Germantown 50K Race Report

08/23/08

Sixty six runners started the Germantown 50K, which is the third out of four races in the Southwestern Ohio 50K Trail Series. Although this was the 14th year for the race, a new course was unveiled. A connector trail was recently opened that bridges the Germantown and Twincreek Metroparks, making a single loop trail with a very limited amount of retracement.

This was definitely the most technical race in the 50K series to date, with repetitive steep climbs, lots of rocks, and tons of toe stopping stumps, especially on the new connector trail. But what really added to the degree of difficulty was the weather. The temperature reached over 95 degrees with humidity in the 30% to 40% range. There also wasn’t much of a breeze, which I’m not sure you want on such a super hot day. Some runners felt the 8:30 race time was a bit late given a forecasted high in the lower 90's. As far as I’m concerned, that’s just a part of the experience. It could have started at 12 noon for all I care.

I have been using Hammer Nutrition products ever since I started running ultras last March (2008). I had used Perpetuem extensively in training, but I had always used it in a diluted form, almost like a flavoring for my water bottle. Germantown would be my first race test using it in a concentrated form and as my (almost) sole source of nutrition.

For those of you who are unaware, Perpetuem is a Hammer Nutrition product designed to meet your complete dietary needs during an endurance race. I had been having problems with my stomach in previous races, so I thought this might be one solution; eliminate the stale pbj’s, Pringles, and M&Ms.

One of the problems with Perpetuem is that it doesn’t keep for very long. After being mixed with water, it has a life of 5 hours, or you can freeze for extended use. For a 50K, it sounds like just one 5 hour bottle should get me all the way. However, I thought the extreme heat of the day would cause the Perpetuem to spoil quicker, so I mixed two 3-hour bottles, freezing one for pickup from my drop bag at mile 19.

The Race

I kept a comfortable pace for the first 5 miles while I stretched out a bit. After that I began following groups of runners who looked like they knew more about running than I did. The first 12 miles were perfect. The temperature was in the mid to upper 70's and there was a cool breeze winding through the woods.

Difficulties started around mile 14 where the connector trail ended and we had to pick up a bike path, then a road. I guess the full connector trail isn't actually finished yet. At this point the temperature had climbed to the mid 80's with 50% humidity, and the few miles of payment sapped an incredible amount of energy from me.

Getting off the road and back on the trails was definitely welcomed. However, having trained on this portion of the course several times, I wasn’t looking forward to the open prairie portions. This was the Twincreek Metropark. We were running the 6 mile outer loop which includes a few short but steep hills, open prairies, a run down a dry creek bed, and a little bit of sandy trails. At this point, the sun was getting rather brutal.

The drop bag point was near mile 19. I found out that I was running in 9th place, which I don’t think I wanted to hear. Whenever I know what place I’m in my focus turns from running and navigating to looking behind every 10 steps. The only thing I picked up at my drop bag was my second bottle of Perpetuem.

By the time I finished Twincreek and returned to the road and the connector trail, it was over 90 degrees with 40% humidity and zero wind. It was absolutely energy draining. The final 4 miles or so were a blur. I was immediately concerned with keeping track of electrolytes and water, and trying to negotiate the trails without falling, which luckily only occurred once, and I have a nice black big toenail to prove it.

It was around 95 degrees when I crossed the finish line, finishing in 8th place overall and as the 5th overall male in a time of 5 hours 40 minutes. I was very happy with my time given the heat. My stomach stayed settled the whole race as I stuck with Perpetuem, water, and 4 gels over the course of the 50K. This race was definitely a success with well trained and motivated volunteers and a great group men and women to run alongside.