Before the start…
“I want to finish this in ___ hours”

At the first aid station…
“I feel great. I can definitely finish this in ___ hours”

At some point in the middle of the race, when the body starts complaining…
“Hmmm, maybe I can still finish this in ___ hours”

More miles and time after, when the walking becomes more than running…
“It’s alright, I am still within my backup goal of ___ hours”

And some more miles later, when everything hurts, and the mind began to wander and wonder…
“Crap, let me just finish this!”

Just some rambling thoughts.  But it’s all fun.  And all the pain and hurting are rewarded by the bling at the finish.

Saturday – April 30, 2016.

Synopsis.  I’ve done this last year.  I’ve forgotten how difficult it was.  Now, I remember.

The Event – Overview.  The TNF ECS Bear Mountain is one of the events in The North Face Endurance Challenge Series.  It is ranked as one that has the most difficult and technically challenging course.  There are 4 races in today’s event – the 50M (which started at 5am), the 50K (this event), the Marathon and Marathon-Relay (which starts at a later time).

Weather.  Saturday’s weather was pleasant and comfortable – cool temps, calm winds, and not a single drop of rain.  It would be a perfect day to ‘hike’ up and ‘fly’ down the hills of Bear Mountain.

Goal.  The goal this year was more aggressive than last year’s.  I wanted to beat my previous time on the same course.  By how much? – By a big margin.  This is not bragging, BTW.  Mentally and physically, I was better prepared this year.  Only the official results would tell whether this would be true or not.

Gear.  Nothing special.  Shorts and last year’s NJMarathon long sleeves shirt, Drymax Max Trail socks, plus Hoka Speedgoat.  And the Ultimate Direction hydration vest with 2 bottles.

Nutrition.  I have been using Tailwind for quite sometime now, both on my runs and bike rides.  2 scoops of Tailwind per bottle, which is about 200cal.  However, on long runs and rides, I get hungry with just this.  So I added a scoop of CarboPro per bottle, making it about 300cal per bottle.  I have tested this mixture and it seemed to work.  Today, I have 2 bottles with Tailwind+CarboPro mix, plus 3/bottle pre-measured mix in Lansinoh Breastmilk storage bags.  Jumping to the post-event experience, this worked.  I only took small bites of potatoes and pbj sandwiches plus water at the aid stations.  No gels, no chews, no salt pills.  Finished the event with no upset stomach, no bloating, no cramps.

The Event – Actual.  At 7am, the 50K race started.  I was at the back of the pack, the last wave, with some friends.  This is a typical scenario for us in almost all events we do – starting at the back of the pack.  It’s a more relaxed position to start the race.  Your chip time is not going to change anyway whether you start first or you start last.  With a more aggressive goal this time, however, I started to pick up the pace early, weaving between runners, until the string of runners ahead became thin.  The course, true to its ranking on the TNF ECS website, is very technical.  I’ll try to breakdown the course from what and how I remember it.

The first 4 miles leading to the 1st aid station, I’d call the ‘Introduction to Trail Running’.  Not so technical, but mostly going uphill, with some wide sections to pass runners.  I tried to pass as many runners as I could to avoid the crowd in the single track and technical sections up ahead.  Btw, this is the Anthony Wayne aid station, the same aid station @ Mile 21 for the 50K, and @ Mile 41 for the 50M runners.  This is also the parking area for the shuttle pickup in the morning.  There’s a huge crowd of supporters here – big moral boost to runners especially on the way back to the finish later.

Some single track and technical sections followed the aid station.  I don’t remember much until the aid station @ Mile 14 – Arden Valley AS #3.  But I do know that we started to hit some hiking sections of the course, some ankle-twisting descents, and more technical ascents.  It was also a steep climb on road surface to the Mile 14 aid station.  Saw some friends doing volunteer work in this aid station.  The aid station was followed by a big dip downhill on road surface, where I blurted out loud ‘Woohoo, 16 miles of downhill‘, which got some laughter from fellow runners.  The reality was, this downhill dip was immediately followed by the opposite dip uphill, then a turn back to the woods and technical trail.  We got a breather on mile 16 with a nice trail downhill for what seemed like I was finally running the course.  And as I passed a runner I was with on that Mile 14 downhill, I said ‘So it’s not 16 miles of downhill.  It’s Mile 16 IS downhill‘.  He laughed.  I did not get his bib number, but he was one of the runners that kept yoyo-ing with me.  I would pass him, and he would pass me – again and again.  He looked like a badass trail runner, with lean body, long hair, and rugged beard.

