Boyer's Furnace 40 - A Club Run

 

Boyer's Furnace 40 - A Fat Ass Run

 

 

At 2:30 a.m. waking was easy thanks to my mind fighting sleep.  It was hard to stop thinking about the adventure to come.  Boyer's Furnace.  Boyer's is a club run or "fat ass" of about 42 miles which they describe as minimally supported but it is anything but "minimally" anything.  Having run this event before I should have been off in dream land envisioning that faster finishing time I had hoped to have this year but my mind kept replaying things; like the encouraging message between D and myself where I encouraged her to run even though she wasn't feeling great so we could share some time on the trail.  My mind couldn't help but also linger on the fact that my sister had dropped out.  I kept wondering why I felt so hesitate myself about my return to the Massanutten trails which I hadn't spent any real time on since May when I ran the MMT100 there.  So when I finally drifted off to sleep after 2:30 I wasn't completely surprised to hear my husband tell me it was past my wake up time and I needed to either get up or snuggle back in bed and keep dreaming of the Massanutten trails.  Obviously I got up.

 

Ready to take on Boyer's Furnace

 

After trying to get ready as fast as I could, I started the hour and a half drive toward one of the race director's homes.  The race would basically start and end at her front door.  That is one of the things I love about this course and many of the cub runs; that family feeling that taking part give you.  This year I did arrive at the start in time to hear the two minute warning and jump in for the group photo.  I threw my donations and drop bag down as I heard the seconds counted down and rushed to buckle my pack as I ran through the small pack of runners to settle in with some trail friends.  Since I am also a streak runner I wanted to take advantage of the early road section and get my consecutive minimum mile run so I stayed with a group of faster paced runners and fell in with a trail runner that I had run the majority of this event with last year, Katie.  I made mixed emotions about sticking with her again this year.  I knew that she would be great company and we would definitely be able to set a faster pace than last year but I couldn't help but remember that I had encouraged D to run today when she might otherwise have stayed home.  So I finished the first mile and a half and then said goodbye to Katie to take a few photos of the rising sun as I waited for D to catch up.

 

 

I waited a while before first her husband and then she rounded the turn.  She was power hiking the hill and said she wasn't feeling the best thanks to a nasty cold.  We chatted a bit to catch up since we hadn't been able to share the trail in a long time.  Her husband Harry and I would spend the majority of the first half of the run running together and then waiting for D to catch up.  I enjoyed the climb up to Woodstock and since Harry and I had such a lead on D, we ran out to climb the fire tower.  This was something I had never done on the trail.  I just had never taken the time to enjoy it but today I was so glad I had.  The view was amazing with the sun still low in the sky.

 

Woodstock Fire Toward

 

The rising sun through the gap

 

So happy to be back on the trail

 

 

After our quick detour we were back on the trail and through the first aid station.  Carter told us that D had just walked through with another runner.  Harry and I quickly made our way over the trail to D and Patricia, a relatively new trail runner. 

 

 

The pace was slow but the scenery was beautiful so I stayed back hoping the slower pace would help D find the joy in being out again. I knew there were several forest road sections that we could make up time on so I still wasn't too concerned about our pace. 

 

 

 

 As we went along this section Harry and I pulled ahead to settle into a more natural pace.  Harry was keeping his pace leisurely and we were pausing to clear as much fallen trees and branches as we could move without tools.   When we arrived at the Edinburg Gap aid station we were ahead of D and Patricia by a few minutes and knew that D did not have much push in her body or mind today. 

 

 

Hoping some positive energy could help her rebound we quickly fueled up on oranges, chips, coke and ginger ale as we talked with the volunteers and race director who had come out to support the runners.  Once D had refueled we were off again.  But the conversation quickly turned to dropping at Camp Roosevelt about 20ish miles into the run.  We tried to talk D into continuing at the relaxed pace she was going but it seemed as though she had made up her mind. 

 

 

 

 

 

Harry and I pulled ahead over this forest road section on Edinburg Gap.  We talked about how lucky we were to be out on such an amazingly mild, almost hot, December day.  I had already removed my base layer and was still wishing I had worn shorts. 

