Friday, October 17 - Saturday, October 18, 1997 -- C&O Canal
1st Annual C&O Canal Fun Run
Note: The following story was originally written as an email message by Don Parks to tell his story of the first C&O Canal 100 Mile Fun Run attempted on Oct. 17-18, 1997. The pictures have been added for this article.
Just so I don't have to keep telling the story over and over, here is
my take on our attempt at 100 miles last friday (Oct. 17, 1997):
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(L-R) Chas, Brad and Don ready to conquer the C&O Canal |
We (Chas, Brad and I) left Lisa's house around 6:30am friday morning in great spirits, loaded with all types of power food and drink.
The start:
Headed out on the C&O canal around 8:30am from Spring Gap (about 10
miles southeast of Cumberland, MD) ready to conquer the world, or
at least Shepherdstown WV, a hundred miles down stream.
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Eric Deboni (far left) joins the crew with bike support |
The first miles past effortlessly and required conscious thought to hold back and not go out at too hard a pace. Eric joined us on bicycle after the first seven miles and biked slowly along side. We mixed fast walks with slow jogs for the next 30 or so miles. Stopping along the way where the car rendezvous with Lisa had been arranged. Fighting off the first pains and doubts did not seem too difficult.
After 40 miles:
Things still looked good at 40 miles. Everyone was on schedule for
100 miles in 25 hours (4 miles an hour.) But the walks began to slow
down and the jogs were becoming fewer and farther between. By this
point the night fall was upon us and the mostly cloudy day turned into
an evening of light showers and balmy 40 degree temperatures.
However, the full-moon was still providing enough light so that it was
not necessary to use any additional lights.
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The decision to continue is discussed after 50 miles |
Arriving at 50 miles:
I arrived at the 50 mile mark cold and tired; at least it wasn't raining.
Emory had arrived to join the support crew and add some more personality to
the whole entourage. It was obvious the he was there to party!
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Chas Mick recovers in the back seat of a support vehicle |
Into the night:
The next 12 miles were not easy. It was cold, it was dark, it was wet,
my feet hurt, my upper legs ached, I was tired, I was alone... The
bike support presence was becoming erratic. However, I knew that Emory
had gone a head to the next check point and was going to hike in to
meet me on the trail, so I plodded along (even pulling out some short
jogs) knowing I would eventually run into him coming the opposite way.
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Brad Coffman rests in the relative comfort of an automobile |
Into the mind:
The 2 miles from 61 to 63 really began to test me. I was beginning to
stumble mentally and physically but I made it. The weather was down
right awful, the support crew seemed as beaten down as I was, everyone
was tired now, and it was after 3:00am.
I decided to apply a healthy dose of Mole Skin (foot bandages for
blisters, etc.) and some dry socks. I thought it would be enough
to get me 10 more miles to Williamsport, MD and over the 70 mile mark.
I trudged off into the wet darkness on the verge of that fine line
between courage and stupidity.
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Don Parks, still standing after 100K (62 miles) |
The first few miles seemed manageable. The bike support visited once and then passed on ahead. I caught back up with a napping Eric with bicycle by his side, took a short break and continued on to be passed one last time by my support. What would be the last six or eight miles of my journey were to be experienced completely alone.
As I walked these final miles I strained to stay standing. Pains came from my feet, my shins, my thighs, and my hips. But I think the mental state resulting from the lack of sleep and prolonged physical exertion (we are around the 20 hour point) was what really got to me. I was "falling asleep at the wheel", periodically regaining conscious awareness to find myself several feet off the trail heading into the woods. I stopped often to rest, standing, hands on my knees and my head down. I would rise after a short while usually to experience a light-headedness that caused me to buckle at the knees and stumble to catch my balance (although I never actually fell.) On at least one occasion I laid down in the middle of the trail for a short rest, but I could not stop.
The end:
I arrived around 7:00am at Williamsport to be greeted by Lisa, with the
rest of the crew soundly sleeping in cars and on the ground. Without
much to say, I just retired to a sleeping bag and quickly shut off my
remaining consciousness as the sun rose.
Results:
22 hours, 73.5 miles, and I _will_ give it another try...
next time it will be 100!