Promise Land 50k, Picture Heavy Race Recap

Race: Promise Land 50k

Location: Bedford, VA

Finish Time: 6:40:31

Date: April 26, 2014

Race # 3 in the Beast Series.  My goal was just to knock this one out.  Only 4 days after running Boston I wasn't sure how my legs would feel and I just wanted to remain injury free.  Fortunately everything was feeling solid and I was able to tackle the extreme climbing and inevitable downhill running.  Since I was using my Mountain Hardware ultra-running vest I carried a cheapie camera of mine along for the ride.  We got to camp out at race HQ which was perfect for such an early start time.  Too bad it was so windy that night -most people struggled to get 3 hours of sleep!

The start of the Promise Land 50k, promptly at 5:30am!  This was perfect really, we were only running in complete darkness for half an hour, and it allowed us to finish early in the day.  I couldn't believe the crowd of easily over 400 runners!

After we started up the gravel road outside the Promise Land youth camp a quick look back revealed all the headlamps runners used to light their way.  Looks kind of like 1-eyed aliens!

After our first significant climb things evened out just in time for the sun to come up.  It was light out but the sun still hadn't peaked above the ridge line just yet.

Here comes the sun!  Then once we crossed over the Blue Ridge Parkway we headed back down the other side of Apple Orchard Mountain.

At the bottom we ran on about a mile of pavement - I like single track trails better!

Now back in the woods we continued the run through great sun-soaked scenery.

Yes, I even had time for a "selfie"! I kind of hate myself for saying that...

This course rocks! No, literally, there were tons of rocks as is the norm in the weathered mountains of the blue ridge.  At least some rocks resembled steps!

Up, up, up we went, speed-hiking back up Apple Orchard Mountain.  About 2/3 of the way up was the spectacular Apple Orchard Falls.  It looks a lot bigger in person!

The next portion had a seemingly endless staircase to the next gravel road crossing.  Then it ended, with 0.9 miles of trail left to the aid station at the top!

Though the downhill was quite the relief for the last few miles, my quads were really feeling the pounding, especially only 4 days removed from running Boston.  The camp was probably the coolest spot I've camped out for a race yet.  Right in the shadow of the mountain!

The elevation profile is daunting, over 7,000 ft of gain/loss. I know there are comparisons to the measly elevation of the Boston Marathon, however, you have to remember that you are supposed to be running the whole time (and rather fast I might add) at Boston.  Actual distance of the race was closer to 34 miles.  Another awesome Horton race, filled with infamously long "Horton Miles".

We had a great post-race cookout before the long drive back to Northern Virginia.  Extra extra thanks goes out to all the enthusiastic volunteers who not only refueled my supplies but also boosted my morale!

My 15 Seconds of Fame for Boston

Somehow I have managed to wiggle my way into the public eye lately.

I was put in touch with the ABC7 News (WJLA in Washington) for a piece about local runners who ran Boston in 2013 and are returning this year.

They interviewed another woman and I, both separately, and I thought the piece turned out really nice.  I also experienced one of the craziest coincidences of my life:  the other runner, Lesley, who I have never met and seemingly had no connection to whatsoever - was actually in one of my pictures with me!  The pic of me at the finish the day before the marathon, she is in the background.  This out of all the pictures I took that weekend, with all the crowds of people around, and the 1 shot they decided to air on TV.  Weird!

Even earlier than that I was put in touch with Active Life DC, an online magazine about all things fitness in the DC area.  After some short Q&A they worked me into a great article by Erin Masterson (a fellow Boston Marathoner) titled "We All Run Boston Strong", about runners returning to the Boston Marathon a year after the 2013 race was cut tragically short:

Erik Price also had an unforgettable experience running Boston in 2013. He had finished the race in 3:18:20 and was traveling back to his hotel on the T at the time of the explosions.

“When we got off the T, word was spreading fast and no one knew what to believe,” he said. “I’m not a very emotional person but this was one time where I just felt paralyzed and could only just crouch down and be thankful that we made it out.”

Said Price, “There is a duality of emotions that all runners have been going through that will shine through on race day. On one hand, this is a celebration of what we love, and no one will stop us from doing it!” Price thinks this celebration will only get louder and more patriotic than last year.

But, he acknowledged, “On the other hand, last year's race ended tragically and at the cost of three lives and dozens of injuries, so people will need to be mindful and respectful.”

Price plans to wear his Boston gear with pride all marathon weekend.

GW Parkway 10 Miler

A week out from Boston I ran one of my favorite springtime races in the area, the GW Parkway 10 Miler.  Its dangerous racing a week out from a Marathon, but I kept a cool head in the otherwise warm and sunny spring weather, running a little faster than planned marathon pace with the last 2 miles a bit faster to get a solid workout in.  This was actually also a great chance to practice grabbing cups of water from volunteers while running at full pace and subsequently drinking on the run.  Funny how a skill so minute yet so important is rarely practiced!

Expertly grabbing a cub of water while running GW Parkway!

Completely by chance, I met up with the same reporter from Active Life DC that I had emailed with and gave a few more thoughts in their recap of the GW Parkway 10 Miler:

Arlington’s Erik Price used the 10 mile as a final tuneup before the following Monday’s Boston Marathon. He planned to use the race as a tempo run and followed his own plan until the last mile, where he sped up for a final kick to the finish.

“It can be dangerous  – it’s so easy to go out hard in a race, get caught up in the excitement,” he said. “You have to be on your best behavior and use it as a tempo run.”

Price plans to take it a little easy next week in Boston, and pace with a friend. He is looking towards an ultramarathon the week after.

I have to admit, it is fun to see your thoughts printed (or at least digitized) into widely distributed media.   However, this doesn't make you a better runner, and it can make you more cocky - which I try to avoid!  Always stay humble and you'll never have anything to be ashamed of.

In case you are keeping track, yes I have already run Boston and plan to provide a more detailed recap of the race weekend shortly!