Race Review - Seneca Creek 50k 2012

This was my second running of the Seneca Creek 50k and although the course is familiar is contiues to bring new surprsies, challanges and stays constant in the beauty of the course. It's no surprise that the race is growing in popularity in the ultra community and many make it their first ultra expereince. If it was anyones first ultra this year almost anything else they do wil seem easy - it was 34+ mile Mud Fest!
Race Director Ed Schultze again did a fine job putting on the event - these things are never easy and the unforseen is bound to happen in any race. This year the chance of a last minute cancelation due to weather hung in the air. With a promise of rain, high winds and thunderstorms the park service held the right to cancel due to safety issues. Forunetely after early morning rain the weather cleared up nicely as the day progressed - even turning warm by mid afternoon. It was actually great weather for a race. All of this must have weighed heavy on Ed's mind as a lot of work and effort goes into making a race successful, yet the strain never showed and the event came off - if not seamlessly- then at least joyfully for all. Thanks Ed! And of course a big thanks must go to all the volunteers who braved the weather and had nothing but enthusiasm and praise for all the runners. It's a tough, cold, wet job for these guys yet their cheer never waivered. Thanks! A special thanks to volunteer and runner extraordinaire Hai Nguyen who promised me a banana and extra cowbell at the last aid station and delivered on both counts - thanks Hai!

That banana really helped with the last 3 miles leading to the finish - which (of course) was all up hill.

The course itself is quite diverse with stream crossings, pine forest, a loop around Clopper lake - all on single track trails. But what really stood out - was the mud. Lots of mud. I'm still finding mud in places I'm positive were scrubbed clean. This made for tough, slow running for me and many others but at the same time it only adds in the glory of the race. Especially over time and continued telling of the great adventure. Yet for now I won't exagerate - there was a butt load of mud.
Each aid station offered a wide variety - even for a picky vegan like me. I have to admit that I almost broke down and eat a pringle after all of the subliminal message (signs) offering testemant to their unnatural goodness. I did manage to hold off but it was close towards the end there.
My original goal was just to survive the race after last weeks Hashawha Hills 50k (mud and hills) and two weeks before that a 5:52 at the Mid MD 50k (even more mud) but I started off fast and felt pretty good and though I could bring it in close to 6:00. By mid point my quads had had enough of the mudd and told me to shoot for 6:30. At the end though I had to settle for 7:10 - tired legs, mud and a long course (34+ miles on my Garmin) and lack of pringles may have done me in. In no way am I upset with the time though - it was a fun day out in the woods with a great crowd of runners and volunteers - who could complain about that. On a more serious note about diet I really don't think I would have recovered nearly so well between races on a standard diet and part of doing this series of races was to see how far I could push myself. So I'm happy I withstood the pringles temptation (for this year)
So once again a big thanks to Ed, the volunteers and all involved for your pateince, commitment, time and effort. I'll see you all next year!

Eric