Story
On being the Tortoise
it seemed like a good idea on paper - since I was going to be down in that neck of the woods to help time the Tortoise & Hare race, why not tackle this first? Weather was perfect (cool so no bugs and no heat issues), trails would be in great shape (very dry), sunrise was early - and given my other two attempts at this course, starting shortly after 5 am would allow plenty of time before volunteering shift.
Arrogance, thy name is “Bob”
I got off to a good start - my preparation the night before was spot on, and I actually stalled a bit at the start to let it get a little lighter. I set off at a nice pace, thinking it about the same 14:30 ish pace from last time. Until my watch reported “16:57”…what!!! Later, I discovered that the watch must have been having GPS issues, because it really was better than that (see Strava link) , but that set the tone of the run. I kept to the plan, hiking when needed, and taking a hit of hydration every 8 minutes, and listening to the RunGo directions. One thing nice about going slow - it is hard to miss turns! I kept chugging along, startling the odd deer and rabbit, until I got to the end of the Treman portion…RunGo was telling me to turn around, but it looked nothing like the picture I had on the phone from the original directions. So, I took my best guess - and a photo - and sucked down a gel and headed back. (Later learned that the trail apparently has been redone in that section and RunGo directions need to be updated accordingly). It was on the return that I finally got a sub 16:00 minute pace report from the watch…in fact, got several of them in a row, as I worked my way back down to the start. The day was heating up and I could hear the bugs starting to swarm - I felt bad for the solo hiker working their way up the hill as I came down.
I was somewhat heartened by the fact I got back to the start/finish at a fairly consistent albeit slow pace - but there was still Lickbrook to tackle. So I had another gel and kept on chugging. I made NO attempt to run up the switchbacks, and continued hiking until I got to the Buttermilk Falls spur, where I finally made some semblance of running. Just as I started, I encountered a dog walker who turned out to be an acquaintance from years ago but I knew if I stopped to chat I was done. So I keep staggering on, past the yurts - where at least 1 group was stirring - and up to the West King Road turnaround, where I finally began to believe I could make it. I carefully picked my way down - I nearly tripped on a stump, the bane of my existence, but caught myself in time. I wasn’t running very fast, but I did have a hiker coming up the trail pause to let me go by - guess I was scary enough even at that speed! I picked my way down the switchbacks - my knees weren’t going to let me run it - stopping to snap a picture of the sorta Falls (not a lot of water!) Once back on the flat, I staggered past 2 more hikers on my way back to the car. I finally took a misstep, following the FLT to the stream crossing - but I doubled back to the cutoff for the train bridge. I think the Treman Trailapop directions were clearer on that intersection, as these directions only mentioned the bridge on the way out.
Once back at the car, well past the start of my shift, I jumped in and headed out, thinking briefly that:
- I did finish;
- I didn’t fall (though 2 stumps tried their best)
- I only had 1 known bug bite (when I was walking up Lickbrook)
- and I undoubtedly had the slowest time yet for this trail - so someone would be happy!
Going to need some serious recovery time…
Strava activity
patchy fog at start
Treman turnaround
Lickbrook Falls (sorta)
