Rockhead Trail Marathon – A Journey to the Rocky Side

Running ultras has led me to believe I may be suffering from an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. My completion of the Rockhead Trail Marathon confirms my suspicion.

I didn’t really have to do this race but sat at my desk Friday afternoon, looking through the window, seeing beautiful blue skies, wispy white clouds; sublime, OK why not “What can possibly go wrong”, a nice 26.2 early fall run along the trails at Pontiac Lake. Au contraire.

Hearing rain against my bedroom window in the early hours of Saturday morning allowed me to reevaluate my expectations. Once up and seeing gray skies, thermometer at 50, allowed me to confirm them. It started to gently rain on the drive to the start and opened up on arrival. After registering I  join the pack of runners huddled under the shelter bundled up in hats, gloves and jackets. I heard that a couple of the runners were visiting from Florida, so "Welcome to Michigan".

Ten minutes to party time and the RD gives his pep talk with the lure of hot soup at the finish.

RDs Pre Race Briefing

Andrea, Farra and Umbrella

Bill, Farra, Rick and good ole Umbrella

We set off at 9:00AM. At some point the rain does ease but the trail is very soggy and muddy.

After about 2 miles around 15 of us realize we are going the wrong way, trail markers that should have been on our right were on our left. We double back hoping we aren’t too far out and arrive back at an intersection. No consensus on which path to take, like headless chickens we zoom off to all points of the compass, much mutterings under peoples’ breaths. Some go that way Ellen and I go this way.

"At times Trail markings were some what confusing" - Anon

After a while we make it to the first aid station feeling vindicated in our choice of direction. Distance and elapsed time are in the ball park so no need to sweet the small stuff. Ellen figures were about ½ a mile shy so ends up doing some extra at the end to get her 26.2 in.

I ran the first half with Ellen, she was strong and bagged first overall female, as she did last year, in a cracking time of 4:30.

Ellen Cruising

Ellen "Puddle Jumping"

I’d entered the race with a view to bettering my 4:32 at April’s Running Fit Trail Marathon but after 2½ hrs into the race my quads and general pep started to leave me. Walkies time.

Feeling Good - Soon to Change : (



Fuelled up and rationalizing that this is “only” a 26.2 I psychologically moved into my ultra comfort zone “Run when you can, walk when you have to”. So the last 2¼ hrs were a mix of running the flats and down hills and walking the hills. Your definition of “Hill” gets reevaluated the further you’re into the distance and the more zonked out you feel.



Incline or Hill?

A bit Soggy

and a bit Muddy

Spray Painted Trail Rock Markers

Danger - Low Flying Bikes

Well at last the rain stopped and for a brief moment, I think around 3 seconds, I actually saw my shadow as the sun attempted valiantly to break through the more stubborn and robust clouds. Well I can’t have it all; at least the rain had stopped.

Caution - Horse and Rider in Difficulty Ahead

Caution - Watch out for Headless Horses



Trail Gold - A Sign of Good Luck

Going slower I was now concerned about who’d pass me. I get chicked and I’m fine with that. She was strong and as we know we each run our own race. We ran together for a short while before she politely makes her excuses and gently pulls ahead. When I’m tired I prefer to be alone, I don’t have to be concerned about keeping up.

Lake View

Hurdle

"They went that a Way"

So as always “This too shall pass” and it did.

Last Aid Station - 22 Miles down, 4 to Go



1/2 Mile to Go - Oh well, there's always the Soup



A long sweep around Pontiac Lake beachfront brought me in to a quiet and almost ghost town like finish. I have been spoilt by so many big races like DWD. The usual excited chatter and music you usually hear approaching a finish was eerily absent. Maybe they've all gone home? The chilly wet weather being no encouragement for folk to hang around to greet the stragglers.

Turning the last corner thankfully I see a handful of folk, I think it was four. Finishing I head for the soup and I’m handed my finishers bling, a rock, well this was the Rockhead Trail Marathon you know. " I shall call him Rocky and he shall be mine and he shall be my Rock."


"Rocky"



Ellen and Me - I need a haircut

I wait for Rick and Andrea’s safe return. The looks on their faces speak to the disappointment of the trail markings and overall conditions on the day. But they did both finish. Rick having paced 50 at last weeks Hallucination 100 and Andrea after numerous “sightseeing detours” and picking up a nasty gash on her leg.

Rick - Finishing

Andrea - Finishing - I think she's spotted the Soup

Andrea - Ouch!

If they figure out the trail markings I’m not opposed to running this event again next year but if the dwindling numbers are to continue I suspect 2011 will be an event DNS. Pity really because the route is worthy of being run.