Big Bear Squatch North Trail Marathon- Race Recap

     Introduction...

    I know it’s been quite a while since I have posted. There's an explanation for that. Following my finish at the SRT 70miler race I was pretty beat up. I had another month of trail work ahead of me too so I decided to take some time off running since I achieved my big goal for the year. I limped around on it for awhile and eventually it got better and felt pretty normal but my hamstring always felt funky since. When it came to running again I just couldn’t get going and my hamstring would always bother me. I eventually got a diagnosis regarding the hamstring! A grade 2 tear according to my doctor after numerous tests & scans. I won't go into any more detail about the injury & recovery but thankfully I'm back and ready for another great racing season!

Race stats

    I haven’t had a real trail race since the SRT last September. It feels like so long ago. I got cleared for training just as the snow was starting to melt so it was go time. With a new perspective on training, stronger body, and mental awareness, I felt ready to compete again and start hitting the trails. Question was, what race? I know for my big race this year, I'd like to run a 100 miler but that will likely be late in the season. I really wanted to to Breakneck, but I didn't want to push such hard race just coming off an injury. Then I discovered there was a trail race in my backyard, where I train!

    Kim Levinsky, with Sassquad Trail Runners and the NYNJTC put together a new marathon course in the Bear Mountain/Harriman State Park Area with over 6000ft of elevation gain! Originally the area that most trail runners would be familiar with from races that The North Face Endurance Challenge hosted. I personally never got to see this because I got into trail and ultrarunning after they stopped having races there. It was definitely a big hit with various distances and lots of competitors. So I was extremely excited to see that Kim has brought back the spirit of trail running to Bear Mountain State Park. 

    Training going into the race...

        As I stated earlier, I was just coming off of a hamstring tear. My plan for the race was just to have fun with it. These were my training grounds. I just wanted to have fun and feel that race energy again. Of course I would try my best, but my only goal was to get under 6 hours and run my race. Don't follow others. That seems to have worked well in the past. My Breakneck time was under 6 so I thought this time would be an appropriate goal heading into the start of the season. 

coming into aid #2/4

        I had been doing short runs ever since I was cleared and was able to start running trails again mid March. The race was early May so I saw this as plenty of time. I ran the course that was mapped on UltraSignup with some trail running locals and friends. I actually did this twice which definitely is an advantage. In terms of actual training, my build definitely wasn't the best. As I was very cautious of re-injury. I didn’t run much mileage, just lots of vert. I capped out on 35 miles with 8000ft of vert for my peak week. My longest run being no longer than 16. I ended up doing a longer taper than usual as well, about two weeks. I wanted to try this and see how I felt with more recovery time. Being a marathon I thought that it could be too long of a taper but decided in the end it would be best for my body considering the circumstances.

    Pre-Race...

    It was time! May 7th finally rolled around. I woke up that morning feeling pretty normal. I felt well rested, hydrated, and mentally clear. I like to pack my vest the day before so I’m not scrambling in the morning to get my stuff together. All I had to do was get some coffee, change, and head out to the race. My dad was planning on spectating/crewing the race for me so we carpooled together and got to the race about an hour before the listed start time. 

Coming into the finish!

    It was 8am and the race was starting in an hour. The weather was absolutely awful as we arrived. Decent rain with temperatures ranging from low to mid 40s. But honestly running in cooler temps is preferred for me so I didn’t have much to complain about. I saw that the rain should settle down as we got started so I wasn’t too concerned about being wet. I was second guessing myself about what clothes to wear though. Ended up throwing on an extra t-shirt under my long sleeve and flannel. This proved later to be a very smart decision. At this point the nerves are setting in as the last runners are checking in. The crowd looks awesome despite the weather. Looked close to 200 racers in the half and full marathon distances. I chatted with some friends and local trail runners I knew as we awaited the start. The rain was still coming down and wind was starting to pick up. Honestly everyone looked miserable, we were just ready to start running! Due to the amount of runners, check in ran a tad longer. With a quick race brief and safety protocols, we were off and on course just after 9:10am! It was go time!

    The Race...

