Skip to content

Category: 50 Miler

Hyner 50K Trail Challenge – PA Triple Crown

Hyner 50K Trail Challenge – PA Triple Crown

Published by Patrick Durante on April 26, 2026

This is my quick recap of the Hyner Trail Challenge, a 50K that kicks off the PA Triple Crown of racing for this year.

Question 1: Did I achieve my outcome goal and execute my process goals?

The goal was just to finish for this race, so yes, I achieved that. I had set a PacePro plan of at 6 hours, and I was an HOUR late! I had set this from looking at stats of past races, but I really had no idea. The thing about running a course for the first time is that its very hard to predict. The heat slowed me down as well as the hard start. I should have seeded myself more toward the back, and picked up time as the race progressed. Instead I put myself at the front and blew up, like the bomb I was. That was OK, I didn’t fully “blow up” I was more just out there to get this race done. If I had to do it again I would have taken that first climb easier, and the first descent slower. Word to the wise! Watch that first descent and that you don’t wreck your quads.

Question 2: Was I clearly under-prepared in any specific areas?

Yes, I was not ready for this much vert, and the heat got me, it was a lot hotter than I thought it was going to be so I didn’t have enough hydration for some of the sections. While there was a lot of aid stations I needed more water in some of them. I tried to get away with just one handheld. That was a pretty fatal mistake, as even SLIGHT dehydration will severally affect performance. That was my only major failing of the race, and I was still “OK” but for sure I was thirsty.

Question 3: Did I start the race too fast — how was my pacing and RPE effort?

The pace starting out seemed fine, but something happened mid race where I was moving too fast and burning up. I can see from the HR data it was too hard that lead to a struggle at the end. My quads got killed on the downhill so I paid a price for that as well.

Question 4: Did I stick to my tested nutrition and hydration script?

Yes, except for the lack of water. Near the end I didn’t want to eat any cookies and just started slamming gels, they seem to be the only thing that I can get down in the heat when I am forced to eat.

Question 5: How effectively did I troubleshoot any issues that happened?

The water issue was mitigated by dipping my hat in as many streams as I could. I used ice in sleeves to help cool me at the aid stations that had them, then also dipped them in the streams and wrapped them around my neck.

Question 6: What were my primary “limiting factors” during the race?

Heat slowed my pace and poor hydration. I wasn’t ready for this much vert early in the season. The start of the season makes it always difficult to get in enough training with weather conditions, and this year wasn’t ideal. What is the total amount of training I can and should do to increase performance? What if tried 10-12 hours a week? I need to balance energy for kids as well. When I am older I will have all the time in the world to train, but right now I don’t. That’s OK. I am also OK with everything else that is going on in my life. I am content to A-finish, and B-have fun. I did both of those. I think I had more anxiety about sleeping in the car, as this was my first FULL night alone. It went amazingly well, I slept better than I thought, and dinner with some friends the night before was awesome.

Question 7: Did my gear perform as expected under race conditions?

Yes, the shoes and double socks I wore made my feet bullet proof. This new double sock combo of Injinji toe socks with darn tough create a barrier that absorbed the shock of all the rocks and roots. I could tell I would have needed a sock change soon after I had finished. I did keep my feet dry, as that always saves your feet long term in these races.

Question 8: Was my mental “WHY” strong enough to pull me through dark spells?

Yes, I told myself that I was a coach, that I set an example. I tried NO MUSIC, and just my thoughts. I focused on the now. This worked very well, I stayed present, and I kept moving.

Question 9: What is the number one thing I need to stop doing?

Thinking about the end, I had to rope myself back into just realizing I had to run the mile I was in. I didn’t know the distance to aid stations, I didn’t have a pace chart, I didn’t have it on my watch. Why not? Because this was just a 50K and for me that is a short distance. I can get it done with less planning, I had an idea but I didn’t have it written down. That did create a little bit of race stress but I knew it was always 3-4 miles away per aid station.

Question 10: What went well with the race, and I should keep doing going forward?

