Leg 21. I ran at 2:30 a.m. Overall pace was 7:32. 2 guys passed me. I passed over 40. It was fun to watch the taillights get closer and closer, and then move past them to the next one. I couldn't see much, but I think this leg was along echo reservoir for most of the time. It also crossed under I-80 or I-84. It was cold; in the low 40's and high 30's. Great run. It's just so fun to run the relay with so many people on the road. It's lonely, but not like usual. Leg 33. The first half of Guardsman pass. The non-glorious leg that is just as tough, but .4 miles shorter than Ragnar. I kept a 10:00 pace over the 1500 foot climb in 3.6 miles. I've never run a section of road this gnarly that was this long. My training definitely has some shortcomings, at least for this type of insanity. I ran the first 1.8 miles with no stops. I walked from 1.8 to 2.0, and passed 2 people. It is that steep. Then I ran, walked, ran, walked, and ran to the exchange. It was hot & dusty. At the exchange I bummed some grapes off a nice lady. I've never had more tasty grapes. One guy passed me. I passed around 20 people. Wasatch Back was a blast. It was a lot better for me this year. In 2009, I was still so hammered from Ogden, I ended up run/walking the second and third legs. It wasn't a performance I was proud of. But this year, I felt great. Our van was fun, and it was great to include my son. He finished the race for us, and did a great job, despite doing little specific running training. It must be nice to be young. Next year I want to do a mixed ultra team. This year the winning team took 30 hours. Our family team did the thing in 29.5. I'm sure with the right people, we could have won this year, handily. I've got 3 definite guys and 2 strong maybe girls lined up, so...we'll see. |