Hilton Head Half Marathon Hilton Head, SC February 11, 2012
Elizabeth Candela 1:38:46

The Caumsett Park 25K/50K Caumsett Park, NY March 4, 2012
Mike Skara 4:03:21 29th Place
I wasn’t even aware of this race until the Sunday before when a friend from some ultras emailed me about it. Everything about it was perfect: a Sunday morn, not far away in Long Island, not expensive, and sponsored by USATF. I figured it would give me a good indicator how my training had progressed in 2012, I could get in a good long run, and I could prepare for my real 50K race in May at which I hoped to PR.

Well, the best laid schemes… I ran my fastest 50K race ever by a ton. Not only is 4:03 more than 30 minutes faster than my previous best 50K, I almost set a marathon PR with 6+ miles left in this event. I’m insanely happy with that performance!

The various circumstances went right for me. Traffic was almost nil and I got there in plenty of time. The weather was cool and overcast with little breeze. The 10-lap course had two hills, but they weren’t insanely steep or overly long. The rest was rolling, constantly up and down, and full of tangents to keep my mind occupied. The organization was very good, as one would expect from a USATF event. There was plenty of the usual ultra fare at the main aid station and the far aid station at the top of the largest hill had fluids. The crowd was sparse, but one volunteer had a huge voice and stayed enthused the whole time.

Here’s the really crazy part: I didn’t go out too fast. I ran with the friend from that email for the first two laps and then let her go. After a short while I met up with someone running the same pace I was and we chatted for the next several laps. With three laps left, I felt good so I picked it up. After a short while, I saw my friend again, so I decided to try to catch her. She had topped me by one mile at the NC 24-hour run one year so I knew she was a good indicator of strength. With exactly two laps to go I had caught her, so I dug for more. My last lap was easily my fastest and I had nothing left after the sprint at the end, so I know I paced it right.

As I often say after my ultras, I encourage others to come out for these events. They’re really fun and much lower-key than high-tension marathons. For this one, you wouldn’t have to go all the way to North Carolina on New Year’s Eve either.

- Mike Skara

Sneaker Factory 10K, Millburn, NJ March 18, 2012
Elizabeth Candela 45:54

Apple Chase 5K/10K Pompton Plains, NJ March 25, 2012
5K Randy Miller 19:37 (1st AG)
George Studzinski 29:08 (1st AG)
10K    Charlie Slaughter 40:41 (1st AG)
    Daniel Smith 41:42
    Frank Russo 43:18
    Mark Frankel 45:20

My fitness has taken a bit of a hit due to health issues in the past four months, but I was very happy with the results. I started out slowly and was able to push hard at the end. I lost a sprint duel with Pat Butcher by half a second, who I tried to chase down at the end. I should’ve paid more attention to Dr Speed at the March meeting.  –   Mark Frankel

Ocean Drive Marathon Cape May, NJ March 25, 2012
   Mick Close 3:49:07 (2nd AG)

I was very happy to make it down to Cape May on Sunday for the 14th annual Ocean Drive Marathon that follows a one way course up the coast through Wildwood, Angelsea, Stone Harbor and Avalon to the finish in Sea Isle City. There’s also a 10 miler that starts together with the marathon and follows the same course but finishes on the board-walk in North Wildwood.

It was fun seeing Sue Palermo and some of the other Fleet Feet winter warriors in the Congress Hall hotel before the race and to run the first 4 miles with Don Manfria. It was also nice meeting Maggie Morin, sister in law of Chris Jawor-ski, who lives in Cape May and showed up with a large “Go Mick” sign.

The field was larger than I expected with more than 1,200 runners split between the two races and slightly more finishers in the marathon (676) than the 10 miler (541). As advertised, the course was mostly flat except for the bridges which pop up every few miles and are not too steep but do provide a bit of a challenge as the race progresses.

The weather is probably the biggest factor in this race, especially the wind, but after a forecast of rain for most of the week, the conditions on race day turned out to be dry and overcast with temperatures in the low 50′s. There was a head wind most of the way, especially in the second half, but it didn’t seem too strong and it could have been much worse.

This was my 40th marathon and one of my most consistent as I managed to hang onto an 8:45 pace for the entire race to finish in 3:49:07 (2nd AG) after passing the half in about 1:54:30.

Many thanks to the Fleet Feet group and all the winter warriors who helped keep me motivated through the winter on those cold Sunday mornings and dark Thursday evening runs!

