USATF TRAIL MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIP

November 5, 2011

Ashland, OR - An amazing achievement occurred this past Saturday in Ashland, Oregon. Spurred on by business travel and a GMM that encouraged the unthinkable, Gabriel Rodriguez lined up at a USATF Championship, most definitely unprepared for the course and conditions, but undeterred from pouring forth a great effort.

The day started cold. Low 20's and slight mists of snowfall. This would be an interesting run. Gabriel opted for his alternative USA jersey, although he knew he would not do it justice, but it just felt right. The field was stacked: Max King, World Trail Champion and owner of the course record (2:40) and a 2:15 Marathon PR. His training partner, 13:30 5000m runner Ryan Bak was a surprise addition, but his recent completion of the Gore-Tex TransRockies Run proved he was calloused to the distance. Local legend, Erik Skaggs, was healthy and ready for his debut on the loop. Defending bronze medalist, John Tribbia of Boulder had returned, and recently crowned USATF Master Ultra/Trail/Mountain Runner of the Year, Tim Van Orden lined up... amongst other familiars like Tim Olson and some young studs like Talent, OR, local Tyler Davis (23yrs old).

The course was no joke. 9,200 ft of elevation with the inital 8 miles straight uphill, followed by another 2.5 miles of climbing followed by 10+ miles of rolling climbs, until a rapid descent and a nasty technical trail named Caterpillar Trail (more to come).

The race started with 1.5 miles of asphalt, climbing to the trailhead (which was a dirt road). I settled into the Topt 10, knowing that only the Top 10 mattered at a USATF Championship. I passed the opening mile in 6:15, with King and Bak closer to 5:50s. As we hit the climb with full force, I kept pace, slowly eating up ground on John Tribbia and Van Order, keying of Tribbia as I knew he had success in previous years. However, I soon passed him and started working on Van Orden, who I caught by 3 miles in 19-min, which was amazing considering we were already climbing at an 8-10% grade. I then set my sights on the duo of Erik Skaggs and Tyler Davis (to me was unknown, but he had recently run a hilly 53-min 10M). I kept at work and finally breached the gap past 4 miles and immediately Skaggs tried to latch on, but Davis fell back. Soon enough I no longer heard Skaggs, and I ambitiously set sights on Max King and Ryan Bak (unknown to me at the time, but I should've guessed). I kept working and by 6 miles I was within earshot, but the effort started to cripple my left leg and I was resorted to stopping and stretching, upon which Skaggs immediately passed me up, asking if I was okay. I got in behind his strong rhythm (he's a strong runner) and let him carry me up the mountain, but soon enough I had to stretch again and was passed by Tribbia and Davis. We then finally hit some singletrack and I was able to get back up to third and Skaggs at 8 miles, but amazingly, once we hit rolling dirt road, which was now completely covered in snow and ice (did I mention the snowstorm we were running in?), my competitors left me in their wake. I am just not in 2h30' marathon shape like you need to be. These guys immediately got into tempo mode, 5:45's, and were gone.

I was now by myself, in 6th place of the US Championship and feeling misreable in the snow and altitude. My legs had nothing and I was at mile 10. I tried to turn around and run back, but I would have to descend. I could ask for a ride at the Mile 8 aid station. Or, I could play "repeat miles." See, on Wednesday, I knocked out 8 x 1M repeats with 60" rest in 5:20's, so I figured I could run 16 mile repeats with 60" rest all the way to the finish, if need be, and off I went. I would practice my form, go in and out of good patches of running, running tall, repeating "party, party like a rock star" (Cars.com commercial I had seen before leaving the hotel room).

And so, mile by mile, I got closer to the finish, but it took forever, as I would run maybe 1.5 miles and then stop and stretch. I managed to take 3 GU Roctanes the whole race and that probably helped a lot. All I was waiting for was the downhill, the descent. This was not my type of course. I thrive in singletrack and the was open, icy and snowy dirt road. It was more road race and less trail and that was killing my confidence. I wanted to hide my weaknesses (speed/strength right now). Van Orden passed me up at 12 miles and I then figured, "oh well, top seven, like cross country..." and figured it might be a matter of time before I was passed up by more runners, but soon enough I was running well and then I hit an aid station and the people were so encouraging, "man, you look like you have a lot of strength left".. and I did, I just had to tap into it.

