McKay Hollow Madness 2010

This is really a great event. Seriously. If you run, run this race. I love Blake's style with directing this race. It just feels like a trail run should feel. No fanfare, just a brutally difficult course, great sponsors, nice post-race grub, a number to pin on, someone to yell "GO!", and a clock. Oh yeah, if you don't finish, you don't get the goodies. Earn your shirt.

Thanks to Blake, the volunteers, and the sponsors today. This is a first class event.

Quick Results

You know the drill. Check the HTC Website for the official results. David O'Keefe was the overall winner in 1:55:50. The masters winner was David Purinton, 2nd overall in 2:02:15. I think Katie Maehlman was the female winner in 2:36:27. I didn't catch the female masters winner. I had to leave quickly today due to other commitments.

I ran a 2:17:50 which was good enough for 12th overall. I took 30 seconds off of last year's time and the course is a mile longer. I guess that's progress.

But I want to show you something.

Two folks who don't usually finish ahead of me gave me a dose of humility today. Brett Wilks came in 7th, just behind speedster Shane O'Neill (though Shane is new to trails and definitely waited until late to kick it in today) and ahead of running legend Dink Taylor. And in 9th place, with a very impressive top 10 finish at McKay Hollow Madness is my perennial training partner Matthew Davis.

I'm more proud of Matt's effort today than I ever have been of any of my own. I knew he had this race circled on his calendar, and he had a good day. Look out. This guy is for real and will get faster. I knew he had it in him to leave me behind, and I'm really glad he did that today. We're going to make each other faster.

I'm really glad to see Brett's and Matt's hard work pay off.

The First Third

After a 2 mile warm up with Shane and Matt, it was time to go. I was surprised by the lack of a crowd at the starting line at 6:58! Eventually folks showed up and after a few announcements, GO!

I ran most of the road at about a 6:40 pace, with Matt up ahead of me. I probably should have stayed closer. Late on the road section, Glen Dodd passed me and I shouldn't have let that happen. I had to slow up on the descent on Sinks behind him, but eventually passed and hit the pace I wanted for the rest of the descent.

I kept that steady effort to the Panther Knob climb. I probably worked too hard on the climb, and took the very technical super cuts to recover. The course was marked really well here and that's good because the trail is confusing. I know it well, but I can see how others would get lost here.

I was following closely behind someone who I've seen before, but I don't know here. On the descent on Stone Cuts Trail, I passed by him quickly. After passing Stone Cuts, I saw Matt again for the first time on the Sinks climb to Mountain Mist. He was a good 45 seconds ahead of me. I was just going to keep him in sight for now. The run on Mountain Mist was uneventful.

I made up some ground on Matt on the descent on Goat, and Glenn Dodd had caught back up to me and passed at the bottom. On the Warpath Ridge climb, I wanted to keep Matt close. We're about even on ups. I passed by Glenn on this climb. We both were walking. Glenn told me here that he was running blind, so I gave him some course pointers. I'm too nice. I stopped for water, but Matt did not and Glenn was faster than me to leave.

I didn't know my exact placement, but I was guessing about 7th or 8th.

The Middle Third

After the aid station comes rest shelter. This is a nasty descent that I have practiced over and over until I can run it fast. I knew I would gain ground on Matt here, but I was worried that being behind Glenn would cost me. Also, someone was breathing down my neck here. I didn't turn to see who it was, but I later learned that it was Brett Wilks.

I really ran the Rest Shelter descent well. Glenn did too, thankfully. I put quite a bit of distance between Brett and me here. At the bottom, just before slush mile, Matt was only 3-5 seconds ahead of me and Glenn had passed, I think. Matt did exceptionally well on slush mile, and put more distance between us. I caught Glenn and we chatted it up until the Natural Well climb where I passed him and put some distance between us.

Brett caught me after the well and passed while running out to the 2nd Aid Station. Man, he was strong today. Next, Dink passed me here. Again, I wasn't sure exactly, but I thought I was still top 10. Dink gave me some encouragement, and I tried to keep him in sight for as long as possible.

The Final Third

After the aid station comes one of my favorite parts of trail running anywhere, the Arrowhead descent!

The problem was that I didn't feel so good. My stomach was just not right. You'd think that by now I'd have this fueling and hydration figured out, but I don't. I knew that I needed something to have energy for the finish. However, the thought of ingesting anything was repulsive. Yuck. What do I do? I slammed down about 3/4 of a Gu that I had, knowing that I needed it. I don't know if it was the right thing to do or not.

