33.2@12:00 HR 158 bpm
Long Play 33 1/3 Trail Race, 18th place overall
Big improvement over last year where it took me over 9 hours and running 40 miles due to missing a turn and having to backtrack. This year I ran the course with no mishaps. I was hoping to break 6 hours, so went out at a pace in the 10:00-10:30 range (would need about a 10:45 average).
Weather was decent but our cold snap had just broken so it ended up getting warm later into the race. First 8 miles were pretty easy and right on track, was doing 7/1 run/walk. As expected and planned for I slowed down a little during the low water trail section where we ran through cypress grove with lots of roots, got through that ok but didn't get my pace back right away, still a little slow until after the next aid station. I'd been playing leap frog with a woman for a few miles, then she split off to use a porta potty. After the aid station, got back into my old pace (miles 9, 10, and 11 were 11:26, 11:26, 11:29), mile 12 was 10:17.
Mile 16 had the little ravine (sometimes decorated with gnomes) which slowed me down to 11:36, but this was somewhat expected. Mile 17 a little faster at 11:14 as I ran through the charred remains of the controlled burn, still a few small fires burning/smoldering.
Mile 18 was up and over Tucker Hill with aid station at the top, slowing me down to 13:47. The leap from woman from earlier had caught up to me and passed me but I was able to leave the aid station before me.
Sometimes, in past races, after this point (getting over the hump of Tucker Hill) in the race I feel good and end up getting some speed back. Just a few days ago I had some sort of viral infection, mild body aches, a little bit of congestion and then even as late as Friday evening I had to come home from work a little early and take a nap before dinner. Fortunately, S's friend was over and she brought over Carraba's for dinner -chicken parm and sausage lentil soup for me. So, by the next morning I finally felt back to normal and ready to go.
But, maybe I wasn't fully recovered. Miles 19 and 20 I was barely faster than a 13 minute pace. The lady from before breezed past me. I got a little worried, it suddenly became really hard. I cut back to 3/1 run/walk which I could hold, I could survive 3 minutes of running after a walk break. Most miles in the 13 minute pace range, two more people would pass me. Panic subsided, and could finish the race. Still a little bit slow and a bit off from my sub-6:00 goal.
Once I got back home spent some time helping Andy move to his new apartment in St. Pete area, kind of bittersweet but also proud of him for taking the next step.
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