Allegheny Trail Speed Record Attempt

Mongold Breaks Record

alleghenytrailrun — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:11:48 +0000

Edited at 11:33 p.m. on 9/10/2008

Bradley Mongold finishes the 292.09 mile Allegheny Trail at 7:10 p.m. on 9/1/2008. Bradley began this adventure with Adam Casseday at 5:37 a.m on Thursday, 8/28/2008. Bradley now holds the new record of 4 Days, 13 Hours, 33 Minutes.

Daily Mileage
Day 1: 81 miles
Day 2: 53.8 miles
Day 3: 61.65 miles
Day 4+: 95.64 miles

Noteworthy: Bradley completed 95.64 miles in a 34 hour 57 minute period between 8:13 a.m on 8/31 to 7:10 p.m on 9/1, with no sleep, after having completed 196.45 miles during the first three days.

I received the call from Kavara at 11:13 p.m on 9/1/2008 as Bradley and remaining crew (I think Francis, Gayle and Kavara…I hope I didn’t leave anyone out) were headed to Covington, VA for dinner. Apparently, Bradley is refusing to stop at Subway.

Danny, Lydia and their children Johnathan and Christopher traveled to Covington as well.

Please stay tuned for additional posts and photos.

Congratulations Bradley!
jlb

Day 5: 9/1/2008.

alleghenytrailrun — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 02:09:58 +0000

I just called and left a voice message on Kavara’s cell phone. I would guess Bradley is finished by now. I am sure they are eating pizza and drinking champagne in a zero bar phone zone in the southern portion of West Virginia.

Just before I hit the publish button on this post, Adam called. He and Kadra are back home. They left Bradley today at around 3:00 p.m at Hanging Rock after running a bit together. He said that Kavara and Danny had headed out with Bradley for the final 14 miles as planned, and expected them to be finished at around 7:00 p.m. tonight. Adam also said that Bradley was running strong, “…was starting to drop his pacers.”

It was good chatting with you Adam!

I will keep you posted once I hear the news. jlb

Day 5: 9/1/2008. 1020. Message from Kavara.

alleghenytrailrun — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:11:47 +0000

Edited at 12:58 a.m. on 9/8/2008

Bradley arrived at Jerry’s Run at 10:20 a.m. mileage 277.40 271.07. A caravan of 5 vehicles escorted Bradley and crew over the shuttle to Potts Creek Trail Head. This is an approximate one hour shuttle. Bradley was riding with Danny and Lydia eating his beloved sausage gravy and biscuits. “He came in running. He was running sub 8 minute pace for the last 4 miles with Danny Stuart”, stated Kavara. Paul is going to run the 2.77 mile road section with Bradley. And Bradley will be alone on the next trail section at Hanging Rock. Danny and Kavara are planning on running the last 14.65 miles with Bradley to the end.

I got behind on posting this last update. I would expect another update any time now. Stay tuned to find out Bradley’s finishing time. jlb

Day 5: 9/1/2008. 0706. Conversation with Kavara.

alleghenytrailrun — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:44:52 +0000

This is the last of the continued phone update from Kavara in White Sulphur Springs. At this point we are a little less than an hour and half into the start of Day 5 even though Bradley has not had sleep and has been on the move since yesterday between 7:00 a.m (wake time) and 8:13 a.m. (start time).

“It is 7:06 a.m. on 9/1/2008, mile 261.77 outside of White Sulphur Springs. Bradley came running up the hill toward us at this aid station with Bill behind him. He had a low spot on this section. His left shin was looking bad and he was sleepy on this stretch. Of note, he has not slept since 7:00 a.m. yesterday and has been running the entire time. He has covered about 70 miles since then. Bill says, “he must be solar powered because he perked up when the sun rose.

He remains alert and is thinking well. He struggled up a bank to give Bill and Dan a hug before leaving the aid station, telling them he could not have done it without them. Bill is headed home to his daughter’s 16th birthday party, noting that, “I can’t miss my daughters 16th birthday party to go chasing Mongold through the woods all day.”

Danny Stuart will run this next section with Bradley.

