Watchung Trail Marathon

The Watchung Trail Marathon confirmed my notion that low key races are the best kind of races for me. I like races that don't require a ton of effort just getting to get to the start line. The best races offer quick registrations with no lines, no chips, no bibs, no t-shirts and a guy at the start line who yells, "Set, Go!"

Despite this relaxed atmosphere, the training I devote to these events is no less than if I were racing Boston or NYC marathon, assuming I could qualify for either! I picked Watchung partly due to the timing of the race - I wanted something in January or February to get me through holiday eating season, and partly because of the location - near my parent's house in New Jersey.

The race provided only limited support. There was a table at the start/finish line with food items. Racers could stock up as they passed the table at the end of each loop. It was packed with items donated by participants and included everything from sports bars, cookies and bags of chips. And of course Luna Moons. Someone even brought a bottle of Jim Beam. Yep – I like this trail running attitude!

There was an ultra and marathon race option. The ultra racers did three full loops of the course and the marathoners did two full loops and a modified third loop. The course was absolutely beautiful. When I wasn’t looking at the ground I was soaking in the great scenery. At the race start it was 11 degrees and I don’t think it warmed up much as the day went on. The trail was mostly snowy – but there was a fair amount of ice. I wore my Yak Traks for the first loop, and they worked great. Unfortunately by the end of the loop my feet were hurting and I knew if I continued wearing them, I would suffer. I could not have asked for a better first loop. I came in a little under my 2 hour goal – but I knew my second lap would take a little longer. For starters, I had to replenish my nutrition and I had to stop at my car (the course ran through the parking lot!) to refill my bottles and change into dry gloves. I also had to use the rest room… and so did everyone else. The thought of finding a spot in the woods wasn’t an option at that temperature!

I felt good as I started my second loop – although I had to take the first quarter of mile substantially slower as the trail was covered in a sheet of ice. When I was finally able to open up and really start running again, I tripped on a stump and I landed on my pelvis. I jumped up right away, mostly out of embarrassment – but to my surprise it did not hurt… at least not yet. I ran with different groups throughout the day – some that I caught up to and others that passed me and enjoyed conversations with all of them. I chuckled each time I took a bit of my Cytomax – between the cold air temps and constant jiggling the Cytomax turned into an orange slushy.

As I passed the point where I would turn off to complete the marathon on the third loop, I thought maybe, just maybe, I would do the ultra instead of just the marathon. It was ONLY four more miles – how much harder could it be. I tucked the thought in the back of my mind and went on to finish the second loop.

I was still feeling pretty strong as I started the third loop. Fortunately, I did not have to use the rest room and I filled my bottles with HEED at the community nutrition table. I grabbed a couple oatmeal cookies and I was off. I was almost done! But as I ran, my pelvis started to hurt with each step. But I was almost done.

I spent a good portion of the race with my eyes trained to the ground. Missteps, I learned, can be costly. It was during the third loop that another racer stopped me and pointed out a small herd of deer right next to the trail. In the middle of the herd was a white deer. Unbelievable! I thanked the gentleman for waiting for me just to point the deer out to me. I have no doubt that I would have completely missed this spectacle as I was so focused on the trail. I looked behind to see if I could return the favor – but no one was there.

The final loop seemed like it would never end. I looked at my watch - based on distance and my perceived pace, I should have been nearly done with the marathon, but I had not even reached the marathon turn off point. My pelvis was hurting and my morale was sinking. By the time I approached the marathon turn off, the thought of doing “just four more miles” was not an option. The final approach was nearly all up hill and required quite a bit of navigating over rocks and logs. But I finished. And there was no official finish line, no finishing chute, no finisher’s medal. Just a guy who didn’t know me giving me a big hug! Awesome!

I learned afterwards that several racers compared the recorded mileage on their Garmins and that each full loop was actually between10.7 and 10.9 miles and the modified third loop that was roughly 7 miles. If you do the math, you will note that did somewhere near 28.5 miles!
I was already happy with my performance – but adding in the extra miles made my time more in line with my expectations. I smiled the whole evening after the race. Laughing was out of the question, as was sneezing – both made my pelvis hurt! I’ll be back again next year… anyone interested?