There are some photos on my Facebook page if you can get to them. Many thanks to Catherine for taking these and for all her support! She had planned to run the 10 miler but was sick the last two weeks before the race.

The race is scheduled for Sunday, March 24 in 2013 if you’re interested in running it. www.odmarathon.org

Urban Environmental Challenge Van Cortlandt Park, NY April 1, 2012
 Tracy Keller, 67.06 minutes
    Elsa Slater, 70:13 minutes

Scotland Run 10K Central Park, NY April 7, 2012
 John Harvey 49:13
Perfect day for a loop around Central Park. This was a new PR for me and my most enjoyable run in NYC ever. Great Scottish festivities and atmosphere.

Cherry Blossom Run 10K Branch Brook Park, Newark, NJ April 15, 2012
Larry Czaplewski (3rd AG) … 37:57
    Catherine Smith (1st woman overall) … 38:55
    Michael Gorman … 39:49
    Mike Skara … 41:04
    Glenn Trimboli … 41:04
    Charlie Slaughter (2nd AG) … 41:20
    Amanda King (8th woman overall, 1st AG) … 42:37
    Dan Murphy … 42:38
    Mark Frankel … 45:22
    Gary Peters … 46:04
    Mick Close … 46:35
    Phil Coffin … 47:19
    Gerald Velli … 49:15
    Wayne Carlson … 49:51
    John Harvey … 49:53
    Hilary Fandel … 49:54
    Don Manfria … 50:16
    Bill Wilde … 50:41
    Tom Kelly (3rd AG) … 51:08
    Oriana Tejeda … 52:24
    Andi Robik … 52:29
    Susan Fasciano … 53:14
    Amber Andrews … 53:14
    Karen Patton … 53:28
    George Swiatek … 54:43
    Maria Imas … 55:20
    Martta Kelly … 56:07
    Joe Cozzi … 58:37
    Donna Catiolitti … 1:00:19
    George Studzinski (2nd AG) … 1:00:54
    Gina Imperatore … 1:01:24
    Robbin Jordan … 1:03:23
    Val Kenny … 1:08:05
    Dawn Cascio … 1:11:11
    Carol Ann Manfria … 1:16:13
    Joanne Barone … 1:22:41

Essex was well represented at the Cherry Blossom Run in Branch Brook Park today with over 35 runners in a field of almost 900. It was a spectacular day if rather warm with the sun shining and the blossoms in full bloom. Catherine Smith led the way with her outstanding 1st place finish in the women’s race followed by Amanda King in 8th (1st in her age). Larry Czaplewski was our top finisher in 37:57 (3rd in his age) with Michael Gorman next in 39:49 after he finished top master at the Building Tomorrow’s 5K race in Brookdale Park yesterday. Others winning age group awards were Charlie Slaughter (2nd), Tom Kelly (3rd) and George Studzinski (2nd). We also had Fleet Feet Essex teams in the USATF-NJ Women’s Masters Championship with our 40′s team finishing 7th and our 50′s team 9th. Congratulations to every-one who ran today and sorry to anyone I missed.
Complete results are on CompuScore at http://www.compuscore.com/cs2012/april cherry.htm. – Mick Close

More Half Marathon Central Park, NY April 15, 2012
Aubrey D. Birzon Blanda 1:53:06
I ran the More Half Marathon while most of the Essex Warriors were at the Cherry Blossom. I ran about 30 seconds better than I did the last time I ran it, about 4 years ago. The course was tougher than I’d remembered, especially that second time up Harlem Hill! But overall, a great day for a race! – Aubrey Birzon Blanda

Boston Marathon, Boston, MA April 16, 2012
ERC was well represented today at Boston. Congrats to all our teams (unofficial results for Boston Teams):

Mens Master: 3rd Place
Fleet Feet Essex Racing (New Jersey) 8:42:24
Elliott Frieder 2:43:56
    Jonathan Frieder 2:50:05
    Harold E. Porcher 3:08:23
    Tom Eaton 3:18:55

Mens Open: 13th Place
Fleet Feet Essex Racing (New Jersey) 8:42:05
Justin Scheid 2:39:36
    William Washer 2:55:30
    Paul Kartanowicz 3:06:59

Womans Master: 4th Place
Fleet Feet Essex Racing (New Jersey) 11:11:48
Karen Merz 3:32:38
    Dorothy Auth 3:41:53
    Jennifer Odell 3:57:17

Sunday, May 20 – Run for Rachel 5K (9:30am)

This race usually produces some of the year=s fastest 5K times on the mostly flat, out-and-back course from Living-ston’s Memorial Oval. This is a USATF team race for our wom-en and always features a strong women’s field for the USATF-NJ women’s open 5K championship. Preregister to receive the race goodie bag and tech shirt (new for 2012). Stay after the race for random prize drawings with some valuable prizes.

