Pineland Farms 50 Mile Race

May 24, 2009 at 6 AM in New Gloucester, Maine I toed the line for the Pineland Farm 50 Mile Race. There were 84 on the line for the 50 miler of which 76 finished. I finished 70th in 10:58:45.
Also, but not that spectacular I was 2nd in my age group.

The Plan:
The race plan was to run this race as a training run for Mohican Trail 100 and not a full out race.
The first 20 miles was to be run at 5 mph pace and the remaining 30 miles at 12-15 minute miles. This meant I had to hold back and force myself to maintain a slower pace than I would have if racing.
I am hoping this will help me for Mohican.
I was under four hours for the first 20 miles, goal met.
The remaining miles averaged at 13:35 miles. This was a little faster overall then I wanted, but goal met.

The Trip:
Rob Powell came over to my house on Friday night to sleep over as we had a 7 A.M. flight out of Akron-Canton Airport. Rob has a major sciatica problem and it was quite noticeable on Friday night, as well as Saturday morning. He could barely get around and could not drive. Sitting was unbearable. We did make it to Portland, Maine with Rob taking many resting pauses as needed.
I felt there was no way he could run a 50 mile race on Sunday.
We did are packet pickup, ate at Olive Garden and checked into the Clarion Hotel. Rob laid on his back from that point on and through the night.
Sunday, race morning, we got up and Rob felt it was unlikely he could race. No lie......
Rob drove me to New Gloucester, Maine at Pineland Farms. Waited for the race to start and was heading back to the hotel for rest. He was coming back to see me finish after 10 hours.
I am not going to tell you what Rob did, you must read his blog to see the rest of this story.

My Race:
At 6 A.M. the race took off to run the first loop of 3.5 miles. Remember I am to run this at 10 minute miles. This location is beautiful setting with wide trails traveling through woods and fields around this stately farm. The central portion of the race looks like an Ivy League College Campus. Just an unbelievable setting.
I finished the 3.5 miles in 34:30, so pretty much on.
Now begins the three 25km loops. Every 5 km is marked making pacing an easy measure.
First time through no problem running around 12:30 pace, slightly faster than wanted.
Second loop, the 25 km race began and these fast runners were flying by like a 5km race.
This actually motivated me and I felt like running with some for short spurts, or at least till the hill were going up. Completed the second loop with 13:45 minute miles.
Now the third time through the start/finish line where large group of runners (25km/50km) were eating, drinking free beer, and celebrating and I had to proceed on for another 25 km. Now that is true mental preparation for a 100 mile race.
The final loop saw the skies clear and the sun in it's full glory. It did feel warmer. Now the only other runners you saw were the ones passing you in the 50 mile race or the ones you were passing. The plan was holding with 14:25 per mile pace and meeting the goal. I felt I could do this all day, which I will have to at Mohican.
On On.....I finished. Met my goals, talked to Seth and his girlfriend Francis from CT. Ran with Seth a year ago at Lake Waramaug 50 km. He is planning on doing Vermont 100.
Ate and drank beer with Rob, and Greg from Ohio.
Interesting story Rob had tell about his 50 KM race.

Achieved state number 40 towards the 50 States Club (Marathon or greater).
Now Mohican Trail 100 is awaiting.
Anyone wanting a well run race in a beautiful setting in Maine, this is a must do!