Thursday, November 10, 2011

MMTR 50 Miler Overall Stats: Starters, Finishers & Overall Finishing Percentage for 29 years

 

  Starters Finishers Sub-12
1983 21 13 12
1984 41 35 32
1985 55 50 49
1986 79 65 64
1987 83 71 69
1988 132 115 115
1989 122 107 104
1990 160 135 128
1991 213 183 181
1992 181 155 150
1993 185 153 151
1994 182 152 145
1995 163 138 135
1996 145 119 118
1997 169 153 148
1998 221 175 168
1999 196 160 155
2000 193 151 147
2001 242 194 191
2002 278 244 239
2003 249 208 207
2004 262 215 214
2005 251 198 194
2006 284 232 220
2007 268 226 221
2008 229 186 183
2009 266 227 225
2010 269 219 215
2011 264 231 229
TOTAL 5403 4510=83% 4337=80%

2011 MMTR 50 Miler Special Category Awards

This year we had three runners receive their 10-time finisher jacket and one receive their 20-time finisher jacket.

2011 10-time finishers

Dorothy Hunter

Jay Finkle

Kevin Townsend

 

2011 20-time finisher

Jeff McGonnell

2011 MMTR 50 Miler Updated Top 10 Performers

This year, Brian Rusiecki & Sandi Nypaver made the top 10 performers lists – congrats!

    Top Ten Performers-Men  
1 2009 Geoff Roes 6:27:55
2 2003 Dave Mackey 6:48:31
3 2001 Clark Zealand 6:52:11
4 2006 Eric Grossman 6:53:18
5 2004 Sean Andrish 6:56:09
6 1997 Josh Cox 6:57:10
7 2009 Lon Freeman 6:58:25
8 1996 Courtney Campbell 6:59:26
9 2005 Paul DeWitt 6:59:52
10 2011 Brian Rusiecki 6:59:34
    Top Ten Performers-Women  
1 2006 Nikki Kimball 7:47:05
2 2005 Anne Lundblad 7:49:48
3 2005 Annette Bednosky 7:55:52
4 2006 Jenn Shelton 7:58:11
5 2011 Sandi Nypaver 8:05:11
6 2009 Tamsin Anstey 8:09:07
7 2005 Cat Phillips 8:13:15
8 2003 Bethany Hunter 8:14:47
9 2003 Jenny Capel 8:23:35
10 1994 Janice Anderson 8:27:01

2011 MMTR 50 Miler Updated Top 10 Times

This year, Sandi Nypaver made women’s the top 10 times list and Eric Grossman joins Dave Mackey & Sean Andrish with more than one spot on the men’s top 10 times list…

Top Ten Times-Men
1.2009 Geoff Roes 6:27:55
2.2003 Dave Mackey 6:48:31
3.2001 Clark Zealand 6:52:11
4.2004 Dave Mackey 6:52:18
5.2006 Eric Grossman 6:53:18
6.2005 Dave Mackey 6:54:11
7.2004 Sean Andrish 6:56:09
8.1997 Josh Cox 6:57:10
9.2003 Sean Andrish 6:58:16
10.2011 Eric Grossman 6:58:22

 

Top 10 Times-Women
1.2006 Nikki Kimball 7:47:05
2.2005 Anne Lundblad 7:49:48
3.2005 Annette Bednosky 7:55:52
4.2004 Nikki Kimball 7:55:57
5.2006 Jenn Shelton 7:58:11
6. 2011 Sandi Nypaver 8:05:11
7. 2009 Tamsin Anstey 8:09:07
8.2005 Cat Phillips 8:13:15
9.2003 Bethany Hunter 8:14:47
10.2003 Jenny Capel 8:23:35

2011 MMTR 50 Miler Photos

By Jade Wei:

https://picasaweb.google.com/108771775414013262171/2011_11_04MtnMasochist50Miler?authkey=Gv1sRgCIC60rOMwq2nVQ#

