Subject: 1999 Old Dominion 100, Race Report Date: Sat, 12 Jun 1999 10:14:23 -0700 From: Bill Ramsey Probably the highlight of running OD100 this year was being crewed by my father and brother and meeting/running with various runners. As always, some previous lessons regarding appropriate strategies and considerations for running 100s were reinforced. Going from the fairgrounds over Woodstock Gap to the first aid station, I had the opportunity to run and chat with John DeWalt. He has been to OD numerous times. We ran with a young man with his hair in a long ponytail (Jeff _____) who was running his first 100. We attempted to impart some timely, albeit late, wisdom about treating the early part of the race like a relaxed training run and managing aniety about place and time. John has an infectiously positive attitude which was a big lift. Jeff pulled away from us as we descended from Woodstock Gap. Later in the morning, I hooked up with John Wagner from Wisconsin, a school teacher on summer break. He's one of those guys who's 50 and doesn't look a day past 35...must be good genes. He was beginning his quest for the Grand Slam and looking quite relaxed. As we approached the 19.5 mile aid station (770/758), I briefly debated whether to change socks and relube my feet and quickly decided that they were in good shape and should be fine until the 32 mile aid (Four Points #1). In retrospect, that would be a potentially disastrous decision. My feet typically only hold up when subject to sock changes and a relube (Bag Balm) every 25 miles. On the way to Four Points, I spent time running with David King from North Carolina. He was moving smoothly with a strong stride. His shirt was emblazoned with "Jesus is Lord" and I expressed my agreement. We talked about the power of prayer and the fact that we never felt alone during those long, lonely night stretches of a 100. We both confessed to spending a significant time asking for strength and steadfastness, especially late in the race. At Rt. 675, Dave and I missed a left turn and proceed to run almost half a mile down the road before being turned around by someones's crew. The worst part of being off course is the momentary anxiety and the fact that you feel compelled to run a little faster to make-up what you lost...a bad strategy to say the least. As we approached the intersection we realized we had been on the right side of the road and merely missed the paint marking on the left side. Chalk one up to inattentiveness. I need to add that the OD course was well marked. Duncan Hollow is a tough little section of trail, with more than its fair share of rocks, and takes you to the highest elevation of the race. I caught up with Mike Robertson who runs like a man on a mission, a very important mission. The worst part of the loop were the horseflies which like to take blood. They are a continual annoyance that need to be viewed as an additional obstacle. Each one of the foul little critters is attempting to dissuade you from your goal of completing the 100. As we descended into Four Points #2 (47 miles), I was feeling relaxed but the balls of my feet were beginning to feel a little hot, in spite of the sock change at 32, not a good omen. Jeff and I entered the aid station together and he indicated he was doing well. After a bottle change and a Kodak opportunity with my father, I was off to the halfway point (50 miles), in terms of distance anyway. Passing the 50 in 9:25 caused little concern as I was feeling quite well overall. Climbing up to Powell Mountain Trail on the way to Edinburg (56 miles), I caught up with Frank Probst who was moving pretty well despite nursing a groin injury. He had come into the race realizing it could become a major factor, which it did. With a 100 mile PR of 17:50, Frank is capable of motoring when he's healthy. At Edinburg Gap, we caught a glimpse of Mike Morton and discussed with some sadness, Mike's hip bursitis condition. One of the highlights of the run came as I ran alone between Edinburg (56 mi.) and Little Fort (64 mi.?). While descending a rocky trail, I suddenly encountered a large brown form charging through woods about 20 feet to my right, parallel to the trail, and in the opposite direction. I turned to see a large doe gracefully traverse the trail completely airborne about 15 feet behind me. What an amazing site. Another bottle and sock change at Little Fort and I began focusing on Elizabeth Furnace (75 mi.). My father would pick up my brother at Veach West and they would meet me at the Furnace. The interesting part was my brother would be leaving a graduate management class at U of MD in College Park (2 hours away) at 4:00 pm. At the 69 mile aid station, Maj. Robertson pulled into the station just as I was pulling out. Once again, he looked all business and I put the pedal to the metal a bit to put some distance on him. I periodcally glanced back when the opportunity afforded itself and was relieved he was not in sight. Pulling into the Furnace (75 mi), I was feeling real good and actually looking forward to Sherman Gap, in spite of what I had been told about it. I figured that with four Angeles Crest finishes, how bad could Sherman possibly be? As I approached the pavilion, I looked to my left to see my father and brother walking into the aid station area. Their timing was perfect. This would be the first time my brother Dave would run with me during a 100 and I looked forward to his company. The next 13 mile stretch would be no problem for him (he's finished 4th at JFK50 in 6:30). We pulled out of the furnace at 6:55 and headed up Sherman. His jokes, positive remarks, and continual banter kept my mind off the tough climb. Sherman Gap is tough one...it comes late and the uneven footing combined with the slippery leaves take a lot strength from your legs. Dave commented that the climb was making him work too and I was momentarily releved that I wasn't making a mountain out of a molehill. We stopped twice during the climb for a momentary breather. What a relief to get over that thing. The next few miles down to 613 went quickly and we passed two runners on the way to Veach east. We pulled into Veach East just after dark (about 9:20 pm) to catch up to Stan Jensen, a California compatriot. He was having an exceptional race and well under his pace for a PR. As we began the climb up Veatch, I finally began to fatigue and Stan pulled away making it look easier than it was. By the time we pulled ito Veach West (87 mi.),Tte combination of sore, blistered feet and fatigue had put me in the mindset of finishing and I no longer felt any competitiveness. Just get me to the fairground Lord. Dave wished me well and I power-walked out of the aid station alone, contemplating that walking the last 13 miles would take a while, but be about the best I could do. The time passed while I enjoyed the night sounds, crickets and whipporwills, and taking in the sights of farm houses, fields, and forests basking in the moonlight. As a doe spooked from its evening resting place at my approach, I momentarily felt like an intruder and apologized to myself for disturbing its sleep. My brother was at the 90 and 97.5 mile marks to again offer encouragement, and marvel at the efforts of each runner. Cresting the last mountain at Woodstock Gap to see the town only 7.5 miles away was a relief. As I finally cruised the streets of Woodstock, my spirits lifted a bit and I ran the downhills quickly. Turning from Ox Road to the track, I broke into an easy stride wanting to finish in a manner that belied the fact that OD had been tougher than I expected. As I crossed the finish line to my brother's congratulatory shouts, and the applause of one or two souls, I comforted myself with the thought of how good it would feel to sit down and not have to get up until I was good and ready. In spite of walking most of the last 13 miles, I was happy to maintain my place and a repectable finishing tim (14th in 22:14:06) Old Dominion is a well organized race, with great volunteers and aid stations, and beautiful scenery and vistas. The course is not to be under-estimated. The early miles can be run quickly and you reach the 50 mile mark sooner than you should. The next 25 throw in enough rocks to tender your feet a bit and take some strength from your legs, and they save the toughest 25 miles for last. Next time I'll take beeter care of my feet. I want to thank Mike Robertson and Pat Botts for putting on a fine event, my father and brother for their fantastic assistance, and last but not least, all the great volunteers. I look forward to returning to the Great Valley again to experience the magic of OD100. See you at Angeles Crest in September.