Training Log Archive: Charlie

Event: 36th Annual Billygoat Run
 

Billygoat Run at Baldwin Hill, set by J-J. A very nice course but I was a bit physically over-matched. Worst of it was I stepped wrong and crunched my foot a bit crossing the stream four minutes in. So mostly walking and walking with some difficulty. Trying to shake off the discomfort, I decided to stay on the trail to #2, skipping #1. Caught up to the leaders at the control. Then more or less on my own for a bit, passed 11 on the way to 3, but drifted way too far right and got confused by all the unmapped marshes there. Dropped a good 6 or 7 minutes until I followed the stream of runners back to the control. Then OK for a while, picking off 5, 6 and 7 without incident. Then I got in a very enjoyable conversation with Phil on the way to 8, happily ran by it, and then had a devil of a time finding it again. Another 6 or 7 lost there. Met up with Earl around there and we were together virtually the rest of the way. Again my chattiness was a problem and we muffed 10 about 3 minutes worth, as I had totally lost track of where we were. Up and over in a crowd for a bit near 11, but then seemed to have lost them again. A bit with George on the way to 12, then picked up Sharon and Sam L as we got near the marshes near 12. Hung with them pretty well to 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, all pretty successful, then they were skipping, so back on our own to 18. Getting really tired climbing up to it, then cramping badly on the way down. By this time I was pretty sure we weren't going to make it in time, struggling mightily fighting through some thick stuff on the way to the trail before 19. Stone walls were a help nearing 19. but still a bit of a death march to 20, and then George passed by on the way to 21. By this point I was even more pessimistic about pulling myself up the hill, but spiked 21 pretty nicely and tumbled straight down the hill toward the field, somehow getting ahead of George and Earl. Got to 22 with 5 minutes to spare, but then got confused around the building going to 23 and went straight and up instead of right. Got up near the fence and just really confused. Maybe it wasn't all that long, but sure felt long. Then turned back and headed toward 23, George and Earl heading out and toward the finish. Now I'm moving as fast as I can, watching the watch. Somehow got there, 3:29:37 by my watch. And barely able to move. Took a long time to get up and to the car. Very lucky to have Earl driving!

A very fine course, making excellent use of the area, and putting it all on an 8.5x11 map with no repetitive legs. But a difficult area for a long race for a guy like me.

The map and route.

C • Forgot to mention... 11

Billygoat - Splits