This is the 3rd time I have done Manitou’s Revenge 54 Miler, aka MR54. I have created race reports the previous years I’ve done it. This year, I decided not to create Yet Another Race Report.

Why?

The race itself has not changed since the past 2 years that I have done it. The course remains the same, from start to finish, and every aid stations in between, mile per mile. If you want to have detailed info on the course (and my experience tackling this event), please check my previous posts in 2017 and 2018.

So this year, I decided to give this post a twist.

Imagine yourself in a banquet. This banquet. The MR54 banquet.

Start-Mile 21. The ‘Escarpment’ hors d’oeuvres. This is the section where you get an introduction to what this banquet is about, and also a chance to mingle and know the other attendees, in a still relaxed environment, while non-stop hills and technical terrain ‘food’ and ‘cocktails’ are served all around you. Make sure you don’t indulge yourself too much on the warm up food and cocktails because you might not have anything left for the appetizer and main course to come.

Mile 21-Mile 31. The ‘Kaaterskill’ appetizer. The section where the banquet comes to a more formal atmosphere. You now have the sit-down appetizer. Still not the main course, but the food and drinks start to become heavy on the body. Tempting, but you need to pace yourself for the main course ahead.

Mile 31-Mile 50. The ‘Devil’s and Tremper’ main course. After the belly filling sections that you’ve just had, the main course is served. Servings are non-stop, from one dish to another. You wouldn’t know which dish is the best. You just keep on taking them until you can take no more. Your body starts to complain of too much food. You will have to tell the waiters you’ve had enough. You want to have some dessert and coffee or tea, please.

Mile 50-Finish. The ‘Tower’ of dessert and coffee. The tower of cake signifies the end of the never-ending meal. But the banquet is not over yet. Dessert is now served. Some sweets, and coffee or tea, if you please. You can now unbuckle your belt and breathe. You might still want to be careful downing the sweet dessert – you might slip and land on your butt, if you go too fast. Do you still have anything left in your body for the final descent dessert ???

The Finish. ‘Speeches’ and ‘Thank You’. Finally, the end of the banquet. I’m pretty sure at this point, you’ve had a wonderful time. You had been served with food and cocktails you have never imagined you could take. It’s time to thank the host, and all his waiters and servers, of this banquet – Charlie. He has been up and entertaining guests from start to finish. And if you enjoyed this one, maybe you get a chance to come back next year.

Oh Yes – My race report. Sorry, can’t help it.

I suffered this year more than I have the previous 2 years. Perhaps I was less prepared this year than before. I had so many low points from start to finish, that at some points doubts started to surface. I said to the one above guiding me, “I’ll take the suffering, just don’t let me quit.” That has become the mantra of the day. Every tree I grabbed onto, every rock I touched, I said, “just don’t let me quit”.

Another word that kept me going – mindfulness – being aware of the present, on what and why I’m here. I would stop, take a break, close my eyes, utter the word, and breathe. It was a 5-10 seconds of recovery. It may be hard to believe, but it helped.

And with that, I finished. And this was the most rewarding of the 3 finishes.

THANK YOU.

June 23-24, 2018. MR54 Mile Ultra.

“Does it make it easier the second time around?” Hell, No!

“Does it make is sweeter the second time around?” Oh Yeah!

I’ve done this last year – read the experience here. The goal this year is the same goal I’ve set last year. I didn’t achieve the goal last year, but was happy to have finished without any injuries. Would it be different this year?

MR54 – a point-to-point 54.3 mile ultra from Windham, NY @ CD Lane Park to Phoenicia, NY @ downtown Parish Hall, traversing the technical trails of the Long Path/Escarpment trail and Devil’s Path. Considered as one of the most difficult and technical 50 miler in the Beast Coast, if not the entire country. Agree/Disagree?

Prologue.
My friends, Philip and Ryan, and myself, did an exploration hike on Devil’s Path 2 weeks before the race. We did the full (Eastern) Devil’s Path in 6 hours. That was with fresh legs. The Devil’s Path section of MR54 would be after 31 miles on race day!

