw no one for a few miles except for 20 milers. On the first big climb of the second half, Claire Oberg caught up and I could not stay with her for long. She was the sixth place woman at the turn and wound up second overall.

I kept moving and expecting to run into problems. I never did! I had a few slowdowns but never hit the wall. Mentally, I was inspired, and physically, I had only minor pains, which went away. My right ankle and hamstring had been tweaked but were holding up well.

After an extended period in isolation, I went straight where I should have turned. I noted the potential confusion on the way out but completely forgot about it and added a few hundred yards before I realized I was off trail. In the meantime, Quattro pulled ahead.

On a very long stretch, I approached Lisa Wilber. We traded on the ups and downs and eventually caught up to Lisa Arnold again. I stayed close to both of them. At the final aid station, I left ahead of Lisa A. and tried to catch the guy in the purple shirt, who appeared to be struggling. He was moving faster than me so I gave up on that notion. Lisa caught me again and we just moseyed up the last climb. My goal of ten hours was well within reach.

We took our time on the descent, not expecting to catch anybody. The rock gardens seem much larger and more numerous on the return. It's very easy to hurt a foot or ankle as I had done in 2006. After the rock gardens, I spied the guy in the purple shirt. I had tracked him like a one armed man and was set to pounce. I told Lisa that I was going to catch him before the finish, less than a quarter mile away. It took all of 10 seconds to make up the 50 yards between us. 50 yards ahead of him were Walt and Lisa W. I went after them and blew past like a freight train. Two more turns and then I did something incredibly stupid! There is a 90 degree turn just five yards from the finish line. I turned the oppoosite way, with a high rate of speed and pulled a 270. I could have easily wound up hitting a tree or at least taking the flagging down. Fortunately, i was facing the right direction and high stepped across the line.

I made it in 9:44, a new personal record by 1:21! I'd never broken 11 hours in two tries before, 55 out of 84 finishers and about 100-105 starters. This was just the confidence boost I'd needed.

B-Rex