RACE REFLECTIONS: HARBISON STATE FOREST TRAIL 50K
Well, it is Wednesday... four days after the The Harbison State Forest Trail 50k, and I am finally able to confidently stand when I get out of bed and walk without a limp. WINNING!
I absolutely love traveling to races and trying out new terrain so this was no different. Coming off of the Envirosports Death Valley Trail Marathon, I didn't have a definite time goal in mind, I just wanted to feel good, have fun, and finish with some fresh lessons. I used this race as a training opportunity to fine tune my strategy before I head to Page, Arizona for the Vacation Races, Antelope Canyon 50 mile race. After all, I walk away having learned something new from each race I complete.
THE START
The race itself consisted of two, 25k loops through the beautiful Harbison State Forest in Columbia, South Carolina. I arrived about 45 minutes early to check in, grab my bib, and vigorously apply Glide. It was a small field, with 55 racers setting off at 7:30 am. We started out on a gravel road for roughly one mile before turning into the forest on the Firebreak Trail. Before hitting the Firebreak Connector trail, I ran upon a friendly group of volunteers who helped with the wayfinding of the trail. Little did I know, seeing them 1/2 mile before the end of the race was the happiest I would be to see other people.
I took a left on the Stewardship trail before connecting to the Midlands Mountain trail where leaf coverage made the path a little more difficult to navigate. I slowed down a bit to make sure I wasn't losing the trail before hitting the Spider Woman Trail which was much more windy, hilly, and harder to navigate. Some of the trail ran along the Broad River and I loved hearing the rushing water. Then it was back to Midlands Mountain trail before hitting the Bluff trail, where I got lost.
Just a little bit lost… no biggie.
FINDING MY WAY
Getting lost on the trail when you're running in a small field is not fun. I'm not known for being great at wayfinding but I knew I could turn around and back track, or I could wait for the next runner to show me the way. After roughly 5 minutes of back and forth trying to figure out where the path was and what to do, I finally looked at my phone and had a brilliant thought... download AllTrails. Thankfully I had service out there and within minutes I was back on course and off to the Midlands Mountain trail. Then back to the Firebreak trail which cuts back to the start/finish. I was coming up on 15 miles on my watch and checked FindMy to see where my husband, Matt, was and I was nowhere near him. I started to get a little anxious that I had made a wrong turn, but found the two volunteers from earlier who told me I was close to the midway point! I was off to the Eagle trail where I successfully completed my first 25k loop!
Hugs and kisses for her husband, Matt and dog, Althea.
A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES
I was so happy to see Matt and my dog, Althea, and friends, Megan and Kevin, as well as their pup Winston. I knew this was my chance to replenish my water and fuel, and quickly use the restroom. I passed my vest off to Matt, asked him to fill my water bladder up to 1L and my soft flask with one scoop of pineapple Skratch hydration mix. I refilled my fuel and walked over to see what food they had available at the aid station. There, I caught up with the race director and we discussed the point where I got lost as well as the course being marked a little long (roughly 1/2 a mile longer each loop). All was well, off I went!
I was feeling really great about the first loop but the amount of time I paused at the aid station started to stiffen me up a bit. I hit the gravel road once again realizing that I forgot a few key things - pickle juice and some first aid for a few hot spots I was experiencing in both shoes. When I turned back into the forest I ran into my family and friends setting out for a hike. They perked me up a bit before I continued on.
THE PAIN CAVE
About midway through loop two, I started to experience pretty grueling pain in my right leg. It started in my hip, moved down to my knee, then settled in on the top of my ankle and shin bone. I slowed down quite a bit and had to walk much of the hilly section. I was in the pain cave and was not sure how I was going to finish. I kept thinking about my family and friends waiting at the finish line, the fact that this was a training race and not the "BIG" race, and knew at that moment I needed to turn off my brain. I decided to turn on a Phish show to get me through the last 8ish miles I had left.
CROSSEYED AND PAINLESS
With about 4 miles to go, I dug deep and found my stride again. I was able to run in the last chunk and found myself laughing as I knew I was 1/4 mile from the finish as Phish was singing Crosseyed and Painless, the main lyric which repeats saying "I'm Still Waiting."
I saw the finish line ahead and emerged from the forest. Althea and Winston ran to greet me and run me into the finish line. I found myself oddly emotional, thankful to have been able to finish the race and so happy it was over.
REST AND RECOVERY
I'm finishing out the week allowing my body to recoup, using compression socks and second skin on some gnarly blisters. For movement, I'm going to do some light hiking while I'm visiting Pisgah National Forest, spending quality time with my theragun, doing some body strength exercises and restorative yoga. Oh, and eating, because what is an ultra without a week of extreme hunger.
LESSONS LEARNED
When using a crew, have them spread out all of your stuff so that you can see everything and evaluate what you need.
Make sure AllTrails is downloaded or download the race course to your phone prior, if available.
Make sure your headphones are connected to your phone prior to race start.
Eat more real foods (I actually knew this, but wanted to test just gels as a trial - 10/10 do not recommend).
MY GEAR:
Ultimate Direction Trail Vest
Lululemon - Swiftly Tech long sleeve shirt
Lululemon - Track That 3" lined
Balega socks
Hoka Speed Goats
MY FUEL:
Spring Energy - Awesome Sauce
Hammer Gels - Orange, Apple Cinnamon and Tropical (with caffiene)
Honey Stinger Waffles - cinnamon and cookies and cream
Aid station finds: cheetos, dill pickle chips, peanut butter protein bars, potato, soda (mellow yellow and sprite)
As I look back at my prep, the race itself, and the recovery, I know I have some work to do to get myself in my best shape before Antelope Canyon. With exactly two months until race day, my plan is to trust my training, remain consistent with runs and strength training sessions, incorporate more whole foods into my long runs, and value recovery. If you are interested in learning more about ultra trail running, or the coaching and training we provide at RunFit, click here to set up your complimentary consultation!
Trust your training,
Amy Balestrieri, RRCA Running Coach, Nutritionist