The descent hurt. I suck at downhills, but I tried to go with it but my legs were rebelling. Finally, I had to stop and re-coup, but as I got going, I got my downhill legs and told a bunch of crows, "I'm not dead yet" and started rolling, and then we hit some singletrack and I kept the effort, now focused on running under 3-hours, manageable if I ran 7-min pace for the last 5 miles.

Finally, we hit Mile 23 and entered Caterpillar Trail. First of all, I am allergic to caterpillars, but this trail was absolutely nuts. It weaved like a rabbit's hole, like a roller coaster. It was fun but it was destroying my quads as I tried to maintain pace. Finally, I hit a photographer and he said something like "no one behind you," but it sounded like "one behind you," so I asked "no one behind me???" and within seconds I was passed by a Master. He was bombing the trail, and then I looked up the trail and there was another runner quickly catching me on this damn trail!!! We hit some flat between trails and I must've dropped to 5-min pace to get away from the 9th place runner and gain on 7th place and salvage some time.

Thankfully, although I was gapped by over 20-seconds, we hit the road to the finish and I saw Mile 25, and said, no way, I am getting back my 7th place and started a mad sprint down the hill to the finish. I caught 8th place 800m in and he gave some fight, but I was determined, powering and feeling great. I closed in 5:12 the final mile, if not faster, to place 7th in 2:55:20. I was flying, and I was destroyed, and I was pleased. A good day.

Rodriguez Bombed at Trail Rampage

September 10, 2011

MILLBORO, VA - In an effort to test his psoas on a challenging course, Gabriel Rodriguez was met with a phenomenal obstacle. The obstacle was not the initial 2,700ft elevation gain over three miles (which Gabriel was King of the Mountain) of the Odyssey Trail Running Rampage Half Marathon (13.33M), the obstacle was in athlete Andrew Budiansky's amazing downhill running ability over the course of the seven mile descent.

Budiansky, a 21-year old club runner from William & Mary, made up most of the time gap within the first mile of the initial descent down the Douthat State Park mountainside, and immediately gapped Gabriel with amazing agility and speed. Gabriel attempted a pursuit, but it was not to be, as Budiansky was just too technically sound on the downhills and produced a magnificent course record in 1:31:56 to Rodriguez's 1:39:19 (incorrect final time, 1:37:50).

However, other than some equipment issues in the second-half of the race (socks), Gabriel managed to finish strongly with the third fastest time in race history. And on the most positive of notes, Gabriel's hip flexor/psoas was no worse for the wear after 13.5 miles of treacherous ascending and descending on some pretty technical trail.

Gabriel Rodriguez Dominates Bunker Hill

August 7, 2011

PARKTON, MD - Despite torrential downpours the night before and a humid race start, Gabriel Rodriguez forged his way to a dominant win at the BRRC Bunker Hill Trail Race 11M, claiming the fastest 5.5M split en route to the 1:18:08 victory.

An aggressive start into singletrack turned into some technical running on slick and muddy conditions. However, by 1.5 miles Gabriel was clear of the field and pressing on deeper into Gunpowder Falls Park and soon encountered some nice bushwacking of the trails before crossing the Gunpowder River itself, in almost waist-high water.

His first loop split was slightly under 38-minutes and he managed a strong 40-minute second loop to secure the win.

3rd IAU Trail World Championship Recap

July 9, 2011

Connemara, IRE - The 2011 IAU Trail World Championships ended bittersweetly for Gabriel and Perla Rodriguez, as the two Team USA members had a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Ireland.

