33.56 mi, 5:31:47, 9:53 avg
Long Play Ultra 33 1/3 mile race
I got lost a little bit but just by about a quarter mile, so 33.56 miles for me. Weather was perfect, a little bit chilly at the start, it warmed up a little bit but there was a lot of good shade and sometimes a breeze. I started out pretty steady and for the most part kept between a 9:00 and 10:00 pace, with a couple miles under 9:00, and unfortunately a few over 10:00, some by alot due to getting slightly lost at one point or fiddling too much with my fuel belt. It was peaceful for most of the run, a good day to contemplate a lot of things, and taking stock of where I am in life and what is important.
At about mile 13, I almost got lost. The course ultimately runs past a place called Silver Lake, but the course does not go directly there, so where the sign points to Silver Lake you are supposed to go the other way - the race director had marked the turn with flags but some (un)helpful individual had removed them. But, I remembered this turn.
I almost tripped really bad at one point on a section of trail with nasty "vine-roots" - roots that are sticking up and laying on top of the dirt, sort of like vines but anchored.
Closing in on mile 26 I could see a car parked up ahead and thought I was getting close to where the trail comes out and crosses the road, but it wasn't the right road, it was a cul-de-sac and I noticed that there were no trail markings. I stood there for a second and turned around and walked until I could see a woman coming toward me about to make a left turn and asked me if that was the right way. I told her yes and thanked her for showing up and pointing the right way.
So, just after that is an aid station with about 7 miles left to go. This is where the race begins and I was able to make up some time ut not quite enough to get under 5:30:00 like I was hoping for.
With about two miles left to go I saw a runner ahead wearing a bright orange top. I would close in but then the runner would pull ahead not matter how much I sped up. I think she looked back a couple of times, so hopefully I was giving her a helpful push forward.
Splits: 9:34, 9:40, 9:25, 9:57, 9:33, 10:07, 9:42, 9:00, 10:00, 9:25, 8:54, 9:23, 9:05, 9:44, 10:43, 9:25, 9:49, 11:50, 10:13, 9:39, 9:34, 9:52, 9:42, 11:29, 10:42, 13:07, 11:33, 9:05, 9:53, 9:36, 9:23, 9:08, 8:46, 0.57@8:11
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