Race Report: Bear Bait 25k (2024)
Welcome back, once again, to the wild world of ultramarathon training and trail running. Last year (2023) I talked about recovering from 2022, which was was not my year. I collapsed at work in January 2022, which caused me to miss the 2022 Bear Bait 25k. From there, I endured surgery (March 22), two failed courses of medication (summer 22), a week where I was in the ER three times in eight days (August 22), and finally my desperate search for a doctor willing to take my case (September/October 22) and perform what was arguably life saving surgery (November 22).
I’m delighted to say I successfully raced the Bear Bait 25k in January of 2023 and the year only got better from there. I had two minor setbacks: COVID finally caught me in the summer and a small surgery in September; but still managed to get my feet moving and get a little training done for this trail race.
I’ve come a long way from sitting at my gaming computer in 2022, back to my rack of race medals, sobbing and whispering across Discord to a friend who was miles away: “I don’t even care about that anymore, I just don’t want to die” to being back on my feet, active and healthy. In the darkest moments of 2022, I remember describing how life was going to a friend and they responded with “you aren’t living, just surviving.” That was part of what helped push me towards accepting the life altering, but ultimately life saving surgery. I took 2023 as my “rebuild year:” a chance to seize the life I almost lost and get back to being happy. Getting back into racing was a huge part of it and I’m so glad I did.
Check in:
Bear Bait is run by a new race director as of this year, but the race maintained its same high quality, no frills approach. They offered two options for packet pick up, one of which was close to where I live. I was in and out in about five minutes and even had a chance to check on our Little Free Library to see if anyone picked up my copies of Pantheon and Pantheon 2: Ares & Athena from around Thanksgiving. (They had!)
Starting line:
For the 2023 race, I chose to forego getting my race packet before race day and took the gamble that the line would be small at the venue. I was lucky and there was no one in line when I arrived. I inquired about the turn out and the volunteers admitted it was less than half the turn out of years prior. It could be that the COVID restriction have all lifted, making road racing more viable, or folks just didn’t like busting their toes, ankles, or face (oops, its me) on this very rooted course.
That said, I’m still a big fan of the course because while it has a TON of roots, the start/finish loop through a large barn and past a parking lot which allows for easy crewing. I was lucky enough to grab another parking spot at the final turn before the barn which made refills very easy. (Lucky or it was just an almost empty lot this year.)
They pushed the star back even further this year to an easy 9:00. And yes, like both my previous last time, the starting temperature was in the 30s. Brr!
The course:
I was glad to have seen this course before because it meant I could mentally prepare for its challenges. Fortunately, it was drier this year and I was happy to finish with dry feet!
Weather: A brisk 39F at opening and race start but warmed up to about 58F by the time I was done around 1pm. I started with every layer I had, including my windbreaker. The windbreaker, gloves, and vest came off after the first lap once again this year and I was relatively comfortable for the last three laps.
Trail conditions: Overall, great with only a few minor “I hate this” points. There were a few creek crossings but every single one had a bridge so my feet stayed dry! The trail was primarily single track but very technical due to the roots. The only breaks were one slightly swampy area that was mostly dry this year. There was also a slight change to the course route which still included the 0.25 mile long stretch of deep sand, but a jog over to the water line which was also deep sand.
Terrain: Flat. Mercifully, blissfully flat compared to BUTS. In 15 miles I had ~500ft of elevation change. There were a couple of steep drops but nothing terrible for a 25k runner. It will be a challenging course for those running into the night.
Aid stations:
As a looped course, I came through the main aid station three times during the race and finished basically in the main aid station. A local running club also set up a small aid station on the far side of the course which is where I got my beloved M&Ms.
Communal bowls, cups of food, what would it be this year? 2021 was little cups, 2023 was back to communal bowls fo your grubby paws, but this year we were back to everything in individual cups. I snagged a full calorie Coke, pickles, and M&Ms each loop and was just fine. While I had also parked less than 100 meters from the barn and I realized on race moving all my snacks were expired. Ooops!
Did I hit the Pain Cave?
Nope. Not really. My running partner and I ran the first two laps, ran/walked the third, and walked the last lap. I wasn’t as well trained as I might have liked due to my partner just recovering from his own thing and my September surgery, but we were far and away better trained than in 2023.
The unknowns:
None. This being my thrid attempt, I knew what I was in for!
