Training Log Archive: coach

Event: Busa Bushwack
 

Busa Buchwack in Callahan SP, Framingham. I think there was an O map of this in the early NEOC days.
I decided last night I could probably get to this race, as with the clock set back I would wake up earlier anyway. The freezing temps in the morning meant getting the right clothes combo would be harder than it has been.
Plan was to take it easy, maybe pick it up for the latter half if I felt OK.
Plan was out the window as I found some one I knew on the front row when the gun went off. Started at my usual pace, then realized there were about 200 runners behind me, many of whom were intent on going much faster at this point.

Actually not a total trail race, the first 1/2 mile and last 8/10 are on streets. Feet were getting a beating in the trail shoes, but I had taken ibuprophen which I hoped was making things tolerable.
Quickly hit the woods though, and things settled down, one woman passed and I was figuring I would be following the group of guys in front of me til the end.
After the 2.5 mile water stop, the trail gets much steeper and rockier for the next 4 mile loop. I found myself running up behind people on the uphills, and holding back on the downhills. I started passing, and other than being a bit tired at the top of the hills, my legs and breathing felt really strong. I week off of running is good!
Eventually came upon many women, who were probably trying to stay with one another. I think I may have broke that up a bit as I would pass each one, the one ahead would pick it up when I got behind her, and we would pull away from the others. Around 6 miles I came upon the leader of this group, couldn't see anyone in front of her. I was feeling good, but I knew that staying with her would be the best plan. As the trail leveled out, I was apt to slow down. She did a great job of pulling me along. I was encouraged by her T shirt. "Highlands Trail, 50K trail championship" Didn't know what highlands it was, but the course profile on the shirt looked impressive.
Just stuck there. On a long smooth uphill near the end I realized I was day dreaming and she had pulled out about 30 meters on me. Got most of that back before we hit the pavement. Some young fellow I had passed earlier came barreling past with about 3/4 mile to go, then he slowed considerably (later told me he thought the finish was where we had started, about 0.3 from the real finish).
Afterwards I met a few people I don't see at O meets."Bogie",is always entertaining. Promised to put the Traverse on his extensive race calender.
http://nordia.us/mev/calendar/
Jon Goldrosen, RD for 2 Blue Hills trail races,
http://www.colonialrunners.org/HoughtonsPond/Index...
http://www.colonialrunners.org/BlueHillsTrailRaces...
and Vanessa Wood ( she had been one of the women I had passed, looked familiar, but couldn't place her then,from MIT and CSU. I hope she and her friend Andy show for the Traverse. Also met Lisa from INOV-8 who sponsors the Skyline Trail race and Sam and Hill in 'O.
Nice day, nice trail.

Event: Nottingcook Forest
 

Run with Jude. Contemplating the Busa Bushwack tomorrow, so maybe a bit of running for this week would be good.

Mapping 3 hours at Wrentham. Great day, but incredibly slow trying to map off old USGS contours.