Pocatello 50(ish) mile recon trip - Today was the long-awaited recon trip to both show Joe all the great things about the pocatello 50 course and also to do a refresher for me as well. I was so excited for today and it lived up to the expectations. We left before the crack of dawn and met up with Luke Nelson so he could provide entertainment and play tour guide. We left my car at City Creek trailhead (mile 17) for an aid station and then drove to the start/finish area. We began with the first leg of the course. 17 miles of singletrack, bushwack, and fireroad. We even had a 30:30 mile where we climbed 1300'. Ouch, that one was steep. On our journey, we learned all about what Luke has been up to including a show and tell where a moose attacked him. He was genuinely scared today for another one. It left quite a scar on his mind, but luckily not on his body. It was really nice to have Luke there to keep us entertained. Joe and I have run so much together we know all the stories. Plus Luke will say more than 3 words a mile (unlike Joe).
Leg 1 in 2:53 (7 mins ahead of my race split of 2010).
A quick bottle refill at the "aid" station and then we began another 5 mile and 2500' climb. 1000' of that climb came in one mile (27 mins or so). I was the slow one on the climbs today so I set the pace. It had me nearly red-lined, but that was what I wanted. A good solid effort. I was really feeling the pace and heat (it wasn't that hot but I am not used to it yet) and tried to keep up with fluids and fuel as best I could. Luckily, Luke showed us the safe (he thinks) springs to drink from and so we were never short of water. I was really having a blast and loving it. My ITB was getting pretty sore and tight for the last 6 miles or so but a quick soak in a nasty creek revived it once we were done. Now to let it rest and recover. Mowing my lawn as soon as I got home helped loosen it up nicely.
Leg 2 in 2:47 (same split as 2010 race). Total Time 5:39:30 (running time) (10:08 min/mile) 7000' vert
I loved (nearly) every minute of the run and am so glad I got to do it. The highlight though was the coke and burrito (huge) I got at a mexican dive Luke recommended. Mmmm Amazing. I am getting excited for the actual race (although I will try not to race any of it...only survive). Its 52.3 miles with 12,600' vert. Not for the weak minded. I am pretty sure Joe will come to his senses and change his entry from the 50K to the 50 mile any day now. He might as well since he already did the 50K. (Me waving my hand across my face like a Jedi and talking to Joe) "You will run the 50 mile and you will love it". "You will thank Cody a few days AFTER the race for his wisdom."
| 