(Info: 908-902-8587 www.oymp.net)

Monday, May 28 – Ridgewood Run

(10K at 8:45am, 5K at 10:15)

The 37th annual Ridgewood Run organized by North Jersey Masters will be held as usual on Memorial Day on a mostly flat course through the beautiful tree lined streets of Ridge-wood. The race has a very festive atmosphere and there are many amenities including Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Be sure to pre-register as there is no race day registration.

(Info: 973-333-4837 www.ridgewoodrun.com)

Spring is finally here, and that means I can start running with my Fuelbelt, which means I can start running my favorite route again instead of having to run by the police station so I can hydrate at their water fountain.

During the warm months I find that I can run just about anywhere I want because I don’t need to worry where I’m going to get my hydration from. During the cold months, the water in my tiny bottles tends to freeze easily, so I have to alter my route to pass by some other source of water.

This past winter, for example, I developed a 10.5 mile route that passed by the police station where I live in Wayne at miles four and five. I used to also run a 16 mile route that passed by both the police station (miles two and four) and Willowbrook Mall (mile eight).

Of course, when I used to run at Grove St. we would take turns stashing water. Sometimes we even had to do that in the summer too. Occasion-ally, though, the water fountains actually worked.

Injuries and a lack of time for all of that extra driving have forced me to train closer to home. Since the FuelBelt has given me the flexibility to run almost any route I want, I’ve tried a few up by my house. My current fave is an 11.5 mile route by Pines Lake, some of it overlapping the Brian’s Run route.

I drink much more than I use to, especially on hot days. At Grove St. we went about three or four miles between water stops. Nowadays that seems like a long, although I can’t remember it ever being a problem. I do remember, though, some pretty big problems when I tried to stretch that distance a bit.

Every August I used to go up to my Alma Mater in Rhode Island for training, and would do a long run after the training was over. This was before I had my Fuelbelt. I suppose I could’ve carried water by hand, but since there was water along the way I never felt compelled to bring any-thing with me.

Training would end Saturday night, so on Sunday morning I’d head out from the dorm I was staying at to the West Kingstown Trail (a rail-trail actually) one mile away. I’d stop for water at the adjacent train station, and then run and out and back on the trail. The trail was four miles long, so I would go eight miles between water stops. That was too long. Somehow I slogged through those runs, though, for as much as three out and backs.

I always had great difficulty running the last mile, from the station back to the dorm. Usually extreme dehydration would set in and I’d stagger back. Once a cop saw me. She took me in her car and offered to drive me to a hospital. It was a temporary issue, I responded, and I’d be better after a cold shower and a long nap.

It took me a few years of repeating this cycle before I finally broke down and bought a Fuelbelt. It’s been a great investment. I can’t say it’s completely alleviated the problem, but at least now I can manage to get through most long runs without having to worry about hydration. If it gets too hot and humid outside all bets are off. That’s happened too.

Mark Frankel

The Verona Labor day race application is now availiable. Please use to link below to retrieve the application.

www.essexrunning.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/veronalabordayclassic.pdf

Recap of Traprock 50K, Penwood State Park, Bloomfield, CT, April 14, 2012

Chris Jaworski (3rd AG) … 6:49:07

A trail race right here in Bloomfield, the heart of ERC country? Sign me up! Oh? What? Bloomfield, Connecticut? Just north of Hartford? Alrighty then. My day would involve about five hours of driving … and almost seven hours of running!

I had read favorable reviews of this race in its first two years and decided to give it a shot this time. Running its hilly and technical single-track and double-track would be good training for a May race on similar terrain, and finishing it would mean I’d be checking off the last of the three “ultra” trail races that take place in Connecticut. The other two are the 26.4-mile NipMuck Marathon and the Bimbler’s Bluff 50K. One thing these races and my head have in common is rocks.

Stairway to Heaven. Photographs by Chip Tilden (chiptilden.tumblr.com), except as noted.

According to Wikipedia, “traprock is a form of igneous rock that … tends to appear in orderly structures resembling piles of blocks, … inspiring the term ‘trap,’ which comes from a Scandinavian word meaning ‘steps’ or ‘stairs.’ … Traprock is the primary constituent of many ridges and other rock outcrops in the Hudson River Valley, such as the Palisades, and [in] southern New England.”