I didn't catch anyone on this descent. I kept them close, and the gap between Glenn and me was getting larger. At the turn around, I saw Shane O'Neill not more than a minute behind me, so I expected him to come from behind at any time.

During the descent and the climb up Big Cat Hill and the sloppy mud that follows, it was Brett setting the pace, Dink behind him, Matt, then me. And I was fading. We were plodding along through the mud (This was the muddiest section of the course, much worse than "slush mile".) when Shane passed by. "How long?" he said. "About 1.5 or 1.6 miles," I said. I was really surprised that it took him that long to catch me, but I also knew that I had NO chance to stay with him.

It's beginning to fall apart for me now. I'm nauseous. Bad. My calves are screaming, but I can ignore that. It's the nausea. How am I going to reel those guys in without puking? Um, I'm not. Even if I do lose my breakfast, I probably won't catch them. I don't see Brett anymore. I see Dink. I see Matt.

Let's start Death Trail. I'm in 10th place. Matt is fading, too. We've climbed this hill together many times in the past. Who's going to push and who's going to pull today? Early in the climb, I pass him. He stays close. He says, "There are people coming. Go." I can't go. I'm really about to lose the contents of my stomach. I stumbled, and that almost did me in. During this time, I saw Eric Charette coming back down the hill. He gave me a hard time for walking and offered some encouragement.

Matt passed me back. He was bound and determined to be top 10. I wanted to stay with him, but I was done. I was really done. Just behind him is Glenn Dodd again. He caught me back! Then, another young guy, 14 year old Cody Moore, passed by me. If there had been anyone else within 25 seconds of them, that person would have passed me too. I really was done.

I've never tanked that badly that near the finish, unless it was last year at this race. So, in less than a half mile, I went from 9th to 12th. Just like that! That was a pitiful come-apart. Having said that, I'm proud of my effort. I've been sick all day since that race. I ran myself sick. So, I didn't have anything else to give today. What else can I expect? This course has my number.

I am extremely happy for Matt. I was very proud to see him gut it out and grab that top 10. I would have liked for us to have been 9 and 10, but I just couldn't hang with him today. I was glad to see him find another gear when someone pushed him. I'm happier for him than I would be for my own top 10. AWESOME job, man. THAT's why we hit the pavement at 5:00 AM to do 15 miles before 7:00 AM.

Difficult and Muddy

McKay Hollow Madness is one tough race. Mile for mile, I don't think I've ever run a more difficult selection of trails. There are a few easy miles on the course, but very few. Matt and I ran 16.35 miles this morning on the MHM course, and it felt more like 25.

The weather was absolutely gross. It was cold and raining. You never get comfortable when it's 40F and raining. More clothes don't help, they just get cold and wet, too.

The course was extremely slippery and muddy. I ran the downhills like a timid school girl. There was just no traction. If the conditions are like this in two weeks, it will definitely slow down the times.

Even though it was cold, wet, muddy, slippery, difficult, and exhausting, it was still fun. I was smiling most of the time. I guess boys never do outgrow enjoying playing in the mud.

Athens Group Run and Excuses

There was a low turnout for today's 10 miler in Athens, only 5 folks. But I'm glad that those 5 showed! There are races today. There were races yesterday. That accounts for most of the folks who were missing. And the windy spitting rain and cold didn't help either. It just wasn't a great morning for a run!

And I had to drop out after only 2 miles. I just did not have it today. I was having a pain in the back of my knee. I've had that exact pain before a few times, and every time it goes away with a day of rest.

I knew something was wrong yesterday when I raced MHM. I really believe I'm capable of sub 2:10 on that course. 2:10 was my goal. 2:18 wasn't bad by my standards, but I definitely wanted better. I seriously considered skipping the race yesterday. If Blake had given the shirt away at packet pickup instead of as a finisher's award, I would have definitely skipped the race. (Thanks, Blake! I'm glad I ran even though it hurt.)

I mentioned fatigue and back pain. Well, I was having chest pain also. And yesterday a rash developed on my chest. I just ignored it and ran anyway, but there was no ignoring the fatigue. I just didn't feel good. And I still don't. So I went to a clinic today and found out that I have shingles. Shingles? I thought I was too young for that? Ugh. Maybe that explains why I felt so rotten yesterday. Maybe that explains the cramping and general yuck feeling. My body has been too busy fighting off a virus to deal with running hard.