    It was great to finally be moving! I’m sure the other runners agreed. Immediately the nerves settled down as I made my way through mile 1. The rain already started to die down and was becoming a heavy drizzle. We were told the first couple miles would be the worst in terms of trail conditions. It was really muddy and wet mountain biking trails at the start so it was hard for anybody to find grip. I was in the sandals of course and heard someone say “that dudes in sandals. I can’t tell if that’s impressive or if he’s an idiot.” Whenever I hear phrases like that I find it pretty funny. I mean I was heading into a rugged mountain race with poor weather with just sandals, so it’s understandable.

Post finish(not many race pics)

    The course was two half marathon loops with two aid stations at mile 2.5 and mile 9 and another at the start of the loop. Second loop having it at mile 15.5 and mile 22. As I made my way through the first aid station I felt pretty comfortable and knew I was in a decent position. I’d say top 15 including all of the runners. There were two races going on at the same time and we all started together. Bibs were the same too so I had no way to tell who was in the half or full marathon unless I asked. I was making great pace and was passing a few people every mile or so. It seemed like everyone was doing the half marathon. Though I was making good pace I still reserved myself because I had a second loop to do after this one. So I chatted with some runners a bit during the loop.

    Besides the sloppy mess things started out super easy until we started climbing up west mountain. It’s a very steep rocky and wet trail for about a mile straight up. This middle section 6 or so miles proved to be the hardest because immediately following West, you down scramble it and start ascending the Timp. Which is another pretty serious climb but nice long descent. These were the only two peaks in the race and the rest of the vert was rolling. From mile 9, your descent is finished as you reach the lowest point of the river. And that is where the aid station as well. You have another 600-700ft of gain with rolling and rocky terrain back to the start. 

Spoiler Alert! I won!

    As I made my descent off the Timp I truly felt like I was floating. I passed a few more runners in this section and felt like I must be in the top 10 at this point. When I got down to the bottom aid station at mile 9, I was greeted by my dad and the aid station volunteers. A few more runners were down there filling up bottles and grabbing nutrition. I wore a vest this race so I was able to run it in a self supported manner in the hope I wouldn’t need to stop at any aid stations to save time. By this point my dad saw all the runners in front of me and was able to verify that I was at least in the top 10 by that stage. Honestly have never really been in that position much so it felt awesome considering how reserved and comfortable I was at that point. But it was still a long journey ahead…

    After leaving the last aid station on the loop I found myself to be alone for the first time the entire race. I didn’t see anybody from mile 9 to the halfway point. The race was definitely thinning out. I started getting some minor stomach aches through this short section. I had no idea why. I was sticking to my nutrition plan just fine. It was minor pain so it was tolerable in the moment but I worried what will happen if it continues and maybe gets worse. I tend to have an iron stomach, rarely having issues. So it was a new experience for me. As I made my way through the rolling hills I was still feeling full of energy and confident in my ability to maintain the same pace the rest of the race.

The male top 3!

    As I made it out of the trail junction the start/finish line was in sight and I was just about to finish loop too. My dad is there again and he tells me he’s pretty sure I’m the first marathoner through! I’m in the lead?! What? That must mean everyone in front of me was doing the half! I couldn’t believe it but this just motivated me more to keep going and to push harder. I also must’ve forgot about my stomach pain because this is where it seems to have stopped. There was no read at the time where the second marathoner was so it was time to move! My split at the half was just about 2:30 flat! Making solid pace! My dad handed me new water bottles so I could replace mine and that’s all I needed at the aid. I was still able to maintain a running pace. He ran out with me for the next half mile and gave me some encouragement and shot some videos! It was a nice break from being by myself but I was about to head out on this final loop completely solo not knowing where the rest of the competitors are on course.

    It was an exciting yet nerve racking feeling! It kept me on my toes, constantly checking behind me to see if there were any runners. I’ve never been a race leader so it was another new experience for me! Two loops meant that the trails would be even more trashed since the first. Luckily I was the first one through so it didn’t seem all so bad. As I made my way through the first aid station for the second time, still nobody was in sight. I was completely alone about to start my last climb of West Mountain. The second time around didn’t feel any better. That climb is just truly brutal. I tried to maintain a solid power hike but I could tell my pace was starting to slow down slightly. I honestly didn’t feel too strong. I just wanted to get to the top. As I got towards the summit the wind really started to pick up and it got quite chilly. The rain was still moderate. Once I reached the top though I immediately felt better. I was just struggling on the climbs. Luckily most of the hard ones were out of the way!

