Race Report - 2022 Black Toe Run 12 Hour

Highest point on the course

Well that was fun, kinda, the kind of fun that hurts, but that makes you smile when it's all over. I jumped into this race just 2 days prior in hopes of finding an event that would allow me to get the miles I needed to meet my weekly training mileage goal. The Black Toe Run event fit the bill. It takes place outside Watertown, TN on a privately owned farm. It consists of a 5 mile loop with 1000' of vert. I figured I'd just keep running loops until I reached my mileage goal. To be clear, I am not a fan of running multi-loop courses. In fact, I generally avoid them like the plague. I like journeys, from point A to point B or at least one single loop. But there are exceptions to this rule. In particular, I can handle a looped course when it's set up like trail running party. Bonfires, food, beer, the works. No better excuse to run a looped course than a party atmosphere. RD John. Hardin puts on a top notch event and I am glad to took the advice of fellow runners to check it out. 

Top of the big climb during the race

The race was about a two and a half hour drive from my home and with a 10AM Saturday morning race start, I was able to just get up early and drive up on race morning. When I arrived at the farm an hour ahead of the race start, the place as already bustling with runners setting up camp for the weekend. I found a cozy little spot for my camper van right next to a school bus converted to a camper and just behind the pile f wood that would provide the fuel for the evening bonfire.

Gnarly terrain keeps this race interesting

After an entertaining pre-race briefing and a runner's oath led my John, we all went off at 10AM sharp. There were already a few hearty souls out there that had been running for 24 hours since 10AM the previous morning as participants in the 48 hour event. All other runners starting Saturday morning were participating in the remaining events, solo and relay 24 hour, solo and relay 12 hour and various ruck events. All in all, it added up to just about 100 or so runners, maybe more. 

Winding very runnable single track early on the course

Temperatures at the start were in the high teens and low 20s. I had decided to bundle up for this one, long pants and multiple layers on top. I'd rather be too warm than too cold. I intended to be moving slow, so the risk of being too cold was definitely greater than too warm. I had brought extra layers as well in case I needed to add layers or swap wet for dry layers and I am glad I did. 

Even though I never felt too warm, I ended up sweating through just about everything I put on. The temps varies greatly on the course, the front half and front side of the biggest limb on the course being rather warm (and ultimately muddy) and the back half of the course being noticeably colder and frozen.

Half of the course is fairly technical terrain

I had decided to run 6 loops or 30 miles as my minimal goal, nothing else would be bonus. As it turned out, I had all I could have wanted after 6 loops. On the first loop, I pushed a bit more as I tried to figure out how to best run these loops. Turns out, it really had 1000' per loop. I dialed back my pace on loop #2, running only flats and descends and hiking every incline. This approach continued to be my preferred strategy. After each loop, I would briefly return to my van to refill my one hand bottle that I carried on each loop as well as refuel by eating one of my Spring gels. I supplemented that with a few pieces of banana. During the stop prior to my sixth and final loop, I turned on my generator and toasted some bread for a couple of hummus and vegan cheese sandwiches. 

That last loop was hard and slow. Mostly because I knew it was my last loop. I had taken well over 30 minutes during my break while enjoying my sandwiches and changing into dry new layers, including shirt, jacket, gloves, buff and beanie. Starting to run again after being warmed cozy in my van was a challenge, chattering teeth and all. But eventually, I warmed up. This final lap was more of a hike than a run, but I finally joined forces with another runner and our conversation helped pass the time. When I finally arrived back at the start, I had enough time to go out for another lap, but the desire to climb back into my caper for good was stronger. I changed into some dry clothes, stuffed by face with food and made my way back home. 

Start/Finish area

I look forward to returning to this event in the future, hopefully as part of a relay team to really make it a party next time:-)

Plenty of space for campers at the Hardin farm

Race Report - 2020 Delano Park 12 Hour Race

Jumped into this race 3 days prior to race day, because my wife had signed up and because I needed the miles for the final week of my first training block of the year. Sounded like a win-win. Rather than signing up for the 12 hour timed event I opted for the 50 Miler as I had no need or desire to run more than that. After all, I had just run a 100K the previous weekend. It also gave me a chance to test out the camper van again to use as our base camp right next to the looped course. 

I started conservatively as is been my plan for just about every race prior to July. The first few miles ticked by very quickly as I spent time chatting with fellow runner friends. You see, this race is local, a mere 30 minutes from our home, and as such you generally see even more familiar faces than during the average southeastern trail or ultra race. However, as soon as the field stretched and runners settled into their own paces, I started to lose interest in being out there. I quickly decided to settle for 40 miles for the day and to do so at different paces, even including some walking miles as I expected to be doing lots of that later this summer when attempting the various 200 and 300 mile races I had on my calendar.

Truth be told, I was just making excuses as my motivation (i.e. mental game) was just not there. Mental fortitude is the most important characteristic of every ultra runner, but I am also in the camp of athletes that believe that mental fortitude is not available as an unlimited supply. One has to pick and choose when to spent one's motivation balance as not to deplete the account prior to the actual goal race(s). Sometimes, you just gotta suck it up even in a training race to prove to yourself that you can indeed do it, but other times you may just need to recognize that it isn't worth it. I know that sounds like a cop out, but I find it to be true.

This can also come into play when you're deep into an ultra and it's time to decide to keep pushing hard and maybe even pick up the pace or whether just to shuffle or walk it in for a finish. These are the mental battles I often deal with. Generally, I know how it plays out even before an event. I just know. Usually, I am already questioning the "importance" of an event in the days leading up to it. I know, this is gonna be one of those. Other times, I never once question how race day will unfold and no matter how much adversity i deal with on the day, I never once falter or question my resolve. I learned this this past summer and I've accepted it. I consider it a good thing, because if I ever happen to question my resolve prior to a goal event, I know I have to eliminate all doubt prior to ever toeing the starting line.

As is the case every year, Jon Elmore and crew put on a fantastic event. Every year, this race runs like a well oiled machine and the swag is always top notch. Unbeknownst to me, this was my 9th Delano Park event, which means Delano will become only my second race with 10 finishes next year.