NEW COLUMBIA, PA - With the failed attempt to train for the Umstead 50M, Gabriel turned his attention to the 2012 Trophy Series race, the Mile Run Challenge Trail Half Marathon in Pennsylvania.
The course had been around for a couple of seasons, with proven times by proven competitors, and with the Trophy Series designation, the race was sure to provide some stiff competition. And so, Gabriel and his family packed into his Infinti and drove the three hours to New Columbia to awaken to a night full of rain and 45-degree chills.
Race morning was hectic. A solid 20-minute wait in a steady drizzle while awaiting the pick-up of the race bib proved to not produce a warm-up. And so, with a few minutes to spare and having to decide between a warm-up jog and a porta-potty stop, Gabriel opted the restroom.
Soon enough the gun sounded, and twenty or so chaps were out at sub-5:30 pace onto the road. Immediately a group of four runners formed, and Gabriel was not among them. He was stuck somewhere in tenth, struggling with navigation of the rocky underfoot in such tepid conditions. However, a lone leader struck out and Gabriel started to panic that if he did not close the gap shortly, that he would not be able to make up the gap over such treacherous terrain. And so, he forged his way to the front and by 15-minutes or so caught the leader on the steady climb.
However, Gabriel soon found himself in debt and was surprised that he would be able to maintain his effort over the 13.4 mile distance. Each change in terrain proved a blessing, as he was able to work different muscle groups. At the 3.5 mile aid station in 22:00, Gabriel felt he was running well. At the 6.5 mile AS, he was at 45-minutes but wasted 2-minute re-tying a shoe-lace. And off he went.. absolutely dominating single-track and the flats. The only real damage came to a treacherous descent after 9M, in which his quads were pushed to their limits. However, he amazingly recovered and attacked, attacked, attacked.
The final 2 miles or so of the course were the most disappointing. The runners were forced to surmout a boulder field. No running was possible, only dangerous, slipperly stepping from stone ledge to stone ledge, which felt like an eternity navigating the boulder-field. Finally, Gabriel found some runnable ground and entered a water-logged tunnel, and exited towards the finish in a new course record, 1:40:54, about three minutes ahead of the locals.
Another challenge, another test, another performance. A great day all-around, with great sensations throughout the race. This will be taken.
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