Lining up against 20 countries and 120 athletes, Gabriel and Perla set off against a 70 KM course that was as foreign to them as a hike up Everest. The course began with 4km on road and trail departing from the Kylemore Abbey, allowing Gabriel to move up into the Top 25 prior to the initial summit of Diamond Hill (1,500ft elevation gain). By the summit, Gabriel had positioned himself in the Top 5 and was ready for a great performance.

However, the descent quickly proved his undoing and he was immediately passed on the treacherous and technical descent by over 20 runners. Fighting back on the second ascent of Diamond Hill, Gabriel regained several positions, but quickly lost them all on the descent and although he then gained some places on the bog section to Ben Baum Mountain, his right hip flexor flared up to the point of disability.

Meanwhile, Perla was prudently pacing herself for a finishing effort, content to lag behind the field and figure out the course.

Ben Baum was a quite a challenge. Over 2,500ft of elevation gain over 10-12km, that distance was covered walking and hiking up the steep (25% grade) mountainside and then runners faced an equally dangerous (slippery and steep) descent. By the 40 KM aid station in a little over 5 hours, Gabriel called it a day, injured.

Perla arrived an hour later and pressed on to an impressive 29th place finish in 11h44'. The great news of the day was that the men's Team USA placed 6th in a very competitive field.

Perla Rodriguez Conquers the Laurel Highlands

June 11, 2011

Ohiopyle-Somerset, PA - Facing one of the most difficult courses in the Mid-Atlantic, Perla Rodriguez captured her first trail ultra title, while also placing sixth overall, at the prestigious Laurel Highlands Ultra 50 KM in 5:48:44.

Her performance was the second fastest ever recorded for a female on the legendary course, which rises to a 2,728 foot summit after 31 miles of treacherous footing and climbs. Rated a "3" for terrain and a "4" for footing by UltraRunning Magazine, the Laurel Highland Ultra was by far the most difficult race in Perla's storied career.

Her sights now shift to the 3rd IAU Trail World Championships in Connemara, Ireland, on July 9th, 2011.

Mudfest at Dirty German Endurancefest

May 22, 2011

Pennypack Park, PA - Gabriel Rodriguez made the 2+hr journey to Pennypack Park, PA, for the inaugural Dirty German 50 KM Trail run.

Upon arriving, he learned that Nick Gramsky, former University of Miami great and Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier, would be racing the 50 KM. Furthermore, a 25 KM race would be starting with the 50 KM on a 65-degree morning on supremely muddy trails.

After a conservative start with Gramsky towing the field, Rodriguez took the lead after 20-min and led until the first aid station at 45 min (halfway). However, at this point, Gramsky took to his strengths and opened a formidable gap on the 2 mile stretch of bike path that Rodriguez was unable to overcome.

Coming through at 1:46:58 for the first 25 KM, Rodriguez was 4 minutes down on Gramsky and was only able to work that down to under 4 min by the finish, as Rodriguez ran 3:36:59 to Gramsky's 3:33:18 performance.

Perla Rodriguez Catches Competition

April 30, 2011

CUMBERLAND, MD - Perla Rodriguez headed out solo for the Catch Me If You Can 10 Mile Trail Race, in which the women were given a four minute head start over the men and were forced to race in skirts.

The double-loop course around Lake Habeeb in Rocky Gap State Park provided the setting for a beautiful morning, as Perla managed 5th place overall with the handicap and third place in the women's 10-mile race in 1:21:44, an 8:11 pace on the muddy trails.

Rodriguez Pair Make the Drive for Hogs

April 16, 2011

Huntsville, TX - Gabriel and Perla Rodriguez made the 1,400 mile drive to La Porte, Texas, last weekend to visit their family. In the midst of the three-day trek, Gabriel managed to convince his virgin-ultra wife that she should attempt the 9th Hog's Hunt 50 KM.

 And so, after arriving late afternoon on Friday and with little rest and sleep, Gabriel and Perla made the 75-minute journey at 4:00AM to Huntsville State Park. One Hundred and Forty Dollars later, they were registered for their first 50 KM trail run together.