The Traprock course, which used the Metacomet Trail, had a multitude of rocks. They came in all shapes and sizes and degrees of jaggedness and “rollability.” They were packed together in some sections, and jutted up randomly elsewhere. In spots, the trail took an abrupt step down or up, over rock formations that looked how gibberish sounds. Among the other notable sections were a tall, steep hillside of rocks called the Stairway to Heaven; a 1.5-mile stretch of warped and broken asphalt; and areas carpeted with coarse, sharp-edged gravel.

* * *

Wayne Pacileo & Cherie Yanek.

"Hey, Scott Martin!"

Before the race, it was great catching up with ultrarunner friends Chip, Scott, and Cherie, and meeting Wayne (Cherie’s beau) and Bastiaan (another New Jersey runner). A Brit told us he’d be running Boston two days later. Everyone was in good spirits!

At the relaxed prerace briefing, which stretched to 8:45, race directors Steve Nelson and Kevin Hutt welcomed us, and told us that attendance had increased to 200 runners, from 50 in the first Traprock. They described the entire course and added that it was so well marked that, if we got lost, we should just take up road running!

Finally, a moment of silence, and a tribute of music, for ultrarunner Micah True, a.k.a. Caballo Blanco, the White Horse. True, race director for Mexico’s Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon, became an inspirational figure after being featured in the book Born to Run in 2009. He died in late March of this year, while running solo in Gila National Forest in New Mexico. As I listened to strains of Vivaldi from a cello, I thought about True and his place in the ultra community … and then of our friend Doug Williams, another runner who left us too soon, and his place in the Essex community. Each of us runners, supported by a community, can find his or her place and can excel, and the community in turn is richer for its members’ participation and accomplishments. How fortunate it is that running brings us together, and that our lives become intertwined so.

I’ll try to run a good race for Doug.

Cellist & RDs Steve Nelson & Kevin Hutt.

Conditions were perfect. A chill on arrival but, within minutes, comfort in short sleeves. An occasional cool breeze that would be welcome as the temperatures rose, from around 50 at the start to the upper 60s in the afternoon. Low humidity, dropping from 50% to 20% during the race. No mud, a plus on a course like this. Clear skies, bright sunshine, shade under the trees.

Aid stations were set up no more than 4 miles apart, so I decided to run with a 20-ounce bottle and refill along the way. As each station was stocked with standard ultra fare, but no gels, I’d carry a few of those too, plus electrolyte capsules, and then replenish from my drop bag at the start/finish.

* * *

Lap 1. We were off! Some small number of yards on pavement—then up! Steeply up the trail! This hill was runnable, but the crowding on its technical single-track meant most of us had to hike it. After reaching the top, the runner next to me said hello. It was Jim. Hey! I’d met Jim at the prerace dinner for the Vermont 50 Mile in September. Now here we were, comparing notes about that race, and talking about other things, while running the Metacomet. Soon, though, I realized the pace was too fast and, letting Jim go, took it down a notch.

50K to go!

A bit later—I don’t recall if it was before or after scaling the Stairway to Heaven—I began feeling I was laboring too much for so early on, and I questioned whether two more laps were doable. I let that thought go, and let the imperative to scan the ground take over. I’d bashed my knee and scraped my arm in a hard fall at South Mountain Reservation a week earlier and was wondering how the knee would hold up here. I did not want to fall and hit it again, either. Best be ultra careful. I watched my step, and the next, and the next and, while doing that, forgot about being tired, about the miles and hours ahead. There were other diversions, too … the scenic valley views from the top of the ridge … the smiles and assistance from the volunteers at the mile 3 aid station … greeting other runners on the out-and-back lollipop loop at the northernmost end of the course … more aid … precarious cliffside running … the mile 7 aid station … the long, gradual uphill run on the paved road and then, after reaching its apex, the long run on the gradual downhill that followed … the sharp right back onto the trail … the final 1.5 miles, retracing the first 1.5 miles … and then the careful, meticulous run down the steep, technical single-track that started it all. After crossing the finish line to get my chip read and split recorded (2:00:15), I made a U-turn, hit the aid station for a refill and a slice of fruit, and headed back out to do it all over again.

Up and at 'em!

