Snowbow

TNR - East HS / Russian Jack - Cool Down

TNR - East HS / Russian Jack

TNR - East HS / Russian Jack - Warm Up

Dodgin Storms

Perfect weather to begin the 50mi journey from Squire’s Castle to Boston Mills Ski Resort. The race started in the low 60s and climbed to mid 70s when I finished the race. For a July day here in Cleveland, Ohio, you cannot ask for better conditions.The line to the bathroom seemed to take forever, and I did a stride to the start line getting there with 1-minute to spare before the 5am start time.
Vince Vertical Runner Rucci commenced with the countdown and we took off into the dark with only headlamps leading the way. Went out with and chatted with Drew, a kid who made his way from Cali to run the race. We got to the top of the Oxbow climb in North Chagrin, and with the knowledge of the course, decided to make a move and bomb down the hill. Keeping a keen eye on the heart rate, but letting gravity do all of the work. Got to the headlamp drop at mile 6.4, but it was still mostly dark out, and with the first section being on roads, I wanted to be the most visible to cars as possible, so I continued on. Progressing to the Polo Fields (mile 11.5), the bugs were terrible, especially with my headlamp. It reminded me of running through a snow flurry. Reaching the Polo Fields and seeing my crew (Eva Szabados, Paul Ryland) for the first time, I had a quick shoe change (Saucony Type A’s (road racing flats) into Salomon Ultra 6 Soft Grounds (trail shoes)), I handed off my handheld and tried finding a restroom as I believe I ate dinner to late the previous night on top of breakfast the morning of the race. As I was in line, 2nd place came roaring through the aid stations without stopping. I knew I had to forget the restroom and go with him. I caught up to him and chatted for a bit and knew I had to get more of a lead on him by the next aid station to use the restroom.
It was 7-miles between Polo Fields and Harper’s Ridge, the next aid station and the highest point of the race, that consisted of steady rollers with a fairly gradual 3-mile climb. Passing 100-milers, with mutual encouragement, I rolled up to Harper’s Ridge and running straight to the restroom. As soon as I got out Drew came flying into the aid station, but stopped for aid this time. I figured I could last another 3.5 miles to Shadow Lake where I could meet back up with my crew, so I hightailed it out of there, and simply moved my SaltStick Fastchews to my handheld pocket instead of my shorts pocket, since it’s easier to reach. Took advantage of the downhills and the easy rollers and very runnable bridle trails to come into Shadow Lake (mile 21.7). Again, my crew helped immensely by having my handheld ready to go with Tailwind Nutrition and an assortment of goodies all laid out as if it were a snack shop (which I still owe Eva $0.50 for the Hüma Chia Energy Gel I took…). This was the last place I could see my crew until mile 38.3.
I got out of the aid station, and little did I know about 2-minutes after Drew came into Shadow Lake. Again, taking advantage of the downhills, I made my way into the Bedford Reservation, starting to feel the pace that I went out in, but still feeling good. Once I felt this, I reached into my back pocket to get some salt to make sure I was still retaining enough water, but quickly realized that my SaltSticks were in my handheld that was with my crew now. I knew the upcoming aid station would have some sort of salt tablet, so I didn’t worry about it too much. Hit the 25-mile mark at 2:52, which is exactly where I wanted to be at this point. Just after this point, I was crossing a creek, planning on one foot in and jump right out. I stepped on a rock and before I knew it, I was down. First thing I thought, was holy sh!t, that’s a tibial plateau fracture… it most definitely was not, but it sure felt like it. Landing on your knee on a rock, is not the best feeling when you’re halfway done with a race. I took some hobbling steps and then finally got my gait back to normal.
I reached Egbert and the volunteers were wondering if I needed medical for the cut, I told them I’m fine and I’ll get medical at Boston. I grabbed took in some salt tablets and took a couple for the road (well, trail) and got out of the aid station. Passing by Bridal Veil Falls, there was a big climb out of there, and a hiking group very politely moved to the side of the trail and cheered me on up the hill, which was incredible, because I probably would have walked some of it if it weren’t for them! After this, things got to be a little hazy, and I started struggling a bit, while being the person hunted, it’s not a good feeling. Still I pushed on, and reached Alexander Road. I fill up my handheld with water and I didn’t see any salt tablets, there so, I moved on (looking back I should have asked for some, but I didn’t think of it at the time). I took one of my salts shortly after on the Sagamore Trail, but the other one I took from Egbert was missing. It must have fallen out of the pocket of the handheld.
I reached the water only aid station at mile 32.8, and refilled with water. I was getting a little woozy and was just reaching the worst part of the ultra… the towpath section. Luckily, I had gotten there before the sun came over the trees, but you just stare into oblivion and the 3 miles never end. Incredibly boring, draining (from using the same muscle groups over and over again with no change), and demoralizing. Luckily though, I caught up to Brian Polen, who I started to complain to and he just told me to shut up and keep running. He was still in great spirits because he was having a phenomenal race, and continued to have a great day, placing 3rd over all in the 100mi!! I mentioned how nice the canal looked, and he simply replied, “yeah for pigs!” because, looking back, it really was disgusting! He made me realize that I only had 5 miles until I saw my crew again, so I focused on that and it helped get me through. Although Brian helped immensely, it did not take away from the fact that I was hurting already, and this section was pure survival mode. One foot in front of the other and just get to that aid station. Thinking about dropping. Realizing I went out too quickly. Wondering what I was doing out there, when I was in school, working 2 jobs and trying to train. It came to me that I missed a couple of my long runs and my mind brought me back to that fact. It convinced me that I was not in good enough shape, that I ran my recovery runs too quick during training, and that I ran too quickly at BT50k to be out there running 50 miles three weeks later. One of the hardest sections of running in my life.
