28.16@11:24 5:21:03
Colt 45 Trail Run (45K)
Had a lot of fun at this race. I was looking for miles, it had been too long since going over 20 miles (or even close to 20 miles). Had backed off mileage while my foot got better. Was hoping the softer surface would not aggravate things. And it turned out I was just fine.
Race started at 8:00, with the 45 mile race starting at 7:00, so when I got there there were already runners out on the course. It was in the low 50's at the start so I wore a hat and arm warmers and had on a second shirt that I ditched just before the race start.
Course was two loops in the Colt Creek Preserve (Lakeland, FL area). Andy, the RD announced they had just cut the grass. Yes, a good part of the trail was actually on grass, nice, flat, and even. Some of it was a little sandy here and there (but no sugar) and there some mildly rooty sections. The only obstacles were a couple large puddles you had to go through. There was some water that you could easily walk around, but at least two you just had to walk through.
Aid stations were great. Course was sort of a figure 8, so it seemed like I was going in circles hitting the same aid stations more than once per loop.
I was pretty much on a strict 7:1 run:walk. I stuck to this until some time in the mid 20 mile range (maybe about mile 24) where I took a couple extra walk breaks before the 7 minutes were up.
The second loop, although slowing down a little, I did manage to pass several runners the last few miles. It had warmed up by the end but was still well below being hot.
Finishing up the race I had mixed feelings about my performance. On the one hand , no expectations, all about time on my feet. But on the other hand I knew I could've done better. Only 6 minutes faster and I would've been 4th overall and first AG. It's nice when you do really well without trying. But you shouldn't be disappointed when doing pretty good and not trying to do your best. So, for goal of getting in miles and time on feet and being ready to run on Monday, check.
Bonus, really cool shirt, red long sleeve. My stepdaughter asked if the race was named after that song. What song? Crazy Rap (Colt 45) by Afroman. No, I told her. But now that song is stuck in my head.
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