PATAPSCO TRAIL JOURNEY

ELLICOTT CITY, MD - Gabriel Rodriguez prides himself on great ideas. However, most of those great ideas are great until the process to bring these ideas to reality are executed.

With training going well and a sudden change in the BRRC racing calendar, Gabriel was presented the opportunity of jumping in the BRRC Patapsco Trail Race 8M at the nearby Rolling Rd trailhead. And so, the plan took shape. Gabriel had on schedule a 2hr run with 30 min of tempo and 30 min of progression. So, why not run to the start line of the 8M, run tempo for 8M, and then run back home? Sounds simple, right?

And so, Gabriel headed out to the starting line at 7:30AM with an 8:30AM start. He knew it was 3M to the Grist Mill Trail and figured another 20-25 min to the Rolling Rd trailhead. Well, after eight miles and 58 minutes on his watch, and scrambling to register in time for the start, the gun sounded and off he went into the trail. Gabriel was hoping for a solo effort, but a very strong downhill runner appeared, and the duo were flying down the singletrack and across the Patapsco River (2M+) before Gabriel pulled away on an 800m uphill climb onto Morning Choice. However, in the process of pulling away, he put himself in quite some debt, physically. His glutes were shutting down and there was already 80min on the watch and he had to go hard for at least another 30 minutes. And so, the race and stretch began, and he finished up for the win in 52:36.

Now, with 1:50 on his watch, he had to run home. Another 8 miles, but predominantly uphill. His legs were trashed. His spirit burnt, because his great idea did not have an escape plan. 2hrs was the effort today and he was already at 1h50'. Ugh. No one had a cell phone and so he started the jog back home. Finally, at 2h20', Gabriel had enough and searched out for a Park Ranger and a cell phone. No dice. One cyclist had a phone but no reception, so Gabriel was forced to press on.

Finally, he reached base camp of the 5km climb up to his home. It is a legitimate 5km uphill climb with 12% grades back home. He was absolutely spent, but there was a Ranger, with a phone! So Gabriel called his great wife, Perla, but to no avail. She would not answer.

Gabriel looked up the hillside, put his head down, and ended up running a great final 5km to finish up the run, fully dehydrated at 24 miles and 2:45:01 on the watch. A solid day of running and another course conquered.