By the way, shingles is very painful. So, if you've been around me much lately and haven't had the chicken pox, beware.

McKay Hollow Madness - Recap

This paragraph is a "post race edit". I ran this race with shingles. The back pain I mention in the report below was diagnosed as shingles the next day at a walk-in clinic. So, I'm more proud of that effort, because I really didn't feel like running at all, and gave what I think is a very good effort. I missed most of the next week at work and was down for about 3 weeks after.

Sorry, no pics. Again, I did this race alone.

This is a GREAT RACE! The distance is not overwhelming. The course is difficult (actually that's an understatement... the course is brutal), but just about perfect. Kudos to Blake Thompson for putting on such an excellent event. Thanks to all who volunteered today. Great job!

For those who don't want to read the recap, here are the numbers. 2:18:19 finish time. 19th overall of 144 runners and 3rd in my age group. The winner was David Riddle in an insane and what I thought was impossible 1:40. Second place goes to my friend Eric Charette who finished in an AMAZING 1:51. The first place female was Jessica Southers in an impressive 2:13. Full results are at the HTC Website. Overall and Age Groups.

The forecast for today was absolutely NASTY. The weather wasn't as bad as the forecast, but it was yucky. It rained half of the night and rained until just about start time. The course was an absolute mess. Mud, wind, and rain. All the better! That is the essence of trail running. Run the course as it is.

All week I knew that today would not be a great day for me. So, I was disappointed before I started. I have been battling back pain, congestion, and fatigue. (Wow, I sound like an old man.) I can't really describe what's wrong, but I just don't feel good and I haven't for a couple of weeks. I'm not sleeping well at all. I actually slept well last night; I just didn't sleep long enough. But the alarm went off and I threw on my race clothes and grabbed my pre-packed race-day bag and hit the road. The thought of skipping the race did cross my mind. Yeah, I felt that bad.

The day just didn't start well. I stopped at the Starbucks in Athens, and they would not acknowledge me in the drive-thru. I thought they opened at 5:30, and it was 5:40-ish. So I left and the Starbucks in Madison was the same?!? No coffee? Tragic. It wasn't going to be a good day. Luckily, Rocket Rush was open. I'll probably start giving them my business anyway. Then, as I pulled out of the Rocket Rush, I realized that I did not have my watch. WHAT?!?!?! No Garmin? How could I run this race with no clue about my HR, my pace, my distance or my time? UGH! I knew the course well enough that even a stopwatch would have been ok. But I was stuck running this race blind. I ran strictly by feel today. BTW, I learned that that's not a terrible way to run.

This was a true shotgun start! I think that was kinda cool. At the start, there is about a mile or so of road before we hit the trail. That's good because it allows the packs to form. I just tried to stay at the back of the front pack, and I did. There was nobody in my sight behind me when I hit the trail, but I could still see the leaders. The entry to the trail begins with a tough descent down Sinks Trail that was both muddy and rocky. I passed one person here (don't know who) and the leaders were pulling away from me (as I expected).

And that's how most of the race went. I was alone, well behind the leaders and the next couple of packs, but nobody was pushing me from behind. I just ran my own race from here on. I power walked up Panther Knob, and the next pack was out of sight. The descent from Panther Knob went fairly quickly, and I could get a glimpse of the next pack going up the hill to 3 benches. I paused for a quick bottle top off and pressed on up Sinks to Mountain Mist.

I really should have run harder on Mountain Mist trail. I got passed by one guy here (don't know who) and I shouldn't have let that happen. But I kept him in sight and within passing distance. The next pack was out of sight, so I only had this guy to pull me along. I closed the gap on the descent on Goat Trail, and was only a few feet behind him coming up Warpath Ridge and passed him when he stoppedat the aid station at O'Shaughnessy Point. Again, nobody was in sight ahead and I left the only other runner near me at the aid station.

Then begins the tricky descent into McKay Hollow. I had practiced this and was ready to let it fly! But... You knew there would be a "but". But the last time down this trail, I turned my ankle pretty bad, and I was tentative. The trail was nasty and wet and slippery. I wasted too much time and energy on this trail. I should have let it fly and taken the risk, but I wimped out. I was hoping to have someone to hold off or someone to catch on this trail, but I didn't.

At the bottom, it was NASTY! The creeks were high, and it was sloppy and muddy. It was like the trail was a creek!