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

2011 MMTR 50 Miler Race Reports

http://peake-performance.blogspot.com/2011/11/2011-mountain-masochist-50-race-report.html

http://trailslesstraveled.blogspot.com/2011/11/mountain-masochist-trail-run-my-first.html

http://mikedonahue82.blogspot.com/2011/11/mountain-masochist-50-miler-race-report.html

http://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/blue-ridge-sports/running/simple-math-the-50-mile-footrace/

http://timebersole.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-first-50-miler.html

http://mrbimble.com/WordPress/2011/11/mount-masochist-50-more-virginia-hills/ 

http://morethanpaceandstride.blogspot.com/2011/11/mountain-masochist-trail-run-sweeping.html

http://charlottesvilleareatrailrunners.blogspot.com/2011/11/cats-at-masochist.html

2011 MMTR – New Records by Age

AGE NAME TIME
43 Eric Grossman 6:58:22
32 Brian Rusiecki 6:59:34
23 Sandi Nypaver 8:05:11
17 Rachel Corrigan 10:20:04
60 Maria Shields 11:22:32

Mountain Masochist Trail Run “MMTR” 2011

THE 29th year –Pre Race and Post Race epilogue

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Once in a lifetime runners will put their names on the Application for their first time (the man in yellow) to run the MMTR50. Fools on the other hand - return often #90!

This is the” Tale of the Trail” - “elation and disappointment” and the untold stories behind the scenes we want to share. This is intended to be a light hearted account of running, crewing , the joy of victory and the agony of defeat.

With high hopes, pre-race jitters and excitement, hopes of new records set and old ones broken, new PR’s achieved, new memories to share, runners, both new and returning listened as Clark Zealand and David Horton spoke of the challenges the MMTR faces for 2011. With changes on the horizon the future of the race course in jeopardy and unknown, this promised to evoke a lasting memory for those who have challenged themselves in the past and those first time runners stepping on virgin soil attempting this epic and historical race to put their names in the journals of Mountain Masochist Trail Run finishers.

We were crewing for three people for this 29th year of the MMTR. Dorothy (Buffalo Butt) Hunter Bib 142, vying for her 10th Masochist finish, John Billy Goat Cooper (Bib 90) going for #6 finish and our newbie going for his first finish , Rob Carbaugh, (aka Hot chili pepper man) bib #275.

Our friend Rob has completed several marathons, ½ marathons and helped pace our Beast runners, John Cooper and Jason Nuss in the past. After Rob successfully completed Promise Land 2011, he decided to sign up for the MM50 2011. Dr. Pain (aka Horty) made a special presentation of Hot Chili Pepper running shorts, to a speechless, stoic Rob, who is usually a chatty never slows down to breath kind of guy was in a vapor lock. A gift from his long time friends seated at the table Friday night the flamboyant shorts were intended to motivate and encourage Rob to succeed in accomplishing this soon to be toughest athletic event ever of Rob’s life. Rob’s look was one of shock and disbelief. The normal chatty fellow was speechless. From here the story unfolds.

A Van was rented to carry the entourage and capture all the camaraderie and adventure. We soon discovered that we carried more gear and baggage both emotionally and physically than the Kardashians ever could. Awakening early , our party of 11 departed our Evington house , race ready at 4:45 a.m. Indelible etched memories were sure to follow, capturing all the awe and exhilaration we could ever pack into one day….. with the start of the 29th running of the MMTR.

Jason Nuss , Chief Driver by default of drawing the short straw with navigation skills diminishing, was too often told he was driving to close to the edge, however in retrospect we spent all day literally “on the edge”.. You may have viewed us singing and hollering words of motivation and encouragement while cruising by in a large white Chevy van. How successfully can one drive a large white Chevy van crewing with two motion sick people in it on the MMTR course one might ask? Or how do you turn a big white 12 person Chevy van around on single lane roads? Or with steep drop offs on one side and two vehicles attempting to pass each other at the same time? With Sheer determination and fortitude, Jason Nuss took charge maneuvering the van like a driver at a Nascar event… despite only running off the road one time, throwing gravel and sand while going in reverse on the reservoir road, accomplishing parking in a space between a tree and a car not large enough for a VW bug and backing down over a nearly unattainable grass ditch ... we prevailed…and the reputation of our driver, Jason Nuss lives on.

