2012 Escarpment Trail Run

This year's edition of the 30 kilometer trek through the rugged Catskill Mountains was a wet one. Palenville, Haines Falls and the surrounding Catskill Mountain area were pummeled with rain all weekend. This left the trail muddy, and the rocks slick. I camped out Friday & Saturday evening at Black Bear Campground in Phoenicia. Nice campground, but the shower levers were malfunctioning, so I had to use my own pliers to tighten the lever on the shower head to make it work. And the men's room stunk of  'I can't quite figure out what that putrid smell is'. I know, it's camping. But, if your going to have shower stalls and bathrooms, clean them at least once a week, maybe. And maintain the equipment so it's remotely useable. Overall, decent campground, will I go back, probably not.

On saturday afternoon, race director, Dick Vincent hosted an open house for all registered runners. His house is located on a steep climbing road, off of route 23A. Rightfully named, 'Dick's cliffhouse'. Situated right on a cliff, with stunning views to the east. Many Escarpment veterans show up to the open house, some with 6,7,8-15 ETR's under their belt. Impressive! There were also a few first timers there. I enjoy explaining the race to a runner who hasn't yet run the trail. They read the description on the registration form and hear words like 10,000 feet of elevation change, bears, bees, danger, steep cliffs, fall to your death. Naturally, they have many questions about the accuracy of the description. Is it really that bad? Can you really fall off a cliff and die? What's the hardest part? yes, yes, and the whole thing. Hidden within the description of the race, I believe it is the director's ultimate intention to lure a runner into the race by effectively using reverse psychology. There are several sections on the form where the director tells the runner to not sign up if s/he has any doubts about his/her fitness. Regardless of how fit that runner thinks he/she is, don't you think they're going to sign up anyway? Trail runners are stubborn people and invite a challenge! "You think I can't do this thing? watch me!" Think back to middle school when your best friend triple-dog-dared you to jump off that ledge. It's like that. Provoking, but in a fun sort of way.

Race morning was foggy with a slight drizzle. Before loading onto the bus, the rain really started coming down. I put on the raincoat, it was getting cold. Arriving at the trailhead, the rain had let up some. I warmed up by running up the muddy trail a little ways. Dick gave his usual race speech, slightly rushed this year, as many runners were eager to get moving, including myself. I positioned myself about 15-20 runners back for the initial 3.5 mile climb up Windham. I rate this climb the easiest, as your legs are the most fresh, it's not (that) technical, and it's very gradual. Unlike the rest of the trail. If you cook your legs here, you will get into big trouble on the later climbs. I found myself descending with another runner. I quickly dropped him, but he would later catch me on the climbs. We see-sawed for most of the run. I made it a point to improve my descending this year, but I guess I still have to work on my climbing.

The dirt was mud, the rocks were slick as ice, and there were pools of water everywhere. The best footing lied in the muddy areas. No views this year, where there was a look out, there was a white wall of fog. Bummer for a first timer, the views give the run a real epic feel. On the later stages of the run, I found myself running with the same runner I was with earlier on the Windham climb. He finally dropped me on the last big climb of the day, Stoppel. I can't be anything but encouraging to a runner who pulls away late in a run. But this year, I have gotten more competitive, particularly with trail running. So, at the same time, I'm more reluctant to pull off to the side and let him pass.

The last two miles were tough. I was just dragging myself over the rocky trail. At times sliding on my rear across the large flat rocks. Last year, I bombed this section, this year, not so much. Running along, I can hear the patter of a runner closing in on me. He passed me with less than 1/2 a mile to go. blehhh. I had not the energy, nor the motivation to chase him. But, finally, the sun came out. With one of the last sections running along a cliff, the clouds gave way to a gorgeous view to the east. Encouraging. I finished in 3:51:29, 22nd overall. A fantastic time, especially given the conditions. Next year I'll shoot for a 3:20-3:30 finish. Overall, a great run with great people through the Catskill Mountains. Thanks Dick and all of the brave volunteers. You guys toughed it out for hours up there in the pouring rain.

http://escarpmenttrail.com/results/2012

The Garmin 

On Strava ( note that Blackhead is rated a category 2 climb!) 

(pics still unsorted, I yanked 'em off early)

photo credit : David Martin

I dug up this photo of the buses leaving North Lake:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seanaes/7667917404/in/photostream/lightbox/

The Runner who dethroned Nephew in 2007, Nathan Harkins:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1304/944614057_c454b345db.jpg?v=0