2005 ODM 100-mile Course description: The course starts at the parking lot at the Ramada. From there you run on a road, cross Route 81, and run a few hills through developments, past a swim club, down to Main street and past a shopping center, and then on to the water tower, where the first aid station is located. After the water tower you run over the bridge over Route 81, and then run more rolling hills on a double-yellow lined road to mile 6.5, Burnshires Bridge station, where you can hear rushing water. Almost right after the bridge station, the road turns from asphalt to a dirt, gravel road, climbing up Woodstock mountain. Once up the mountain, the road goes back down, though the climb going up is steeper (the climb down is longer w/ less steep sections). The climb is runnable, especially if you are doing the 50 miler, but I preferred to power walk, since I was doing the 100. When coming down the mountain the course goes through the mine properties, continuing on a dirt type road. After this, there are the three "out and backs". In the middle of each out and back (i.e. all the way out before coming back) there is a toned down aid station in each case. The one station had gatorade, water, and light snacks, but not much else, but what they had was sufficient. When you get to the start of each out and back, there is a fork in the road; the course goes to the left for the out and back, and then returns and then takes the other road, until you hit the next out and back. The out and backs were primarily on asphalt, though the roads connecting the out-and-backs were usually dirt. The first out and back is probably 1 mile each way (2 total) , while the second two are shorter, perhaps 1/2 - 3/4 miles each way. Once done with the out and backs, the course goes through some big rolling hills, by some nice country type houses, and finally up a big hill to the 678/758 aid station. After the aid station, there is a nice section of rolling asphalt road, ending with a downhill, leading to another road that you cross. Upon crossing, you're on a dirt/gravel road again, meandering off to the turn around at Petersons farm. Right before the farm there is a hill. The section from the 678/758 aid station to Petersons is supposedly 2.5 miles, but I am pretty sure it's long, more like 3.5. However, one of the other sections seemed shorter (the "4.1 mile" section). Once at Petersons Farm, you make your way back to the Ramada the same way you came (including out and backs), and once back at the Ramada you run the entire course again. After a small breakfast of pop tarts, part of a bagel, and drink, I gathered with the other runners in the Ramada conference room. I had my number written on me with a sharpie (there are no paper numbers to pin on). I was much less nervous than usual. I chatted with Rick, Morgan, and Mike Mason a bit, along with a few other people. I had my one bottle carrier with a bottle I had forgotten to fill up. Luckily there was a water fountain near the lobby. We lined up, and at 5 a.m. we were off w/ a command of "go". The first 6.5 miles to the bridge were smooth and easy. I maintained a 9-10 min/mile pace, maybe faster. I climbed up Woodstock mountain using a power walk, and chatted with Farouk, who was very nice. He is mid 50's but unsurprisingly was in much better shape than many of the late 20-somethings I work with. When I hit the out and backs, I was surprised how many people were ahead of me. I was there to run my own race and mostly did not worry, but it was hard not to be a little intimidated, and wonder, am I going THAT slow?? At mile 22 or so I was so sick of the stupid fanny pack that I dumped it by the aid station. I did take the bottle to carry. The run was uneventful up to the turnaround at 25 miles, where I reached in approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. On the way back to the Ramada, I caught up with Sherry Meador, who was very enjoyable to talk to. At about the same time, we both started having lots of breathing problems, at 28- 29 miles or so. It had gotten quite warm (perhaps 80?) and humid. We were both staggering. She said things were spinning, and though things weren't spinning for me, I felt weird and not good. Every muscle in my body was hurting, especially my neck and shoulders. Sherry and I continued on for awhile, and eventually Morgan (my pacer) intercepted us. She was running to 25 miles, where she would volunteer and then pace me much later. She later told me I looked pretty bad, but at the time said just to hang in there. I considered dropping out at 50, b/c I really thought it might be unhealthy to keep going. Eventually I passed Sherry (when I don't know; I was out of it). At one point my legs gave out and I fell to the ground, but "came to" on the way down. That was definitely a low point, to be that weak at 38 miles or so. I really had to push back not just bad thought, but the fear that asthma attacks bring. I started feeling pretty good, but not great, again. At some other point, Sherry passed me again. She was feeling better as well. As luck would have it, a rain storm came through, soaking me and everyone else, but cooling things down as well. A half hour after the rain storm, I felt about 80% again. Soon after, I could breathe better but was feeling "bonked". I made a point at the next aid station to grab a couple of candy bars and a handful of chips, which I ate while powerwalking up Woodstock mountain. I started to pick up some speed again. Once down the mountain I had an enjoyable chat with a teenage volunteer at the Bridge aid station. Later, I saw Vicki Kendall at about 48 miles, who was very encouraging. That lifted my spirits even more. I made it back to the Ramada in approximately 9 hours and 55 minutes (almost 3 p.m.). Once there, I took a 5-10 minute break to eat and just try to compose myself and get psyched up for the second 50 miles. Sherry and I left the Ramada together. I was starting to feel really good again, so I ended up going on ahead. I powerwalked up Woodstock mountain, and even ran maybe 10-15% of it. At the top of the mountain I paused to admire the view. As the miles went by, I was feeling better and better. I was enjoying the scenery, the run, the toons on my mp3 player, and looking forward to meeting Morgan. Upon leaving the Ramada I had hoped to barely make it to the farm by dark, but I realized I would get there earlier, which was an awesome feeling. I arrived Petersons just before 8:30 p.m. Morgan was there helping with the aid station. I changed shoes, got my lights, drank some boost, ate a little, and in 10 minutes or so left with Morgan for the trip back. She was very helpful the whole way. We talked enough, but not so much that it was a struggle (deep thoughts and heavy topics don't come so easily after so many hours of running). She was very upbeat the whole time, which helped me a lot. It helped both of us that I was pretty upbeat on my own, so with two of us the mood was that much better :) I was tiring more and more but still mostly feeling good. When we reached the out and backs it was pretty dark. Somewhere before this I heard many dogs barking, and when I looked back with the flashlight, saw eyes approaching us. Luckily, it was a small dog, who we told to GO HOME. That got the adrenaline going, for sure. Most of the out and backs were abandoned. The last out and back even had a tarp over the food (to protect from bugs I guess). I was ready to be done at this point so Morgan and I agreed just to get drinks and not dig through for stuff, and just move on. Before I knew it, we were climbing back up Woodstock mountain for the last time. I was powerwalking as fast as I could. On the way down, I ran/shuffled as much as I could; it killed my quads. I got minimal aid at the 6.5 mile station, and then continued to run the flats and downs and powerwalk the ups. For the most part, I stuck to it, and was amazed how I could still run pretty well during the flats and downs. The water tower was a most welcome site. We skipped that aid station, as our water/fluid levels were sufficient, and pressed on. I was getting more and more excited with every new landmark I saw I knew was closer and closer to the finish line. I was so happy when I could see the Ramada; it appeared even before I was expecting!! Finally, we climbed up the last hill within the development, and came down the hill to the light. I did my best to pick up the pace, but I don't think I picked it up too much. Within moments we were at the finish line in the parking lot, at 2:27am, 21 hours, 27 minutes, and 15 seconds after I had left. I had accomplished my goal of a sub-24 race, and did it with some style. Soon after, I crashed back in the hotel room, very satisfied. Thanks to Morgan for pacing and another special thanks to all the traildawgs who encouraged me and wrote notes of encouragement leading up to the race! I appreciated each and every note (and unspoken positive vibes). Wow!!!! Joan