Those who have never ventured down the winding tote road to get to the Dancing Creek Aid Station fail experience the excitement of runners “dancing magically” across rocks that traverse the stream from one side to the other. Some attempts are successful showing unwavering skill as runners delicately place each foot precariously on rocks one in front of the other to prevent a plunge into the cold icy waters or looking for an alternate set of rocks to cross on such as John Cooper #90 and Rob did.

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Others, choose a quicker approach, such as Buffalo Butt, Dorothy Hunter splashing straight thru the middle like a determined salmon attempting to get up stream to mate. We witnessed one new virgin MMTR runner who fell and rolled around in the creek as if noodling for a fish then finally, surfacing totally drenched with a twisted ankle forcing him to leave behind his dreams of finishing the 29th MMTR at mile 11.9. Sadly his dreams continued to dissolve as we help carry his bags to his car back at the Parkway his vision for success ended as the first DNF and the words of Dr. Horton, resonating…. 18% of you won’t finish the race, - will YOU be in that 18%. So the statistics begin …..which proves Horton does know what he is talking about - Sometimes !!!

As we proceeded on to the gate Aid station, we find our first runner, John Billy Goat Cooper #90 comes up the hill with his usual steady, energizer bunny trek style.

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Followed by our second runner, Rob Carbaugh #275 looking for a dose of pain relief from Advil, IB or Tylenol complaining of back and shooting leg pain. John and Rob pressed on and our third runner, Buffalo Butt, Dorothy Hunter #142, came bounding up the hill looking fresh as she had started, not having to rely on her usual diet of Imodium, Red Bull and ginger snaps to get her through the race day.

We loaded up the 12 person Chevy van and proceeded on to make the winding journey to the Reservoir Aid Station…. Where the first sighting of Rob’s Pictorial Poster flaunting the Chili pepper Short and all it’s grandeur was unveiled …

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His physique in the chili pepper shorts were a sight to behold, no doubt, a part of history now, and unquestionably debuted on Face book by Saturday afternoon. Many runners, crew and innocent bystanders admired the picture poster (with caption reading MMTR GO Big or Go Home ) at the Reservoir Aid Station, including Rob. He laughed as he saw the almost life size poster of himself clad in the unquestionably 3 sizes too small trendy running shorts which he put on while pacing John Cooper at Grindstone as a joke! A pose ensued resulting in a speedy Kodak moment to capture the masquerade. Rob’s laughter at the Reservoir aid station was short lived as the back and leg pain continued haunting him. He stated he would assess the situation at the half way point, grimaced and moved on. Upon arrival at Long Mountain wayside he decided crossing the finish line for the 29th MMTR was not going to happen and dropped out. He will have that excitement and story ahead some other year. In severe pain, he crawled into the back of the van after succumbing to a long day remaining of pain and discomfort as we had no way to get him, his wife and son back home with only one vehicle. He would eventually be transported to the finish line but not before experiencing more adventures along the way.

The day was beautiful for most; however, Dorothy Hunter and Rob Carbaugh would disagree profoundly. As Rob laid in the van suffering from back and leg pain ailments Dorothy prevailed only after finally finding relief behind a large rock protecting her modesty while she purged the internal demons from her bowels. That helped her day get better as she pressed on not relying on her usual diet previously stated, but now eating fig bars, peppermint patties and ginger snaps enabling her to get across the finish line successfully for 10th MMTR!. Our Billy Goat John finished his 6th MMTR successfully and without incident – no blisters nor chaffing… and close to a new PR.

The crew team then convinced Buffalo Butt (Dorothy Hunter) to enter Rosey’s bench press competition to see what the little wiry gal could achieve. Doing this after slaying a 50 mile race -who would have thunk! Rosey behind her all the way with words of encouragement maintaining his safety spotter position finally released the bar bell and let Dorothy’s go to work. As everyone chanted 1,2,3,4.. Dorothy with very little help ;-) thought she was bench pressing the world. Rosey motivating her every step of the way to pass Horton’s record successfully did it with 5 extra reps to boot.. When completed cheers and praise were yelled and she marched right up to the finish line to proudly tell Horty she passed him by 5 reps. This proved to be some legit quality entertainment after a long day on the course for all.