 

 

When we made it to the intersection with Moreland Gap, Harry decided to double back and check on D.  I was torn and falling into my bad habit of not running my own "race."  After a quick nature call I decided I had to continue on my own and knew D would be happy that I did. 

 

 

 

Alone on Moreland Gap Road I was reliving the joy of finally getting to that same spot after 100 miles in May.  Today, the beautiful scenes along the road that I ran past in May, I paused to photograph.

 

 

Still feeling no real pressure to watch my pace I simply enjoyed a few miles alone and took in the scenery.  I knew Camp Roosevelt was only a few miles away.

 

 

 

I ran into Camp Roosevelt aid station to a group of happy helpful faces.  After learning the last runners to past through left about 15 minutes ahead of me, I grabbed some noodle soup, pickles, coke and my headlamp.  I struggled with not knowing if Harry and D would drop but I was eventually encouraged to keep moving.  I made the climb up to the ridgeline and paused to snap a few photos.  There were a lot of cars at the overlook were the Massanutten trail hops out onto the road at the eastern ridgeline and a picnicker offered to snap my photo.

 

 Amazing view

 



 

The next 12 mile section was part of Boyer's that had gotten lost in my mind.  I forgot how completely false it is when they say it "runs like 14."  It's false because it runs like 20!  It teases you with a wide easy to navigate trail for a few miles but then narrows and hardens as it runs the ridgeline keeping you from finding any semblance of a steady pace. 

 

 

But the views are always worth the effort!  This section was a real reminder of just how much training it takes to run on the Massanutten trails.  It is easy to forget all the hours of training practicing how to navigate these rocks trails but the eastern ridge was a fast reminder of all the work ahead to be ready for a date with her in May.

 

 

 

 

 

At some point along the ridge, Harry caught back up with me.  I was so happy to see him thinking that he had talked D into continuing.  However Harry wasn't sure if she was coming or had dropped.  I continued with Harry for a few miles but a nature call would delay me enough to fall behind again.

 

 

I was perfectly happy to be alone on the trail.  Even the thought of running alone once the sun had set didn't bother me.  Just being able to be on the trail for such a long time is a gift.  Early on the eastern ridge I had called my husband to hear how his day was going.  It is only because he was home with the kids that I was able to take a day for myself and I am always so grateful for his support and encouragement.  When I finally got to the Milford Gap aid station I saw Harry again and they confirmed that D had dropped at Camp Roo.  Harry said he was going to continue on his way to get as far as he could before the sun set.  The aid station crew was awesome!  They filled my pack and got me soup and soda while I sat down with Gary K for a little break.  I wanted to get all the wonderful soup into my body but it just wouldn't cool down fast enough and daylight was going to be fading fast so I had to get moving.  8 miles to go.

 

 

The last 8 miles of Boyer's Furnace should have been much faster than it was.  I had a turn sheet which was basically a bunch of lefts before coming down off the trails but then switch from Orange to Blue/Orange to yellow challenged my brain and my feet.  As the trail descended it became more and more a flowing creek filled with rocks and mud.  I quickly remember the fun of the yellow trail which actually lays within the creek bed.  It was fun to have the woods all to myself and splash through the muck.  But I was happy to hit the gravel road and begin the twisting country roads that would lead me back to Carter's home. 

 

2014 Boyer's Furnace

 

There was the wonderful trail magic that was left by a home owner along the trail, a little basket of fruit, water and snacks.  Then there was complete quiet where there was nothing to hear but the breath of the earth.  A few turns and there were houses, Christmas lights and a car coming towards me.  It was Tony and Arthur coming to check on me and ask if I wanted a ride.  Of course that was a silly question.  Arthur offer to "run" in with me.  Such a nice gesture even though he wasn't dressed for it.  So we made our way around a few bends to Carter's front yard and I ran up the front walk to tell her, "I'm home!"

