Training Log Archive: vlin

Red course at Combat Village. I wanted to drop down to Brown or Orange but already pre-registered for Red. Planned on cutting the course short depending on how slow or bad I was doing. I had difficulty with the subtle terrain even at a slower pace. Avoided a big mistake on 2 by backtracking and going back up high. Lost contact with the map several times, but had a general idea so just kept going and felt confident I could figure it out later. Didn't work out well on the long leg to 8. Lost contact, ran down the wrong re-entrant and terrain didn't match where another re-entrant joined. Another runner started following me at this point, and I decided to go up and down a ridge searching but not finding a saddle. The other runner was still following. I went up even higher and found a control but the wrong one and not on my course. At this point I figured out it was a parallel error, gave up and skipped straight to 10, which wasn't too far. I found Barry there and we discussed strategy for his next leg for a few minutes, while other runners ran in and out. I hiked slow to 11 and went through some unmapped thick grown up cleared areas. Then chased and passed Baker on the last few controls to the end. Later I found out Barry gave up too and decided to explore Combat Village instead of doing the rest of his course.

Red - Splits

Bull Run Run 50 mile. 30 seconds slower than last year, 1 minute faster than 2010. Very consistent results, but much different pacing. I ran much more of the final 10 miles than in previous years, when I walked almost all, stopped to take breaks, used hiking sticks, and could barely run down hills. Good endurance this year due to 2 long runs in the previous weeks, but not enough taper. Legs were heavy starting at mile 17, which is typical, but downhills did not feel strong a bit earlier than in past years. Getting very comfortable with ignoring all the steady pace runners passing me between miles 12 and 49 and at aid stations, where I take my time. Almost gave up on getting in under 10, but as usual I hit the final climb up to Hemlock with minutes to spare. No foot injuries, but knee is a bit sore.

Easy spin around wakefield, no berms. Discovered a short bit of singletrack along a stream near baseball fields I have never been on.