OWL-DRAGON

Half Wit Half Marathon

Heat Index - 110
Distance - 13.1
IQ necessary to think this a good idea - 62

Satisfaction on completion - Unmeasurable


What could possibly possess anyone to run in this weather? Every year the weather for this race is hot and sticky but this has to be one of the hottest ever. It is not called the Half-Wit for nothing.

One advantage I had this year was experience. I knew just how to pace myself and what was ahead. As I result I ran with some confidence. I loaded up with Succeed and Gatorade's new Endurance. I decided carrying a bottle outweighed the inconvenience and except for a few times when I could have used both hands it worked at well. I think by continuingly hydrating and being able to take the Succeed on my schedule instead of when I got to a water stop I fended off the cramping that bedeviled me the last two runs on this course. Although I was very slow at times, I never needed to stop and all my walking was on my terms.

Even in better weather this would be a tough course. The climbs are steep and some of the down hills are worst. The course is kind of a figure 8. The first mile is a simple loop - there are several bottle necks that mean for the back of pack runners a very slow start. The first year I was impatient with this but now recognize it is wise to accept the pace. After that first mile you begin the first part of the loop on mostly single track through the woods. Just after mile three you hit a paved road for about a half mile that takes you to the first water stop. You then hit the first steep drop then there is a long run three miles thru the woods some on established trail but some on it on a trail that must only exist in the imagination of the race director. (In fact at one point he has a sign posted - Trail? And a few yards later - What Trail? )

This section includes a couple of steep climbs but lots of running time. It ends with another very steep drop. The trees sweat stained by previous runners who grabbed them on the way down. You come out onto a baseball field and a water stop. A quick loop around the field and you must climb the infamous 128 steps from hell. Still no idea, why they are there. Sometime long ago someone placed what looks like granite curbing in a facsimile of steps, although some have become dislodged and stand at strange angles and halfway up there is a large tree blocking the way - you either crawl under, over or around.

Most runners on finishing the climb feel relieved - the course slopes gently down and you think that wasn't too bad. Unfortunately, just a few hundreds yards down the path you are faced with another steep climb. There will be two more of those interspaced with some good running on wider track. Good chance to set your own pace. The last climb out of this part of the park is short but very steep and rocky. You emerge back on the roadway to the three mile water stop. You are now about 8.3 into the run. You return along the roadway and reenter the wood. Not far until you cross another road. This is 9.1 and the recommended drop out point. The first time I ran this race I wanted to drop out but didn't realize this was the drop point and continued on. You now enter the last four mile loop. For a couple of miles until the path loops you see the returning runners. Very little level running here and where it is level it is very, very rocky or incredibly muddy. This is the only flat I chose to walk. I am so tired at this point I worry about tripping and don't fancy going down in the muck that has a foul order.

Eventually you come to a steep but runable incline. I take this with some abandoned. I know ahead I have the last steep climb and then too quickly we there (the downhill felt good) - it starts out somewhat deceiving but quickly becomes a rock climb. I see a couple of runners sitting and others stopped bracing on trees and at least one runner trying to work out cramps. I can sympathize. This is where I almost gave up the first year I ran. I sat down and really figured I was done but a runner came along encouraged me to get up and promised the climbing is almost over. I do the same now telling each runner we are only minutes from the top and hang in there. Unfortunately, I don't have any water to share. It is always a bit longer then I expect but finally I see the exit point. There is one last water stop where they also dispense beer. I feel good enough to indulge in one cup, walking slowly until done. Then it is off at a good pace because I know the finish is quite near. There will be one more surprise - another steep drop about 400 yards from the finish. Then I am done.

Very slow. But I feel good. Never stopped, avoided cramps and felt pretty good the whole time. I had heard a young lady before the race say this was her first trail run. Not a good choice for your first. But during the run I assured her that not all trails run are this difficult and I tried to give her some pointers. She finished quite nicely and strong. After the race she thanked me for the advice and said I had been a big help. Nice to hear.

One more side note: after the race I talked to a runner wearing a shirt with a skull and the label Death Race. This is a 125 KM race in the Canadian Rockies. Naturally, I said then this race must seem like a piece of cake. Well he said it is tough but the weather is a lot better - I actually enjoyed the Death Race compared to today. He was only half joking.