The UltraRunning link for the U.S.

Double Chubb 50K Trail Run 2000 Report: Lois Berkowitz

DOUBLE CHUBB 5OK TRAIL RUN, April 8, 2000

Long distance running destroys my detail orientation and leaves me with a
weary body and impressions.  Forgive me if you do not have the detailed
report you might desire.

This is a lovely run held in Lone Elk County Park south of St. Louis,
Missouri.  This year was the second annual run.  Friend Nancy had told me
that I could expect a personal worst.  Last year she went ahead without me
after I convinced her to do it then broke my arm.  I followed her
instructions re Motel 6, which was located right next door to the Pear Tree
Inn host hotel.  There is a 24-hour Denny's Restaurant next door.

The park was located one exit farther south, not more than 10 minutes away.
I took a drive through, and saw a deer, a beautiful large woodpecker, and a
herd of bison.  I drove up and down a few monster hills, and began to
experience fear.  There were warnings to stay in your car, but I did roll
down the window and relax to the sound of birds, trees, and other wonderful
natural things we don't have enough of in Detroit.  Packet pickup started at
6 PM that night before the race and was uncomplicated and easy.  Being dog
tired from a new job, I dozed right off and had a good night's sleep.

The race began at 7:30 AM Saturday not far inside the park.  Easy off the
road parking was available, with only ~ 58 runners, a bit down from last
year.  There was a porta-john; and with so few runners, it was always
available.  There were a few elk in a fenced area across the street, and I
took the opportunity for another photo.  It was a good idea, because like
most runs of this type, my concentration on what was beneath my feet was
intense once the race started.

We started the first of two out-and-backs promptly at 7:30 AM.  I'm guessing
we had ½ mile of pavement before taking off on a mostly gravel and stone
trail.  We followed the railroad tracks for quite a while before crossing
them.  Just before the second crossing, we hit the first aid station (there
were three in all, beginning, middle and end, approximately 4 miles apart).
The first four miles of the out and back is deceptively comfortable, if not
easy.  There are some rolling ups and downs but no serious climbs.  After
the first aid station, things started getting nasty.  I had determined to
take it easy on the first out and not kill myself.  Good idea!  As you cross
the tracks, you see huge hills off to the left.  The climbs were long and
steady.  The trail is probably wider than the Michigan Trail in sections;
but there are long areas where it is unwise to run.  A couple of miles
before the turn around there seemed to be more rock than dirt; and the rocks
were large.  Before I made it to the end, I started imaging images in the
rock; maybe it was due to state of mind, but a number of them looked like
partial skulls ala Stephen King.  For once I was sensible and instead of
worrying about time I simply "race walked" with hands on knees and kept
moving.

Just as you come into view of the aid station at the turnaround, and before
you deserve the aid station, you must go off to the right and up another
very steep hill, with lots of rocks and tree sections.  That's where I took
the first of two falls.  It seemed a little easier returning to the start
for the second lap; and that's probably right, because most of it was
downhill.  I completed that first half in 3:17.

The second half was relatively uneventful except for one more fall.  Since
it was an out and back, I did see a few runners including a wonderful
gentleman, Glen, in his 70's that I had first met in North Dakota while
limping the last 16.2 miles of the marathon there.  He spurred me on by
telling me I might be able to break seven hours - not so!  My finish time
was 7:01:53.

There was plenty of conversation at the finish along with sub sandwiches,
fruit, cookies, and fluids.  I got a finisher's plaque which said "Women's
Senior Champion" but to be honest I did not see many other female runners
that could be over 40.

Is this the most difficult run I've done?  I'd have to give that honor to
the Monster in New York State (Virgil Mountain) which took 7:36 for a
marathon and during which I fell three times, as opposed to 7:01:53 for the
Double Chubb 50k with only two falls.  But it'll do.  You will not have a
great deal of time left to enjoy the scenery and the portion of the run
alone the Meramac River, so go before or after.  I carried a water bottle as
advised by Gary Fuerst and Nancy Broadbridge, and was very grateful for it.

Put this one on your calendar for 2001!  The race director is Gary Fuerst,
4537 Jenkins Lane, St. Louis, MO  63128, gary_r_fuerst@ameren.com.  By the
way, they are offering the Berryman 50 Mile Trail Run and Trail Marathon
Saturday, May 27 of this year.  This is an inaugural run.  Contact Kevin
Kepley, 825 Garonne, Ballwin, MO  63021.

Lois Berkowitz