Stone Steps 50K, 10-19-2008

Stone Steps 50K, 10-19-2008

This was the final race in the Southwest Ohio 50K Trail Series, and it proved to be the most difficult. Aside from the rocky areas, there were, of course, stone steps. Lots of them.

I visited Mt Airy Forest for a training run a little more than two weeks prior, and less than a week before the Woodsfield 12 hour race. I was able to get a good idea of what I had to look forward to on race day.

The course consisted of 2 separate loops; a 3+ mile loop repeated 3 times, and a 5+ mile loop repeated 4 times. The race HQ/aid station is at the center of the two loops, making a figure 8 of sorts. The stones steps are located near the end of the 5 mile loop, meaning you have to climb them 4 times.

Aside from the stone steps, the course was very hilly with lots of good rocks and roots for dodging. The RD and volunteers did a fantastic job of clearing the trails after a terrific wind storm blew through, knocking down trees and scattering tons of debris along the course. The trails were in impeccable shape on race day.

The race started at 8AM. The park is only 35 minutes from my house, so I didn’t have to have a brutally early morning. I had some concerns about racing two weeks after a 66 mile 12 hour race two weeks prior. I had tapered gingerly after that race to prep for this one, and most of my pains had disappeared. What hadn’t was taped up pretty good. The weather was great - sunny and slightly cool at around 40 degrees. I think it reached the low 60’s by the finish.

My 50K PR was 5:20, and I was shooting for somewhere in the 5:00 to 5:30 range for the Stone Steps. I gave myself such a large target range due to the increased probability of injury from racing too much.

At the start, I wanted to push slightly to get ahead of some of the slower runners so I wouldn’t get bogged down on the single track trail that started about a half mile into the race. That worked, and I ran with a pack that held a good pace. The first time through the stone steps went well, and I passed several people on the hills.

The course was well marked. There was only one spot on the 3 mile loop that gave me problems. After leaving the woods and running through some open space, there was a sharp right hand turn back into the woods. I ran past it a few steps each time through.

The race proceed without incident, and I enjoyed much of it. My only concern was with the 50K trail series standings. Before the race, I was 35 or so minutes ahead of second place. I would only have to have an average showing to finish in first place in my division.

As the race progressed, I felt like I was doing strong and somewhere near the top 10. As I was finishing my last lap of the 3 mile loop with only one more lap on the 5 mile loop to go, I passed the second place series runner as he was just starting the 3 mile loop. So, with 5 miles left, I was 3 miles ahead of the second place series runner. Knowing that, I was able to relax a bit and enjoy the last part of the race.

I finished in 11th place with a time of 5:14, a new PR. My loop paces are listed below.

This was a highly enjoyable race that is very well run. Expect nothing but a professionally run race with great volunteers, plenty of food, a fantastic shirt, and Hammer Nutrition goodies.

Distance............Pace
5.3...................9:37
8.5...................10:21
13.8..................9:25
17....................9:57
22.3..................10:10
25.5..................11:06
31....................11:08

Overall 10:04