Friday-Sunday. Philip and I stayed @ Black Bear Campground, right in the Phoenicia downtown area. Very convenient place to stay for the event – walking distance to the shuttle pickup on race day, and also from the finish after the race. We’ve met so many runners staying in the same campground. Our friend, Ryan, had a more luxurious accommodation, complete with ‘Uber’ before and after the race

Saturday. Race Day. 3AM. Philip and I walked to the lot behind the Phoenicia pharmacy for the 3:30AM shuttle pickup. It was about an hour drive to the start, @ CD Lane Park. Two buses full of crazy dudes and dudettes, plus the ones already waiting at the start, doing this crazy event for their own personal masochistic reasons.

Weather forecast was rain with occasional thunderstorms. I thought this would make the race miserable. This would turn out to be better than last year’s weather. Last year was humid, with wet and muddy trails; this year, spotty rain, but with favorably dry trails.

I was on wave 5, same as last year. There were 8 waves, each wave starting 5 minutes apart. The 1st wave started at 5AM, and at 5:20AM, our wave took off!

The first 3 miles was on the road leading to the trail head. This was the warm-up section. We just jogged, with occasional chit-chat, before hitting the trail where the fast ones really took off. The trail starts off with the first climb, Acra Point, followed immediately by Blackhead Mtn, the highest point in the course, and the first of the 5 Catskill 3500 Peaks in this course. Climbing the Blackhead Mtn, Ryan passed me. He was on wave 7 (10 minutes behind me on the start)! And we were on the first 8 miles of the course! He definitely was not seeded correctly! I enjoyed the company of Chris and Joe in the first (few) miles leading to the Dutcher’s Notch aid station (AS#2-10mi). Another climb to Stoppel Point, and a good runnable section to the next aid station @ North-South Lake (AS#3-17mi).

Note! The site of the Piper plane crash in 1983 is in the section between Dutcher’s Notch and Stoppel Point, on the last climb before the Stoppel Point lookout. This section also has lots of vantage points for photo opportunities. One lookout offers the complete view of the Devil’s Path peaks (which is part of this course @ mile 31-40).

A really good downhill section follows the North-South Lake aid station (AS#3-17mi) all the way to the Palenville aid station (AS#4-21mi). This was a good 3+ miles of blissful downhill. However, what follows next is longest section between aid stations – Palenville (AS#4-21mi) to Platte Clove (AS#5-31mi). A 10 mile gap, with the never ending climb on the Kaaterskill High Peak. I call this the ‘Drag’ section. The climb was not technical – it was just never ending! Even the ‘runnable’ section at the top was not really runnable, with lots of roots and mushy ground. The only relief was that the trail was dry. This section was a mudfest last year. This was also the section where more runners had either left me or passed me. Talk about a demoralizing section!

I reached the Platte Clove aid station (AS#5-31mi), about the same time I reached it last year (8:20hrs)! Changed clothes, re-supplied, and made sure I had my headlamp on before leaving the AS. I ‘overstayed’ in the aid station that the crowd gave me some cheers when I left :). Big thanks to ‘grandpa’ at the aid station for his watchful eyes, making sure I had everything.

Now the real fun begins. Devil’s Path – 3 Catskill 3500 Peaks to the next aid station @ Mink Hollow (AS#6-38mi). The most technical section of the course, where both hands and proper footing are essential in both ascents and descents. I’ve hiked these peaks a few times. I’ve always enjoyed these technical trails (Note – this does not equate to being fast on this section!). I was just comfortable in both the (slow) ascents and (having-fun) descents.

I really had fun in this section, leap-frogging with Elizabeth and Allan, Brittany and Ryan, on the ascents and descents. Every second I gained on the descent, they took back on the ascent. Boy, do I suck in climbing! I jokingly said at one point, “Gravity is my friend. I enjoy playing with it on the descent, it enjoys toying with me more on the ascent.”