After our runners completed the grueling course we loaded everyone in the van, got Rob upright and propped up in the corner and our ride home became more interesting and colorful mile by mile as Jason Nuss our chief driver – by default proceeded down the winding road from Montebello with our car sick companions - a very nauseated car sick Dorothy in the front seat, Jill (Rob’s wife) in the next seat watching out the front window in hope of eluding sickness, John Billy Goat Cooper in the second row next to the sliding door, not feeling the greatest either and Diane next to the window behind our driver. Rob in the third seat back looking more now like a Halloween Zombie staring forward into space, his son Davis next to him and Gloria Nuss on the end. Brooke, Jessica and Elliott Carbaugh completed the back of the pack and the girls became our singing sensations on the way back to the hotel. All the while Jason making fun of vomiting -half way down the mountain, Dorothy needed a barf bag, heat off, windows down, retching and dry heaving into a zip lock bag, which she reminded us was see through. Her husband Todd (who had a bike race and couldn’t be present to enjoy the fun, was sending Gloria Nuss a text telling her to make sure everyone stayed way out of the way of the projectile vomiting that would surely take place shortly.) We needed to pull over so Buffalo Butt could get out of the van. Coincidently upon getting out, she decided at that time to also change her clothes.. All modesty went out the door literally… Back in the van, we proceeded on listening to false hurling in the front, singing from the back, snoring from the end seat as all the tired warriors departed on towards Lynchburg. We needed to return the van as soon as we arrived to Lynchburg. The logistical issues began unfolding. As soon as we reached the hotel, Dorothy was outside the van hardly able to walk and retching at high octave in the parking lot of the Kirkley with see through barf bag in hand. Rob was doing Zombie maneuvers trying to exit the van with not much success. Bags were being transferred outside the van with the swiftness of a professional doorman at a fancy hotel wanting a great tip. All the while random utterances of wisdom were being said by the Driver Jason while Jessica and Brooke continued singing in hopes to drown out the agony. After much deliberation a plan developed as to who was going to stay and take showers – Brooke, Jessica, Dorothy Buffalo Butt Hunter, John Billy Goat Cooper and Elliott Carbaugh and who was following going to help return van and who would drive to Evington, then returning to the Kirkley hotel for the dinner and award ceremony. Gloria Nuss would follow Diane to return the van and we would return back to the hotel. Jason Nuss would leave taking the Carbaugh family back to Evington to pick up their belongings and car and head home to Chesapeake. The original plan was everyone was spending the night at John and Diane’s in Evington “joyously” & go home on Sunday.. We had planned an evening around the fire pit enjoying the exchange of trail stories and folklore … After the untimely and painful DNF for Rob, the plans changed. John Billy Goat Cooper left his truck at the Kirkley Friday night so we would have transportation there after returning the van on Saturday night. Brooke also left her car at the hotel, as did Dorothy Buffalo Butt and Jason and Gloria’s vehicle rounded out the plan. We needed to be able to transport 11 people back to Evington on Saturday night after the van was returned in Lynchburg.

Our home is not large, so the Carbaugh family (4 people) spent the night in our motor home (seen at the entrance to Grindstone), which we duly named the Carbaugh Suite for the weekend. Their son Elliott rolled in late from Friday night from Virginia Tech and so all their belongings were in the motor home, meaning that when Jason took them to Evington, no entry to the house was needed….. that is until we discovered John Billy Goat Cooper left his truck keys at home.

