For the 2^nd straight year I ventured to my old training grounds in Central, PA for the 2009 USA 50 Mile National Championships. The race takes place on fire roads (74% dirt, 26% paved) in Rothrock State Forest. Terrain includes uphill, level and downhill grades, with shaded and open segments and some overlook vistas. The course takes in Whipple Dam State Park, Alan Seeger Natural Area, Penn Roosevelt State Park, Colyer Lake and Bear Meadows Natural Area with a total elevation gain of 5,035 ft! This area is absolutely beautiful, especially in the fall and is literally an outdoors paradise.

Elevation Profile: Gain of 5,035 feet!

Throughout the year while driving in between Pittsburgh, State College and NYC, I would make frequent stops at Tussey Mountain to run the first couple legs of the race. Since there’s also an extremely popular 50 Mile Relay held annually in conjunction with the ultramarathon, the race is broken down into stages. This year’s relay alone had close to 90 teams, which is a record number. However, the athletes competing in the ultramarathon (Championship and Tussey Mountainback) were slightly down this year to about 100.

Over the course of the year, I would train vigorously on the infamous leg one of the course that includes a very steep 3.2 mile switchback with an immediate elevation gain of about 1,000 feet. I would run anywhere from 2-3 repeats at a time at 5k pace and felt extremely confident about the first phase of the ultramarathon.

The course

On race morning, it was about 50 degrees and a heavy fog blanketed the mountains. Unlike last year, it was substantially warmer and ideal race conditions.

Immediately after the start, I jumped out with Todd Braje (represented Team USA at the 100K World Cup in June) of CA and Andrew Bartle (runs professionally for the US Marine Corps) of Johnstown, PA. I held a slight lead through the first mile and then pulled back with Andrew once Todd passed us. The three of us remained neck-to-neck until we ascended the mountain at mile 3.2 and then Todd took off on the long decent. Upon the final switchback, I looked back and realized that there was nobody in sight. The intense hill and mountain training paid off, but would I be able to hold this pace?

The start of the ultramarathon

Over the next 17 miles and up until about mile marker 20, I held the 3^rd spot overall and Andrew was less than a quarter of a mile in front of me.

It was a beautiful morning in Central Pennsylvania

Shortly after passing through Transition Zone/Aid Station #6, I started to develop some severe cramping in my calves. This would continue to be a problem for the next 10 miles and forced me to speed walk a lot during this time period. I figured it out to have been caused by the marathon flats that I wore, which likely didn’t offer enough cushion and support for someone of my size on a brutal course such as this one. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any electrolyte pills with me either and had to solely rely on the aid stations for support at this point.

Despite the cramping, I was able to come through the marathon split in a remarkable 3:29, more than 45 minutes faster than in 2008. A sub 3:30 split on this course is fantastic and a sub 7 hours finishing time was still feasible.

The infamous mile #40

The long ascent at mile 40 on leg #10

The final 10 miles of the race would prove to be agonizing, yet very enjoyable. After ascending the extremely steep and long hill that included over another 1,000 feet of elevation gain from mile 38 to 42, I regained my focus with anticipation of finishing strong. Passing through Transition Zone/Aid Station 10 is always a blessing because you will see many of the relay teams and even other ultra runners passing through there due to the out and back segment. I was extremely thrilled to see several of my friends and former PSU Triathlon teammates here, all whom offered immense support.

An amazing vista at mile #44

Refueling at the final Aid Station

After passing through the aid station, there were only 4.2 miles between the finish and I. Heading up the small gradual uphill leading into the final leg, I paced off of my friend Brody who was running his final leg of the relay. For most of the final leg of the course, I tried to stick right with him and run as consistently as possible. With less than two miles to go, I realized that I was most likely going to PR by an astonishing hour or more compared to last year’s championship! I was so excited at this point that it was difficult to even focus on the race, but gradually started increasing my pace over the final mile.

The finish line

Mt. Nittany

Brody eventually pulled a head, but another relay runner and I paced each other and he helped me pick off an ultra runner in the final 800 meters. With the final turn and Tussey Mountain Ski Resort in sight, I picked it up and sprinted through the finish line in 7:46:17. This was a 62 minute PR on this course for me and good enough for 9^th overall in the USA Championship. I earned my 2^nd USATF medal in three attempts within the past 15 months.

2009 Time: 7:46:17

2008 Time: 8:48:26

A new PR by an astonishing 1 hour 2 minutes and 5 seconds!

2009 USATF Place: 9^th

2008 USATF Place: 12^th

On a side note: My time in this year’s race would have placed me 8^th overall in 2008. The ultramarathon had about 100 finishers in the USATF and Tussey Mountainback combined. In 2008, the field was larger, but I would have placed slightly better.

Only one non USATF runner beat me, which was my old teammate from Penn State – Chris Woods. He has been training and living in Boulder, CO over the past several years and is an exceptional runner who did run for VT and PSU. Chris passed me with less than 8 miles to go, but I almost caught him in the final two miles.

USATF National Championship

Thank you to my friends and old Penn State Triathlon Club teammates who all offered tremendous support throughout the race. They include Michele, Brody, Brian, Joe, Sparky and many more. Seeing you guys out on that course was like going to heaven. You all rock!

Todd Braje of Arcata, CA won the men’s championship and Larissa Abramiuk of Wayland, MA won the women’s championship.

A great article about the race was featured in the Centre Daily Times here.

Huge congratulations to everyone who participated in the Championship, Tussey Mountainback Ultramarathon and 50 Mile Relay! Also, the Race Director, Mike Casper, did a phenomenal job once again with making this race a truly remarkable event.

Next up – XTERRA Trail Running World Championship in Oahu, Hawaii on December 6^th.