Gearing up for the 2013 Race Season

I have been thinking about my next BIG race in June, The North Face 50 Mile trail run, and have been thinking that I will need to do some longer training runs in the spring months to prepare for this increase in race distance. I have began the search for one or two races in the east that will supply me with the necessary training and of course a challenging and interesting race that I will be genuinely excited to participate in. I figure that the races will have to be 50K's because that id the closest distance to my 50M that is typically organized. If I can find a 40 miler, that would be ideal! Here is my list of possibilities:

Disclaimer: The registration fees can be steep, but when you consider the amount of race support that is required and the relatively small number of people that participate in these events, the prices are understandable. Above all else, a lot of race organizers are in the business of charity. They donate some or all of the profits to trail maintenance and preservation.

NJ Ultra Festival - March 23, 2013 (click on link)

A weekend long ultra festival (as the name implies) that has the following distances; marathon, 50K, 50M, 100K, and 100M. The course is a 10 mile loop, which is nice, but not a true trail run. It is mostly forest roads and rail trails from what I can tell. Another negative is the registration fee - $110 for the 50K.

The Farm Park Challenge May 4, 2013 (click on link)

A race of loops, these are 5.18 miles each. The "rules" are interesting though. From the website:

     The Challenge

1)    The Farm Park Challenge starts at 7am on 5/4/2012. The 3 Hour Challenge will start at 8am and conclude at 11am.

2)    There will be a new Challenge each hour on the hour for 12 hours or until everyone has had enough.

3)    To complete each Challenge, the entire roughly 5 mile loop must be covered in less than 1 hour

4)    No competitor may begin a Challenge earlier than the beginning of the hour, regardless of when the previous challenge was finished. Got that? If it takes you 50 minutes, you wait 10 minutes to start the next loop. Choose your strategy wisely. The trail is pretty easy, and fast miles can catch up to you, or maybe you could benefit from a few minutes to rest and hydrate in between laps.

5)    Only those competitors completing each Challenge are eligible to begin the next Challenge. Those failing to meet a Challenge may drop to the Open Fun Run.

6) All those who complete 6 or more Challenges will be recognized as FPC finishers with their name submitted to Ultrarunning Magazine. The official order of finish will be based on the number of Challenges completed with the winners taking home a "Coveted" FPC Golden Rock Trophy. Note that this prize may be closer to a rock than a trophy. 12 hour finishers are immediately inducted into the FPC Hall of Fame.

7) Those completing 5 laps will be recognized as Marathon finishers as long as they also run a "baby lap" to make it the right distance. Note that the 5 laps may be covered as Challenges or as part of the Open Fun Run (see below)

8) Those finishing 3 loops will be recognized as having completed 25k.

The Open Fun Run:

Should you not be up to The Challenge, miss a Challenge, or simply want to run the trails supported and in good company, consider the Open Fun Run. We will keep track of your laps and report your lap count, but not the time. You can start laps whenever you want during the event. This is not a race and 6 laps run in 7 hours will show the same as 6 laps run in 10 hours.

The Relay:

The Challenge may be run as a 2-person relay, provided both competitors are registered and have signed the waiver before running.  Each Challenge may be attempted by only one member of the team. The rest works the same, if you meet a Challenge, the team is eligible for the next one. If you miss a challenge, the team is out and may join the Open Fun Run. You may go in whatever order you like, run two in a row, or however you want execute your strategy. One person could run 11 legs and the other just one leg, something more balanced, or decide as you go. Your choice.

This would be a great event for those of you to participate in and do not want to run for six or so hours. You come and do what you can and quit when you want to. One lap, three, five...whatever. Registration is cheap due to the minimal amount of support at the aid station, only $39. One more bonus, it is close. It is in Derwood, MD. 

3 Days at the Fair May 16-19, 2013 (click on link)

THIS is interesting, a one mile loop that is run for 6, 12, 24, 48, or 72 hours! However many laps you can complete in the alloted time. This would be the weekend of my last long run leading up to The North Face 50 miler, after which I would taper off to allow my body to be at its optimal level of preparation. The 12 hour registration is $125. 

A final note, and one of the real reasons I decided to post today. I HAVE to do The Rock/Creek StumpJump 50K this year! It is in Chattanooga, TN and is on some of the most beautiful trails I have ever seen. Check out the video!! 

It is in October, so I have a lot of time before this event, but it will sell out quickly. Registration opens January 1, 2013 and if I get the "Go" from my wife, I am all in!!!