Loomdog Runs With the Big Dogs

Last year's Massanutten 100 mile race was the first time I completed a 100 mile run. I suffered in that one more than anyone should, having torn a hamstring/popliteus at mile 19, causing me to walk the last 35 miles. So with a few more 100's under my belt I began preparing for this year's race on January 1st.

I put in the miles, dealt with a calf injury, averaged 73 miles a week the last 2 months, ran 20 runs of 15-20 miles, did six runs of 25-35 miles, had a strong 7:23 50miler at Bull Run, and I even managed a 107 mile 2 day adventure run in Shenandoah National Park. I was prepared, but you never know: 100 miles is a long way to race!

This race was different than last year also because I had two of my old cross country teammates and fellow Ithaca college alums trying their first ultras. Andy Weishaar and Ian Golden were both in 32-33 minute 10k shape but lacked the long runs. What would happen to them?

The main difference this year was the phenomenal weather. I mean it was BEAUTIFUL the entire day and night, never cold, never hot.

It all started off with an idiocy I had never seen in an ultra before. Courtney Campbell ran the first 5k in 17:00!!! Sure it was on roads and he wanted to hit the single track trail ahead, but that was ridiculous. But he would continue to amaze for the next 20 hours.

Ian, Andy and I ran together in 2nd,3rd, and 4th and chatted away up the first climb. Near the top Andy moved off ahead and Ian and I continued together for the first 25 miles. I felt okay and tried to back off when we seemed to be over-running. We let Jonathan Worswick (3rd last year) move ahead, as well as John Geesler (former MMT 100 champ and 2 time National 24 hr champion.) I kept my cool and used my knowledge of the course to continue in the right direction when two miles of course markers had been vandalized. All was well except the knot that grew in my stomach.

During my long training runs I had used Ensure, and at that pace had no trouble. In fact I had never really had stomach trouble in an ultra before, so I put down a few of them prior to the start and during the first 20 miles. But the fat just sat in my stomach (I was running a bit too fast to let it process).

My fabulous crew(my parents) were very helpful and were at the ready to give me all the foods and drinks I had prepared, for this or that aid station, yet I couldn't take it. I carried ziplock bags of Skittles and jelly beans and drank lemonade and water. This worked well enough to let me keep moving, in fact I moved up a bit, but the stomach still hurt. Jon and I ran the new Kerns Moutain section, calling on all our technical abilities as this was 4.8miles of rock piles.

My legs and feet were fine throughout, I had back up shoes and socks ready but never even thought of them, as I ran the entire 100 without touching my feet. (No blisters, hot spots, or black toenails!) I'll tell anyone who will listen: go to KMART buy $3.99 thin synthetic socks and wear two pair..... foot problems solved! End of story.

With the cool weather I took salt tabs about every 3 hours and had no cramping problems. My legs were not even stiff or tired, the only thing holding me back was the stomach. Things bottomed out coming down off Bird Knob having hit 50 miles in 9:35. My vision tunneled in, I got pale and dizzy as the blood sugar level must have got below 50mg/dl. I ate a Powerbar of all things, and was able to move on down the mountain to the Route 211 aid station. My parents had driven into town and picked up my secret weapon: chocolate milk shakes!

I pounded one and left for Waterfall Mountain 7 minutes behind Andy and Jonathan with some Coke in my handheld bottle. I caught them before the summit and began to perk up. Andy was getting tired but he would move well with me for the next ten miles. Jonathan began to suffer from a lack of distance training and stayed in the Gap Creek Aid station when we left. I began to feel good finally when the aid stations started having soup!!! Soup and Coke is all anyone really needs, and with another milk shake at Mooreland Gap(65 miles), I was ready to rock. I left the aid station in 2nd place and looked at my watch. It was 6:30 pm and I decided I would get through Short Mountain before dark. I climbed with my new mantra....DHing. Walking the climbs like David Horton .. .nobody walks like that man. But, I did up to the ridge, then I began to run. I absolutely hammered that section and came into Edinburgh Gap a mere 1:42 later. Ate some soup, got my headlamp, and a long sleeve shirt, filled the bottle with more Coke and took off. As darkness set in I continued to move well, running everything I could, and walking fast on the rest. With a yodeling call I descended to the road at Woodstock Tower (82miles), waking up my parents who did not expect me to be there so fast. (I had just covered the 16.5 miles in 3:45! Last year it took me 6 1/2 hours for these sections.)

For the next section I still moved well, but could no longer keep sub 10 minute miles. Where was that aid station anyway??? I called out to the glow stick lights as I passed them for something to do, it was lonely and dark. I almost stepped on an opossum, having barely missed stepping on a timber rattlesnake around 44 miles earlier on.

Finally I could see the lights of the aid station and passed my parents' van on the way to it. Sitting down, I heard that I was now over 5 miles ahead of 3rd. I told my dad I was going to just take it easy now as I had gained on Courtney but his 2 hour lead was too much. I had 13 miles to go and with a full and happy belly I stepped off. On the way out of the aid station I saw the evidence that Courtney's stomach was not so happy...Chunks!! Was he going to crumble??? I tried to make good time on the 2 mile road section but my left Achilles just went. I mean… gone! I began a walk drag thing that would allow 14-15 minute miles but hurt! Downhills were bad, uphills were worse, and Massanutten has NO flat sections.

What are you going to do? was the question... Move forward, was the answer. I came into the last aid station, drank another milkshake and left as fast as I could. This needed to be over. Climb climb climb, descend descend descend, yes, I recognize this! A gravel road, turn on to blacktop, go up the hill, the bridle path! Almost there. I'd run strong now, pain blocked away… across the field and in. DONE! My parents were there and that was about it.

My sub 21 hour had evaporated in those last 13 limping miles, and sub 22 as well, but 22:14 on the NEW MMT course is much better than 29:55 on the old.

After a shower I laid down for an hour until Andy and Ian returned to the cabin. Both guys managed to stay in the top 10 for 82 miles of the rock monster that is the MMT 100, but had legs that simply would not function and had to drop.

Before the race the lingering question was, would I beat me this time??? You see, I use my body as a means of testing the strength of my mind. The answer? Yes, once again the body gave out before my mind. I won.

-- Greg Loomis