Black Mt Fun Run
Training Plan – Considered Hanson and briefly Pfitz, but ultimately went with Bass. Started running on the treadmill in October every Monday and Thursday during the football games. Worked up from one quarter of running to a couple of full game sessions. The bulk of the workouts were basically running as many miles as possible in the first half. January I completely stopped training to remodel a house. Decided to get back on the horse the beginning of February with a couple of 30 min runs before getting sick. That left a week to train and a day to taper. Ventured outside for the first time in ages for my long run of 13 trail miles the Saturday prior. That run went well with a couple of sub 10 min miles.
Race Day – Work was a bear the day prior so I didn’t get away until race morning. Up at 3:45am for the two hour drive. Got my packet at the start, drove to the finish, and walked a mile back to the start at 7am. Forecast was rain/freezing rain with temps in the 30s. It had rained all week, really most of the last five months, so the course was a mudfest and many of the trail portions a stream. The greenway was even flooded over in a couple of places.
Miles 1-3 – This race starts off on the road. My legs weren’t feeling it. First two miles were 10’46” and 11’34”, I was expecting sub 10s here. Mile 3 went into the 12s, yuck. HR solidly in zone 3.
Mile 4-9 – Uphill trail the whole way, about 250 per mile. Actually jogged much of this, but only mustered 15-17 min pace. How is that even possible? That included a rest stop and some congo line sessions that were pretty dicey descending steps and navigating deadfalls blocking the trail. HR staying in zone 3, so I’m working even if the results don’t say so. Briefly had a snow shower.
Mile 10-14 – Got real ugly here. 22/19/17/17/17 min miles. Mostly power hiking up a stream with a rest stop and leak stop in here. Hit the halfway mark at 3h29m. Mile 14 is the turn around for the marathon and the cut off for the 40 mile challenge. I had a ticket to the top, but had missed the cut off by 45 minutes so I was headed back down after some chicken noodle soup and 4 Advil.
Mile 15-21 – I’m north of 200thplace right now. 244 finishers and I’m estimating I pass maybe 30-40 people still headed to the turnaround. I’m jogging, it’s raining, and I’m starting to get cold when the first elite that had run an additional 12+ miles passes me. Screw it, I’m going to hang with him for as long as I can. It wasn’t long, but it felt good and I was actually passing people in my event. My time the last couple of years had been north of 7 hours, so the new goal was going to beat that and post a negative split that none of the FBGs would ever sniff. For the most part people were carefully traversing the rocks, mud, and water. For the first time in years since I roached my ankle at Massenutten, I was running the downhills rather than shuffling. I’m clipping off miles at a 12-13 min pace and passing people in bunches. Every time an elite comes by, I run with them for as long as I can. Feeling stronger by the mile, I’m running some of the uphill sections. Sub 7 looking like a lock.
Mile 21-24 – Beer stop at mile 21. They had three types to chose from, why make a choice. After chugging the third cup, I take two steps, hit a muddy slope and proceed to fall on my butt for the first and only time of the day. Still manage a 12’50” mile with the festivities included. Breaking 6h30m seems possible if I can hold 14 min/mi pace. I don’t know what it is about beer, but I Strava PR’d the next 4 mile section which included an 11 min mile. Two of these miles included 500 feet in descent (1000 ft total) so it’s more about trying to stay upright than running. Still reeling in people left and right. The last pavement in this section beat my mile 3 pace by 5 seconds. I’m actually getting stronger.
Mile 25 to finish – Last aid/beer station is at mile 25. I chug a cup and they say here, take a whole can. Down that but I’m passed by two people. I really want to finish strong, but my right hammy is twinging and forcing me to talk so brief walk breaks. Still maintaining the 12 min pace though. Race finishes with a half mile lap around a lake. I take off my wet fuel belt and it feels like it weighs 5-7 pounds. Yes I’m an idiot and lugged 1.5 full bottles and other crap on a mountain marathon. Two people are within reach. That brings up the age old question, is it cool to sprint finish 6+ hours into a race for 150thplace or a #### mitten move? I have a half mile to stew on this. I run and reel them in to 15 yards until the hamstring barks and then walk giving up a few yards. I finally decided that skipping a beer stop and passing a competitor who is indulging is an injustice that just can’t stand. With 100 yards to go I fire up the 240 pound diesel engine. Picture CJ Anderson in the playoffs, only two decades older and infinately slower. The first person has no answer. The second feels my footsteps and we trade places over the last 30 yards before all is right in the world and I prevail by a step. Here’s the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td4h2BCc1t0
This where I learn another lesson, placing isn’t determined by when you cross the line, it’s when the rip the tag off your bib so I get the time of the person behind me, because like Bo, it took me 30 yards to stop LOL.
Finishing time was 6h18m. 2h49m for the second half for a 40 minute negative split. I’ll put that out there for any of you to top this year

Ended up around 154th so I passed about 40-50 people in the second half. Body has been crushed for days. While my time is still horrible, here’s a perspective. 2nd place was 3h40m and finished 28th at Western States with a 19 hour and change time and has completed the Gobi Desert 250k and UMTB twice.