The race offered different distances and in the past I had toyed with the 50 miler. This year I decided to look at Columbus as a long run in prep for this race. I decided on the 50k because I believed that was a doable distance for me. Just over 30 miles it would make me an ultra marathoner. One loop was half way so I signed up for two loops. I figured at most it would take 7 hours if I had a bad day. The race started at 8am and I drove from home to be there 30 minutes early.
I got my bib and pack on and waited with 5 other runners who were attempting the 50k that day. Three men and three women. Two went out very fast and four of us hung on to each other through more than half the first loop. The first aid station was at the “Iron Furnace” and we all stopped to take pictures.
At this point I got the vibe that we all just wanted to finish. No one in my group was out for time. So we all hung together for as long as possible. What I didn’t expect was the amount of climbing, technical terrain and level of difficulty I had gotten myself into. The race, for one loop, almost 18 miles, had roughly 2500 feet of elevation. Nobody was aware of that. We all talked about it while we were out there. The leaf coverage was so thick you couldn’t see what you were stepping on so it was like stepping into the dark hoping you didn’t land in a hole. I tripped and twisted my ankle so many times I started praying I wouldn’t break it.
We all agreed this wasn’t really a running trail but more hiking and climbing. Even the downhills were so steep and leaf covered you’d slip and slide your way down. There were times I actually held onto a tree to keep from slipping and potentially sliding off the edge of an embankment. Sometimes the trail was so indistinguishable that you’d have to stop and look closely at the leaves to see if they looked like someone had just passed through there. As you could imagine, we got lost. We had to backtrack and climb up and out of where we were to keep going.
They kept getting ahead of me leaving me on my own and I started to think how unsafe this was being out there alone with no cell service almost falling off a cliff. Even at times when I stumbled (which was often) I prayed I wouldn’t break my wrist or arm and have to walk alone back to the start. I did some math and realized that with all the climbing and hiking I wasn’t going to finish the first loop in three hours but more like 4 ish. Since we started at 8, that meant I’d be out there close to dark and with no one and no headlamp. I decided then not to take on a second loop.
It was a beautiful location, and if I’d had a buddy or more daylight, I may have stuck it out to finish but in all honesty, it looked like barring anymore problems (I got lost on my own once too) I was looking at a 8-9 hour trek.
With my husband at home waiting on me I just didn’t see a reason to try and gamble this one going my way. I was afraid out there alone and terrified I’d get hurt and no one would even go by me to help.
In conclusion, it was an amazingly difficult course for anyone who truly wants to challenge their trail running ability, but I would caution you to bring a headlamp and a friend. Speaking of that....
I met Katie (second from left) at a trail women’s only weekend “Brokebabes Trail Weekend”. She is the mastermind behind these super cool ultras and races that cost next to nothing but are so much fun!! I was so happy to see her and a couple other ladies I met that weekend three years ago. We laughed, hugged, shared a beer and they told me about some other 50ks that may be more in my wheelhouse. Katie made the best vegan chili and every racer got a huge mug to put it in plus fresh grilled cheese she herself made for you while you waited. Will I go back? Maybe once I get a couple 50ks under my belt and some solid trail experience. It was tough out there but good. Pushing my body like that felt great and I’m looking forward to next year and what’s to come.
