VT Ultra 50k Race Recap

This weekend didn't go at all as planned, but we're ok by that! The original plan was to drive to Virginia Beach and race a road 25k in Kristen's hometown. Then winter arrived (for the second weekend in a row) in the form of ice/snow on Friday causing the race to be cancelled and us staying in town. The silver lining, however, is that this opened up the opportunity for us to race the VT Ultra 50k held locally in the Jefferson National Forest. It was a very low key race - no entry fee, no support personnel, no t-shirt - just a course and a few coolers worth of food to get you through the distance.

I (Jordan) decided to assist with the race production by running with a fellow VT Ultra teammate, Rudy to mark the course ahead of the other runners. We started at 7:50, a good hour ahead of everyone else.

Somewhere during the first loop...probably on Snake Root

Rudy running up Jacob's Ladder

Due to the fresh snowfall, the trails were beautiful, plush and definitely runnable, just VERY slow. Many of the trails had a layer of thick ice from last weeks precipitation hiding under the fresh 3ish inches of snow. We created the first sets of tracks on several of the trails which is always a fun experience. It took a tad under 4 hours to cover the first loop of the course. 

Loop 1 marked in purple ~18.5 miles.

Loop 2 in purple ~ 13 miles

Kristen (who opted to sleep in and let it warm up some) joined us at the start of loop 2. First we circled back around to the last portion of the course near the pond to make sure it was marked, then we set off to complete the course. Loop 2 takes you down Poverty Creek to Royal, then to Prickly Pear, Right on skullcap back to Poverty Creek. Poverty Creek took us back to Jacob's Ladder, where Rudy peeled off to head straight back and Kristen and I climbed up the mountain. At the top, we followed the fire road/ Horse Nettle to Jaberwokie, which was crazy fun running/falling downhill in the snow!

Near the beginning of loop 2.

What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger!
(Pics courtesy of Stephan Sabo and Rudy Rutemiller)

Near the marathon mark (for me)... somewhere halfway up the mtn.

The last stretch around the pond felt pretty long. The snow was much more slippery and our bodies were very tired from all the climbing and stabilization necessary in the snow. We were so happy to be done! It was a great ending to a great day, though anti-climatic finishing in a parking lot of full of cars but no people (they were all still running or hiding from the cold in their cars!)

Finished! I ran the entire 50k while Kristen ran ~13 miles.

Thanks VT Ultra for the time and energy put into this race... It was great motivation to get out and brave the elements and definitely a keeper!

Written By: Jordan

2 Runners, 2 Styles

This weekend we set off for another long run, but this time in differing directions. Though we both share a love for running (especially together), our runs this weekend are pretty indicative of how different our training (and racing) style really is.

Jordan ...

Is more of a spur of the moment, run when and how he feels type person. He's known for exploring during his impromptu long runs that can last for hours (really it's hard to say when he might return). He is not much into training plans, workouts, technology and rather enjoys "racing himself into shape." He would race every weekend if given the opportunity. Jordan is not afraid to jump into a race that he is not adequately prepared for (i.e. some of his longer ultras) and has the mental capability of slogging through and/or running well in adverse conditions.

For example, today Jordan set off on a hilly and adventurous long run down into (and back out of) Ellett valley - no real course, distance or pace in mind. Rather, he explored new roads, took in the gorgeous scenery and came home when he felt ready (he ended up running 20+ miles).

Jordan's scenic long run in the valley.

Kristen...

Is much more analytical and strategic in her training and races. She has specific races she likes to train for and prefers to follow a set plan with set workouts and paces in mind (though she has been known to be flexible at times). For long runs, she would rather run multiple loops of a set distance than find herself a far distance from the house and enjoys the company of her Garmin and Ipod. She pays a lot greater attention to the little details like recovery, strength training and nutrition. Kristen prefers to pick a few key races to train for each year and would rather avoid races she is not prepared for (though Jordan sometimes convinces her to do them anyway).

For example, today Kristen set off for a very much planned 22-miler where she enjoyed three loops of the same course with specific paces in mind for each one. She enjoyed sticking to a flatter, more predictable course with the aid of her Garmin to keep her on pace and music to keep herself motivated.

Kristen post long-run w/ specific (flat) route and paces in mind.
And of course proper post-run nutrition & stretching :-D

While we can be quite different in our training styles, we're both happy, healthy runners and balance each other out. Some days our styles clash (Jordan thinks Kristen's training is too structured while Kristen thinks Jordan's is too laid back), but learning to mesh our approaches to running has been a helpful exercise in finding the same balance in other areas of our marriage :-D

McAfee's Knob Hike & Training Update

When you're a runner and it's sunny and 70 degrees in January, you had better get yourself outside!

And that's exactly what we did this past weekend. We took a short drive out to Roanoke county to run along the Appalachian Trail and kickstart our "ultra" training for the year. 

Kenya loves trail running too.

After our run, we picked up our backpacks and hiked to the top of McAfee's Knob to camp overnight. We've been to the peak many times before, but we've never witnessed the sunrise. I'll let the pictures do the talking, but I'd say it's a Blacksburg must-do.

The sun setting as we hiked up.

Sunrise at the knob.

Overlooking the clouds.

Simply breathtaking.

Shortly after returning from our mini-adventure, we hit the roads for some more training: a hilly 22-miler in the valley. Again, the weather was perfect so we were definitely taking advantage!!

The weather these days is all over the place. 4 days after our sunny 70 degree adeventure, 6" of snow fell in the 'burg. Naturally, we ran then too. :-D

 

Post-run wet and cold.