The morning was a crisp 49-degrees, and the decision to invest in a pair of PETZL headlamps paid off, as the first thirty minutes of the run would be held in pitch black darkness over the sandy and rooty terrain. Joining the duet was long-time harrier and friend, the Financial Advisor, Chad James.

Chad James had won over his doubts of fitness, as he had DNF'd at the Houston Marathon earlier in January and was battling a hectic work schedule, newborn child, and a progressively degenerating neck condition. However, the trusty James was at the start line of his 50 KM trail debut as well.

At 6:00AM the gun sounded and the field of over 100 took to the darkness. Chad and Gabriel managed to run together early, sitting in the top five positions within the first mile. Chad was relying on an old Navy trick to develop night vision and had not opted for a headlamp. Out in front, about 100-200 meters was a Michael Adams, an experienced ultra veteran with a Western States buckle... and he meant business.

After two miles or so, Gabriel decided to venture off in search of Mr. Adams, but had decided not to make any moves until there was sunlight. Finally, a good thirty minutes into the run, Gabriel assumed the lead and forged onward, not feeling particularly engaged, as he had wanted to race the 25K instead of risk the 50K attempt.

At the first aid station at 4.5 miles, Gabriel held a comfortable 30-second lead on the field, with Chad sitting a surprising 4-5th place. At this point, Gabriel came across Perla moving into 2nd place in the female race, only 20-seconds or so behind the leader.

The runners then headed out on the perimeter to the 7.5 mile aid station, at which point Gabriel had to use the restroom, which allowed Mr. Adams to claw back into contention, as he entered the aid station alongside Gabriel. They then headed off for some serious and technical singletrack, on which Gabriel was able to extend his lead. By the 12.5 mile aid station, Gabriel had a commanding lead and after the first 25 KM split at 1:48:58, Gabriel had about a 5-minute lead on Adams. Surprisingly, Chad had moved into 3rd place overall and was looking intent on taking down 2nd place.

Gabriel continued to run easily, but not fluidly, as he was in no mood to run a 50 KM, but he was in the lead and right at course record pace (3:42:40). However, a CR would require an equal effort on the second 25K circuit and Gabriel was not sure if he wanted to push, as his goal was his track workout on Monday.

Perla, in the meantime was leading heading into the final homestretch towards the START/FINISH line of the first loop and made an errant right turn at an unmonitored turn, sending her off-course and eventually into second place behind Meredith Terranova. It was a lead Terranova would not relinquish.

For Gabriel to consider a run at the CR, he would have to be up at the 20 mile aid station, meaning he would need to run the next 4.5 mile segment under 30:00, since that is what he had covered it in the first loop. However, sans headlamp, this was doable and he came in at 29:00 and change, but his right leg was starting to falter, perhaps due to the rising temperatures and his lack of attention to fueling. So, at the 20 mile aid station he ingested a GU and some water, took a breath and started back the trail towards the perimeter.

Once on the perimeter he passed a silent and grimacing, obviously in pain, Adams in second place. Another runner had moved into third place, and Chad was now is fourth place, but looking pretty badly. His T-Rex arm action was in full-swing and he was staggering up the climbs. Gabriel told him to "break it down into sections, you only have 10 miles to go..." however, at the 20 mile aid station, Chad's day would be over, as the medical team did not allow him to continue in his haggard physical condition.

Mile 21 is when Gabriel's race took on a life of its own. His body was battling the sensation to run faster and then everything clicked and he was flying effortlessly down the trail, attacking every hill and just enjoying the sensation. He reached the 23 mile aid station with a 53-minute split... a split that took 57-min on the first loop and Gabriel knew it was going to be a course record run. Another GU and he was off... setting a course record and staggering 1:45:35 negative-split, 3:34:31 victory.

Perla continued her battle, surging with energy and settling into workmanlike rhythm. In the end, she would surprise even herself with her 4:36:19, second place finish, less than ten minutes behind the winner.

It was a great day for Maryland West TRC and a great debut.