ICY 8 Race Report
Up and out of bed a little after 3:30 in the morning. Breakfast
was a banana and some toast. A quick shower to wake me up and I was carrying my
bags out the door.
Headed south on a cold winter morning had lots of stars and
a half moon to enjoy during the drive. Traffic was light down 301 and over the
river. The power plant all lit up was impressive.
Took the scenic route where one J.W. Booth once tread to
Bowling Green and some back roads to the race site…Lake Anna.
Arrived at the park about 45 min ahead of race time and it
was just starting to turn light. Just happens to be exactly 100 miles from my
house to the park entrance. I like round numbers like that.
view of the lake from parking area
Packet pick up was easy. Most of the runners were gearing up
in the parking lot. The temp outside at this point was indeed an icy 17
degrees. I love running in shorts and will do just about anything to avoid
having to cold weather tights, but 17 degrees is below my pain threshold. I did
notice a few badasses wearing shorts though.
After introductions, course details, and volunteer shout
outs by race director Alex, we were given an “on your mark…get set…go!” And
amid the whoops and hollas the pack of 100 was off in a relaxed manner.
The first quarter mile is uphill on a paved trail. Since I
was with fellow back-of-the-packers, it was mostly a brisk walk until crossing
the road to the trailhead…
The race offered two trail loops a shorter, 4.7 mile loop
and the longer 8 mile loop. On the drive down, I pretty much made up my mind I would
stick to the long loops which is what I did two years ago when I ran here.
As is the case with most races, the first couple miles
featured a lot of chatter and conversation. The sunrise was filtering through
the trees not heating things up, but providing a scenic atmosphere.
I settled into an easy pace with about a dozen others and
one crazy guy was the life of the party getting everyone in the mood for a long
day in the woods.
The trail was tundra…frozen solid. The first couple of trail
miles featured fitness stations where you could stretch, do crunches, upper
body stuff, etc. This section of woods had its uphills and downhills with
enough width to pass or be passed comfortably.
There were a few wooden bridges to run over and just a
single stream crossing that caused no problems when crossing. I may have got my
toe wet on one crossing.
bridge in early morning sun
The hardest hills were on the power line section of trail
about 4 miles into the long loop. Then it was back into the woods for more wide
trails. Later in this section of trail the only relief from the concrete frozen
trail was a soft bed of pine needles that went on for several hundred yards.
Eventually the trail took us to run along the lake shore.
This section of trail was more single track with winding/twisting turns. This
was the last section of trail before heading back down the asphalt trail to
mission control. I finished the first loop in approx. 1 hr 31 min.
At the check-in station you report your bib # and long or
short loop to the record keepers. The aid station was packed with some awesome
treats and even more awesome volunteers. I grabbed a few chips-ahoy cookies,
drank some water and Gatorade, and after a few minutes rest was headed back up
the paved trail for loop two.
I ran more by myself on this loop as most runners were now
spread out. Runners start to come from the opposite direction after first loop,
as you are allowed to run in opposite direction after the first loop. Being the
creature of habit that I am, I chose to go in the same direction.
Loop two I dilly-dallied a bit taking pictures of the
scenery. My first attempt at documenting these races I run. But my picture
taking seemed to make the time pass quickly and before I knew it I was back at
the aid station… this time for a delicious PB&J square and coke.
powerline section
A few minutes relaxing and stretching then I was going back
up the asphalt for loop three. By this time the bright sunshine had turned to
filtered sunshine as the clouds started to move in. And after 16 miles on the
frozen trail my legs were beginning to take note of the pounding. Nothing so
serious that made me want to stop, but the aches were starting to settle in.
Loop three was pretty quiet…chatted with a couple passing
runners…everyone is so encouraging on the trails. I did notice the trail start
to soften just a bit on this loop. Towards the end of the loop is when I
started to debate running that fourth loop. My legs were sore and felt like
lead weights…ankles and feet were starting to bark too.
My third stop at the aid station provided relief in the form
of a grilled cheese square and some coke. Tasty! My spirits lifted, I started
up the trail for one more loop, one that would get me to my 32 mile goal.
At the top of the asphalt trail, I decided I liked the
hiking pace I was on and continued with that for a couple miles. Every so often
I would break out into a run. And that’s the way I continued for much of the
final loop…hiking along at a brisk pace and running every once in while.
lake view thru the trees
And then all of a sudden the “1 Mile To Go” sign appeared
for the final time today. Back down the asphalt walk way to report my loop.
This time the aid station had pierogis and I helped myself to a nice warm one. There
was still an hour on the clock before the 8 hours were up…so do I head out for
one more short loop to get to 36m?
Not today. My legs are shot. And even though my mood is good
I don’t want to be laid out for a couple of days recovering. So I hit the
restroom and change into some dry clothes for the drive home (and stop at
Johnny Boys Ribs in La Plata!).
On the winding drive out of the park I reflected on what a
special day it was that I had experienced.
It felt great to cover
an ultra distance on somewhat limited training, after the holidays and recent
cold weather…a positive start to a new year of racing.
soft bed of pine straw
The Icy 8 is a
fantastic event, put on by folks who really know and love ultra and trail running.
They’re a very welcoming and friendly group. The Athletic Equation group stages
a 24 Hour Trail Race later in the spring…an event I will have to strongly
consider to get to 50 miles.
Approximate loop
splits: (1) 1hr 31min (2) 1hr 38min (3) 1hr 39min (4)1hr 53min...
And I burned 4289
calories according to the Garmin.
Running Is Fun…
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