This weekend as most runners were looking towards Boston and the 101st running of the Boston Marathon, a handful of us gathered in Carmel, New York on Saturday April 19 to run the Taconic Road Runners Club 19th annual Sybil Ludington 50K run.
I had planned on running a 50K in the South Taconic Trails the previous week, but the April Fools Day Massacre left much of the Trail unpassable. Although on roads, Sybil seemed to be a good substitute.
Just getting to the run provided more excitement than I would expect this time of year. Another foot of wet snow fell in northern Dutchess County. As I travelled south, I saw less and less snow. Then when I got off the Taconic State Parkway and headed towards Carmel, the roadsides and trees were once again covered with snow. It was like a winter wonderland in April.
Temperature for the run was in the mid thirties. It was windy and rainy, with occasionally solid precipitation. It was rotten weather for a long run, but if I stayed home, I would be tempted to blow off my long run all together, so I was glad to be there.
The first few miles are on US6. It's not an ideal road to run on, but if God's Country Marathon can spend 26.2 miles on this road, what problem should 4 miles be? There was traffic on this road, and the shoulder was slushy.
A pack of four runners broke out running close to seven minute miles. I recognized one of these guys from the Dutchess Marathon. He stands out in my mind for having the uncanny ability to urinate while still running. It is just as well I have no interest in running that pace. A considerably smaller group broke from the rest of the pack and settled in at 8+ minutes per mile. This group consisted of me, and one other guy just ahead of me.
After the first aid station, the course goes along Lake Mahopac, and gets off of US6. Before long, the guy just ahead of me stops to play with his shoe. I expect to see him back with me before long, but it turns out, this would be the beginning of a very long day for him.
Soon there was no one in sight either before me or behind me. This is ok. It should remove any temptations to pick up the pace. The aid stations are irregularly spaced, but never unwelcome. Most of these stations had only one worker. These volunteers were extremely chatty. In a long run, it is a good idea to talk to the runners to guage their physical and mental state. More than this, I think they were bored and lonely. Glad I could brighten their day, if only for the time it takes me to take a couple of drinks and mutter what given the circumstances would pass as wit.
The course is extremely well marked, as there are several block arrows at each turn. I saw very few mile markers during the way. I don't know what I would have done with them on a hilly course like this anyway.
There is an especially nice stretch during the middle miles skirting east of Boyd Corners Reservoir. Like much Appalachian upland, the banks are covered with Mountain Laurel. For awhile I was enjoying the rolling terrain, the beautiful snow covered, forested hills. It reminded me of why I love this region. Then I remembered the time of year and snorted.
Before long I am back on a major road, and what's this? There is another runner in the distance. I am catching up rather quickly. I have almost caught him by the next aid station. For me this is a GU Æ break, so this runner gets well ahead of me again. Then during a long steady climb, I catch him again. I realize it is the guy from the Dutchess Marathon with the interesting talent. I ask him how he's doing. In spite of the extreme pace reduction, he seems fine. It is a very good day for tightening up. I realize now, that I didn't even stretch very well given the weather, the difficult drive, etc..
As we go past White Pond, I see a sign welcoming me to Dutchess County and East Fishkill. I don't really have a good feel for where Carmel is, but it sure makes me feel far from there to be back in my home County. Funny how far you can go in the course of a 50K. The next aid station is staffed by an older couple. They are probably the friendliest of the bunch. I almost felt guilty as I handed them my cup to continue on my way. Now the course is on a dirt road for a stretch. Earlier in the run this would have felt wonderful, but 22 miles into my sojourn, I think I would prefer terra firma. The sun is trying to come out. Imagine that. For the third time during the race I take my fleece top off. For the third time I realize it is cold and windy, and put it back on.
As I go past one of the few milage markers, the Marathon, I realize I have slowed considerably from the first half marathon. As I am starting to tighten up, this adds to my grumpiness. If I had bothered to read the course profile, perhaps I would have been in a better mood. The entire course rolls, so I was not aware that the previous 13 miles were considerably uphill.
Now the course is going steadily downhill. Even I'm not too dumb to realize this. My quads are feeling fine, even if my knees are feeling much like I imagine Patrick Ewing's do this time of year. Running this far on roads in these weather conditions, this does not surprises me. A couple of days of icing after running, and they'll be good as new^h^h^hthey were at the start.
Someone driving the course yells out to tell me how good I am looking. Ok, late in a run, spectators always say that, but somehow he sounds sincere. It makes me wonder how most runners look after 28 miles. A little later I cross a causeway over the West Branch Reservoir. Man, there's nothing like a causeway to make me feel like I am getting somewhere. Across the causeway, and I am clearly in the outskirts of Carmel. Cool!
As I enter the Village, I confront the final insult. The last 450 meters of the course are across a field. Given the weather of the last few days, the good parts of the field are mud. It doesn't really matter. I know I am going to finish, and I'm sure not going to get much wetter, muddier, slushier, etc.. There were geese in the field. Surprisingly they paid no attention to me. This was a relief. At this point, I really could not handle being hissed at.
The race director was at the finish, along with three or four other volun- teers. They were so cheerful, so friendly. After being out there so long, this was really appreciated. I finished in 4:26:21. I am very pleased with the effort, but it also leaves great room for improvement.
Although on roads, Sybil Ludington is the type of low key event I love. The race directors, and the entire Taconic Road Runners Club deserve credit for putting together such an enjoyable event.
See y'all next year!
Steven Cangemi
Red Hook, New York