Now, the tough part of this race begins. Not that the first part is easy, but from here to the end is brutal. It starts with reasonably runnable section of Arrowhead Trail, then it turns up Natural Well trail. The climb on Natural Well is very technical, almost frustrating. This climb took its toll on me, admittedly. I was starting to tire. I hate Natural Well trial! I need to practice this portion for next year. At the top, the climb had taken too much out of me to do anything on the runnable section just before the turn to descend on Arrowhead Trail.

This section of the race, the descent on Arrowhead Trail, is perhaps the funnest stretch of trail running ever! It is FAST. You can let it fly!!! After the descent, the course goes back up Big Cat Hill. :) I was a little winded from the fast descent and took this slower than I should have. Once on the flat section again, I caught and passed a runner (again, I don't know who).

After passing the last aid station, I noticed someone gaining on me. It was Matt Whitworth. He steadily gained on me until the bottom of the death trail section of McKay Hollow Trail. Also, along this stretch, a young guy flew past both of us. I think it may have been Alan Teed.

At the bottom of death trail, I stopped and let Matt pass because my legs were cramping. There was no sense in me staying in front and slowing him down. UGH!! I was so frustrated. This has NEVER happened to me before in a race! Why this race? Why now? Did I not hydrate well enough? Was it the week's fatigue catching me? What was it??? I was grunting and yelling in frustration. Near the bottom, I saw David Riddle, the overall winner (he was on his way down to ice his legs in the creek), and asked him for the time. 2:07. That was the first indication of time that I had throughout the race! I decided to just grunt it out. Cramps or whatever. My calves continued to cramp up the hill. Matt looked down and encouraged me some. Thanks, Matt. I appreciate it!

I came to the top and saw the clock and just did what I could to get there. Eric Charette was there to congratulate me and give a high five for finishing! I was just glad to see someone I knew! Thanks, Eric. Then, after the race I had a good time hanging out with friends and meeting people.

What a great race! Today's 2:18:19 is not the best I can do on that course, but it WAS the best I could do today. Sure, there were areas where I could have done better, but I honestly believe I gave it all I had today. I just don't think today was my best day. Maybe this is just my competitive side, but I will do better next year. But today was still a very good day.

Easy Week

Since the speed work on Tuesday, I have been taking it easy this week. That's because I want to run well tomorrow at MHM. I did 4 easy (8:27 pace) miles on the treadmill and a "pull" workout on Wednesday. I did 6 (8:25 pace) easy miles around Athens this morning.

I'm battling some congestion and fatigue, but I hope I can pull it together for tomorrow.

McKay Hollow Madness Course

That's the elevation profile of the McKay Hollow Madness course. There are about 3500 feet of gain and loss. Nice.

This morning I got in a pre-work run on the McKay Hollow Madness Half Marathon course. There's enough light to see at about 6:30 or so these days. I tried to start then, but was a little late. (Those who know me won't be the least bit surprised.)

I really like this course! There are sections that simply are NOT runnable. Other sections are very fast. Other sections are steep (both up and down!) . It is very scenic. There are rocks, dirt, mud, creeks, roads, and hills. If you're a trail runner, RUN THIS RACE!

The winning time on this race will be slow for a 13.1 miler, maybe over 1:50:00. (It's actually a smidge longer than 13.1, but close enough for a trail run.) I have no idea what to aim for myself!

I was going very easy this morning because today is scheduled to be an easy run, and ran it in 2:40-ish. That's a tough course to do an easy run on! On the descent to McKay Hollow, I turned my right ankle over pretty bad. I had to walk the rest of the way down. I was able to run most of the remaining 6.5 miles. I just couldn't speed on the descents because the ankle was too sore an unstable. It's pretty sore and swollen now, but I'm hoping it will be OK.

This week...

This was my first sub-30 mile week of the year. It was the first sub-30 mile week since the week after the Rocket City Marathon. I suppose it's okay to lower the mileage the week after a 31 mile race, but I am very disappointed with the week. I missed two workouts and didn't make them up. My long run was only 16 miles today.

This week, though, it really was about time. I simply didn't have time to do the miles. I traveled and worked late every night on the road. That zapped my energy for early morning workouts.

• 5 treadmill miles on Tuesday
• 8 easy road miles (8:02 pace) on Friday
• 16 trail miles on Saturday (McKay Hollow Madness plus a couple extra on the South plateau)

I also learned today just how difficult the McKay Hollow Madness course is. It's brutal. I'm struggling to set a goal for that race, but right now I'm thinking I'll do very well to run that race in 2:20. I'd sure take advice on a goal for that race.