I think it was about a month before this race, I had come to Huntsville to pace a friend in the Rocky Raccoon 100 miler (which I had DNF'ed years … MORE
I think it was about a month before this race, I had come to Huntsville to pace a friend in the Rocky Raccoon 100 miler (which I had DNF’ed years earlier….my first ever DNF). As I was running with him, he mentioned that a friend was going to be doing this 50 miler later and that started me thinking. So….a few days later I also entered this race.
I got to the race start and found parking (one has to pay to park – but you can pay in advance on-line which is what I did). I found parking and checked into my race.
All runners lined up for the start. It was dark so, of course, I had a flashlight. I often un with a headlamp but decided to just use the flashlight here – and that worked (it got light enough in the first loop that I didn’t need the flashlight any more). I had a light day-hike backpack on (I had worn it in Leadville, Mont Blanc, and a few other races – a nice REI one).
The course is loops and almost all trails. The trails have many roots in them so footing can be challenging. Plus, it had been raining before the race – so there were puddles and mud. But, still it was a nice trail – sometimes with “bridges” which were flat stretches of wooden planks.
I felt pretty good early on and was keeping a nice pace. But near the end of my second loop I actually considered dropping at the 50km point. However, as I came into the start/finish area I saw the runner that I had paced earlier. We chatted for two minutes and I looked at the time and decided that absolute worst case, I could walk my final loop and still finish. So I continued. I kept looking for our mutual friend who had registered for this first and 9unkown to her at that time) got me into this race. But I never saw her.
I was able to strike up some conversations with other runners. Going through some aid stations (some had vegetarian food which, for me, was very important and helpful) there was often some music being played which helped.
Into my last loop, I was starting to get a bit cold. It was also getting dark so I had my flashlight out again. But even with the light – I went down three times due to roots. Luckily the ground where I landed was soft enough each time I bounced back up.
Finally, in the distance as I was crossing a levee I could see where the finish line was. I kept going and soon rounded the final corner and crossed the finish line. Wow! 50 miles down and a nice medal. I was pleased.
Please login to reply to this review.
Another 50 miler for me in Texas
I think it was about a month before this race, I had come to Huntsville to pace a friend in the Rocky Raccoon 100 miler (which I had DNF'ed years … MORE
I think it was about a month before this race, I had come to Huntsville to pace a friend in the Rocky Raccoon 100 miler (which I had DNF’ed years earlier….my first ever DNF). As I was running with him, he mentioned that a friend was going to be doing this 50 miler later and that started me thinking. So….a few days later I also entered this race.
I got to the race start and found parking (one has to pay to park – but you can pay in advance on-line which is what I did). I found parking and checked into my race.
All runners lined up for the start. It was dark so, of course, I had a flashlight. I often un with a headlamp but decided to just use the flashlight here – and that worked (it got light enough in the first loop that I didn’t need the flashlight any more). I had a light day-hike backpack on (I had worn it in Leadville, Mont Blanc, and a few other races – a nice REI one).
The course is loops and almost all trails. The trails have many roots in them so footing can be challenging. Plus, it had been raining before the race – so there were puddles and mud. But, still it was a nice trail – sometimes with “bridges” which were flat stretches of wooden planks.
I felt pretty good early on and was keeping a nice pace. But near the end of my second loop I actually considered dropping at the 50km point. However, as I came into the start/finish area I saw the runner that I had paced earlier. We chatted for two minutes and I looked at the time and decided that absolute worst case, I could walk my final loop and still finish. So I continued. I kept looking for our mutual friend who had registered for this first and 9unkown to her at that time) got me into this race. But I never saw her.
I was able to strike up some conversations with other runners. Going through some aid stations (some had vegetarian food which, for me, was very important and helpful) there was often some music being played which helped.
Into my last loop, I was starting to get a bit cold. It was also getting dark so I had my flashlight out again. But even with the light – I went down three times due to roots. Luckily the ground where I landed was soft enough each time I bounced back up.
Finally, in the distance as I was crossing a levee I could see where the finish line was. I kept going and soon rounded the final corner and crossed the finish line. Wow! 50 miles down and a nice medal. I was pleased.
Great, challenging race!
I loved this race! Huntsville is just a great place to run...very challenging, but very enjoyable. It is a mentally exhausting place to run because of the constant tree roots … MORE
I loved this race! Huntsville is just a great place to run…very challenging, but very enjoyable. It is a mentally exhausting place to run because of the constant tree roots across the trail…as soon as you drift away mentally, you’re going to grab one with your feet and end up on your face.
I really, really enjoyed this race and will definitely run this (or Rocky Raccoon 100) in the future.
First 50 Miler at Rocky Raccoon!
Overall this is a great course for people wanting to do a 50 mile trail run. Overall the course is relatively easy and not super technical although there are a … MORE
Overall this is a great course for people wanting to do a 50 mile trail run. Overall the course is relatively easy and not super technical although there are a few technical trail sections primarily due to the amount of tree roots that are exposed. The event is really well organized and the aid stations are fantastic and give runners plenty of fueling options. I would recommend arriving early to get a good parking spot.