Website under construction! but read below if you haven’t already. I’ll admit, I was thirsty. The Massannutten 100 becomes monumental!
Thirsty? what do I mean?
This past weekend I was in Virginia to run the Massannutten 100 miler. It is one of my favorite courses. It is rocky, technical, somewhat hilly, and difficult to say the least, for the “average” 100 mile runner…right up my alley. This was to mark my 5th time running this classic race.
The race went well. I won the race in a time of 18:18 and change. This was the 4th fastest time in race history, and the fastest time on the current course, which now starts at the Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp, one of 9 million church camps in Virginia. It is a perfect setting for the race. Camping at the start is 8 bucks, porta-potties, and a shower a mile away. Just the way I like it, nice and simple.
The race:
It all starts with some classic 80’s music blaring from the event tent at 3am to wake up runners that have barely slept. The gun goes off at 4am. I woke up at 3:20, got my shit together and headed over to the start line. We were off.
My stiffest competition for the win is Neal Gorman. Neal holds the “Grand Slam of Ultrarunning” record. He set it last year, so he was sure to be in top form for this one too, and not on tired legs. I came into this race thirsty, and was ready to rip off another 100. I don’t always go to a race with fresh legs, but mine were fresh this time, and this was one that I wasn’t gonna let go of easily.
We started of on our 3.6 mile climb to Moreland Gap. We had a rabbit escort us to the first aid station, once we hit the rocky trail, the rabbit stepped aside and of I went. It didn’t take long to run away in the darkness from him and everyone else on the technical terrain. Within a few more miles, I was alone with no headlamps in sight behind me. I knew Neal wasn’t far back, but I felt great and just started to run my normal deal.
I reached Edinburg Gap, at mile 11ish with a 5 minute lead, one that would remain the same all the way to Habron Gap road at mile 54. Neal’s wife let me know that I had 6 minutes on Neal a few miles back. I left a message, kiddingly telling him I was just getting warmed up. 🙂
After leaving Habron Gap Road aid station, I proceeded up and over to Camp Roosevelt at mile 63. I encountered a “slow patch” in this section. While I was moving along, I kept looking back, thinking Neal would suddenly appear through the dense forest. He never appeared, which encouraged me knowing that I was not moving at my top speed. I left Camp Roosevelt with what I knew was at least 4 minutes. It felt good to know he did not catch me over the last 9 miles. It was time to turn up the wick now and use my 63 miles as a warmup…so I started running up the gradual hill on my way to Gap Creek 1. I arrived at Gap Creek 1, rallied out of there, put the hammer down over the famed “Kerns Mountain”. Kerns Mountain is the ugliest section of rocky trail, a great place for me to put some time on Neal if I could muster up the energy. I did just that, running the section in about 1:20. I arrived at the Visitor Center (mile 76 ish) feeling strong. Joe Clapper informed me to “tank up” for the big climb to Bird Knob. I chuckled and let Joe know it was not that big. 🙂 I was also informed my lead back at Gap Creek 1 had swelled to 25 minutes. I knew after my fast crossing of Kerns Mountain, I had a good lead now, and it was all about cruising to the finish…only a marathon or so to go. I reached the Picnic Area aid station to learn I had 40 minutes back at the Visitor Center. I knew I had the race won at this point, I just had to get er’ done.
Ran this one in the HOKA Bondi B, they were perfect for the nasty rocks, my feet are good to go. Wasatch Running Center has a slew of them now, get em’ and find out why I love em’ so much.
I heard through the trees as I crossed Highway 211 (mile 88ish) that the boys wanted to see a “record”. I chuckled again and replied,”every win is a record Ed”. Read Below to find out why.
This race was my 49th 100 miler….nope, not a record by any means.
This was my 30th 100 mile win…yup, that’s the most on earth! Hence a “30-pack”. I was thirsty.
It marks the 12th year in a row, that I’ve won a 100 mile race! Hence a “12-pack”. I was thirsty.
Monumental?
all-time winner:
Hardrock 100 with 5 wins, Wasatch 100 with 6 wins, San Diego 100 with 3 wins, and Massannutten 100 with 3 wins.
Needless to say, “Winning never gets old” 🙂
Speedgoat 50k is getting close to full, enter soon, or wait till next year to run the toughest 50k you’ll ever experience.