We did have an adventure getting to this aid station. Francis has been nervous about this part for a while because when she scouted it out weeks ago, she had to cross private land, go 1/2 mile through a field with waist high grass, and she got chased by hounds. When we came to this spot at 5:00 a.m. we went to turn around in the driveway of the man who owns the land. The house was dark. Within seconds I saw a flashlight shining from the front door. Atsy Grahamn emerged with his little black mutt dog. Atsy is an older fellow (in his 60′s) with a long gray beard. He was dressed in work clothes…he had on one of those pocket shirts with his name embroidered on the chest. He told us to park in his yard and informed us he just brush-hogged the field we were about to walk through. Joking, Dan [Lehmann] asked if he was up waiting for us? He must not have gotten the joke because he answered very seriously, “Nope, I didn’t even know you all was comin. I have a whole field of tomaters and green peppers to pick so I best get started early.”

Atsy proceeded to tell us about rattlesnakes and how “in 1957 they killed 28 rattlesnakes and 32 copperheads up here”.

We are headed into White Sulphur Springs for breakfast and to call in updates, and buy more 6″ subs. Bradley requested sausage gravy and biscuits from Hardies.

The crew through the night has been Francis, Kavara, Gayle, Dan Lehmann and Danny and Lydia. Bill Young has been running. Everyone else was with us until 11:00 p.m and will meet up with us again soon. Gayle has been the official photographer for the last 2 days.” kv

Kavara is expecting to meet up again with Paul, Adam, Kadra, Corey and Chrissy, and Dan Lehmann’s daughter Laura.

The guidebook states the trail is 292.09 miles long. Kavara does not anticipate Bradley sleeping before Peters Mountain. She thinks Bradley will finish late afternoon to early evening. jlb

Day 4: 9/1/2008. 0406. Conversation with Kavara.

alleghenytrailrun — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:01:13 +0000

This post is still part of Day 4 since it came in prior to the official start time of 5:37 a.m. This post is a continuation from the last 2 where Kavara called in at 8:53 a.m in White Sulphur Springs.

“It is 4:06 a.m. mile 255.44. He [Bradley] and Bill [Young] came in running and hollering again. [Bradley] ate 3 inches of a chicken terikaki sub, drank some Mountain Dew and then looked up at Bill and asked him what he was going to do. Bill said, “I’m with you sister.” and they left together.” kv

Day 4: 8/31/2008. 2320. Conversation with Kavara.

alleghenytrailrun — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:52:27 +0000

This post is from the same phone call (from previous post) with Kavara at 8:53 a.m. in White Suphur Springs, WV.

“The time is 11:20 p.m on 8/31/2008, mile 243.03. Bill and Bradley just left for the 12 mile stretch with Bill threatening, “You better be ready ‘cus I’m going to run you like a pack of plot hounds chasing one of those bears you kill.”

Bradley came into this last aid station whooping and hollering and running pretty quick. He ate another 6″ sub…cold cut this time, drank some water and Mountain Dew, took a Succeed tablet and was out with Bill. He is no longer mellow and quiet; he is alert and thinking clearly.” kv

Day 4: 8/31/2008. 1830. Conversation with Kavara.

alleghenytrailrun — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:25:53 +0000

Kavara called this morning (9/1 at 8:53 a.m.) from White Sulphur Springs, WV to provide post from last nights events. Before she provided me the updates, I asked about the car accident. It occurred at a busy intersection in Marlinton, WV. The intersection consists of a 3 way stop light and a gas station entrance. After the accident, Kavara went over and examined one of the victims. The lady was ok, but the ambulance took her away as a precaution.

“On 8/31 at 6:30 p.m. the mileage is 229.4 outside of Huntersville, WV. Bradley made his first comment about pain. His left shin is hurting him and affecting his form. Francis brought along some Arnica Gel, a homeopathic ointment for joints and muscle aches. Bradley conceded and let her rub it on his shins and knees. When she touched his shin, he cringed, so it must be hurting pretty badly.

He is eating more solid food now. He had a 6″ tuna sub from Subway and a cup of Big Bill Young’s warm soup.

