My expectations were low but I wanted to enjoy the Willowdale State Park Trails of which I have not seen since doing this race in 2017 with a 3rd place finish and time of 1:28:13 (GPS measured distance of 12.4 miles). I headed into this half marathon with the goal of trying to finish as competitive as possible with the limited trail running and only two long runs of seven miles each in the last month. It was nice to see Carol, who has been directing these ECTA (Essex County Trail Association) since the start 18 years ago. She always recognizes me and reminds me that Joe Shairs and I did her first race in Hamilton.
I caught up with Todd Callaghan, Dan Donato and Dave Long before the race – all three I considered to be front runners on the day. I ran less than a mile for a warm-up fifteen minutes before the 9AM start time. The temperatures were promising to get into the 80’s in the afternoon and the sun was bright. The race took off and I settled into a distanced second pack before diving into the single track and quick up and downs. We hit the highpoint of the course after a mile in around 185ft.
The mile splits don’t mean too much
with the constant varying terrain, rocks, roots, switch-backs, fire road to single
track transitions. The best part of these trails I feel are the mix of single
track and wider fire roads where you can see people ahead of you within 100
yards and then not see a soul but maybe hear them above or below you in the
single track that can include switch backs. This is the type of course that
requires strength and nimble feet. I started to lose the nimbleness after nine
miles. More on that later.
I was feeling good about position, perhaps 10th
place 1/3rd of the way in (4 miles) latching onto the lead woman who
came back at me after missing a turn and maybe 30 seconds. We entered the water/GU
gel stop shortly after six miles. I took a GU and full cup of water down carefully
for a minute as did the lead woman and a male counterpart who waited for her. I
beat them out of the water stop running silent and getting tired of the switch-backs
encountered beyond 9 miles. I tripped at 10.5 miles and was lucky to get my hands
out on the ground to brace what could have been a nasty fall into the earth. Neither
the knees or elbows touched down.
This did shake me up though mentally knowing the legs were being stretched beyond the limits. Through 10 miles I had 2 miles in the 7’s (7 minute/mile pace), 5 miles in the 8’s (8 minute/mile pace) and just two in the 9’s (which included the break at the water stop). From 10 miles onward, I ran defensively through a 10:31, 10:38 and 10:10. All I could do was be calculated with the steps and remain defensive which is very defeating. I did not want to take another fall.
I would be passed by the lead woman and her male counter part with less than a mile to go. I was cooked and just praying that the finish was coming well before 13.1 miles. Indeed, the finish approached at 12.5 miles per my GPS. Most others I heard from got the same distance. I crossed the line and leaned on my tired knees. The 12.5 miles felt like a marathon! I finished 10th overall with a time of 1:53:13, 9.04 pace per mile for the 12.48 miles.
Spring For The Trails Half Marathon Results Willowdale StatePark May 14, 2022 or direct PDF here
Top 20 below
Place First Last Time Gender Age Bib
1 Todd Callaghan 1:33:51 M 52 21
2 Nathan Currie 1:34:19 M 29 150
3 Ben Schersten 1:36:21 M 43 142
4 David Long 1:39:06 M 48 62
5 Michael Peyron 1:43:15 M 46 90
6 Dan Dorato 1:44:44 M 41 136
7 Keith Schmitt 1:47:24 M 53 102
8 David Mueller 1:52:11 M 26 76
9 Amy Hollshwandner 1:52:33 F 27 54
10 James Pawlicki 1:53:12 M 47 86
11 Kayla Pelletier 1:53:54 F 34 88
12 Steve Vanne 1:55:41 M 37 119
13 Tom Maddux 1:56:00 M 36 63
14 Wes Lassen 1:57:14 M 44 60
15 Kat O'Leary 1:57:59 F 36 82
16 Toshiaki Namba 1:58:36 M 25 78
17 R J Mroz 1:59:01 M 21 75
18 Dan Healey 1:59:53 M 61 138
19 Brad Woodley 2:00:45 M 48 128
20 Sean Bailey 2:03:23 M 39 10
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