Went into the half with 6 days of rest thanks to snow and a sinus cold. I don't recall resting the entire week before a r Haven't exactly been training like gangbusters for this race since it is Winter and all. Done 3 or 4 long runs plus a few short runs for speed work. Also down 5lbs. from the holidays helps. Thank you Paleo!
Had a 30 degree 8am race start. Up at 6am! Wore the new Altra Superiors (no lacelocks yet). This was the Altra's second long run and they performed beautifully. Great trail feel and decent grip. No PF flare up after the race! Unfortunately, now they are completely covered in mud!
Rained the night before causing a muddy course, foot-deep water crossings. This race really felt like an adventure or obstacle race with the harsh conditions. Narrow planks across creeks and tree crossings. The first tree crossing I took but it really slowed me down so on the next two I just ran through the creek. Hey, cold,wet feet help with blisters!
The real monster, no... highlight, was the up and down gas and power line climbs about halfway through the race. I ran the whole thing and everyone around me was trekking. Not bragging, just stating a fact because I love to climb. The up and down just..kept..coming. Alas, downhill needs work. I think my recent biking at Snake Creek has helped with the suffer factor and climbing.
Mentally, I was completely focused on the race while running. Usually my mind will drift but today was not the case. Thinking about pace,footfall,cadence, not going too fast at first. I don't remember many negative thoughts creeping in when the going got rough and generally kept a good mental positive stance.
The start was fast and most folks sprinted away. I knew this was the wrong approach and it turned out to prove correct when I passed some of those same folks toward the last few miles. In fact, this one of the only races I remember where I felt strong at the finish and not blown. Calves were crampy about 5 miles in but I attribute that to running in the barefoot Altra's and getting used to them so the legs weren't 100% throughout, which is to be expected, but cramps are never fun and don't help to serve the speed. Cramps won't be a factor in full race season.
First part of the race was along the creek and had some really rocky sections including a harrowing staircase descent that was slick. A few humps through there but then some nice flats. I'm also fairly quick on the flats. Portions of this reminded me of Tough Mudder 2 years ago. A few short climbs and then a muddy off-camber ridge run. No traction. Then onto the dragonhump gas and power line. Talk about steep. I don't think I'll forget being on top one of the humps and looking down at the other runners going up the next up and thinking that they looked like ants. I wouldn't expect that kind of elevation in Douglas County. After about half an hour, finished the climbing then it was fairly smooth back to the finish. That elusive finish. One guy that I was leapfrogging with stopped at the last aid station. He looked pretty done. Passed a few more guys that looked trash on the climbs then strolled in at 2:22. Not my fastest half time but I'll take it considering I'm in Winter mode and harsh trail and weather conditions today.
Renee was racing also and did about a 3:15 if memory serves. She is thinking about doing the 50k here again which is this freaking course twice plus some! Knowing that she did the 50k last year I have to give her such huge props after having done this course today. It's unimaginable having to face down the powerline climbs again and she gets mad props from me.
Overall, great race and surprisingly sharp performance. Shoes did great, trails were in bad shape and wet. Thanks to Douglas County Rogue Runners for a well-marked course and fun event. Would like to see chip timing instead of having to manually write down your time. Also guys, if you're reading this, could we have more Paleo options for post-race nutrition and skip the Bojangles coupons! :)
Note: Garmin GPS didn't pick up until 3 miles in so distance,pace and elevation won't be accurate.
Had a 30 degree 8am race start. Up at 6am! Wore the new Altra Superiors (no lacelocks yet). This was the Altra's second long run and they performed beautifully. Great trail feel and decent grip. No PF flare up after the race! Unfortunately, now they are completely covered in mud!
Rained the night before causing a muddy course, foot-deep water crossings. This race really felt like an adventure or obstacle race with the harsh conditions. Narrow planks across creeks and tree crossings. The first tree crossing I took but it really slowed me down so on the next two I just ran through the creek. Hey, cold,wet feet help with blisters!
The real monster, no... highlight, was the up and down gas and power line climbs about halfway through the race. I ran the whole thing and everyone around me was trekking. Not bragging, just stating a fact because I love to climb. The up and down just..kept..coming. Alas, downhill needs work. I think my recent biking at Snake Creek has helped with the suffer factor and climbing.
Mentally, I was completely focused on the race while running. Usually my mind will drift but today was not the case. Thinking about pace,footfall,cadence, not going too fast at first. I don't remember many negative thoughts creeping in when the going got rough and generally kept a good mental positive stance.
The start was fast and most folks sprinted away. I knew this was the wrong approach and it turned out to prove correct when I passed some of those same folks toward the last few miles. In fact, this one of the only races I remember where I felt strong at the finish and not blown. Calves were crampy about 5 miles in but I attribute that to running in the barefoot Altra's and getting used to them so the legs weren't 100% throughout, which is to be expected, but cramps are never fun and don't help to serve the speed. Cramps won't be a factor in full race season.
First part of the race was along the creek and had some really rocky sections including a harrowing staircase descent that was slick. A few humps through there but then some nice flats. I'm also fairly quick on the flats. Portions of this reminded me of Tough Mudder 2 years ago. A few short climbs and then a muddy off-camber ridge run. No traction. Then onto the dragonhump gas and power line. Talk about steep. I don't think I'll forget being on top one of the humps and looking down at the other runners going up the next up and thinking that they looked like ants. I wouldn't expect that kind of elevation in Douglas County. After about half an hour, finished the climbing then it was fairly smooth back to the finish. That elusive finish. One guy that I was leapfrogging with stopped at the last aid station. He looked pretty done. Passed a few more guys that looked trash on the climbs then strolled in at 2:22. Not my fastest half time but I'll take it considering I'm in Winter mode and harsh trail and weather conditions today.
Renee was racing also and did about a 3:15 if memory serves. She is thinking about doing the 50k here again which is this freaking course twice plus some! Knowing that she did the 50k last year I have to give her such huge props after having done this course today. It's unimaginable having to face down the powerline climbs again and she gets mad props from me.
Overall, great race and surprisingly sharp performance. Shoes did great, trails were in bad shape and wet. Thanks to Douglas County Rogue Runners for a well-marked course and fun event. Would like to see chip timing instead of having to manually write down your time. Also guys, if you're reading this, could we have more Paleo options for post-race nutrition and skip the Bojangles coupons! :)
Note: Garmin GPS didn't pick up until 3 miles in so distance,pace and elevation won't be accurate.
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