I started at 7:00, along with (I believe) Brad & John. They started at approximately 7:10 but caught me on the Wakefield bike trail after the Wakefield pit stop. We ran together until past the King Arthur checkpoint. At that time they demonstrated why they caught me, they were faster. Once past Oakmarr, I was following the foot prints, but they stopped around the Leeds check point.
Yesterday the course was more of an adventure race than an ultra. A new problem occurred essentially every kilo. The first was the Accotink crossing. John and Brad suggested, and I followed, using the off-ramp to cross. After that, the course was comparatively dry through Thaiss park. From Thaiss to Oakmarr, the wind was quite noticeable (at least 30 mph) and was a direct headwind all the way to Oakmarr.
Leaving Oakmarr, it became very apparent that the Great Lakes relocated to Fairfax county, although Rocky Run was only slightly higher than normal and easily crossable. From there until leaving the path to make the first stream crossing was very passable, it was the large quantity of downed trees that was the main challenge. Making the left turn at “the CCT sign about 10 feet off the trail” I entered the what appeared to be lake Erie. Slogging through the mud, I reached the two trees and crossed. At the next stream crossing, I was able to jump to a sand bar and scramble up. The trail to Vale was not to bad, with only three or four major lakes to circumvent.
Once I crossed Vale and entered the Girl Scout section, I realized what the term “Feet Wet” really meant (I was previously a pilot). However, it was not until I past the horse rink that MUD became my primary problem. I now know that one does not run in mud, rather one slogs. If one, at any time, attempts to run, then one will fall, and get all muddy. Stream crossing afforded the opportunity to clean my shoes and cool my feet, half way up to my knees. D Run was moving, but the current was NOT that strong to cause slipping.
The Glade to Twin Branches section was a piece of cake, but asphalt does not turn into mud.
John, thank you for the hint to take the high road after the earthen dam, looking down I truly saw lake Superior and it was massive. The next opportunity for a new adventure in this section was climbing the hill up to the W&OD.
Exiting the W&OD, I was again improving my lake circumvention proficiency. The first stream crossing was comparatively easy, as the rocks used to cross were only slightly submerged, and the roots on the opposite bank made great hand holds. Then there was the first “fair-weather” crossing of D-run. Using a stick to make sure that the steppers were still in place, I was able to cross, carefully, one step at a time. From there to Rt 7 was basically the great “Dismal Swamp”, the Everglades is to well kept to be an accurate comparison.
From Rt 7 to the 193 crossing site use just more of the same. The second “fair-weather” crossing of D-run was in a slightly slower current, but the water was deeper. As a result, by the time I got to Rt 193, I had already made up my mind not to even attempt to cross. Rather, I continued on the path on the right side of D-run to the bridge. I did discover that to get to the bridge, you have to cross three smaller streams, each allowing me to keep my shoes really clean. After the last crossing, I scrambled up the road embankment and crossed the bridge. I have not noticed before, but there is a pedestrian section on the bridge.
Once across Rt 193, I entered Great Falls park which, like any national park, was already cleaned up. This lasted until River Bend park boundary. There I was back in the mud. But I did make it to the visitor center.
Start time: 07:00
Finish time: 17:12
I might have missed the cut-off, but I made it, and I have witnesses to prove it.
Lawrence Woodward, age 59, oldest on the entry list!
“Dr Truth”