The Background
It was time to attempt to run my 100th marathon. Originally, I was going to try to run the Mohican 100 Miler. After the DNF at Rocky Raccoon, I did not want to risk another failure on an out-of-town trip with family. Plus, it lined up that Mohican would be a good time for the 100th marathon, and I always intended to run a standard marathon for that one. So I changed the distance to marathon.
I was so happy James could come with me. We flew out on Friday, enduring some turbulence from rain. Then we drove to Akron, Ohio to see the Lebron James Museum.
Arriving at Mohican Adventures, we saw there was a basketball court. After buying a ball (a clerk pumped it up for us for free), we played 3 games to 11 points. Then, we had wings at the Trail's End Restaurant.
Our cabin was across the street from the start, which means I did not have to get up until 7:15 am!
The Race
It was perfect running weather in the morning, just a bit chilly.
The first 4 miles was a conga line, running fast then hiking up hills. The running pace was a bit faster than I would have liked, but it was manageable so I just stayed where I was. After 4 miles, the trail widened and I was able to run my own pace.
After reaching the first aid station at about 6 miles, there was a short road section. Then there was a lot of runnable trail, and I made good time to the second aid station by 2:16.
By 13 miles, I went up a big hill, time 2:54. At 14 miles, I was feeling good so I made a push, passing a few people and then bombing down a hill.
I made it to the waterfall at 15 miles, 3:20 elapsed. I wasn't really hot, but I dunked my head under the waterfall anyway.
At 15.5 miles, the trail dipped down by the river, then I climbed back out. At 17 miles, there was another big drop and a big climb.
I got a bit low on calories, and had to struggle to run to the next aid station. I can't remember if the third aid station was before or after the dam. Regardless, I made it to the dam, then went down the steps.
From miles 19-21, there was some easy trail. Feeling gassed, I hiked maybe a third of a mile before running the rest of that section. At this point, except for that rest, I had run most of everything that was runnable.
By mile 22, it seemed like the last aid station would never come. I looked at the course map I had printed, and it said the last section was five miles. I'm not sure if my GPS was accurate, but it looked like it would be at least 27+ miles.
Making it to the final aid station, I asked a volunteer the distance to the finish and she said 6 miles. So it would be around 28.8 by my GPS. My heart sank. I hiked a couple of miles, my first extended period walking. Trying to snap myself out of it, I ran a bit.
Then a runner, not in the race, came from the opposite direction. He said, "Keep going! You only have 2.5 miles to go!" I asked him if he was sure, because that meant the last section would be 5 instead of 6 miles, the finish at 27ish instead of 28ish miles. My spirits lifted. Looking at my watch, I saw I might be able to get in under 7 hours. I ran faster, passing 3 runners in the last couple of miles.
But the trail stretched on and on. It looks like the lady at the aid station was right, not the runner. The final distance by my GPS was 28.5 miles. I reminded myself trail racing is never exact mileage.
Right before the finish, the course passed by the Mohican Adventures basketball court, where James had been playing all day. I called him and asked if he wanted to meet me at the finish or run it in with me. He said he'd like to run it in.
Right around 7 hours, I made it to the court. There was a runner on my heels, and I did not want to get passed, so as soon as James joined me we headed off to the finish. It was so special to be able to finish my 100th marathon with James running by my side.
I finished in 7:04, 104th out of 182 finishers.
Reflections
I gave this race a good effort, running nearly all of it. Finishing in the middle instead of the back of the pack, like at the first two marathons this season, was welcome.
Looking ahead at possible running the Mohican 100, if I kept this pace for the first loop, I would be able to do 20.5-minute miles for the rest of the race. It is definitely possible, so I might come back. I like the course and the easy access to cabins and a restaurant.
So, after 100 races of marathon distance or longer, here are some numbers:
- 39 marathons
- 61 ultramarathons
- 4085 miles of racing (the distance from New York to San Francisco plus 1179 miles)
- 13 years and change