To make it more fun, I ran into a buck just after the Harriet Keller memorial. I clapped my hands to get hime off the trail, and instead of running away, he lowered his head, snorted, and started stomping the ground. I looked over the hill and saw his lady friend down there. I started backing away a bit and he finally ran away after a minute or two.
I finally reached Meadows aid station, saw my crew and Rosco, complained to them, and stayed at that aid station too long trying to make someone convince me to stop. My amazing crew was just the opposite, they made me realize that once I got gels, tailwind and salt in me, that I’d be able to come back to close to normalcy. I went over to get some Mountain Dew, and the aid station leader told me, “you know what you have to do. You’re in 1st place, you only have 12 miles left, and you’re in great shape. All you have to do is get the F*** out of here.” Something about that just made me realize that I was spending way too much time there and I needed to move on. I would see Brenda Pulito Runion and Mark Paul in 7 miles and then there was only 4.9 miles left. I thanked everyone who helped out at that aid station, and boogied on out of there.
Aid station to aid station is how to run these races. Breaking it up into smaller, more digestible chunks. Continuing through the hardest part of the course, I pushed through the Brecksville Reservation, reminding myself to run with my head and run with my glutes. I had to make sure I was being efficient and using the big muscle groups for what they’re there for. Every time I reached a hill, I would tell myself I only had to run up half, and then power hike up the other half. Since I run this section so much in my training, I was able to run a little more efficiently, “pushing” harder in some sections and then relaxing in others and knowing exact distances to Ottawa Point aid station (which I forgot there was an aid station there), and then to Snowville. I didn’t take any aid at Ottawa, just took a gel there and a couple fastchews. Coming into Snowville, I saw some 100 milers in the distance, and I knew they were running slower, for obvious reasons (they had to run double what I had to), so I knew I could catch them, I was just great to be able to focus on people to catch instead of thinking about how bad I was hurting. Those 100 milers, took very little time at Snowville, and I took more time making sure I was getting all the nutrients I could for the fine 4.9 miles. Mark Paul asked me if everything was "perfect," I responded back with a nope as I looked at my watch and realized I was about an hour past the time I wanted to be at Snowville, but again, I got out of the time mindset and wanted to finish without being hunted down. At this point I had no idea where Drew was, so I was still running scared.
I said goodbye to the aid station volunteers and pressed on to tackle the final 4.9 miles. Since those 100 milers were so efficient in the aid station, it allowed me to have something to focus on and catch again, which again was incredibly helpful. Another trick I played on my mind was telling myself that I didn’t have to turn around and go back through this section, unlike BT50k! Once I realized that I was pretty happy camper! I broke this section in to two parts: 1) Make it to Blue Hen Falls and 2) The finish. I jumped in the creek after the Hemlock Gorge and some random guy asked if I was David, I said yes and he said, well you're almost done then! And I said... yes, and asked how much longer to Boston. He told me 2.2, and it sparked something in me, and make me realize that I could run another 2.2 miles! No idea who that man was, but I'm grateful he was there!
Once made to the bridge crossing over the falls, I realized I had two hills left, the one staring me in the face and the other one being the piano keys (a set of 75+ steps that are incredible grueling and steep), and then the rest of the race was downhill! Made it up the Blue Hen hill and at the top there were more 100 milers. I knew I had to catch them before the piano keys, because there was no way you can pass people on the steps, so I pushed hard and caught them before the steps. I powered up the stairs, and saw Julie taking pictures at the top, and once I got to the top, she reminded me that it was all downhill from there! I let gravity do all of the work and luckily did not have anyone on the trail heading down to the finish line! Gave it all I had to the finish and felt the relief of being done!
Finished in 6:35:05 with a new course record and 1st place overall. I’m happy I could represent Vertical Runner, SAGE Running (VO2Max Coaching), and NE Ohio!
Drew had a great race, finished in 6:49:12 with a new PR on the course by about 45 minutes!
Congrats to all the finishers and the brave souls that went out to tackle the Burning River Endurance Run and Relay! Whether your participated in the 100mi, front 50mi, back 50mi or relay, you guys all did great! Thank you to all the volunteers for the wonderful help at the aid stations and the support of the random people hiking at that time!

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David Ryland

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Snowbow

TNR - East HS / Russian Jack - Cool Down

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TNR - East HS / Russian Jack - Warm Up

Dodgin Storms

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