The Long Run

Ran the "Long Play 33 1/3" race this morning, chilly low 40's starting just as it was light. It was a single loop course starting from Lake Townsend Park, running past Tucker Hill and out and back to Silver Lake.

As we were approaching Tucker Hill, we ran past a controlled burn site, with a log almost on the trail which was still on fire, then another log laying across the trail which wasn't on fire but was smoldering on one end.  Made it sort of an adventure run.  I at least pretended that I had to jump over the fire, even though I didn't really have to.

I had warmed up and decided to drop off my long sleeve shirt at Tucker Hill where there was an aid station.  I lost some time deciding what to do.  Got going again with just my short sleeve shirt, but still had the hat and gloves.  I never was too cold but didn't really ever feel warm after that.

At about 15 miles, the trail came out to a road, and there were orange flags in the ground in a way that was somewhat obvious that we were supposed to turn right.  But, I wasn't completely sure, and when I looked back I saw a sign that said "Race" with an arrow on it pointing in a different direction.  I called out to a guy just ahead of me and I may have had him almost convinced to go the wrong way when I decided that he was in deed correct.  I caught up to him and apologized.  His name was Richard and was a super nice guy.  We ran together off and on (leap frogging) until about mile 27.

There was about two miles of trail which had been dug up by feral pigs resulting in small hardened craters, very difficult to run on as well as exposed roots like vines. Other than that the course was very nice to run on as well as having spectacular scenery.

After the last aid station at mile 26.5 (actually there was one more unmanned aid station 2.5 miles from the finish) I was ready to be done and kept on a good pace - except for a couple of places.  At one point there are two pits you have to run through, these were old open pit mines of some sort (and one of them was supposedly used by Ted Bundy to bury a victim).  The normal trail goes around them but I saw that for the race, the orange flags led the trail right through them.  It was tempting to go around, and no one would have known - except for me!

Just after the pits I saw someone (I think a race volunteer) who said I was in 6th place, and then not too long after that I saw my friend Patrick walking up a hill.  I had seen him back in the low 20's, right before I had gotten to a turn around.  He was about 5 minutes ahead of me then.  I said hi to me, he told me I was looking strong and to keep going.

The trail came out to a fire road, which I turned right on.  But, after a little while I saw some orange flags on trees going off the road.  I stopped and looked, wondering if I was supposed to turn, I even went out to one of the flags, and judging by the lack of any signs of foot traffic having gone through here decided to get back on the road.

Finally, it was looking more and more familiar and I was tracing the route of the beginning part of the race, and was soon back at the finish.

The race director warned us that the course would not be exactly 33 1/3, but it was all good.

For the finisher's award I picked out a record which had a "Long Play Finisher Award" sticker on it. I picked out "Disraeli Gears" by Cream
Was freezing after I stopped running, had to borrow a jacket from the RD so I could eat.

Splits:

Miles 1 - 6: 9:11, 8:56, 9:12, 9:21, 9:24, 9:39,

Mile 7. 11:15 - Tucker Hill, left my shirt behind (gone when I went back for it :(    )

Mile 8:  9:16

Mile 9: 10:11, - slowed down going through a tight ravine

Miles 10-14: 9:09, 8:52, 8:38, 8:23, 8:29,

Mile 15: 11:04 - I almost took a wrong turn here until I was convinced the right way to go

Mile 16: 9:03,

Miles 17-18: 9:48, 10:01 - slow through pig craters and roots

Miles 19-24: 8:40, 8:49, 9:08 , 8:39, 9:01, 9:45,

Miles 25-27: 11:27, 10:41, 10:47 (back through pig craters and roots, but longer??)

Mile 28: 10:21  (I sped up but had lost some time at aid station)

Mile 29: 8:47  (Moving faster!!)

Mile 30: 10:11 (Pits)

Miles 31-34.2: 9:03, 9:32 (almost lost again here), 8:22, 8:00, 0.23@8:36

I was trying to meet up with Lisa but was a little bit late. Could have caught her if I ran the loop towards her house. Eventually caught up at the water stop and ran with her and Tori. I forgot to stop my watch when I stopped. Good recovery pace today, legs are pretty close to be back to normal after Sunday's race.

The howling wind made me not want to run. Oh, just get out there, don't be such a baby I thought to myself. Still partially in recovery mode.

Much faster run today than the last two days. I tucked in behind a group for a good part of the wind until I was warmed up, then did the last three miles under 8:00 pace. Felt great at the end.

Cold but not windy. Appreciating one of the last days before time change darkness. Neighborhood route with some time on Trinity Blvd.

5:30 start at Longleaf this morning, by myself, but I knew that Craig and Diane would be home, so just a short 3.5 miles by myself. Ran with them into Starkey and also joined by Greg. I ran with Greg and Diane to the water stop just past the power lines, then I turned back, taking a left onto the dirt road and then the trail to the horse corral and back down Starkey Blvd. Picked it up a little for the last few miles but legs were a little tired this morning. Nice treat at the end to run into Nelson, Keith and Eric at Havana Dreamers for a quick cup of coffee.