The last Catskill 35er peak, Plateau Mtn, comes after the Mink Hollow aid station (AS#6-38mi), finally leaving the Devil’ Path section after a short mile at the summit, turning left to Long Path heading towards Tremper/Phoenicia. A good runnable section heading to the next aid station @ Silver Hollow (AS#7-43mi). It was at this point that I began to think my goal was achievable. Really?

Such a relief getting to this aid station (AS#7-43mi), with tired legs but still with high spirit. Saw Rica volunteering at the aid station. Two more peaks. Not technical, but it would be dark navigating the trails. And these trails follow some really confusing twists and turns. Once again, the group of runners I’ve passed on the descent to the aid station either left or passed me on the climbs. Crap!

I’ve reached the Willow aid station (AS#8-48mi) past 9PM. With just 2+ miles of climbing to the Fire Tower, and the 3 mile rocky descent, then 1+ mile of road to the finish, I started to believe more I could achieve my goal. So, after a quick refill, I continued. This was my quickest stop at all aid stations. At this point, too, I was just so comfortable walking alone and navigating the dark trails. Took a short break when I reached the tower and did a mental check if the goal was still possible. Still possible, but I need to ‘run’ from here to the finish. The next section was the rocky downhill where I slipped and fell twice last year. Last year, I walked the rest of the course after the 2nd fall, happy to finish without injuries. This time, I needed to run the rest of the course. Ok – “Run cautiously on this descent, and do another mental check when you reach the road”, I said. No slip, no fall, no stop. Reached the road with legs totally trashed. But no stopping now. “Trust. Believe. Try”. So I ran the last mile, sprinting when I finally saw the finish, and almost collapsed when I crossed the finish. Totally wasted, but was so happy to have achieved the goal!

Epilogue.
I have been repeating this phrase to myself this past month for a different reason. This day, I’ve used it to achieve the goal that I’ve set last year – sub 18hrs. “Teach me to trust in You, with all of my heart… I just forget, You won’t give me what I can’t bear.” The phrase is from a song by Gary V, a popular Filipino artist. And in the last 10 miles or so, when my whole body was hurting, I have these words in my mind – “Trust in You. Believe. Try”. So I did, and I finished MR54 in under 18 hours. Once again, Thank You.

Thank you, Charlie and your band of volunteers! This is one event that will always be in my calendar. June 22-23, 2019, you say?

Gear and Nutrition.

• Salomon vest with 50oz bladder (water) + 2 600ml flasks (tailwind+carbopro mix)
• Salomon shirt + Salomon bonatti jacket
• CWX compression tights + cheap shorts over + light calf compression
• UD groove belt (easy access for gels and pills)
• Hoka Speedgoat 2 + Drymax socks
• BD Poles + cheap gardening gloves
• Ledlenser MH10 headlamp + MT10 handheld (as backup)
• Pre-packed tailwind+carbopro refills
• Carbopro pills (vo2max, motivator, metasalt, amino recovery)
• Untapped maple syrup gels
  • my nutrition allowed me not to get food from aid stations (ok – except for some potatoes and salt)

June 17, 2017.  Manitou’s Revenge Ultramarathon.  And from the event’s website, in all caps. “THIS IS NOT LIKE ANY OTHER ULTRA YOU’VE RUN BEFORE!“.

Prologue.  

This was the reason why I chose to defer my Quassy Rev3 70.3 triathlon. Quassy Rev3 was on June 4, Manitou’s Revenge was on June 17 – 2 weeks apart.  There was also an organized night run of the last 15 miles of the Manitou’s course on May 27, which I was so glad I did.  I was still on the wait list when we did the night run, but Charlie (Manitou’s Race Director) told me that there was a big chance I would be able to get in.  Three days later, I received an email from him telling me I got accepted to do the event.  Wooohooo!