Generally he says he feels alright except for his shin. He continues to run. He stays in each aid station for less than 5 minutes. He is more mellow and quiet now. He did get fired up at the last aid station when he saw his friends Bill Young and Dan Lehmann (both WVMTR) for the first time since the ALTSRA began. Dan [Lehmann] is running the 13 mile stretch with him from mile 229.4 to mile 243.03. After this he has a very long trail section through the dark without aid. Bill Young will accompany him.” kv

Day 4: 8/31/2008. 1633. Phone message from Kavara.

alleghenytrailrun — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 03:22:02 +0000

I received 3 phone messages from Kavara while at the skatepark in Findlay, PA. Kavara and crew has had a difficult time getting phone service. So the last 6 messages I received came from the only pay phone in the state of West Virginia; Marlinton I think. But, this was by far the most amazing series of phone messages yet.

The first message has a time stamp of 4:33 p.m.

“Hi J.L. At 3:10 p.m. the mileage is 219.79…”
A very loud scrrreeeatch of tires and a very loud CRASH!
“AHH F@#%(*$ SH#T! oh, sorry J.L. I didn’t mean to cuss like that. I’ll call you back.”

The second message came in 7 minutes later at 4:40 p.m.

“Hi J.L. There was just a wreck, but the people are OK. At 3:10 p.m., mile 219.79 outside of Marlinton. Bradley just left us for a 10 mile trail section. Corey LeBrasseur and significant other Chrissy Paulson (both WVMTR) just showed up. Cory and Paul will join Bradley on the 10 mile trail section.

Bradley has been existing mostly on malto, Gatorade and Shot Bloks since the start, but he is getting a bit tired of sweet food and ate a 6″ seafood and crab sub from Subway at the last aid station. He is tired, but remains upbeat, positive, highly motivated and cleaver as always. He needs zero help getting out of the aid stations. He gets his stuff done in a serious manner and moves out, always making some sort of joke or, “throwing me a bone”, for the blog.

I am not sure how much is being said on the trails, as I have heard Bradley tell those running with him not to talk to him much. It helps him to have a fellow runner just tuck in behind him on the trails. He insists on leading and setting the pace. There are other sections he prefers to be on his own. Today is a good day for support. He has had someone with him 50% of his running time today. He is very aware of how lucky he is to have so many people out there. In an aid station this morning 5 support vehicles pulled up in line. He commented on how awesome it was to see that. The number of people willing to come out here even just to run behind him in silence is a testament to his character.

The terrain over the last 2 days has been primarily slow, rocky trails and it will remain so until the end. When the fog rolls in at night….”

At this point I hear sirens drowning out Kavara’s voice. I assume the ambulance is taking away the vehicular accident victims.

The third message came in 3 minutes later at 4:43 p.m. After Kavara apologizes, she continues.

“When the fog rolls in at night, this makes quick movement in these mountains even more difficult.

Bradley mentioned when I was running with him last night that he was considering going even further than just past Cass. I asked him where he wanted to go and he said, “to Peters Mountain, where else is there?”

We are in for a night! He looked at me this morning and said, “You better get some caffeine pills, I’m going to make you guys hurt.” kv

At the end of the post, Kavara made some general comments. She stated that, “Bradley is running well! He comes into every aid station running at a decent pace.”

Day 4: 8/31/2008. 1259. Message from Paul.

alleghenytrailrun — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 01:56:14 +0000

I am playing catch up on the live updates. I had to take my son to Pittsburgh to get new hockey pants and shoulder pads. We then went to a skateboarding park in Findlay Township, PA. I missed a few update from Paul and Kavara. But, now back at the computer. Paul relayed the same information I received from Kavara in the last post. Below you will find what Paul added.

“As I drove Bradley to the start, Bradley said, “If his crew was not having spa treatments first thing this morning they would have taken him out.”"

“…mile 206.47 in BFE.”

Paul stated that Bradley made the comment that, “If he wouldn’t have gone to bed last night he wouldn’t be having the problems he is having now, he said he was tired.”

Paul is planning on joining Bradley at the intersection of Rt 28 and Rt 92. There was some uncertainty in the message.

Day 4: 8/31/2008. 1201. From a phone conversation with Kavara.

alleghenytrailrun — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:17:11 +0000

Kavara called me from a pay phone outside of Marlinton, West Virginia with the following updates.

Bradley passed mile 201.87 at 9:50 a.m.
He passed mile 206.47 at 11:20 a.m.
He just left on a 9 mile trail section with Danny Stuart.

Correction to the previous post 0755. The official start time today was 8:13 a.m.

jlb