Fair disclaimer that Lovin’ the Hills (LLH) is not technically F3 b/c it’s not free and it’s open to women. Having said that, F3 Louisville was out in force! Nearly 15 men (maybe more I didn’t see) were on the course getting better and spreading F3 virtues to the broader community. In many ways this is exactly what F3 is about…invigorating male community leadership.
Whitney started the day off singing the National Anthem. Great work!
YHC started the day with LePew, Dauber, Brown Water, Gump (Finn HN of Gump’s 2.0), Greengo (Whitney’s 2.0), Potter, Tammy Faye Baker, Bob Ross, Dunphey (was around somewhere). From the starting gun or shout to GO, YHC lost contact with the HIMs and was running solo.
LLH heads out a gravel access road which is wide and provides and opportunity improve one’s seeding before the single track trail begins. YHC recognized the long day ahead and decided to settle in and take with the trail was giving rather than impose my will on the trail early in the race.
LLH 50K is 4 loops…Loop 1 is appx 10K. Nearly 3 miles in YHC was warming up nicely and realized the error of being too comfortable to start. I began making plans to ditch my sweater at the first aid station. The course in true Todd Heady format runs participants right past their cars…as if to say, “you can quit anytime you like”. YHC ditched my sweater and hat, picked up a HooRag and carried on. Some quick hydration and a salt pill (these things really work!), Facebook Live (I’m not a huge FB user, but on races I love using it to share my progress with friends and family), and back on the trail.
A quick connector trail led to the Yost Reservation…Loop 2. Man this was a muddy mess! I have zero remembrance of this loop from a year ago. I know we hit it, but it seemed totally different. I find it amazing how the brain blocks out certain memories…maybe it’s a blackout? YHC was nearly taken out by some of the leaders of the race as they plowed in full stride the back portion of the out-n-back. I thought I caught site of LePew down the trail. I hollered to him, but not reaction. Must of been his brother from another mother.
Next connector trail led us past the ropes course. For the record, this would be a cool F3 Dads experience. The Purple Heart Trail…Loop 3 was next. Just before Loop 3 started YHC connected with LePew at the 2nd aid station. This aid station was better than a McDonald’s extra value menu…baggies of Peanut M&M’s. YUM! When YHC came to, I recognized LePew as covered in mud…
Curiosity may have killed the cat, but I had to ask WTF!?! LePew slipped in mud and turned his ankle. Did he bail? Hell no. He carried on and smashed the course in 3:08 on 1 leg. BEAST!
LePew and YHC ran together until mile 11 or so and then YCH forged ahead. Another mile in, YHC head gingling of keys like the school janitor and that could only be one HIM…Meter Maid. Wait Meter did not do LLH (this year). Turns out it was Gump! We talked up several hills until mile 13 where he split to go back for the 15 miler finish. YHC carried on up the trail to Silt Stone Trail.
Silt Stone is one heck of a connector trail to Loop 4. Silt Stone is 3 sections: first is medium distance, second is short (up and hill and back down), and third is long with a climb to a ridge line with rolling hills with a long drop. YHC decided more salt was needed to avoid cramps on the hills. At the end of section 2, Todd Heady was taking pics. I threw my arms up and my best smile. I hope he got the shot b/c I felt joyful for the moment. Todd’s aid station had plain M&Ms available by the handful. YUM! Race day is my day for eat whatever sounds good. No feeling guilty.
Loop 4…Scott’s Gap. Before heading around Scott’s Gap a quick stop at the aid station. A well intended volunteer starting asking about my collapsible water flask. At that point I could barely remember my name…19 miles in with Scott’s Gap on my mind I was polite but did not wish to discuss water bottles.
I believe the trail was set so the race elevation followed the picture above from Right to Left. The first hill felt like “Grilled Cheese Hill” of the Rough Trail 50k. Except there was no grilled cheese waiting at the top.
I crested the hill and began the decent to the valley of wetness. I hate my feet being wet. I think this hatred goes back to years of carrying news papers. I’d been dreading wet feet all race and figured it was unavoidable on this section which meant 8+ miles of wet feet to finish the race. In words Chris Carmichael, “Lance Armstrong hurts just as much as you, he’s just going faster”. I figured wet feet suck for everyone, they just aren’t complaining about it as much as me. Suck it up buttercup! YHC navigated the streams and low lying areas without much difficulty and managed to keep my feet dry. Boom! Victory. In the distance I saw the yellow arrows pointing me back to the Scott’s Gap aid station. Excellent. The lollypop Loop 4 was finished.
Back to the connector trail of Silt Stone.
Pick the trail in the middle of the elevation chart above. The long section went by without much problem. Early in the trail YHC was passing runners still headed out. Passing one runner (a dude), the words “Looking good, feeling good” came out…he finished it perfectly “Ought to be in Hollywood”. Maybe it was Mark Devine? Not sure, but pretty up lifting!
YHC covered most of this section alone.
Heading into the middle section time for more M&M’s! I’m lovin’ it!
The last section began and I was overtaken by Red Line girl and Jonathan. Red Line girl was breathing so hard, I thought she might fall over at any moment. She was carrying a stick as a treking pole and looking very She Ra. I thought she might take me out with the stick. I let her carry on.
I hung with Jonathan for the last section as he was walking the uphills which I was cool with. Almost as if I forgot this even a race, but I wanted to keep moving forward. The final aid station was approaching. Time for some Sword (love this stuff)!
Time for the last push to the Horine Reservation. The aid station volunteer told the truth…it’s all up hill from here! Retrace the steps past the ropes course. We past a sprite looking group of hikers all definitely in the respect category. Each offered helpful tips like watch the roots and rocks. I appreciate the words of encouragement.
In the final uphill, the HIMs of F3 emerged as if out of the gloom. I was looking up toward the Horine Conference center and Dauber, Gump, and LePew were yelling encouragement. I’m not sure if they were that happy to see me or just happy they didn’t have to wait any longer in the cold. My ego says definitely the former! The official clock read 6:55 and YHC was bound and determined to break 7 hours. I gave everything I had up the final climb and got there about 6:57 or 6:58.
A few minutes of high fives and on to the car. I was joyful to finish, but definitely lost in the shock of it all. Quick trip through the DQ for blizzards, well deserved and on home. YHC enjoyed hearing about Dauber and LePew’s race. See their blast!
YHC is thankful for a group of HIMs who stand around in the cold just to cheer me on to the finish. Amazing! These guys pulled me through the training.
If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together. F3 embodies that everyday. Freed to lead! Giddy-Up!
F3 Louisville 