Days before the event, I was both excited and nervous.  Actually, more on the nervous-like-shit side.  Honestly.  Reading stories written by those who have done the event in the prior years gave me crappy thoughts.  Some of those who have done this and 100-milers said that this was more difficult than the 100-milers they have done.  “Am I ready for this?!”

The day after the night run, I hiked half of the Devil’s Path, from Prediger’s Trailhead, doing Indian Head and Twin Mtn, out-and-back.  I came back the week after to cover the other half, from Devil’s Tomb/Rt 214 Trailhead, doing Plateau Mtn and Sugarloaf Mtn, out-and-back.  Doing the Devil’s Path with fresh legs was difficult and strenuous enough. Imagine doing these 4 summits after 31 miles of the already difficult course, including part of the Escarpment Trail!  Yes, this was the 2nd half of the Manitou’s Revenge course.

I drove to Phoenicia Friday afternoon for the packet pickup.  Lodging was at Kenneth Wilson Campground for 2 nights.  I had all my gear ready before I left home.  Tailwind + Carbopro would be my main source of nutrition, 18 pre-packed servings!  Final gear check after dinner and tried to get some sleep for tomorrow’s big day.

I woke up at 2AM.  I was happy to have my campsite near the camp toilets so I did not have to walk far or drive for my morning ritual.  The parking lot behind the pharmacy was almost full, but I was able to manage to get a spot.  The shuttle to the start was about an hour away.  Manitou’s Revenge is a 54.3 mile point-to-point race starting from CD Lane Park in Windham township and ending at the Parish Hall in Phoenicia.

The official race start was at 5AM, with wave starts.  I was on wave 5. And at 5:20AM, the longest time I’ve spent on the trail started.  Oh, I have to mention, unlike other runners who would survive with just few sips of water on the course, I have to drink A LOT.  My gear was a UD vest with 50oz bladder plus 2 26oz bottles – plus the pre-packed tailwind+carbopro servings for refill!  Weather forecast was cloudy, humid, with scattered t-storms in the afternoon.  I stuffed my rain gear, just in case.

Below is the AS-to-AS details with the time from my Garmin.

To AS #1 @ Big Hollow Rd Trailhead, 3.0mi.  The 1st 3 miles was on the road leading to the trailhead, easy warm-up before heading UP to the mountain trails.

To AS #2 @ Dutcher’s Notch, 10.3mi (2:26hrs).  The course turns left after AS #1, entering the trail.  A short climb to the 1st summit, Acra Point, followed by the highest point on the course, Blackhead Mtn.  Then a ‘runnable’ descent to AS #2 @ Dutcher’s Notch.

To AS #3 @ North/South Lake, 17.5mi (4:15hrs).  The course goes up to Stoppel Point, and with the cloudy weather, it was so cool to see everything covered with clouds below you (yes, clouds below you!!!).  Along the trail was the wreckage of a piper plane that crashed in 1983.  A runner asked to have his picture taken which I gladly obliged.  Reached the aid station still feeling fresh.

To AS #4 @ Palenville/Rt23A, 21.5mi (5:15hrs).  This was a ‘relaxed’ section with some ridgeline and boulder running at the top, which reminds me of Schunemunk Mtn.  Saw and glad to have joined Joe Limone and Charlotte Dequeker on this section of the course. A good downhill to the aid station for food and refill.

To AS #5 @ Platte Clove, 31.5mi (8:27hrs).  The section with the longest distance between aid stations – 10miles from AS #4 to AS #5.  At AS #4, I filled my bladder and my 2 bottles for this section.  I was actually worried I’d run out of water on this section that I have a spare 500ml flask in my vest.  It was a steep and felt-like-no-summit hike right after leaving AS #4.  Not technical but just never-ending climb going up Kaaterskill Peak.  I met Rachel on this section (we would be leap-frogging up and down until AS #7 where she’d finally drop me for good).  Another good downhill section to the aid station, where I took a break.  AS #5 is the aid station with drop bags.  I sat down while refilling my bladder and bottles again for the hardest section on the course – The Devil’s Path.  Made sure I have my headlamp and flashlight before I left the aid station.

