Bad Apple Ultra 6 Hour Event

Photo Credit : Endless Expressions Photography

The last race of 2014 was at the Klackle Orchards called the Bad Apple Ultra.  For this event you have the option of a 3, 6, or 12 hour running time.  With this being my first timed event and considering I was a groomsmen in a wedding the night before, I decided to go for the 6 hour especially since it didn't begin until noon.

The course is a 4 mile loop through the apple orchard and some single track trail.  Aid stations were every 2 miles.  Having the option of water/food every 2 miles = awesome.  I decided to carry a 12 oz bottle that I was able to tuck into my waistband of shorts.  It isn't ideal to have a hydration vest or even a 20 oz handheld in my opinion with aid stations so close by.  I like to be as minimal and efficient as possible.

It was a beautiful day, upper 50s and sunny is ideal for running!  It was windy at times depending on which direction you were facing, but better than rain/mud.  When the race began, 2 guys went out pretty fast, there's no way I was going to run sub 8 minute miles.  I stayed with a group of 3 people for the first 2 loops.  I was running at exactly 9 minute mile average at the 20 mile mark.  In order for me to get to the finish in 5:59:59 I had to run what's called a negative split for the last 20 miles in order to finish 44 miles.  As long as you reach the start/finish before the 6 hr cutoff, you are allowed to run a "bonus lap".  I knew I was in 2nd place so I didn't want to jeopardize the race trying to get to 44 miles. My new goal was 40 miles and 2nd place.  I had done some research and the guy in 1st had finished 2nd at the Hallucination 100 miler so it would have been foolish to push harder.

Ended up running 40 miles in 6 hrs and 23 mins.  It was a nice, low key race that I thoroughly enjoyed.  I would hopefully like to do this one again.

Bad Apple Ultra