Seashore Nature Trail 50k 2014

The furnace was running at 4:45 a.m. when my alarm went off.  I knew it was cold outside. I told Marie I wanted to skip the race and go back to sleep. She said I would regret it if I didn't go. She was right. I dragged myself out of bed, got dressed and drove an hour an a half down to First Landing State Park near the Virginia Beach ocean front.

The park is a really beautiful place to run. The trail system takes you through several habitats including cypress swamp, salt marsh, maritime forest, freshwater wetlands, dunes, and bay shoreline. It reminds me a lot of Florida when you pass through the sections where Spanish moss is hanging from the trees. I believe it is actually the northern most U.S. location of Spanish moss.

Seashore 50k Map

I got to the park early and met Chris from Williamsburg. We realized we could have car pooled so we exchanged phone numbers so we can coordinate any future events. I also got a chance to chat with Jeff, who had done the traffic stop for us during the Graveyard 100k.

Some of the Outer Banks Running Club contingent prior to the start

I met Andy at the starting line. We met each other through the Williamsburg Riders Motorcycle Club, but we have both since transitioned into doing endurance sports.

Andy's wife took this photo just after the start

This was my third year running the Seashore 50k. Having recently done the Graveyard 100k this event felt pretty low key. I didn't have any particular goals other than to have fun and get some training in. I usually bring all sorts of changes of clothes and shoes and a drop bag but this time I didn't even bother. I guess I'm becoming a veteran now.

In the beginning of the race I remember chatting with Andy, Wendy, Laura and a few others.  Eventually the field spread out. By the time we reached the first aid station it was just fellow Graveyard 100k runner, Laura, and me running together.  We decided to run the whole first loop and then switch to run 25 minute, walk 5 minute intervals to practice for the upcoming Graveyard 100 in March.

Running the first loop was routine until we reached the Bald Cypress/Osmanthus section. Shane, who should have been way ahead of us came running up behind us. He had mistakenly run that section twice in a row. Fortunately, he was able to work things out with the race officials. They let him skip that section on the second loop. He ended up running the full 50k course, just in a slightly different order than everyone else.

Seashore always has great volunteers and aid stations. I ate peanut butter sandwich squares and drank Mountain Dew or Coke at every aid station. At one point in the race my right calf started cramping up so I ate a bunch of potato chips and pretzels for the salt at the next AS. It seemed to help because the problem disappeared.

Laura and I at Aid Station 2

I think the highlight of the race for both Laura and me was the surprise appearance by Kathy. Kathy ran several miles with us in street clothes. It was a great chance to catch up on what was going on with her because she moved away and we don't see her so often anymore.

Laura, Kathy and me.

On the second loop coming back toward the finish I started picking off runners. This is something I'm not used to doing. Laura wasn't having the best day. When we saw a runner up ahead she would say, "Oh no, I know what's happening next."  Then we would accelerate, even on the uphills, and pass the runners. We must have passed at least a dozen people this way.

When we finished I was surprised it wasn't a PR. I was about a minute slower than last year. I think I ran faster in the beginning last year and paid for it at the end. This year I was definitely more consistent throughout the race and had some more in the tank at the finish.

Laura and I coming down Cape Henry Trail

Next up - 2014 - The year in review.