July 20, 2008 El Scorcho 25K Race Report

Event: El Scorcho 25K, Trinity Park, Ft. Worth, Texas

BD January 9, 1953

Age on Race day: 55

Goal pace: Tempo or MP

Bib# 467

Background

Kevin told me about the second running of El Scorcho a couple of weeks before Boston. The field is limited to a combined total of 400 runners for the 25K and 50K and is run on a 3.1 mile loop along the Trinity River near TCU. The running surface is a combination of concrete, dirt and compacted gravel. The most unique aspect of this race is that it is run at MIDNIGHT.

After Kevin described the race I was intrigued and registered within in a few days. The race was full by May 31.

I didn’t train exclusively for this race but incorporated it into the early stages of my NYC Marathon training.

As race day approached I fretted about staying up so late and not getting any sleep. The plan was to leave Ardmore at 8:30 PM, arrive at the race site by 10:30 PM for packet pick up. After the race we would get some breakfast and head home.

Race Day

We were on the road as planned but arrived earlier (about 10:15 PM) that expected which means we could have left Ardmore about 9:15 PM. We were one of the first to arrive.

The temperature was a nice and cool 91 degrees with a slight breeze. The race area was just a few blocks from the parking lot. Within a few minutes we were entering the race area which was decorated with Banners and the music was echoing thought out the park. Runners and their support crews were setting up their personal tables and chairs. There was even a New Balance shoe booth.

We picked up our packets. There wasn't the usual stuff in the bag; basically it was empty, but, the singlet was really nice, which was one of the best technical shirts I have ever received at a race.

When we got back to the truck we decided to take our fold up chairs back to the race area and rest while we waited for the start of the race.

I brought a small flashlight with strap that fit well in my hand. I wasn’t sure if carrying the flashlight would be cumbersome or whether I needed it in the first place. Many runners had small lamps attached to their hats.

Kevin and I discussed our race strategy. Myself, I planned on going out slow, probably recovery pace and see how my shin reacts. Kevin is leaning toward an 8 minute pace.

The 50K will start at 12:01 AM and the 25K at 12:10 and it is chipped timed, but the chip is different than I have used before. It is flat and secured to the shoe with twist ties.

As race time approached the 50K runners lined up: the start was delayed a couple minutes awaiting the TV crew. Upon their arrival, the announcer shouted, “3, 2, 1, GO!!!” The crowd cheered them on and with in a few minutes we were right behind them.

As we left the race area behind we were followed by a cloud of gravel dust. The midnight race had begun.

Immediately I picked up the pace, a much faster clip that I had planned; Kevin mentioned that I was no going out as slow as I had professed.

Portions of the 3.1 mile loop were arranged such that runners could see each other from both directions.

My Garmin revealed a low 8 minute pace. It felt good.

My flashlight was handy especially during the first loop. Some areas were lit well by the moon but others were covered by a blanket of trees thus it at times it was very dark.

I am not sure if it was the darkness but the ground seemed to be moving by much quicker than usual while running an 8 minute pace.

As we approached the first hairpin turn (somewhere near the 1.25 mile mark) we could see the 50K runners and the lead 25K runners going in the other direction. There was a cheer squad at the turn to help keep us alert and realize that we needed to quickly turn around.

Soon, within another half mile, we exited in to a wooded area which eventually ran parallel with University Blvd. Even though we were in a secluded park the city was still within a stones throw.

We approached the first aid station (about mile 2). I grabbed a Nuun (the official drink of the race). Well, this is the first electrolyte drink that I didn’t like. It reminded me of Alka Seltzer. I suppose it is an acquired taste.

Upon exiting the first aid stop we entered another wooded area. The 8 minute pace still felt good.

The trail displayed many twists and turns and soon we began to enter the starting area.

The first 3.1 mile loop was complete after 27 minutes (the last 1 ½ miles were close to an 8 minute pace). I grabbed another Nuun. This time I almost gagged on it.

We kept up the pace and as we completed the 2 loop (about 25 minutes) I told Kevin that I didn’t think I could maintain this pace for the remainder of the race. It was beginning to get tough. I underestimated the heat: it was probably close to 90 degrees but I thought that the lack of sunshine would make running in the heat much easier: it certainly helped but I was soaked in sweat by the end of the second loop.

I dropped the pace a bit for the 3^rd loop. By now the runners were spread out except for the occasional group that were walking or running together. Aiming my flashlight to the left of a runner usually opened a path for me to go around.

As I approached the end of the 3^rd loop I grabbed another Nuun and choked it down. Now that I was past the half way point I began to feel slightly re-vitalized, especially about half way into the 4th loop. Ah, just 1 ½ loops to go.

With 1 loop to go I was ready to pick up the pace. Runners were competing for position and there was one male and female runner that continued to challenge me. As I approached the final half mile she overtook me but I: with the finish line almost in sight another runner passed me: Kevin was waiting and began to run the last few hundred yards with me: I kicked into a sprint trying to catch the last guy that had just passed me. He crossed the line just a few steps ahead of me: all I needed was about 10 more feet to catch him. Oh well, poor strategy on my behalf.

We got out finisher metals and proceeded to the food court. I was excited, exhausted and soaked to the bone and GLAD to be finished.

Results: Pace 8:38

Official Time: 2:14:23

Overall : 27/222

Gender : 23/103

Summary

El Scorch was a real adventure. The 3.1 mile loops were not boring as I had expected. The loops were frequent enough to learn the course and if desired you could have retrieved your own fluids at the starting area upon completing each loop. I would definitely run this again and I might even consider the 50K.