Escarpment Trail Run 2013

North Mountain in the morning before the start

Ross and I at start

For years I have longed to do the Escarpment Trail Run.  I consider this part of a trifecta of competitions that I wish to complete.  The other two are S.O.S. (a triathlon in the Gunks) and the Boston Marathon.  Each of them requires qualification times.  By far, the Escarpment Trail has the easiest qualifications.  Still, one must have to run a marathon or a 20 mile trail run.  That’s no joke. 

In February I ran a 20 mile trail run under icy and rainy conditions.  One of the few times I completely exhausted myself.  After deciding not to run Escarpment in early June, my friend Ross asked, “Did you do Febapple for nothing?”  I thought about the effort that run took and sent out my application the next day. 

The Escarpment Trail runs for approximately 18 miles from Route 23 (about 3 miles east of the Village of Windham) to North Lake.  The run is listed as a 30k, but is closer to 18 (NYNJ Trail Conference maps state 18.25 and many runners’ GPS units have measured less than 18). The trail is quite rugged with many sections requiring hand-holds.  There are three climbs of 1,000 feet or greater (the climb to Windham High Peak is 1,700 feet).  So to complete this would be a great accomplishment.

A complete downpour welcomed me upon pulling into North Lake.  The temperature seemed to have dropped a few degrees.  It didn’t even occur to me to pack some raingear.  My worries would vanish a couple minutes into the run. 

With over 200 runners on a single track trail, the start was quite slow.  But it took only about 7 minutes before the clogged trail cleared up.  It rained on and off on the ascent to Windham high Peak.  Originally I planned to walk to the summit, the adrenaline had me run most of the way in 55 minutes.  I couldn’t believe I made it up that quick.

The descent down Windham is quite steep.  Early on I realized this would be unlike any other that I’ve done.  Running down this trail seemed very strange.  It’s a hiking trail!  Fortunately, running from Windham to Blackhead went rather well.  I ran up Burnt Knob and walked up most of Acra.  When I reached the bottom of Blackhead I loaded up on some goodies at the aide station for the climb ahead.  I walked the whole way up to Blackhead and made it to the “half way point” in 2:42.  Two weeks ago it took me almost 3-and-a-half hours to reach this point. 

This had to be one of the most sociable runs I’ve been on.  Probably for good reason.  Chatting with someone focuses the mind on other things besides the pain setting in from the relentless climbing.  While running I heard my name called.  As far as I knew, Ross was the only one that knew me.  It definitely wasn’t him.  It happened to be the woman I was talking with for a bit.  I guess the Escarpment Run allows for quick friendships to be made.  Also while running I learned that someone in the past few years had fallen off one of the ledges which are near the finish.  He had to be helicoptered out and his face bones had fractured.   

The run down Blackhead went very fast.  I watched a few people take a spill.  Despite the rain, I found my Asics Trail shoes kept pretty good traction.  Once to the bottom, the climb to Stoppel Point would be the last climb.  The ascent is done in three sections totaling 1,000 feet.  The first climb went by fairly quickly.  Amazingly, nobody passed me.  The second climb really beat the crap out of me and half the entrants passed me.  The third ascent I pushed really hard, knowing it would be the last climb.  It was no wonder I would hit the wall shortly after. 

Somewhere in the mist is North Lake

Runners fuel up on North Point.  One of eight aide stations.  The volunteers are hardcore.

A look back

A runner makes his way along the ledge

I made the summit of Stoppel in just over 4 hours.  With only 4 miles left, I had a chance to complete this thing in less than 5 hours.  After about 10 minutes, it became increasingly difficult to lift either of my legs over the numerous rocks, roots and trees.  I hit the wall.  After a brief second wind on the descent of North Point, I crashed once again.  The last two miles were mostly done walking with a very dazed and confused type of running and carefully negotiating the ledges.   Finally I made my way out of the trees and to the finish line in 5 hours and 17 minutes.  I had completed the Escarpment Trail Run!  

I was shot at the end