Seneca Creek 50k Race Report

Seneca Creek
Greenway Trail
Marathon and 50K

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This is a beautiful course with a nice change of scenery (from hardwood forest to pine to C&O Canal and a bit of street running thrown in)and Race Director -Ed Schultze - does a wonderful job of taking care of the needs of all participants. A big thanks for the mylar blankets for the wait at the beginning!

The day started a bit gloomy and the bus ride to the start gave me plenty of time to second guess leaving my rain gear in the car - as well as shoe choice and about a thousand other little things that continued to jump in my thoughts all the way through the first mile or two of running. In the end, shoe choice turned out well and the day was picture perfect for running.
This isn't a hard course and as mentioned the changing scenery really draws you from point to point as well as the friendly and encouraging volunteers (Thank you all) and it very much reminded me of my Patapsco training grounds so that was a big plus.
My wife ran great- fast and strong- up to around mile 16 or so when her IT Bands acted up. There were some doubts of her continuing but she dug deep and put in a hugh effort to keep us ahead of the cut-offs (by minutes) and sweepers. She beat her previous 50k time by 36 minutes and this was a week after beating her Half Marathon time by three and her Air Force half mile test by a few minutes a swell. Tough week of running for her!

I felt pretty good and was surpised at what I had left at the end as this was my longest run in some time. I honestly felt I had a 50 miler in me - of course the wheels can really come off the bus in the last 18 miles (my Garmin said 32 plus for the day). So first ultra of the year in the books!

Merrells performed great.
I was a bit concerned with running an ultra in minimal footwear but no issues other than a bit of rubbing on the top of the foot and that wasn't really noticed until well after the race.

My only complaint would have to be the lack of fruit at the aide stations - which is really no big deal for most -but a bit of a concern for my vegan fueled running. Fortunetly there was a strawberry angel at mile 24(I think) and again at mile 28 who saved me from Dorrito's and other fare! Thank you! (Edit -Race Director Ed Schultze reminded me in an email that this is basically a self supported race with little in the way of aid - so I do apologize and this comment shouldn't be viewed as a statement on the race, the RD or volunteers who all did a fantastic job - thanks!)
As in all ultras I have participated in - the real beauty of the race is the people - both runners and volunteers. A big thank you to all who came out - to run and to aid. From mile 15 or so on we had a runner stick with us just to keep company and help with moral. He helped and a special thanks to him.

We'll be back for Stone Mill and the extra 19 miles in Novemeber!