After accomplishing my goal of 100 miles at Montour 24 in July, I took two full weeks off of all workouts. Wow! That was weird and awesome. I knew that I was way overtrained, and pushing myself a little too hard to get ready for Montour, but I had no clue just how exhausted my poor body was!
About a week in the changes started to appear. I was feeling more rested in the mornings. I could stay focused and on task for hours at a time. I wasn't zombified by 9PM. Crazy!
Three of my pals (Jason Pratt, David Emch and Jesse Becket) and I are planning an Epic Adventure race for December...more details to come. I'm also looking forward to Jeff Henderson's Rocks & Roots 50ks in January and February, Forget the PR in April, O24 in May and Old Dominion 100. A lot of really bad-ass races put on by awesome dudes.
Bearing all this in mind, and because I didn't get to run any 5ks this summer, I thought it would be fun to take on a 20k on a challenging course.
I have ran the 60k option at the Indian Run twice before (2010 and 2011). In fact, I'd have to check, but I'm pretty sure I PR'd my 50k time while running the 60k in 2011. The course, a 20k loop, is challenging, with about a 50/50 mix of roads and trails, but it can be fast if you are familiar with it and know where you can push and where to hang back.
I have ran single, sub-2-hour loops on the course in the past, and I was feeling that my training had me in a good place both physically and mentally for pulling off a 1:45 loop.
The 60k started at 7am, but the 20k not until 9am. I have two young kids, and I always like to get my runs in super early so I can get home to them and we can enjoy a full day together. I emailed the RD and asked if I could start with the 60k folks, assuring them that I was fine with forgoing awards. It wouldn't be fair to leave myself in contention for awards since I'd have the advantage of cooler early morning temps and a much less crowded course. Not that it matters, since I have no chance of winning anything with the amazing field of runners who always show for this event. Thankfully the RD agreed! A big thanks goes their way again!
At the last minute my buddy Dave decided to join me for my loop, while taking on the 40k.
I arrived at the start- the dining lodge in Hocking Hills State Park- as early as I've ever made it to a race :) I took a healthy dump, geared up, met Dave when he rolled in, checked in, bibbed-up, took a second healthy dump and toed the line. Dave spotted one of our ultra running idols, Rachel Nypaver, and we said a quick "Hey" before the start.
As we waited Dave related a story about his adventures taking on the 60k in 2013. He turned in a stellar experience, finishing fourth overall. He was telling me- rather loudly- how during the last climb up the long hill to the finish, he had spotted a fellow 60ker up ahead and challenged himself to push the pace up the hill so he could gain one spot one the podium. As he's telling me how he finally passed the fellow in the last 100 yards of the race, this guy behind us exclaims, "That was me!" After a little discussion it was determined that this was, in fact, the very same dude Dave had passed! What the fuck are the chances of that!
After the excruciatingly long pre-race briefing, the race began and Dave and I immediately set our pace. We hit the first climb on the road up to the campgrounds hard, and I had to smile at the humor I found in this. I'm so used to walking hills- especially hills as large as this one- because I rarely run a race that isn't an ultra anymore. Weird to run up a hill during a race!
After a short jaunt through the campgrounds, we took a left, sprinted through an open field and headed back out onto the road. Having ran this course several times, all this was very familiar to me. We hammered out this section pretty hard, the slightly cool temps totally working for us. The course has a few ups and downs along this stretch of road, but culminates in a looooonnng downhill stretch that is a fricking blast to run down. We cruised down it, chatting and just enjoying the morning.
At the bottom the course takes a sharp left onto a gravel/dirt tract and heads straight UP! This is one of those tricky bastard hills that, when you stand at its base and gaze up at it, leads you to believe it's, "not that bad". However, you quickly realize the error of your poor, delusional mind. You climb, then you turn, then you climb, then you turn, then you climb....on and on for what seems like a fucking lifetime.
Knowing this ahead of time, Dave and I had opted to power-walk that baby. We still managed to pass a feller on our way up, making sure to relate to him the fact that we were non-competitive early starters, so he wouldn't feel the need to try and match our pace.
At the top of the hill is the first of three aid stations. I had my new Nathan Firecathcher vest, with two 10oz bottles. Even though this was a short race and I didn't anticipate needing so much hydration, I try to always run with my pack when I'm in ultra racing season. If I don't, it sometimes bothers my back and shoulders when I begin using it again.
So we passed through the first aid station, thanking the volunteers for being out there for us all.
From here the course roatates back and forth from road to trail. This middle section is my favorite part of the course, as it contains the majority of the most scenic areas. Huge cliffs, gorgeous forests and all the wonderful sights, sounds and smells of nature. Love it!
Dave and I chatted and I was surprised at how comfortable I was maintaining the pace I had planned. It wasn't until one of the last steady climbs about 10 miles in, that I really felt fatigued. I blame this short section I had to walk and consume a few calories and electrolytes, for my slightly-slower-than-I-wanted finish :)
The course brings runners through the Old Man's cave area, very near the vistor's center. At this point, the race used to take you back up into the woods, for what was the steepest trail climb on the course. With the completion of the new paved trail that connects the lodge entrance with the visitor's center, the course was re-routed along it. Part of me was bummed to lose the trail section. The SANE part of me beat the fuck out of that other dude and said, "this shit rocks!"
We were so close to my goal time of 1:45 that we pushed it extra hard up the final mile long road climb to the finish. The whole way up I was thinking, "How in the hell can Dave do this all again?!"
I came in at 1:46:38, and was very, VERY happy :)
PS- Dave ran a negative split, finishing in just over 3:30!! Beast!!
It was fun to get out there and run "fast" on a tough course. Of course, then I got the reality check of finishing something like 34th! Ha! I guess "fast" is relative, right?
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