Boyers Furnace 40 Run Report

Ready for the long drive to the start

 

After a phone call that began, "First off, I'm alright." it was no wonder I didn't sleep much in the few hours I could have slept prior to the Boyers Furnace 40.  The super secret spy had been in a minor accident back home while I was preparing for my race.  My restless night was caused more by the concern whether I should still be running than it was from any worry that the race would be challenging.  But with his reassurance that he was okay I gathered my gear and headed out into the darkness.

Being late also meant I got to see the sweeper, Diane.

 

I often say that my biggest worry about each race is simply getting there on time.  Boyer Furnace provided me with practice on what happens when you don't get there on time.  I was the last person to arrive.  I started about 18 minutes late.  One wrong turn will do that.  Luckily being the last one to arrive had it's perks.  Alan was generous enough to give me a drive to the start with all my aid station donations and gear.  It was only three tenths of a mile but not having to carry everything and potentially make two trips was a real help.  Thanks Alan.

The sun rising over the mountains

 

After dropping my aid station donations and drop bag, I was off running to catch up with the runners.  First I caught up with Diane who would be sweeping the course.  We chatted for a while but I soon had to continue on to attempt to get a little closer to the pack of runners.

Finally starting to warm up

 

Within the first five miles I had caught up with other runners.  I fell into pace with a gentleman and he and I passed several runners.  He chatted with me about the history of the area as we ran over the trails.  As the sun was rising and the day was beginning to warm we paused to remove a layer at the top of a climb.  While we were enjoying the scenery two female runners caught up to us.  I told them I would catch them and they continued on as I finished gathering my gear.  I enjoyed running solo for a while and only hearing my lone footfalls on the fallen leaves.  I came to a split in the trail where a pink trail went left off the orange blazed Massanutten Trail.  For a moment I wondered if the other runners had taken that trail but, not seeing anyone I continued to follow the orange trail happy to have the forest serenity all to myself.

 

Mile 12.  Wonderful aid station volunteers.  Hot soup!

 

After some miles I heard voices ahead of me on the trail.  I would catch glimpses of two female runners as the trail weaved through the forest.  Certain that they were the runner I had been with earlier I quicken my pace to catch them.  However they were not the runners from earlier, it was Katie and Tracy.  Two wonderful trail companions that I would share the majority of the remaining day with. 

A quick shirt change at the mile 21 aid station

 

Tracy, Katie and I ran together into the mile 21 aid station.  The pace felt relaxed and with no need to push I enjoyed getting to know my trail companions.  We chatted about Whole30, running plans,  and families.  We shared running stories.  Katie entertained us with a tale from one of her Laurel Highland experiences.  We discussed the interest techniques of all the dog-laden bear hunters we ran past.  The miles ticked away as we ran into the Camp Roo aid station.

Dave providing runners with peanut butter banana hor d'oeuvres

 

I grabbed a dry shirt from my drop bag and my headlamp.  Although we had made it Camp Roo under 5 hours I knew that the second half of the race would be much slower.  I ate some banana and a small cup of coke from the aid station and some apple sauce from my drop bag.  We all headed up the orange trail for the climb to the east ridge. 

Beautiful single track

 

As we climbed I seemed to hit a slightly faster pace than Tracy and Katie and felt comfortable so I continued to pull ahead.  I knew I would benefit from a little alone time under the trees. 

Amazing views

 

Running solo again I paused to take in the scenery, answer a nature call and simply enjoy where I was lucky enough to be.  My thoughts had never left the super secret spy.  I wondered how he was feeling and hoped the kids were being helpful.  His accident regardless of how minor was a reminder that I am so very blessed to be doing what I love to do.  Although a thread of guilt did run through me all day that I was out in this amazing place while he was uncomfortably recovering at home.  I knew that he wanted me to be getting everything I could from this run.  He wants to see me cross those finish lines more than anyone else so I pushed.

Loving being on the trail

 

 As I left the Camp Roo aid station I was told that the next 12 mile stretch was a tough one.  So I was determined to push to keep my effort up.  As we topped the climb and turned left to head to the ridge line I was surprisingly greeted with wide open trail to run.  It would take a while for the trail to narrow and climb to it's ultimate rocky ribbon of a trail and force my pace slower and slower as I took in the amazing views. 