Lap 2. During the middle lap, I went through some motivational swings. On the down side, I was starting to feel the first 10-11 miles. My hike up the Stairway to Heaven was just a bit less jaunty this time! On the up side, I now had my own mental map of the course—knew where to go, how long each section was, what to expect when, and, most important, which areas to look forward to for relief. Familiarity began pulling me along. That there was so much variety packed into the course—something different was never too far ahead—was another motivator. I also perked up when I saw Bastiaan … Wayne … Cherie … Scott … Chip … coming from the opposite direction on the lollipop loop. As this lap went on, though … ow, ow, ow! Despite my efforts to pick my foot plants and to “glide” over rocks and gravel, I began to feel every little point and edge through the bottoms of my shoes. After a while, the soles of my feet became swollen and tender, and every now and again they’d start burning—a trail-running sensation I hadn’t experienced before. Doubts about being able to do the third lap were bubbling up. I’d forgotten to leave a thicker soled pair of shoes in my drop bag. Would another pair of socks help? This is what I was wondering while coming down off the trail and into the finish line for the second time. This lap (2:21:22) had taken me 21 minutes longer than the first. No surprise there.

Lap 3. After making the U-turn, I grabbed my drop bag and sat down. I wasn’t sure about continuing, but I was taking my shoes off, pulling a pair of socks on over the ones I was wearing, and lacing up again. I changed to a dry shirt, too. A volunteer asked if I were going out for a third lap. A yes came out of someone’s mouth (mine, I think). I pinned my bib on the new shirt, got up, and stopped at the aid station for a bottle refill and a slice of watermelon. As I turned to leave, RD Steve encouraged me to “go tear up the trail.” I said I would, and with that began picking my way back up that hill … running. However, I had one more good slowdown in me, and it would not be denied. I began tiring … may as well have been going up the Down Escalator to Heaven this time around … and may have begun competing with another runner to see who could walk slower. Then something neat happened. A third runner came up from behind. She was, um, running. I decided to hitch my wagon to hers, and pretty soon was reinvigorated. Farther on, children approached in twos and threes. Each said, “Great job,” and a couple of the boys gave us high-fives. These little cheerleaders had hiked the short distance from the “mile 3″ aid station. We were mighty impressed with them, and what a nice pick-me-up they provided.

At the lollipop turnaround, with about 6 miles left and with my feet still suffering—the extra socks were not helping—I really began to find my legs. Energy had come out of nowhere, and I wanted to run with it. When I asked to pass, the lead wagon said go for it, and I did. I was then running all the sections I had walked during lap 2, and was catching sight of and passing one runner after another, probably a dozen all told. No one passed me, not even whoever was hot on my heels coming down that last hill the final time. I kept my eyes glued to the trail until I bounced out onto the pavement, and then sprinted alone to the finish. My lap 3 time was 2:27:30, which includes the minutes I’d spent adding socks and changing shirts. It strikes me as funny that, though my splits for the last two laps were nearly equal, I felt so much better and faster on lap 3. Feelings can be deceiving, but oh what a great feeling that had been!

* * *

After crossing the line the final time, I kept going. I walked a few steps to a table to claim my finisher’s pint glass, printed with Traprock’s logo, and slogan, Ridges, Rocks, Roots, and Running. Then I stepped over to the grill and the tables laden with food and drink. I had a burger, drank a Pepsi for the caffeine for the drive home, chatted with fellow finishers, and welcomed others in.

Sixty-nine runners started and finished the 17K race. Of the 115 runners who started the 50K, 27 (23%) did not finish. Of the 88 who finished, I placed 48th. Too bad I didn’t win an award—some runners received a plaque with a chunk of traprock on it.

Chip Tilden. Photograph by David Merkt.

Aside from having those foot issues, I thoroughly enjoyed the day and this well-organized, well-run event. Carpoolers got the choice parking spots, close to the start/finish. (I was not one of those people, but I think the arrangement was a good one.) The prerace briefing felt like a family gathering. The course was challenging, scenic, interesting, and very well marked. The volunteers were helpful and cheerful and supportive. The aid stations kept me well fueled. RD Kevin’s emceeing—his quips and fictional biographical factoids for incoming finishers—had me in stitches. And, finally, for a $50 entry fee I received a small goody bag and a nice tech shirt. The race directors said that the money left after expenses will be donated to the Connecticut Forest & Park Association, which maintains the trails there.

* * *

Results: http://aratrace.com/traprock-50k-2012/

Photos: http://tinyurl.com/76c3tzf

2010 video tour of trail, including Stairway to Heaven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBoABbsyx2s

2011 video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDyU0F1MIOE