Black Mountain Monster 12 Hour Race

Totally untrained for something like this but what the heck. You never know what you're capable of unless you try right? While I was disappointed that I wouldn't be running Chattooga, I started to get a little excited about this race. Here was a chance to go for a mileage PR and hours run PR. I really had no idea how to handle fluids, pacing, rest breaks, etc. but figured I would just listen to the body and run according to how I felt.

The race was held on the Montreat College campus in Black Mountain, NC. A 45 minute drive for me and the race started at 10AM so I didn't even have to get up early. I pretty much packed everything but the kitchen sink but still had very little compared to some of the set-ups I saw when I arrived. People had tents, canopies, tables, chairs, grills, incredible amounts of stuff all over the field near the start/finish area. I assume most of them were the 24 hour runners and relay teams. It seemed like we 12 hour runners came with the bare essentials comparatively.

The course was a 3 mile loop winding to and fro through the woods all around the campus. There was single track, wide grassy trails, and about a half mile on an asphalt trail. The majority of the course was nicely shaded with occasional open areas (grassy trails). Very much runnable with a welcome variety of hills and flat. 2 aid stations. The main one at start/finish and one other one about at the half way point. Stocked with water/gatoraid and lots of fruits, pretzels, fig newtons, trail mix, etc. Weather was clear, predicted highs in the low 80's with the ever present chance of afternoon thunderstorms. It pretty much rains every afternoon here lately but surprisingly enough, we only got a few sprinkles in the late afternoon. I was a bit disappointed in that as a nice rain shower would have felt marvelous!

I arrived with plenty of time to set up and then found some other Marathon Maniacs to chat with. Most of them were running either a set mileage or set hourly challenge. I was not sure what to set a goal for. I knew I wanted to run further than a 50K which was my longest run to date and longer than 9.5 hours which was how long it took me to complete Promise Land 50K last year. I felt woefully undertrained and was very worried about the heat conditions later in the day.

The race started right on time. I think there were about 50 runners? Not sure how many were relay teams but out on the course you could easily tell. You'd be chugging along and zoom....a relay runner would just fly by. It got very annoying towards the end when it was a struggle to just put one foot in front of another! I recognized a couple regular Asheville Track club runners and Annette Bednosky, ultra runner elite, in the crowd. There was also a couple pushing a baby jogger. That had to be fun on the single track. And there was the guy I thought of as Cowboy Bob. He had on a huge foam cowboy hat. He passed me several times. The last couple times he went by me tho he had ditched the hat. Too freaking hot I'd imagine!

Once the race began, I quickly staked my place out near the rear of the pack and settled in for a long day of running. With only 1.5 miles between the aid stations I didn't carry anything with me. I used the first loop to get a feel for the course and try to figure out pacing strategies. 36 minutes for the first loop, a quick stop for water/gatoraid and a couple pretzels and I was off again. The first couple loops there were runners around to talk to but after that we got pretty spread out and I picked up my Ipod and cranked up the tunes. I also picked up my handheld around lap 5 when the heat started to bother me. Felt a bit better sipping a little water constantly than chugging cupfulls at the aid stations. Although it was over 80 degrees for most of the afternoon, the shady trails really helped. I was taking S-caps after every 2 laps to counter the water was I drinking. I was covered in salt by the end of the race but my hands did not swell up as they normally tend to do whenever I run an ultra.

Around mile 20 my legs started being very unhappy. Hips hurt, knees hurt. I debated gutting it out but then figured a couple Tylenol would be OK. So, the next time I hit the main aid station I took a couple and the rest of the race I was fine. My feet were very sore towards the end but no blisters and I only fell once so no big ouchies to contend with.

I seemed to be hydrating and fueling OK. Never really felt thirsty but I was getting sick of fruit and pretzels and sports beans after about mile 30. I had visions of PB & J sandwiches or a big juicy hamburger. There were people eating them at their areas. Naturally I didn't think of bringing anything like that. I don't remember what lap it was but I came into the main aid station and there was PIZZA. OMG, they probably thought I was a crazy woman the way I raved about some cold pizza. I grabbed a couple pieces and devoured them as I started walking the next lap.

The laps just kept rolling by. I remember feeling quite thrilled when I completed lap 11 and knew I had set a new mileage record. And before I knew it I was finishing lap 13. 39 miles. 9 hours and 27 minutes. That seemed like an odd number to stop at so I decided to run one more just to get over 40. I was feeling fine although I was slowing down. My 36 min. loops had slid to 40 minutes and now 45. I was spending a bit more time at the main aid station chatting with the lap counters and gauging how the other runners were doing. Many runners had left by then. My little area was getting deserted as each lap more runners had packed up and left.

A funny thing happened after lap 14. My name went on the leaders list. Me. Slow poke-o-rama. Annette was blowing away everyone, men, women, and relays. I think she ended up with 23 laps. I know she lapped me at least 6 times that I remember. But I was tied for 4th with 3 other women. Haha. Maybe they had quit? No. They were still out there running but slowing down according to the lap counter. Ok. So, I had run 42 miles. It was 8:15 and starting to get dark. I had my mileage PR. I had my time PR. Did I do the smart thing and pack up? Heck no! There was now a challenge to be met. Women to beat!

So, I grab my headlamp and head back out for lap 15. The trails had been marked with glowsticks so that was pretty cool. Thankfully it was a bit cooler but now I had to be really careful with my footing. Did not want to take a header in the dark. I had an older gentleman running behind me the entire loop. He had no light and I was his guide. Lap 15 done. They are still ahead of me according to the lap counter but one was feeling sick so they were going slow. I grab a quick drink and a couple Twizzlers and go. It is 9:00PM and full dark by this time. I truck along for about a mile and then spot 3 lights in the distance. YES! As I get closer I see that it is 3 women. I have no idea if these are the 3 I am tied with but I'm thinking probably yes. I forget my aches and pains and tired legs and pick up the pace a bit. I pass them and know I have about 2 miles left to the finish. It is very spooky in the woods but kinda cool at the same time with the glowsticks hanging from trees and bushes. I run very gingerly trying to pick up my feet to avoid the roots and rocks. Can not fall and bust my butt this late in the game. It seems to take forever to cover those last 2 mile but eventually I see the glow of the bonfire through the trees. I glance behind me and all I see is glowsticks. I have done it. 48 miles. 11 hours 45 minutes. I can hardly believe that I really went that far. Wow.

For an unplanned, untrained for event, this went far better than I had expected. I don't have any idea how my recovery will go this week and if I'll be able to run the Boogie on Saturday. If at all possible I will be there. I really enjoyed this race. I'm going to have to search around for another 12 hour in the fall or spring to see if I can do better with cooler temps. There's always another challenge to be met!

PS....the results went online today. I did not get 4th, I tied for 2nd in the 12 hour event behind Annette Bednosky. A couple of the ladies I thought I was tied with for 4th were actually running the 24 hour event. 2nd place. I am totally blown away.