Crew:
Yes, my usual running partner. We spent the race chatting about life, the future, and… SUPRISE our upcoming wedding.
The finish line:
Low key as always. We were some of the last folks in, having done the course at a brisk walk. (Or “power hike” in ultra lingo.)
Final time:
4:05 for 15.2 mi which is odd because the course was 14.72 mi last year but we had been warned that the sharp turns in the course threw everyone’s GPS distance off. The unofficial results showed me as the 9th of 14 female racers and 22 of 29 overall runners. For reference, in 2023, there were 80 of us total; that’s a huge drop in turnout!
Overall thoughts:
It wasn’t fast but it was faster than last year and that’s what I wanted. Despite my body rudely trying to shuffle me loose the mortal coil in 2022 and being in the deepest, darkest headspace then, I’ve come back. Yes, I now live with a chronic illness. Yes, I’m playing that game for the rest of my life now. But I’m been through hell and come out the other side. I wanted into a pain cave like nothing I’ve ever seen in a race, endured, made the tough call, and now I’m living life again, not just surviving it. I’m healthy. I’m genuinely happy and wake up excited about the day again. And I’m back to doing what I love with people I love.
I may not have taken first place, but I sure as fuck won.
The Gear List:
I’m going to start adding gear lists to all my runs so folks can see what I’m carrying and how it changes between courses and weather. Some affiliate links, but most aren’t.
Clothes:
Top: Nike Women’s Dri-Fit Element Long Sleeve Running Top – This one is a good top (45-55F) or middle layer (<45F). Plus, thumb holes and it covers half my hand. Y’all this is the THIRD TIME I’VE WORN IT FOR THIS RACE. Its good shit.
Tank top: A Perl Izumi tank top that’s so old I can’t find a link for it or tell you what I paid. It’s a solid piece of clothing.
Bra: SheFit ULTIMATE SPORTS BRA – a qualified “good.” I like that you buy based on cup size and both the chest band and shoulder straps are adjustable; it’s probably the most comfortable sports bra I have. The metal cinch still tears me up, even with tape, but it’s the best my massive mammaries can get.
Tights: Curve ‘n’ Combat Boots Empowered Black (V1) – These were the same tights as the 2021 and 2023 races and they showed their age. The elastic is going and I was pulling them up constantly. That said, they’re six years old and I got my money’s worth.
Socks: Balega Blister Resist Quarter Socks – These are thick and comfy but the “blister resist” is only as good as how well you lace your shoes. I did not lace my right shoe tight enough and have a small blister to show for my slipping around inside the shoe.
Shoes: Altra Olympus Trail Shoe – These have the thickest soles of my trail shoes which was good for all the roots on the trail. If it hadn’t been as technical, I might have considered dropping down to my Lone Peaks which have a thinner sole and are lighter weight. Of note, the link takes you to a slightly different shoe because I don’t think my version of the Olympus is available anymore. I buy a model yer or two behind for half price.
Gloves: Cheap ($1) knit cotton gloves bought from either Michaels or Hobby Lobby a few years back. I highly recommend finding a very cheap cotton glove to carry. Expensive bougie gloves are great but get lost so often… buy the cheap ones and they’ll never disappear on you. Three… races… later. I still have these cheap lil b-stards.
Nutrition:
Vest: Ultimate Direction Ultra Vesta 4.0 – This is my “new to me” but “older model” vest I got on sale for half price. There’s a new version but I’m glad I gambled on buying this one as it’s been a real champ. Lots of easily accessible pockets, good bottle holders, and the bladder holding set up keeps it from rattling around or slipping its loops like my other vest. Not as easy to access the bladder for refills once it’s on and I did run out of water this year! It was annoying enough to take everything off and a short enough route that I elected to go without and only grabbed water at the two aid stations.
Snacks: M&Ms, pickles, and full Coke because when I run, I am apparently the cross between a trash panda and a pregnant woman.
Other:
GPS: Garmin Forerunner 945 – Y’all know I love this watch and I’ve talked about it before, the good and bad. I didn’t have any track walk offs today and I’m confident in the recorded distance/time. Also, can confirm the Incident Detection worked as advertised… except that it doesn’t send if you have no cell service. Probably a good thing or I would have scared the hubs! I was rattled enough that I didn’t have my wits about me in time to halt it sending the distress call. Fortunately (for today) it couldn’t complete the send.
Happy trails!
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