 Doesn't do the view justice

 

Although I knew the turn sheet had 12 miles on the orange trail before the next mention of a trail change, I was still puzzled when I came onto a set a double pink ribbons on a side trail.  I ran a bit farther up the trail but returned to the ribbons and waited to Katie and Tracy to confirm the course.  It was a treat to sit and be still in the middle of the forest.  To listen to the nothing that was all around me.  Occasionally I'd hear a bird call or something crunch across the fallen leaves but mostly it was blissfully quiet.  Finally the girls arrived and confirmed that we were to stay on the ridge line through the next aid station at Milford Gap.

Orange blazes remind me that "I" can do this.

 

Once again I pulled ahead of the trail companions before running into Milford Gap but not before Paul passed me.  He was running as if rocks and a ribbon of trail were he native ground.  Paul and I chatted briefly and he was off to Milford.  Shortly after Paul's departure Alan caught up to me and we ran into Milford together.  I was so happy to reach the aid station.  The section had been hard and I had gotten the warmest of the day, going through all of my water.  I had chosen to only fill it with about 40 oz. at the race start and not top it off until Milford.  That choice was almost a bad one when I realized the aid station was almost out of water.  Luckily they had enough to give Alan and I enough to carry us through.  They did have super hot soup!  I enjoyed my third cup of soup for the day as I walked out the of aid station and into the next section.

Much of the ridge line was burnt

 

Boyers Furnace is considered a "fat ass" event.  That means you don't pay, you don't get a medal and the race is "limitedly supported."  VHTRC doesn't "limitedly support" anything in my experience.  The aid stations were abundant, cheerfully staffed and generously supplied.  At three aid stations I had warm soup which is my favorite fueling option!  The volunteers would helped support this race gave much more than just their day.  It takes more than just stand behind a table in the middle of the woods to pull off this level of support.  I can't thank everyone involved enough.  Thank you to Tony and Carter for organizing the event.  Also to Carter and Alan for opening their home to a group of less then clean but cheerful runners.  And many more thanks to all the volunteers who cheered us along the way. 

It's going to get dark

 

Back on the trail I was running solo again.  I could occasionally hear Katie and Tracy chatting in the distance but I moved along hoping I could make Veach Gap before darkness fell.  I knew that my pace would slow in the dark and I wanted to make as much ground as I could before that. 

 

The trail was IN the river! 

Thanks Katie K for the photo

 

As darkness fell my pace did slow and I ended up running with Katie and Tracy again.  The company was nice and the occasional chatter was welcome.  We made good progress down the blue/orange trail.  I had another moment of indecision as I pulled ahead again but thankfully the girls were close behind and we headed down the trail again together.  The trail had returned to the low lands and was wet shoe sucking mud running.  We were treated to some more company as we approached our final trail when we came upon Paul.  He waited when he wasn't sure where the yellow trail was.  He had good reason for question because the yellow trail actually continued within a river and headed downstream before existing the other side.  With our feet numb from the icy water we made our way to the trail end and a final aid station.  Tracy was surprised to see her husband waiting for her there.  I ate half a nearly frozen banana and we were off. 

Wet, cold and dirty but done.

 

The final section of race was a stretch that seemed to go on forever changing from trail to gravel road as we ran into the night.  After a challenging day in the woods we finally turned onto Carter's road and ran through her front yard and to her front porch, our finish line.

 



Wondering....

 

Have you been

 wondering what I've been up to?!?!

 

 

 

Oh just running a little race called the Ring. 

71 bad a## miles of Massanutten ruggedness. 

Only 121 other people have ever finished it. 

 

And I did it all for a sticker...

 

 

and a pin.

 

Come back soon for the long version of events.

 

A look behind to see ahead

 

As a trail runner one thing you quickly learn is to not look back.  Looking behind almost always causes you to stumble and fall.  Then you lose momentum and, at times, have trouble starting back up again.  But there are times when it's safe and even beneficial to look back and take in the path you have already traveled.

