Last year, one of my main outdoor goals was to reconnect with ultrarunning. I had not finished an ultra since 2016, and was coming upon the 30th anniversary of my first one. I knew these kinds of runs weren’t going to get easier, and if I was going to add another finish to my resume, it was time to get going.
Last
year’s race at Norris ended up going really well (2021
Norris). I finished in a surprisingly fast time (7:12), really enjoyed
myself, and most importantly, I didn’t get injured. I decided to race again
this year, using last year’s training plan as a guide. My baseline running
(mostly the local greenway) went well, and I had steady mileage through the
summer. My longer trail runs in the Smokies and elsewhere also went well, and I
even saw some decrease in my times from 2021. I did one practice run at Norris,
and discovered the new Pawpaw and Homestead trails that replaced the old worn
out Lakeside Loop in the State Park. I also got in three 20+ milers, the last
of which was just over a week before race day. This was a 23 mile loop near
Cades Cove that Ron had figured up. Towards the end of the run, I thought I was
15 minutes ahead of last year’s time, but after arriving home I realized I was
actually about that much slower. Oh well, at least I wouldn’t get
overconfident.
But,
in the week before the race Jean and I both came down with some type of sinus allergy/cold.
I knew it would clear up before the race. When Saturday came I was still a bit
stuffed up, but the tired, achy feeling and sore throat I’d had earlier was
gone. Race day had great weather, ~55F at the start and up in the low 70s by
afternoon, much warmer than typical for Norris. It was a small field, 17
runners in the 50K and 51 in the 25K. Ron raced, but was well ahead of me all
day. I ran a bit with Kathy Smith (25K) at the start, but otherwise was alone.
We ran counterclockwise, opposite the direction of 2021.
Still
feeling a little weak, I walked much of the first hill up to Highpoint. The
leaves had fallen and were fairly deep all day, but the descent of Ridgecrest Trail
was the only loose section. I also walked most of the next climb up Reservoir
Hill. I think more walking accounted for a slower first lap vs. 2021. With the
small group, everyone was sorted out by the second climb, and I essentially
held position from there. I was into the second aid station in 2:05, about on
pace. But here I started to walk more. The course also used some of the new
trail by Lakeside, and may have added a half mile or so of new bike trail winding
aimlessly in the woods. The last section seemed to take forever, but I moved
well enough to pass four 25K runners. My 3:40 for the last section was more in
line with lap 2 in 2021 (cut off is 4:00).
I
got back on the trail quickly. I was able to eat and drink well all day and
never felt cramps. At the Reservoir aid station Brian Gagaus said Ron was
running well, and was about 3 miles ahead of me. Ron later mentioned slowing up
on lap two on the way to 5th in 6:50. I saw my only runner of the
lap just after Observation Point. The guy staggering down the trail was the
same one I’d seen lurching up Ridgecrest near last year’s finish. I lost a
little time approaching the aid stations, probably a combination of more
walking and slightly slower running. Trails like Clear Creek, Lakeview, and Eli
Nines were still beautiful single track striding. The Buttslide Aid station is
near the Norris Rifle range. Both times I went through it sounded like high
caliber guns were being fired.
The
last section from the Buttslide aid station took 1:50, much slower vs 2021. I
walked more, but tried hard to run as much as I could. I knew I was in danger
of coming in over 8 hours, and I badly wanted a “7” for my first digit.
I
slowly ticked off Scenic Cove, High Point Spur, and Kerry’s Revenge (slated to
be relocated soon) while worried I would go over 8 hours, and also expecting to
be caught by runners behind. My left knee began to ache, but in a bony, rather
than IT/Tendonitis way. I could still run the gentle hills, both up and down,
but I would have been happy to have been
able to just walk.
Finally,
I came to the last junction. Turning up the wood steps, I still had some zip in
the legs and dashed to the finish line in 7:56. Ron and Kathy were there, along
with Tony, who was timing, and John who had been working aid stations. It was
the first Norris finish I remembered that wasn’t freezing cold, so I was able
to hang out a bit before heading home.
Norris State Park Map with new trails.