The Trophy!

    Now it was time to hit the last hard section of the course which was down scrambling West and then the Timp climb. From there, it's generally smooth sailing, just a long runnable descent to the final aid. Then just 4 miles of rocky and rolling terrain. And all of this I had already done. I felt pretty confident in terms of my race positioning as well. I passed some half marathoners and they ensured me that I was the first one through too! Although I had no idea where the next racer may be, I sensed my gap was growing. With a new boost in confidence I crushed the Timp climb and it felt much easier than West(because it is.) Now I just had a nice long descent to the aid station. I was running as fast as I could through this section because I knew it was the spot to make up the most time. I don’t hold back at all. A couple miles later and I was down to the course low point at the very last aid station! 4 more miles to go! And I’m still in the lead!!  

    I got down to the last aid station so hyped! I saw my dad, the volunteers, and they returned that same energy right back! It’s crazy to believe I’ve been leading the race pretty much from the start, now I just have 4 miles left. Time to give it all I got. I was amped with energy but things were starting to catch up to me. Legs were getting heavy and my feet were getting pretty beat up. But mentally I was sharp still. My dad followed me up from the last aid station for a quarter mile or so. He told me friends and family were waiting at the finish line. Oh boy, now the pressures on! 

    My mind was racing, body was hurting, but I just had to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I made my way through this last section pretty rough to be honest, running as much as I could up the climbs. By this point, I felt quite confident that I had a big enough gap to pull this win off, but I didn't want to let off any gas. I was going to push as hard as I can to the finish no matter what. I could feel myself losing some strength up these last few climbs but I was still making solid pace. This technical terrain was getting to me, my feet hurt and I was so ready to be done with it. As I made my way off the last technical trail I knew I had the win in the bag. It was just a half mile of mountain bike trail and roads down to the finish! As I made my way out of the junction and on to the road I could see the finish line, my family,  and friends! I dropped my pack and let it rip. All of that pain and discomfort completely left my mind and all I could think about what getting to that finish. True moments we live for as ultra/trail runners. I sprinted as hard as I could securing a time of 5:11:43 absolutely crushing my goal time and securing first place overall!! First win ever! LET'S GO!!!

Post race...    

Course Record!

    After crossing the finish line, the pain I had said escaped my mind, quickly returned. Legs were throbbing, feet were cut up, but none of that mattered now! It was all over with. It was awesome to be surrounded by friends and family at the finish! Special thanks to my parents, aunt, John, Heather, Ed, Francessca, for all being out supporting on such a crappy day. It made the finish just that more special! And a memorable one for that matter. My first trail race win ever! Im still processing it all! We hung around the finish line for a bit in hope to see some more finishers, plus some friends and locals were out on course still. Of course while having a celebratory beer, or two. Kim, the RD, gave my my first place prize and took some photos! They joked with me that I still had time for another lap... There was no way! I'll save it for next year maybe. 

Rank 1 :)

    As we waited for more runners to arrive, the weather started getting a lot worse. Winds picked up, started to rain again, and even some hail! I hoped all of the runners were dealing with this alright. As we chatted, we see a runner amidst from the trail junction and he's making his way to the finish. It was second place male! His name was also Brian! Brian finished 2nd overall with a time of 5:54:28. Shortly after that, Hudson Valley local and friend, Kevin Rader was coming into the finish as 3rd overall! I had run the course with Kevin a few weeks prior and he was a big help. Shout out to Kevin! It was awesome to see him round off our male podium! Just minutes behind was the first female, Kumi, who had finished in a time of 6:12:27! Female record is now set! It was truly amazing to witness people finishing on such a hard day! Congrats to everyone who ran, it was an epic day that we likely won't forget too soon. thank you to everyone who made this event possible! Sassquad Trail Run events are listed as "Trail Parties" and this was my first one. It was one hell of a party I'll say. Can't wait to come back next year!

    As always thanks for reading. I appreciate each and every single one of you :)

        sincerely,

    

        ya boi mottsy<3