To AS #6 @ Mink Hollow, 38.5mi (12:12hrs).  The distance between AS #5 and AS #6 is under 8 miles, but it took me close to 4hrs to cover it!  This distance covers the 3 summits of the Devil’s Path – Indian Head, Twin Mtn, and Sugarloaf Mtn – all members of the Catskill 3500 Peaks.  Meaning – these 3 summits go over 3500ft!  The ascents were technical and the descents MORE technical!  Both ascents and descents required hands-first and body-twists maneuvers!  My heart rate was going over the roof on the climbs I had to stop so many times to recover!  Reaching the aid station without any fall was a relief – the gnarliest section over!

To AS #7 @ Silver Hollow Notch, 43.5mi (14:14hrs). AS #6 does not mean the end of the Devil’s Path!  What follows next was the steepest climb of the 4 summits – Plateau Mtn – another member of the Catskill 3500 Peaks.  I needed more breaks on the climb to the summit – my heart rate was just running too fast for me!!!  There was a ‘runnable’ section at the summit but who could still run at this point???  It was at this section where it was time to say goodbye to Devil’s Path, turning left on the Long Path Trail to the next aid station.  It was still daytime when I reached the aid station.  I was tired but still with high spirits leaving AS #7.  Just 2 more mountains to tackle.

To AS #8 @ Willow, 48.5mi (16:42hrs).  It would be nighttime before I’d reach AS #8. There was a stream crossing and my target was to reach that before dark.  There was still a glimpse of the cloudy sky when I crossed the stream.  The cold water was so refreshing to the tired and swollen feet.  One last mountain to tackle – Tremper Mtn.  It became a really slow trek when it was dark.  Even with both headlamp and flashlight on, and generously marked trails, it was still not easy navigating the twists and turns.  Alone in the dark, it felt like forever getting to the aid station.

To Finish, 54.3mi (18:51hrs).  AS #8 meant there was about 6 miles to the finish, with just 2 more miles of climbing to the Fire Tower, then 3 miles of rocky, steep, and slippery downhill to the trailhead/Rt 40, then 1.5 road miles on Rt 40 to the Finish.  When I reached the tower, I had a sigh of relief knowing that the race was almost over – no more hills!  On the 3 miles of downhill, my headlamp died but I did not bother putting on the spare batteries.  The flashlight would be enough, I said.  I tried to run on this section, then Bam!  I slipped.  It hurt.  Walked gingerly for a few minutes and started walking/running again.  Bam!  Slipped again!  Ok, let’s not jeopardize this race by getting injured on the last few miles to the finish, I told myself.  So I just walked.  THEN, THE FLASHLIGHT DIED!  It was pitch black!  I couldn’t see a thing!  I stayed there, shaking and clicking the flashlight trying to make it turn back on.  Luckily it turned back on!  It might have malfunctioned momentarily when I slipped and fell.  I decided to put the spare batteries on the headlamp right after!  Walked the rest of the way to the last aid staion at the end of the trail and Rt 40.  This aid station was unmanned, with water and reflector vests for us night runners.  Quickly washed my face, put a vest on, and turned to Rt 40 for the last 1.5 miles to the finish.  Crossed the Finish Line past midnight, with Charlie, some volunteers, and runners and friends hanging out waiting for their friends still on the course.  54 Miles.  Almost 19hrs. Whole body numb and sore.  WoooooHooooo!!!

Epilogue.

Congratulations to all who participated in this event!  Big thanks to all the supporters and volunteers, especially to those who unconditionally served and became our personal crews on the aid stations.

THANK YOU, Charlie Gadol, for this one of a kind event.  And please, stop the madness and don’t entertain the idea of creating a 100miler on this course!

Addendum.

These gloves helped a lot on the big scrambles in Devil’s Path, giving me grip and saving my well-manicured fingers on those slippery rocks, roots, and sharp edges.