MY SHIRT CONFIRMS IT
In the Kanawha State Forest a few miles south of Charleston, I set out on my first loop in darkness at 6:30 a.m., an hour early. In my excitement I miss the first turn. To make up the distance, I backtrack up West Boundary from the other end. Then I proceed toward Hoffman Hollow.
Meeting hunters in orange, I feel a little anxious about wearing all navy blue.
Wet rocks, leaves, and roots require me to step carefully, especially as I head down the 2.5 miles into Hoffman Hollow. I enjoy the descent until I remember the key rule of a loop course: What goes down must come back up. But I knew this going in. No excuses. At least I do very much enjoy the forest scenery and the invigoratingly chilly air.
After the first aid station I climb the Lindy trail: 20 minutes of grimacing, grunting, and occasionally mumbling something impolite. A few runners pass me on Middle Ridge as I work my way down to the main road. Then the westbound Davis Creek trail climbs moderately alongside the creek, which invites me to slide on down the slopes for a hypothermic swim.
At the second aid station I refill my CamelBak and have some snacks before setting out on the CCC Snipe Trail, the final segment. It offers an easy, flat start before it brings another brief stretch of single track, and then widens out again to let the other runners pass me. The trail keeps climbing and climbing. When I reach Middle Ridge again, I have just less than a mile or so in mostly muddy ruts to the Logtown trail.
| Logtown first presents a few slippery-slidey switchbacks, then an easy straightforward stretch, and finally a few fairly technical passages, especially across the stream.
Finally the terrain levels out and I reach the staging area. I take some refreshments and fill my CamelBak, make some gear changes, and set out to do it again. |
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The Pigeon Roost trail gives me a moderate but gruntworthy ascent. By the time I reach West Boundary, I realize that it lies farther out than I expected. I'll have to make up still more distance in order to cover the 50K.
Near noon, when I stop to stretch, I see a few snowflakes! This gives a little emotional boost. I need it, because the descent will seem to take much, much longer than it did the first time. A little paranoia sets in as I hear gunfire at the shooting range; I pick up the pace. Once past it, I throw in more than enough backtracking to bring my total distance up to at least 50K.
At the aid station I learn that in fact I have now become the Last One Out There. That knowledge must somehow help push me up the Lindy trail; to my surprise, it takes me only 20 minutes, same as the first time.
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By the time I reach the aid station, I've been at this for eight and a half hours. I help myself to fluids and carbs, restock my CamelBak, and head out once more. I feel pretty good on this ascent. But Middle Ridge, like Hoffman Hollow, somehow stretches on and on, climbing higher than I recall. Attitude wavers a bit. Finally I see that long curve that tells me I'm near the Logtown trailhead. I handle the switchbacks fairly well. I cruise down the easier section. And then the obstacle course begins. Maybe a half-mile separates me from completing my most demanding course ever. Don't do anything stupid, bubba… Eventually the erratic terrain calms down. Again serendipity: a brief, light flurry of snowflakes seems to anoint my final passage out of the woods. |
I choke up a bit when I spot the picnic shelter in the distance. I whoop and holler as I step out of the forest and onto the paved path. Today I've pushed myself more than ever before, longer on the clock, on a more demanding course, having survived constant threats from slippery slopes, lethal weaponry, and man-eating deer. Dennis congratulates me, offers me pizza, and gives me my finisher's medal. I've earned the right to wear the shirt.
I fully expected to come in last. No surprise there. But I didn't know until this morning that today's running would serve as the final Snowflake 50K. So I truly am, as my shirt says, The Last Flake.
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