The social aspect of it. The fact that I met many people, talking with them, and hung out afterward was what made this great. I did things a lot different in this race than what I normally do. If I keep doing what I have done in the past, nothing will change, so try new things! I pushed myself in different and unique ways. The car camping seemed scary going in but now I love it. It’s never as bad as you think… I have to always remind myself of that.

TAMMANY 10:  HARDEST ULTRA UNDER 50M

TAMMANY 10:  HARDEST ULTRA UNDER 50M

Published by Patrick Durante on March 28, 2023

It boasts 12,000 feet of climbing on the rockiest terrain you can imagine. This was the 2nd toughest race I had next Eastern States 100. It was the mix of the weather, rocks, and climbs that made for the perfect storm. I was only 2 minutes off from being pulled from the course. I would call myself a decent runner but was not prepared for what this race threw at me.

What went right:

  1. I changed my socks, lubed my feet, or changed shoes every loop (2-4-6-8) because of the wet conditions.  I still felt hot spots even with that much foot care.  I acted before it became an issue.  I know I sacrificed a ton of time, but this was my first time doing the event AND it was raining.  No PRs will happen in conditions like this and it is more important to just finish.   
  2. At the aid station, I would grab 2 snacks and fill my water, and use my waist belt.  It was more than enough food for the loops.  With the temps this low I barely needed more than 1 bottle of water per 2 loops.  
  3. I took Tylenol twice during the race when the pain was high.
  4. I didn’t give up, after a cold loop where I couldn’t feel my hands I got back to my car and got a change of clothes, and warmed up. I used one of my ponchos to prevent from getting soaked again. This was CRITICAL to saving my race.  If I had not gotten out of the wet clothes the race would have been over.  I was so cold and shivering/couldn’t feel my hands for so long that I had to do something.  The dollar poncho I used as a cover kept the rain off and I stayed dry.  
  5. I worked on mobility and foam rolling leading up to the race and it seemed to have fixed the tightness/pain in my foot.

What went wrong:

  1. The light running shell got soaked and I couldn’t feel my hands.  It was NOT a rain jacket, so make sure to carry a poncho!  I need to remember to carry it for future races.
  2. My feet got banged up, but using anti-friction powder helped.  I got a blister on my back heel which has never happened before.  It might have been from the new shoes I got.  I couldn’t run along the rocks, I couldn’t move my feet fast enough.  I am going to practice some drills going forward to increase my turnover rate.  I needed super fast turnover for running on an extremely rocky course like this.  
  3. I had a sore throat and didn’t get much sleep the night before. I wasn’t overly concerned as I have had races before where sleep is disrupted. (I have 3 kids.)

What would you do differently:

  1. Practice on a more technical section of my local trail.  Do drills to increase foot turnover.  You need fast feet!  Maybe do 100 ups more?  The more you lower contact time with the ground the more efficient you become and the less likely to trip.  
  2. Keep from getting wet before it happens!  Carry a dollar poncho with you.  Keeping rain off you has a 10X multiplier in well-being and energy expenditure from shivering.  This has to be remembered if rain is in the forecast, or maybe even if it is not. A poncho goes in the record books as a must-carry-on personal item. 

I asked him what does he do with all the people who drop. He said they are on the back of his van as the wall of shame.

Final Thoughts:

I BARELY finished. I prioritized foot care over all else to make sure I finished.  Taking the time to rest between loops, eating food, and getting warm was what needed to be done.  I was able to look at things clearly, put myself back together and finish.  2 minutes was the difference between failure and success!  2 minutes… I won’t forget this race for a long time.  In hindsight, I think an underestimation of the course was my fault, maybe I should have scouted it more and read more race reports.  I just thought I would power through it, what could they throw at me??  In the past, I had always started the year off with an “easier” race – HAT 50K.  I wanted to change things up, life is too short to be stuck in a grove.  We get into a grove that puts you in a place of comfort, monotony, and boredom.  The stories are HERE, where you go off script, you do a big challenge, or something different.  A few years ago I made the promise to myself to always do something that has a high chance of failure.  This checked that box.  What are you doing this year that has a 50/50 shot of success or failure?  Are you playing it safe again and are going to do the same old song and dance as last year?