not giving up on the comeback

Short version - this was lots better than last year.  I finished 90 min faster this time due to multiple factors.  This was a really early day for me - up at 3AM to drive up for the 7AM start.  I am TIRED.  I'll add more later --

5:49:20 - 2nd place!   And a really good pulled pork sandwich :)

Long version -- for those brave enough to read

This day started out early, with my deciding not to drive up the night before.  Fortunately I was nervous enough that I managed to get up at 3 and make the drive up to the race start in plenty of time.  Luckily the weather prediction was for low 60’s the start and only into the 80s by the afternoon.  That made a big difference in the race for everyone, including the volunteers, for sure. 

I went into the race with no goals or expectations other than to finish reasonably strong and not get off the trail.

At the start last year I was in the middle of the pack, getting myself stuck behind a bunch of people running more slowly than I was comfortable.  This time I made a point of starting in the front 5 or so.  I only had to pass one guy in the first mile, then I was off at my own pace.  One big thing I’ve learned in the last year of trail races is that I go out too fast, too close to my road pace.  One guy at the start was saying that the winner last year ran a 10:30 per mile pace.   With that in mind, I tried to reign myself in and keep a slow steady pace. 

I hit the aid station at 1:45, which was 15 min faster than last year.  I wasn’t sure if that was good or just a setup for disaster.  The next section is 6 miles to the turnaround and is a lot of downhill, which feels great, but the whole time you realize that you have to climb back up those hills.  I tried to enjoy the downs and not kill my quads.  The leading 3 guys passed me about 10 minutes before the aid station.  They all looked really strong.   I hit the turnaround at 2:40, which was good.  I was shooting for 2 hours for the middle section (from the first aid station to the turnaround and back to the first aid station – a 12 mile stretch).  The guy who had been following me left the station before me and took 4^th place, but that was ok.  We had a ton of miles left and I figured things would sort out.  I was really trying to run my own race and not worry about keeping the pace of others.

After the turnaround, the trail runs mostly down into a valley for a couple of miles, then the next 4 are mostly up, which is where I pulled out my mental game of counting strides.  When I hit a difficult hill or a bad stretch, I try to at least count 100 strides before allowing 25 (or 50 if I’m really hurting) walking steps.  Then the rule is that you have to start back running (more like trudging) after the 25 walking steps.  During this time we passed the 3^rd place guy, who turned his ankle pretty good and was still working it out.  After much more climbing, I made it to the last aid stop right around 3:40. 

I downed a couple electrolyte caps, grabbed a baggie of bananas and peanut butter sandwiches then took off towards the finish.  Something about an aid station, seeing other people I guess, really gets you feeling better on one of these races.  They told us that 1^st place guy looked great and 2^nd place guy looked passable.  So with new found enthusiasm I struck out.  I was really ready to get this race over. 

The last section is 10.5 and goes on for just about forever, it seems.   It climbs ridges several times, and goes back down by the river several times.  It is beautiful.  Unfortunately it is hard to enjoy the scenery too much while you are scampering over tons of feet-killing exposed roots and trying not to fall on slick rocks.   Here we encountered a copperhead in the middle of the trail.  He was trying to say “hi” apparently.  The guy in front actually jumped over the snake, which seemed like a bad idea to me (they can strike out pretty fast and far) so I gave it a wide berth and took a detour around it.   I am so glad the guy in front saw it, cause I barely did even though I was looking.  I have no idea what would happen with a rattlesnake bite at least two miles from anywhere.  The adrenaline of that thought helped my pace for a mile or so. 

At one point the 3^rd place guy, Jeff it turns out, thought he was off the trail and had stopped.  As I passed, I told him that I had just seen a marker and that we were right.  It was one of the few times in my life when I knew I was going in the right direction.  J  I just kept plugging along, playing my counting game when I had to (which was most of the time).   Eventually I got a glimpse of the 2^nd place guy.  He was indeed slowing down.  At one point, at a creek crossing, I caught him and he told me to go ahead.   After that, within 2 miles of the finish, I passed the fire and rescue team who had to come in and bring a guy out who had broken his ankle.  A bad day for him, poor guy…

Within a mile of the finish I thought too much and took a wrong turn.  Luckily there was a group of walkers out there who I asked.  I turned around and caught the trail again, hoping that I was still in 2^nd place.  That would stink losing a place that close to the finish.

Finally I made my way to the finish and crossed in 5:49:20.   I wasn’t sure if I was 2^nd or third until the other guy finished 30 seconds behind me.  YEA!  It was over!

Things that I learned from this race

1.       Eating early and often is a must.  I think I maintained my energy levels much better this time.  

2.       Slow and sure is good.  I only had to stop to catch my breath a couple of times. 

3.       My trail shoes are horrible on any damp rocks or wood.  I had no trust in them on any of those surfaces.  I’ll need to look into that. 

4.       The second time on a course makes a BIG difference.  When you know what is coming, it is much easier to deal with mentally.