 

 

 

As I was running this morning I was in a nostalgic frame of mind because today is my firstborns  birthday.  It was difficult to reduce to a few words what I wanted to say to him.  Those words were something like the first words he and I shared together, private.  Because I'm old fashioned like that.  But the walk down memory lane got me thinking about where I've been in different aspects of my life.  Of course, running was one of them.   

 

With that it's time for a numbers update: 2095.4 miles for the year. Day 1195 of the streak. 10,497.6 streak miles.

 

Now that I've looked back it's time to look forward.  Often I remind the biggest of my littles that he needs to remember where he has been but have a plan for the direction he wants to move forward in.  The same is true for me.  Let's see where I'm going in the days ahead.

 

In 15 days I will be running The Ring.  This is 71 miles on the Massanutten trail.  The reason I am running it three fold.  1.  I need to get past a mileage barrier I feel I have created for myself.  2. It will be the first on many runs to prepare myself for another MMT 100.  3.  The Massanutten trails are calling me back.

 

In 42 days I will be running the Mega.  The Mega is about a 27ish mile climb in PA.  It is a course like no other I've ever been on.  It offers an element - boulder climbing - that I don't get anywhere else. 
 

 

In 71 days I'll be back again for FOTM.  That's the 50k in MD that has an unexpectedly challenging course.  It's low key, real ultra trail running feel always makes me feel like a bada## when I finish it.  Plus this race was one of the first races I really found trail running peace during.  I go back year after year to find it again.

 

 

In 91 days I'll be back again for the Stone Mill 50 miler.  This could be the year that Lesley at Racing It Off joins me for some very supported fun.  Although with those long legs of hers and her killer racing lately she may been at the finish before me.  If she is she'd better get some great finish line photos of me. 

 

Sprinkled in between these dates are a hand full of training runs for different races and of course my daily running streak continues.  So it's a trail without end.  It's a race without a victory.  There will be no finisher's medal or golden buckle for reaching an end point.  I have not ultimate destination.  The trails just continues and as long as I keep feeling that pull to see what is around the next bend or over that hill, I will continue to run forward.  No matter the pace I will continue to see what draws me to those place that are just beyond where my eyes can see.

The Letter

Many moments in life are challenging.  I often hear myself complain about silly things like socks on the floor or toothpaste on the counter.  But I know my life is a blessing and I have only rarely lived a truly challenging day.  I know those days have helped to make me a better human being so I count even them as blessings. 

 

 

This past week has been a difficult one.  I gave little things the power to begin to overwhelm me.  The approach of the school year became no longer an annual event but a catalytic phenomenon heralding the end of life as I know it.  So as I was going to return a movie, which I had used as an escape from my seemingly overwhelming life, I stopped by the mailbox.  On my way I practiced what I would say to the super secret spy when he discovered I had not talked to the new superintendent about LBM's school reassignment.  I practiced telling him how I was certain that if she talked with me instead of him, I would somehow ruin LBM's chance to go to the school we had been planning and preparing to go to.  But when I opened the mailbox I saw it had arrived.

 

 

The letter.

It was the response to my written application for the reassignment.  As I read those words, "...has been approved..."  honestly tears filled my eyes and I felt 20 pounds lighter.  I couldn't believe how emotionally invested I had become worrying about what another change might do to LBM and all the great progress we have made.  I couldn't be happier that we can continue as planned and will be able to be active and involved with LBM's school.

 

With only a handful of days to go before school starts, there's lots to do to be ready to this milestone and then, well and then I guess I'll be left with nothing to stop me from remembering that there are days, those few days that are really challenging.  Some of those days life has just given me and some of those days I have chosen.  And one of those days is right around the corner.

 

THE RING

August 31st

71.1 Miles of mountains fun.

I Finally Changed My Shirt

If you follow me on FaceBook, Twitter and instagram - and why wouldn't you - you have probably wondered why did the past week and a half I have only been seen in one pink stripped tank top.  I did try running in a cotton tank one day and I still have the chafe marks to prove it.

