Big Schloss Run Report

First-ever VHTRC event, and it did not disappoint. Amazing RD (thank you, Cara!), aid stations, and volunteers. Better than any paid event I’ve ever done.

Plan was to be conservative (for once) and practice drinking/fueling during an ultra. Wasn’t afraid to walk since my lesson with Brennan Henning. Started out with David Yoder, but he started to get away from me on the first long descent on Long Mountain Trail around 3 miles. Caught glimpses of him on the long straightaways, and I think I was climbing at least as fast as him. No one else was near. Some of the initial trails reminded me of XC ski paths, nice and wide and semi-groomed. Unfortunately, we transitioned to some rock garden singletrack, too. Coming into the first aid station, John rolled me up out of nowhere. Refilled my bottles, ate some grapes, and exited well before him and didn’t see him on the next section.

Felt like I was doing a great job of staying in the right zone for the first 2 sections of course. Had to pee, but refused to stop. Ran the entire ascent up Bucktail/Halfmoon. Was in a decent, but still chill rhythm descending Little Stoney Creek and had two near falls on some slick rocks. Unexpectedly saw David, and he told me that he had rolled his ankle badly. He told me to pass and started making some painful noises that sounded worse than any tennis player. Made it to Aid Station #2 and once again John surprised me by entering just behind. Refilled bottles, ate grapes, and continued down the gravel road ahead of him. Had a little jolt of competition now that I was in the lead and had the hopes of Yoder Track Club riding on me.

Took the Big Schloss Cutoff Trail ascent probably too fast as a result. Started to pay for it by the time I reached the spur for Big Schloss, and there were lots (~30 in total) of hikers to navigate thru there and on the way to Wolf Gap. Surprisingly did not see John on my way back from the spur, so I assumed that he missed the turn and was now ahead of me. (Unbeknownst to me, Q convinced him to take a shot of whiskey at the aid station and derailed his race.) Made it to Aid Station #3 after a gingerly descent and saw David there. He buoyed my hopes by telling me that I was on course record pace (this turned out to be false). At this point, I had run out of LMNT and was starting to get nervous about cramping.

Left the aid station in good spirits, but quickly realized that I was in trouble on the planned walk up Tibbet Knob. Was super thirsty and depleting my fluids quickly. Once at the top, I continued walking because the descent trail was full of large, jagged slick rocks and I had no traction. Knew I was a sitting duck if someone was willing to take more risk. Started to mentally prepare for how I would respond if someone passed me.

Was beyond excited to reach the gravel forest road and got into a solid rhythm on the 2.5 mile climb. Lots of positive thoughts and that was probably my high point of the race. After turning onto the Long Mountain descent, I was doing great staying smooth, slow and steady until I caught a toe and had a near-fall. That was the first time that I felt my quad/hamstring/hip flexor say hello loudly.

Made it 1.5 miles down the trail in safety mode before the cramping began in earnest. Never stopped, but slowed briefly. Had issues in both legs and multiple muscles. Kept looking back periodically, but never saw nor heard anyone. Figured I would be fine if I could just glide it in on the remaining descent. Saw a volunteer around 1.5 miles to go and she cheered for me, but then she cheered again after I had passed and I realized that the chase was on!

Was quickly passed by Brad who was descending with real pace. Had never seen him all day. Something clicked with mind and body in that moment, and I said “not today.” Did my best to match his descending and stayed roughly 20-30 meters behind him. We started to hit some small ups and I was able to claw him back. Pulled alongside him and he said “you gave me a taste of victory” or something like that. Hit another tougher ascent and did my best to get a real gap. Was feeling great, but was also concerned that the cramps could return at any moment and we had just under a mile to go. Thankfully, was able to pull away without issue for the win.

Ate 10 GUs, one every 30 min, alternating non-caffeinated and caffeinated. (Side note: eating that much sugar is uncomfortable for my teeth, had a toothache for the second half.) Had grapes at every aid station but nothing else. Drank 3L of electrolytes (2L Nuun/Propel, 1L LMNT) and 0.5L of water. Definitely the most I’ve ever eaten/drank in a marathon/ultra and still probably not enough. Stomach was relatively fine all day.

Longest I’ve made it in a marathon/ultra before feeling poorly/cramping began (probably got 24 miles pre-issues).

100% humidity throughout, they had some rain overnight, but we didn’t get much rain during and I was almost always protected by tree cover. Most of the creek crossings were relatively dry, was able to skirt and dodge and keep feet dry. 62-70 degrees. We were in the fog all day, so didn’t get great views. However, got to see Little Schloss, Big Schloss from the north which was really cool (looked like Chimney Rock), and some half-decent views looking east to VA from the ridges.

Had “Rushin’ River Valley” stuck in my head for the first half and it was in a medley with a Lord Huron song (maybe “Watch Me Go”?). Lots of other apropos songs later, but I can never remember afterwards.