Just a little over 4hrs of running, I was back at the Anthony Wayne aid station – AS #5.  Last year, I got a false impression when I reached this aid station, thinking that the last 10 miles would be a smooth way back to the finish.  Just 10 miles back to the finish, I remember saying then.  This time, I knew better.  The next aid station was at Mile 25+, which was mostly going back up the forest trail.  This, however, was not the course killer.  At the Mile 25 aid station – Queensboro AS #6, the volunteers would give you the most encouraging words, ‘Just 5+ miles to go‘ and the most discouraging words at the same time, ‘Steep and rocky section up ahead‘.  There was another aid station just about 2+ miles away.  From that, someone would sense that something gnarly is up ahead.  Why would there be an aid station 2+ miles apart so close to the finish?  And then, there it was – the ‘Crawl If You Must’ ascent-to-Mt-Doom, followed by the ‘Ouch, Ouch, Ouch’ rocky descent-back-to-sanity.  I brought my smartphone with me and stashed in my hydration vest’s back compartment, hoping to capture one picture to best describe the course.  While walking on this steep climb, I said ‘This is it’.  I took the phone out to snap a picture of the steep climb, only to find out the phone WAS DEAD!  Darn!  That would have been an interesting FB Cover Page!

There was a sigh of relief upon reaching the last aid station at Mile 28 – 1777 AS #7, with only 2.8 miles to go, according to the volunteers.  I was hiking up and jogging down the remaining miles.  The mantra I had all this time was asking myself and responding in return – ‘All Systems Go’.  At this point, the response was ‘All Systems Go – legs are tired, but functional’.  This section was also the section I saw the Marathon and Marathon-Relay runners, as they passed me like I was just standing still.  And I asked another question – How could they run that fast?

Finally, I heard the festivities at the finish.  I was almost home.  I never felt more alive when I saw the Finish Line arch.  One final kick and I was done.  TNF ECS BM 50K done.  Thank You.

Results.  Last Year = 6:56:29.  This Year = 6:15:06.  Goal achieved.

Post-Event.  The atmosphere at the finish was a big picnic.  Runners, volunteers, supporters, friends were all having a blast.  There were lots of picnic tables and wide grassy area to hang out and rest.  Free beers for the runners, of course.  I stayed and hang out with friends after I finished.  Saw those who finished before me, grabbed our free beers, and waited.  Finally, happy to see the others who crossed the line after me.  And at the end of the day, I was already planning to come back next year.  TNF ECS BM 50M, you say?

I have never written a review on the products I use, but I believe this one deserves it.  This is for the Drymax Trail – Maximum Protection socks.  It’s $29.70 – the MOST EXPENSIVE pair of socks I have bought to date.  I bought these socks based on the reviews, and the people who have been using them.  Heck, if these socks survive the toughest ultras out there, they must really be good.  My feet are prone to hotspots and blisters no matter what socks I put on.  So days before my trip to VA for the TNF ECS, Washington DC, I bought a pair from Amazon.com.

Feel.  These are thick, not soft, with very little stretch.  A little harder to put on compared to the others socks I’ve owned, but not an issue.  Fit is tight but not compressing.

Actual Test – The North Face Endurance Challenge, Washington, DC – 50K.  The course was wet and muddy, with stream crossings.  And did I say MUDDY?  On the get go, my shoes and socks were already wet.  The socks are not waterproof (and there is no claim that they are).  My feet felt wet, but surprisingly not uncomfortable and squishy.  The tight fit has not changed.  No ‘play’ or rubbing from any part of the feet.  As I kept going, the socks started to feel just damp, not wet, without any change in the fit.  And when we got to the dry section of the course, the socks felt dry.  And after going through mud after mud, puddle after puddle, and stream crossings, the socks felt dry and comfortable. And I am not exaggerating.

After the event, no hotspots, no blisters on both feet.  My legs were tired, but my feet were fresh.  This is why I wrote this review.

$29.70 for a pair of socks?  Yup.  Although I wish they’d come cheaper…

April 9, 2016.

Mudfest. A one-word epilogue of this book called The North Face Endurance Challenge, Washington DC, 2016 Edition.

