Re: Tom Besh Homestead Hill Run 14k (long)
- From: "Tony S." <email_tonys@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2005 14:21:03 GMT
"Dot" <dot.h@#duh?att.net> wrote in message
news:DiC_e.88786$qY1.30423@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Event: Tom Besh Homestead Hill Run 14k
>snip<
> Summary: Whatever my 5k a couple weeks ago was as far as positive
> feelings, this race wasn?t.
>
> Definitely had trouble getting psyched for this one and was planning on
> 2.5-3 hr, but somehow managed a 2:14:58.
Good job Dot! Estimating times can be tricky on trails, but it's just good
to know your ballpark figures for weather, etc.
> Mentally, I?d had trouble wrapping my mind around this race and getting
> psyched for it - hence the goal of just surviving. Not sure why. My 2
> earlier 8-mi were my introduction to the distance, this was only a
> little longer, intermediate hills, but might be expected to have a
> little more mud. The 5-k 2 wks ago was fine, but running downhills hard
> takes a lot of mental concentration for me still - to the point that I
> don't think I ran the downhills here as well as I could have.
I think I felt similar about the VT 50; I had really mixed feelings going
into it. For me it can be a challenge to get up for being on my feet for
long races or training runs, or for anticipated difficult conditions.
> Eventually we turn onto gas pipeline, which is broad, flat, fine
> gravel/sand = easy. One thing about single track, you run past trees
> like they are standing still. When you get on these wide (like highway)
> trails, you feel like trees are passing you.
So true, and also singletrack takes concentration, which gives you a mental
break from the normal running zone-out, which can give you too much time to
think about how slow you're going :)
> Eventually got to arc, then a final small uphill, some flat, then the
> finish line - in 2:14:58 (DFL, as usual). Duh. That was a *very*
> pleasant surprise :) considering absolutely nothing felt good about the
> race - neither the pre-race feelings, not enough sleep the night before,
> nor any part of the race. Heck, I had even forgotten to put post-race
> SlimFast in the car. (That?s what I get for cleaning it out this
> summer.) For kicks, I compared the gps mph readings on the initial tank
> trail (slightly downhill) and the pipeline section (flat), and they
> weren't too different - certainly not as slow as I thought I was going
> at the end.
No slimfast - bummer! I normally keep all my race gear in one big box, and
all my 'outing food' in another box. Then I'll throw both in the car when I
go training or racing. That way it's in the house where I can restock
easily, keep hydration stuff clean and stuff.
> The race was really a lot of run. You get a diversity of situations -
> some easy, relatively flat areas at beginning and end, rolling hills on
> both up and down, roots, mud, water - that you just keep working your
> way through one section after another of different challenges until you
> hit the finish.
Yea, even when you're not on your best day, you can still make it fun if you
take it one section at a time. You made the best out of one-of-those-days.
-Tony
.
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