Race Result

Racer:	Heather Rosso
Race:	Highlands Sky 40 Miler
Date:	Saturday, June 16, 2007
Location:	Davis, WV
Race Type:	Run - Ultramarathon (Other)
Age Group:	Female 35 - 39
Time:	(DNF)
Comment:	Lower back trouble cut this one short

Race Report:

Made it to the second check point, after about 10 miles. This is an accomplishment in itself, considering CP 2 is after the worst climbs of the entire race. I was okay with this. I'll try again another year.

Going into this race, I had a feeling I’d be a DNF. My back had been giving me problems for the past two weeks, which meant I had to consider the damage I could possibly do to my back if I finished the entire race, and I realized my training had lacked due to both my back and my double training for triathlons (which require a very different training than ultras). So it was no shock when, at checkpoint 2 (very early into the race), I decided to pull myself from the race. Energy wise I could have easily gone on, especially considering I had already finished the most difficult climbs—one steep climb of several hundred feet and another very steep climb of almost 2000 feet where even the switchbacks felt like they were going straight up. I had also survived the mile long stretch of nettle--for a long stretch of trail, the trail was surrounded by stinging nettle that brushed against the legs the entire way--there was no escaping it. My legs burned from both the strain on the climbing muscles and the poison from the nettle. I slowed down a lot during the climbs (my weakest point) bringing my pace to under 3 miles per hour. Those hills were absolutely brutal, and I understand why this is considered one of the toughest ultras on the east coast. There were only two stream crossings heading up, and the rocks sticking out of one of them were so well placed it seemed intentional. On the other stream, there was a small log laying across it that was just wide enough to walk across. At several points, where in past years there would have been standing water, there was thick, slushy mud, which meant my new-ish shoes are now no longer white--they finally look properly worn! I reached checkpoint 2, 10.3 miles, at just over 3.5 hours. I was covered up to my knees in mud and had knotted muscles all through my back. The downhill portion leading into CP2 was actually lots of fun, even though I could feel it wrenching both my knees and back. During the downhill I managed to enjoy seeing a Lady Slipper Orchid and early buds and blooms of Mountain Laurel. The long downhill involved lots of stone hopping and creek crossings and I flew down with no trouble, finally able to run after creeping up the ascent. It helped me make up some time, but not enough--I reached CP2 just before the cut-off. I had hoped to reach it with at least an hour to spare. I slumped down on top of a water cooler and munched on some pretzels and fig newtons. Cuong met me at CP4, which the crew at CP2 drove me to in their truck. While chatting with the driver I learned he too was from Lansdowne and knew of a great training trail just down the street from me (which I’m going to check out as soon as I get my back in order—single track wooded trail—anyone interested in joining me for a trail run, just let me know). I wasn’t the only DNF for this race. I don’t have exact numbers, but of the 140 or so entrants, at least 10 of us were DNF (results have yet to be posted to http://www.wvmtr.org/Highlands%20Sky/highlands_sky_40_mile.htm). A couple of people were pulled for missing the cut-off time, and a few others pulled themselves. The weather for the race couldn’t have been any better—sunny, light breeze, temps in the low 70s. This is the second race of the year for me, and both times I had perfect weather and conditions. Cross my fingers this trend continues. I’m certainly planning on doing the Highlands Sky again in 2008, but for this year will focus on my triathlons and getting my back in better shape. At least triathlons, with the cross training, are beneficial to my back.