I wrote down specific instructions on how to successfully deactivate the house alarm and where John’s keys were located and he headed out with the Carbaugh family. Rob seated shivering covered in a blanket with the seat heaters on high in the front seat, Jill (the car sick one) sitting in the back seat with son Davis. Elliott was spending the night and heading back to school Sunday morning. On the way to Evington, Robs’ nausea increases and now he starts throwing up. Jason driving like Mario Andretti on the country road trying to get one more retching runner delivered quickly. During the drive Jason begins questioning Rob, when was the last time he drank anything … and for that matter – when was the last time he urinated and what was the color? Jason has a way of being very colorful one way or another. Rob was severely dehydrated even though up to the point of dropping out he had several bottles of water as later reported by the Billy Goat. Jason and the Carbaugh’s arrive at the house in Evington. While Jill and Davis are gathering their belongings from the motor home, Jason has made his first attempt at the alarm. An attempt that he thought was successful. Although we do have indoor plumbing, Jason being an ultra runner felt the need to pee in my flower garden outside, during his mid stream relief the sound of the screaming siren of the house alarm goes off. Diane had told him if he set the alarm off to just go to the phone, wait for it to ring because the alarm company would call and give them the code. He was outside the door peeing when the phone rang and he missed the call. Next on their list is to call was my cell phone, which by the Grace of God I had on and happened to be walking across the Kirkley parking lot into the hotel. Had I been anyplace other than where I was I would not have heard it. I answer the call and the caller says, “Lynchburg alarm – is this Diane ?”

I answer “yes with a smile” She says, “We have a burglar alarm reported at your home and the alarm is going off.” Now, please picture this… a man dressed in a black cap, black coat, black pants, throwing bags into a black sedan that looks like it could belong to someone in the hood is at our house with the siren blowing and then she asks me this question, “Do you want me to cancel the police car dispatched to your house?”. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud… Yes Ma’am, please cancel the police… It is a friend and this is the end of a very long day. So as the night closed for the 29th MMTR our gratitude goes forth to Clark Zealand, Dave Horton, Dr. George Wortley, Rosey and all the many volunteers for your time, effort and all the love you put forth to make these races successful for all of us. From our runners and our crew we thank you and will return for more adventures for MMTR 30 in 2012.

Thanks for the wonderful Memories…. Penned with love and lots of memories. Jason and Gloria Nuss, John Billy Goat Cooper, Diane Hensley, Dorothy Buffalo Butt Hunter, Brooke Helsabeck , Jessica Ehrbar, Rob chili pepper shorts Carbaugh, Jill, Davis and Elliott Carbaugh….

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

2011 MMTR race report – Kim Haven

MMTR Recap:

Going into the race I had a naive goal of finishing under 10 hours and I knew I could make top 10 women if I could get down to around 9:30. About 22 miles in I realized how unrealistic that was, and actually pretty disrespectful to the amazing women that do run those times.

The day began at 3:45am and we loaded the buses at 4:45am. It is a point to point race so you get bused to the mountains (about an hour trip) and then get a bus ride back to the host hotel (another hour trip after the race). I felt really nervous but ready. It felt really cold at the start, probably around 30 degrees. I opted to wear all my warm weather gear, and I actually kept it on the whole day due to so many microclimates on the mountain. I started the race with my toes completely numb and it took 3 miles to get feeling back.

Miles 0-6: The race began promptly at 6:30am, on the Blue Ridge parkway and then SR 501. Tried to keep it really slow, because I knew I would need every ounce of muscle later in the race. Hovered around 9 min miles, which given the upcoming terrain was probably a bit fast. Ran with a guy for the first 6 miles who had been accepted into Badwater (if you don't know about this race look it up) which is pretty much the ultimate ultra marathon. He was a badass. The time flew as we chatted.

Miles 6-16: We entered the old Appalachian Trail at mile 6, and from here on our we would be on trails, until the last mile of the race. Met a great girl Jen around mile 7 and we ended up staying together till around mile 32 or so. This amazing chic had just run Marine Corps 6 days prior and qualified for Boston! The time FLEW by during this section. We walked the steep uphills and kept a great pace on the flats. There were several creek crossings so by mile 10 our feet were completely soaked. We were feeling really great and happy to have found each other.

Miles 14-22: Most of the time during the stretch we were running sub 8:30s, there were a lot of gradual downhills and flats, with a few climbs mixed in. Jen's initial goal was also to run sub 10 hours with the hope of top 10, so our little egos were feeling really good during these miles, we were passing men left and right and were feeling really strong. We even passed Andy Thompson who held the fastest completion of the Appalachian Trail until this past summer, with a record of 47 days. We should have realized that passing him meant we were running a wee bit fast!

