Sore Legs

Landy, Michael, and Joel with fresh legs before running the trails at the Triple Crown.

I don't mind that I "really" feel my legs this morning after the abuse I put them through yesterday. At 5:15am Saturday Michael Valliant skippered "Julius" with Landy Cook, Joel Shilliday, and me to the Delaware Trail Triple Crown races at White Clay Creek State Park. Once we finally got a decent parking spot at the park (backed up to the grass and a shady tree) we took in the early morning vista from atop the hill where the races would later begin. Yes, I said "hill", and there were many thoughout the day. This is a wonderful set of trail races, set in an idyllic setting, accessible to all ranges of running talent. During the day I saw runners from 12 year old boys to sub-3-hour marathon runners, people of all shapes and sizes, and sure-footed creek runners to hill walkers.

In our RUR group we had a range of runners: Joel, who's just getting back into running, fastpacked a 10K with camera gear to catch the creek-crossers, then later ran a stellar 10K, finishing in the upper third of the fleet. Michael and Landy ran the full marathon which consisted of two laps through the park, up and down the many hills, four creek crossings, and several open meadow treks. Both finished in the upper half of the fleet, posting impressive times for such a difficult course; a testiment to those 4am training runs around Easton. Landy, by the way, was just coming off a battle with the flu and was still badgered by a cough. He's a tough one.

My day consisted of three races: Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K. The day could not have been more beautiful with hazy sunshine, light winds, and warm temperatures. My race was the first to start. All the races started and ended at the top of the open meadow hill where the volunteers cooked and provided aid for us all day at the pavillion. I quickly settled into an easy pace, but when the downhills started I found myself, in full Valliant-style, passing scores of runners with my downhill advantage. However, most would catch me on the up hills. The woods were welcoming as the morning sunshine sifted through the canopy. Running on "new" trails is exciting because you never know what's coming, and these trails were not a disappointment.

Some of the aid stations were minimumly stocked, but others had a full array of items. I felt my pace was relatively fast for the day I had planned, but not knowing where I was on the mileage-front, left me guessing most of the time as to how to throttle my speed. The creek crossings were purposefully fast, to show my buddies that "Wood Frog" does not always need a log to cross the water. On the approach to my final creek crossing I heard a "KEENE" from the middle of the creek. It was Shilliday sporting his camera. I don't think I disappointed him with my run across the submerged, slick-green rocks in knee high water. My last stream crossing. Guy in light blue shorts passed me 18 times thoughout the day. Is the guy in front of me really brushing his teeth? That makes me feel slow.

Hills were very tough and the meadows were hot (but a good hot) as I plodded up to the finish line in 1:56 and change. My legs felt "okay" ,but, I had 30 minutes to wait before the start of the 10K. "What would happen to my legs in that time?" I fueled, stretched, and changed clothes. I went with my Ibex Balance running shorts this time, the ones with the holes in the front, and no shirt. I put my race bib over the holes and away Joel and I went on the 10K. I wouldn't say I bonked on this race, but I didn't have my legs. I had breath, but no legs. Joel was strong and I lost sight of him after mile 3. I concentrated on keeping my cadence high, which meant short strides on the flats and longer ones on the downs. I had to walk most of the hills, except for when I followed the runners ahead of me up a wrong trail. I remember seeing the "X" at the turn, and thinking, "look there's an X", not registering that we weren't supposed to be on that section of the trail. And, of course, I was "running" this hill that I wasn't supposed to be on. From behind I heard, "Wrong trail", and the echos were passed forward. There were at least 20 people ahead of me; not sure how many turned back. So, my excuse for being 2 minutes over an hour to do that 10K is, "I got lost".

I had little hope that I would be able to "run" the last 5K. Walking was going to be my style, so I thought. I stood in the back of the pack, behind all the fresh legs, and with the older ladies, one with a Scottie dog on a leash. Off we went down the hill. I again found legs to do my down hill thing and managed to run the entire race and all but the steepest uphills. What surprised me was my 34 minute time. What was that all about? My 5K time from Adkins was 18:46. I think if you averaged the two 5K's true distances one might come to a 3.1 mile length. The one yesterday was surely a "long" 5K.

Joel at his finishline post in the meadow at White Clay Creek State Park.

Joel had prime seats at the finish in the meadow under a tree, and I heard/saw him cheer me on as I finished my first Triple Crown. Once settled in with hamburgers, sodas, blanket, and a Rise Up Coffee tee shirt, I joined Joel and Landy (who had finished while I was feasting) as we waited for Valliant to post. Soon enough here came "Ibex" man across the meadow, finishing with astounding speed for someone who had just run 26.2 technical trail miles.

Landy enjoying a post-marathon break. Is that a "coral" colored shirt?

It was great to wallow in our accomplishments there in the meadow, swapping stories and recanting incidents on the trail. This was the first official RUR roadtrip with four in attendance. As we rose from the meadow our legs were starting to stiffen, and, mine at least, haven't eased up yet. I will swim this afternoon with the Masters, but there won't be much kicking from this Rise Up Runner.