My friend and neighbor Jenny and I went up to Punxsutawney PA last weekend to run the Groundhog Fall 50K. We had a great time.
I love this race for some reason. This was the seventh time we've made the trip up. It's a well organized race that holds true to trail-running ideals. The course isn't really that hard, but apparently for someone of my abilities it's a real challenge! Even though I now know my way around the course I'm always humbled by the runners who remember it as a 50 Mile run, and remember horses on the course as well ... so I'm not that old. This year there was some hard rain during the run, and I decided to get rid of my waist pack/water bottle and shirt, and just run aid-station to aid-station and enjoy it. I met a first-time 50K runner named Staci who turned out to be a great running companion for the second half of the race. If you are reading this Staci - hi! - it was good running with you - and hope your feet are good.
Here are some photos Mary took:
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| Mike at the start |
Here is Jenny a couple of miles from the finish ...
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| Jenny - approaching Adrian aid station on the way back |
and me, just at the finish ...
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| Mike - happy to finish Punxsutawney 50K 2012 |
On the long drive (~5 hours) home after the race, we don't need much of an excuse to stop the car and stretch our legs. Jenny treated us all to ice cream at our first stop (and took this picture of me and Mary - I like it).
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| Mary - the best crew chief in ultra-running today |
