HOT SUMMER TRAIL RACING

August 1, 2015
York, PA
And the return of the Rocks... in 2014, Gabriel competed in the On the Rocks Trail Run 30km in nearby Rocky Ridge Park. It was a battle of the elements, but he finished with a great negative split. This year, Gabriel opted for the 15K in an attempt to secure the course record. The day was warm, and Gabriel set off in pursuit of a strong run, but he got himself into some trouble early on and battled through fatigue. Entering the last mile, Gabriel looked at his clock, it was a race against time and he felt there was no way he was going to get the CR. Busting the final turn, Gabriel sprinted to the line, sneaking right under the record and feeling quite good about his effort. Every step had counted.

August 8, 2015
Patapsco Valley State Park, MD
Oh man. Where to begin? Gabriel wanted a long run. He wanted about 2hrs of running. Not much more. There was a 25K option at the MD Heat Trail race, but it started at 9AM, too late and too hot. There was a 50K, and that started at 7AM. So, Gabriel paid his 50K entry and lined up, with the plan to drop at 25K and the first loop. The trails were technical and he didn't feel great, but he was finishing up the loop with a good day behind him. His effort on the 25K loop would have been top five all-time and it was a moderate effort at best.

But here is where Gabriel got into trouble. As he approached the finish line, getting hot and ready to drop, the Race Director was so excited he was on course record pace. He pumped everyone up and sent Gabriel on his way onto the second loop. Gabriel was like, "no way, I am not running for another 2.5 hours out here in 80-degrees." He figured he would drop nearer his car after the turn and out of sight. But by the time he got to the turn he said, "f-it", just finish up. It was a nice battle. Trying to take as much water at each station and taking as many gels as possible. It was a fight against depletion and dehydration on the trails of Patapsco that he knew so well. So it was a bit of a curse, knowing how much further he had to go.

Finally, the last four miles was basically one foot in front of the other. A trudge to the finish line, which was accomplished with a new course record, forty minutes under the old one. This race is not for the faint of heart. The heat and humidity, combined with dry, dusty trails, leads to dehydration and suffering, but perhaps that is what drives us. To find out the unknown. To find out our limits.