It’s April. But the weather, days prior and up to the day of the event, was closer to winter than it was to spring. I was unsure what gear to wear on the event so I packed a backup, and a backup of the backup, to handle the wet, windy, low temps condition looming on the forecast.

The grand plan was to do the event, stay an extra night somewhere on the way home, get some beers and crabs, and enjoy the experience. And yes, I was more excited with the crabs and beers than with the event itself.

Friday. Left NJ after lunch and drove to VA, stopping by the North Face store at Tysons Corner Center to pick up my bib. Friday night’s accommodation was at Candlewood Suites at Herndon, VA. Stopped by a local supermarket hoping to find some hand warmers with no success. BUT, they have beers. Bought a pack, and some noodle soup to-go from a Vietnamese restaurant next to the supermarket. Dinner – checked! Beers – checked!

Forecast for Saturday was not very promising – rain/cold/strong winds/dropping temps. Prepared my gear, the backup gear, some changing clothes, and stuffed everything in my gear bag. Ate my dinner, plus a bottle of beer, and went to bed. Sleep did not come easy, however, as the guest on the floor above me kept banging the floor until the wee hours. Either there was a Zumba session or a UFC take down happening above.

Saturday. Drove to the event pick up area and took the shuttle to the staging area. The whole area was wet, with rain still pouring in. Had my ever-reliable Costco rain jacket over a warm running jersey + windproof shell.

The Event. The rain subsided just about when the 50k started at 7am. It was wet and muddy from the start. Not even a mile on the course yet, my shoes and socks were already soaking wet. Thanks to my new pair of $30 Drymax socks, my feet were not complaining (more on this later). Took off my rain jacket after about 4 miles on the course. The course itself was not that technically challenging, with stream crossings, and the usual ascents and descents typical on a trail course. But it was so MUDDY difficult! We were all slippin’ and slidin’ because of the mud. This was an out-and-back course, with the first (and last) 10 miles going through the forest and secluded flood plain (secluded flood plain – exact words from the event description). It was a total and non-stop mudfest going out. We got a little break from this muddy condition upon reaching the Great Falls aid station at mile 13. This would also start the scenic section of the course, with views of the Potomac River, the Great Falls, and beautiful gorges. Didn’t get the chance to snap pictures of the scenic views, although some runners literally stopped to enjoy the views and took pictures. At mile 19, we were back at the Great Falls aid station, and on our way back to the start/finish area. The last 10 miles would be the same first 10 miles, only a lot worse. The trail condition has really deteriorated, that it felt like having weights on the shoes because of the sticky mud. The last 8 miles I just walked the trail, going through mud after mud after mud. Have I said MUD a lot already? I even told myself to take some pictures of the shoes after to show what mud-coated shoes looked like. This would not happen anyway. On the last stream crossing before the final mile to the finish, I ran and soaked my feet on the flowing stream. The cold and clean water felt soooo good and refreshing. And if my shoes could talk, they would have totally agreed. So no pictures of the mud-coated shoes.

I crossed the finish line after 6:46 on my garmin (official time was 6:41). I was totally exhausted that I couldn’t do the customary finish-line-jump. It took me 2+ hrs to do the last 8 miles. I was under 4hrs on mile 21 and feeling great. No excuses – the sticky mud beat me.

The sun never showed up. The temp was dropping. Took my gear bag and changed clothes. Even with fresh warm clothes, it felt cold. Quickly ate my post event food, and decided to leave. The line was long for the shuttle back to the pick up area. Not many runners stayed for the post race festivities because of the weather condition.

Stopped at Five Guys for a good burger before driving to Springhill Suites in Maryland for my Saturday accommodation. It was already late, no steamed crabs, but the beers would do just fine.

Another reason for staying somewhere in Maryland was to explore a trail in Havre de Grace area on Sunday. This was part of the weekend plan. Next stop – Susquehanna Trail.

This is a very tough course, with challenging terrain from start to finish.  Images from the web don’t do justice in showing how tough the course is.  You need to be there to know it.  You need to see and experience the hands-first ascents and the pray-you-don’t-tumble descents.  The organizer made sure the course has everything a trail runner would look forward to – roots, rocks, boulders, stream crossings, fallen trees, logs, and more rocks.  With this, I invite you to do this race.  No matter what distance you choose, you will have a very rewarding experience in the end.

Disclaimer – you need to do your ‘trail-running homework(s)’ before embarking on this event.