Titusville, PA is a small town on the western edge of the Allegheny National Forest. It's an easy 2 1/2 hour drive from Cleveland, but as you get closer to this old oil town, it's clear that you're not in Kansas anymore. The biggest hills and the overall terrain that we have in the CVNP are very tame compared to what you encounter here.
I took the day off of work and headed out east around noon on Friday. I stopped at the Wal-Mart in Erie on the way, to pick up a Bear Bell for my fearless pacer, PJ. Bear Bell in hand, I was back on the road and arrived in Titusville around 3:00. I checked in at the Comfort Inn,dropped my bags off and then headed off to Titusville Middle School (which also serves as Race HQ for Oil Creek). I grabbed my bib, shirt, enjoyed the pasta dinner and then sat through pre-race meeting.
That night, as I was trying to fall asleep my nerves started to get a hold of me. Laying in bed my mind was racing. I was going to be running 62+ miles on Saturday...on some huge "hills".
I woke up 3 minutes before my wake up call on Saturday, took a shower, grabbed a banana, some pita bread and peanut butter and I was out the door. At race HQ, I ran into Mark Anson and Kathleen Dickson and chatted for a few minutes before the 6AM pre-race/last minute briefing and race start. At about 5:57, we were out the door into the cool morning air for the start.
Mark and I before 100K |
Just a minute before the start! |
Leaving this Aid Station was the first really wicked climb. The switchback trail went up the side of a mountain. I was feeling good here and was chatting with a woman from Virginia that was running her first OC100K, too. Once at the top, the view was awesome! From here you could see the morning fog in the valley, the sun up in the eastern sky and the changing leaves. From here to AS#2, I was able to turn my headlamp off and settle into a pace as light hit the trails. I was trying hard to remind myself that this was my first run over 43 miles and to stay hydrated and keep my heart rate in check. For the next few miles I did just that. The miles were flying by, and I felt great.
At mile 14, I made my way to AS#2. Here I was able to grab some more food, drink some HEED and refill my bottle. I checked my phone here, and I finally had reception. I sent PJ a text to let him know where I was and began walking out across the field to the trail. He quickly texted back and let me know that he met a new friend over breakfast at a local diner and was in a good conversation about his disability claim and bottle collection. I tried to text Heather, but I was already in another hill county dead zone! I was finally able to take a walk break up a hill around mile 17 to let Heather know where I was.
Rocks+Roots+Leaves=Sore Toes! |
I was running with an empty bottle for about 10 minutes, so AS#3 was a welcome site. I was running with a guy Brian from Pepper Pike (funny how you drive hours to meet someone from your backyard) and the miles weren't easy, but they were clicking right off on my Garmin. Here, Brian and I fueled up and hit the trail again. I ran another 4-5 miles with him, but then stayed back for a trail nature break. From here on in, I was running alone for the first time all day. I just noticed at this point how quiet and remote it was in these hills. I stopped at one point and it was absolutely dead quiet. What a beautiful place on this earth. Soon after taking all of this in, my friend Lee FLEW past me...on her way to a strong over 3rd place in the 50K. I shouted some encouragement her way and watched her disappear down a muddy descent.
Halfway... |
I was back on the bike path, headed towards the trail. I think PJ was trying to run 4 minute miles here...I must have said something sarcastic, because he quickly called himself out as "the worst pacer ever." Fortunately, he took quickly to his new job and refined his pacing skills. About a mile in, we were out on the "familiar" dirt of Titusville and climbing a hill. We were talking quite a bit, and although we were not moving quickly, the miles were really flying by. Soon we were into AS#5; I grabbed some pizza, HEED, trail mix, refilled my bottles and we were out onto the same big climb I hiked up in the morning. Somewhere near the top, I heard the familiar sound of a trail runner eating rocks and dirt. I thought the worst when I heard PJ yell, "$hi*!"...(however this was followed by)..."There's no blood!" as I looked back to see him getting back up from the forest floor and smiling.
The next 7 or so miles were uneventful and a blast. I was running a smart race and talking with my pacer almost the entire time. At mile 45 we made it to AS#6. Nick Billock was here and he helped grab my drop bag and helped me fill my water bottle. I'm not sure if he was grossed out by my feet as I was changing socks, or just being a good friend, but he did a nice job of kicking me out onto the trail. I felt pretty good here, but this is where I made my only mistake on the day. I didn't eat enough or take enduralytes here. In 3 miles, I would feel it.
Mile 45 |
At AS#7 I handed my bottle off to a volunteer and sat down in a chair by a camp fire. I didn't want to get too comfortable, but I needed to take care of myself here. I ate 2 big cups of noodles, PJ brought me some grilled cheese, I had a cup of flat Coke (I hate real Coke except in Ultra's, by the way). Here the switch flipped. I felt like a new man! PJ, myself and another guy, Paul (from WA State) hit the trail. My Garmin soon died, but I know that my miles here were strong. We were moving along quickly through the trails...All I could hear was bear bells, bats and trail shoes on dirt! Close to 4 miles from the finish, we met up with 2 headlamps on the trail; Mark Anson and Kathleen Dickson! We ran a couple of miles together into Drake Well Museum (even though I was feeling good here, it was nice to see the end of the trail) and onto the paved road. Once over the bridge, we found ourselves on the familiar bike path. Some 100 Milers were headed back out for another loop....I was happy to be headed in though! We ran the last 1/2 mile on pavement and I crossed the finish in 15:48. Mark was just behind me and Dan Bellinger was waiting at the finish....It's so nice to see familiar, friendly faces at these events! I collected my belt buckle and told the RD how impressed I was with his event and then headed back to the hotel.
I'm happy to report that we were done in time to take quick showers and have a few cold beers and popcorn at the Elks Lodge in town.
I'm happy to report that we were done in time to take quick showers and have a few cold beers and popcorn at the Elks Lodge in town.
This was no doubt the toughest and most fun race I've ever ran. I learned a ton about myself, my pre-race day prep/race day prep and got one step closer to my 100 Miler. I finished 20th Overall...I am very happy with that and everything about the race really!
I think my runners high lasted 2 days. My feet were nice and swollen after the race, my quads were incredibly sore through Tuesday and my right knee was huge (no idea what I did there). Now, it seems like everything is returning to normal and I'm feeling strong again.
Thanks to my wife, family, friends and volunteers at OC, I had an amazing day and one that I will never forget!