Miles 22-27: The reality of the race set in. There is a 3,000 foot climb that starts around mile 21 and lasts till about mile 30. It was a beast. We walked a lot, everyone was doing the same. We tried running the climbs that weren't too challenging but we were afraid to tax the legs too hard because we had no idea what lie ahead, and we weren't even halfway. Around mile 25 I knew our goal was ridiculous and at that point I was worried that we would be able to finish within the 12 hour cutoff.

SIDENOTE, AID STATIONS: There were aid stations every 2-5 miles and were always a welcomed site. They were stocked with the standard ultra fare, pb&j, chips, pretzels, cookies, m&ms, soda, water, nuun, etc. and my menu choice of the day baked potato pieces that you could dip in salt. When you are running all day you must continually eat. You can't eat a lot at once so every aid station I stopped and got a few things, filling up on fluids when I needed them. I opted for carrying my 4 10z bottle Nathan belt which I had stocked with Heed and Perpetuum, both Hammer products. Best decision I made, it kept my stomach happy and the caffeine in the Perpetuum that I had on the second half gave me the occasional burst. Jade, wife of my Daily Mile friend Jim who ran MMTR, was at a few stations and cheered me on, this was so so helpful!

Miles 27-32: The halfway point was where the buses stopped and had our drop bags that we could access to get restocked for the 2nd half of the race. By this point I was really struggling mentally, the idea of having to do that distance again over the same terrain was daunting. Little did I know that the 2nd half was MUCH harder than the first. Had I know what lie ahead I might have dropped. My sciatic was hurting since mile 4 but I tried not to think about it and by this time everything hurt so bad that I didn't even focus on that pain. As I was collecting my things for the second half I saw Tyler taking pictures of me out of the corner of my eye. I think I said "What the hell are you doing here". He had dropped out of the race at the 1/2 way point. He was experiencing severe leg and back cramps and decided it wasn't worth it to try and walk the whole second half, given that he was unable to run at this point. Seeing him made me so tempted to quit and take the bus back with him to the finish, it would have been so easy. But, I didn't travel 14 hours to quit just cause I was tired. I wasn't injured, there was no option, I had to press on. I came to the 1/2 way point around 5:15, if you would have told me that I would run an exact even split for the second half I would have laughed in your face. Jen and I left the aid station together and continued up the 3,000 ft climb. It was brutal. I got a surge around the 50k mark and took it, you never know when they will come. It lasted a mile or so but it felt good run run somewhat normal again.

Mile 32-38: This was the hell that is called The Loop. I lost Jen as we exited the aid station entering the loop, she stopped for a bit and talked with her fiance but I had to keep moving. I knew at that point my body needed to keep moving. The climb heading into the loop was a beast. It was about a mile long and SO steep. I wish I had hiking poles at this point. After the first climb it was just an up and down battle. There was a bit of snow in the loop, just a bit, but it made me chuckle. This was nuts! The second half of the loop was pretty technical, I realized what our bus driver meant when he said "beware of the leaves". A lot of fallen leaves on the rocky ground makes it really hard to find stable footing, because they create a false ground. There was so much walking in the loop I began to get really worried that I would not make the cutoff.

Mile 38-47: Leaving The Loop was a great feeling, it's a mental beating. Coming out of the loop there was a very runnable section of gravel road. My legs were so tired all I could do was the old lady shuffle but it was good enough to pass a good number of folks. One of things that worked for me in this race was forcing myself to run when it was runnable. I know that sounds obvious but you get so depleted all you want to do is walk to give yourself a break. I knew I would have plenty of inclines that I would have to walk, so I forced myself to pick it up when I could. Some of these miles were a blur. One guy who I came upon said we were just picking away at the distance at this point and that it all would blur together. He was so right. During this stretch I passed a lot of men. There was one section where we were on single track and I had to use tree trunks to help me up, it was so steep and the leaf litter made it so slippery. During this section, which was around 43, I just wanted to sit down and cry it was so tough. We got to the top of that climb and I stopped for a second to enjoy the view through the trees. It was truly a beautiful, clear day and some of the scenery, if you could get out of your misery and raise your head, what breathtaking. There was one spot early in the race where it looked fake it was so beautiful, you could see a panoramic view of the mountains which were painted in fall colors.