Well I'm here today much to those around me when I run to say I finally changed my shirt.

It was finally cool enough to wear my Virginia Happy Trail Runners Club blue shirt.  Thanks goodness because those were the only two running shirts I packed. 

 

 

Lesson learned:  Don't try to under pack when it comes to running clothes!

Speaking of Teeth...

If you popped by for yesterday's post, you know I was talking about teeth.  Dogs teeth.  And my desire to keep them off of my legs, arms, face, what have you.  Well, now I've got a new thing to worry about biting me and it's called

 

The Ring.

 

I just shouldn't be left alone.  While the super secret spy is off saving the world I decided to live vicariously through my running friends.  During the summer I usually don't race much since we try to fill our available time with family adventures and kid activities.  I usually feel really good about it since the family has supported me the other 3/4 of the year while I am training and racing.  But something happened last week and I found myself really missing serious trail running.  I was doping myself with little fixes of race reports and running club pages when it happened.  My MMT pacer, D commented about a great training run she had.  I asked her if she and signed up for the Ring which is a pretty big deal since she has another big race shortly after the Ring. 

 

One brief chat later and

 

Cannonball!

 

 

I'm in.

 

Go ahead and check it out.  The Ring has everything that challenges me, no race markings, rocky technical trails, 71 miles, limited support.  There are times when I wonder, "who do I think I am?"  And then there are days when I try and find out.  August 31st will be one of those kind of days. 

 

What have you jumped into lately?

 

 

Why I Want Massanutten

When I realized the date yesterday, and how could I miss it with the world celebrating the "longest" day of the year, it dawned on me that it has been a month since I left Massanutten unsuccessful in my attempt to return to the meadow and cross that famous finish line.

I spent some time in the days after the race checking out other options to still make 2013 my 100 mile debut year but with concerns for my knee those hours were merely a means to use the energy and excitement I still had for wanting to have "done it."  I found myself seriously considering a looped 100 in PA in the middle of July only to present myself with a dozen reasons why I couldn't do it.

All this left me with a question I had been asked ringing through my head,
"Why do you want Massanutten?"

Biking Sherpa had asked this question while we filled miles with endless chatter.  She didn't exactly want an answer when she asked it.  She had wanted an explanation for not only her but for, maybe everyone who clicked refresh dozens of times that beautiful Saturday in May.  She wanted to know why another 100, any 100, couldn't be worked into the fall schedule and I could have that buckle.

The reason to me is simple, I want the real deal.  I don't want to run around in circles to say that I can run 100 miles.  Honestly the distance isn't the attraction.  I'm drawn to those climbs.  I want to see what is on top, around the next corner, down the next trail.   I want to know those rocks just like I know my favorite country routes that I grew my running on.  Wanting Massanutten is a little like being able to get any boyfriend in your school but wanting to date the teacher. 

I think back to what drew me to wanting Massanutten when this 100 mile dream first started.  I want to be honest about my reasons so I will admit that in choosing MMT I was making a decision based a bit on a preconceived idea of just how far I could reach...and couldn't.  I was giving myself such a big challenge that if I failed, the mere attempt would be a success.  In that way, it felt safe to want such a lofty goal.  Another thing that drew me to MMT was my running club.  The Virginia Happy Trails Running Club.  This is a group of the best people I have ever met.  In my trail running world, they are the in crowd.  But in my case I felt like the kid always picked last and I wanted to show this amazing group of people that I did belong on their dodge ball team at recess.  But there was one other thing rattling around in my head as I was encouraged by my trail brethren to do MMT, it was the thought that I actually could do it.  I didn't need loops or a flat course to join the club.  I simply could complete Massanutten.  I believed I could.

As it turned out, I didn't quite make it.  MMT slipped through my fingers - this time.  But I still believe I can and I will.  Now MMT is to me like many of my double day runs when I run a certain number of miles plus a point five.  I've run this way for years to leave something to finish.  MMT is now for me that half mile I left undone this morning, I don't have a choice but to finish it.  And how could I start another 100 before I finish this one.