Mile 47-54: I was doing pretty well by this point. Everything hurt but knowing you are within single digits of a 50+ race puts some pep in your step for sure. I got to the last aid station and was told that there was 3.8 miles left. I didn't believe them because there is a fake race distance of 50 miles and a real race distance of 54. The man promised me that it was a real 3.8 miles. By that time my Garmin had lost all credibility because of the woods (tradeoff you get with a 5 year old Garmin, battery lasts forever, but the accuracy not so great!) so I wouldn't have been able to tell was 3.8 miles was anyway. This aid station had hot tomato soup so I took a cup and moved on. I came to the last station at 9:59 and finished in 10:36, 37 minutes to do 3.8 miles at the end of this journey felt fantastic. I felt like, while it was hard, I was actually running. Normally that would have been a crawling pace in training, but at this point I felt like a gazelle! The last section was pretty much flat or downhill but very rocky with lots of leaves, but the downhill was so nice for me. The road came just after the 1 mile mark and hitting the road made me realized how much my feet hurt.

FINISH: Seeing the finish line was so amazing I'm surprised I didn't cry. It felt so good to run it in and get a handshake from the race director. Tyler was there and was cheering very loudly. I was so proud of myself in that moment, it was unbelievable that I "ran" (more like shuffled and hiked) an even 1st and second half! I pushed myself to places I have never been and it was the most challenging day of my life. I knew I didn't have the option of quitting, if I didn't make the cutoff I had to go out trying. I made the cutoff by 1:24 and finished 18th woman. I believe now that unless you train in the mountains you cannot expect sub-10 hour finish, there is no way. Given that, a 10:36 was very respectable. I ran with some amazing men towards the end, one guy who was doing MMTR for the first time and had run a 50 miler two weeks before (does this stuff all the time apparently) and finished in just over 7 hours! He was shocked how difficult this race was, I ended up leaving him way behind me, which lifted my sprits :)

Albert and Mary finished as well, and I am so proud of them. Mary had bad plantar going into the race but still rocked it. Albert came through and then headed right to the bench press where he won the Ironhorse award, he cranked out 31 reps of 135 lbs after 54 miles!!

Things I learned:

1) Nutrition is half the battle, without proper nutrition, hydration, and supplementation you will have no chance. Hammer products are a gift from heaven.

2) Don't stop moving, I never stopped for more than 30 seconds at an aid station.

3) Talk to others, companionship is priceless.

4) Run when you can and walk with purpose. The sections that were super steep I pumped my arms like I was running the damn thing.

5) Look around. It was so easy to get into your own personal hell that you miss the beauty around you, I was very guilty of this.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Eric Grossman wins the 2011 MMTR 50 Miler


image, originally uploaded by clark_zealand.
Eric Grossman wins the 2011 Mountain Masochist 50 Miler Trail Run.  In a time of 6:58:22 Eric wins the MMTR again, visit his race profile to see a breakdown of his race.  The last time Eric won was in 2008. .

Sandi NyPaver is the female Winner of the 2011 MMTR 50 Miler


image, originally uploaded by clark_zealand.
Sandi NyPaver is the female Winner of the 2011 MMTR 50 Miler. She won this years Mountain Masochist 50 miler in 08:05:11. Congratulations on this year victory, go here to see her race splits.

Eric Grossman 2011 MMTR current leader


CIMG2820, originally uploaded by clark_zealand.
Eric Grossman is currently leading the 2011 MMTR race, he has come through the half way point with a 7 minute lead.

MMTR 50 Miler 2011 Race Start!


image, originally uploaded by clark_zealand.
The MMTR is underway, follow us here and on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ecorun) as well as the Live Results page (http://apps.eco-xsports.com/livestats.php?race=2&year=2011)

Live Results and Splits Link

For results as we get them in use this link- http://apps.eco-xsports.com/livestats.php?race=2&year=2011