Training Log Archive: cmorse

Event: Pineland Farms Trail Challenge
 

Course consisted of nice wide double track trail through Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, ME. Lots of rolling hills, but no killer climbs, no technical single track. 50mile race started at 6 with a 5k loop, then proceeded to do 3 loops of 25k. 50k & 25k races did 2 & 1 loops respectively, with later starts at 8 & 10.

Cool and overcast at 6am for the start w/ Bruce. Bruce and I had agreed we'd run the first loop together and keep each other honest, then part ways if one was stronger than the other. Lots of white course permanent controls along the way so I'd amuse myself by calling out control descriptions as I passed them - helped me on later loops as I remembered where many of them were and used them to mark my run/walk breaks - just run to the boulder cluster....

Goal pace for the first 30k was 30 minutes per 5k, which we managed to stay within a minute or so of through 35k (hit 35km at 3:30:06), at which point I backed off a little and let Bruce go ahead. With a serpentine winding course, I'd catch occasional glimpses of him over the next few hours, but the rest of my day was spent running solo. I estimate I rolled through the marathon at about 4:20 or so.

Image from Bruce's Blog

Through the 2nd loop feeling pretty good, walking the hills mostly because I knew I should more than because I needed to, then cruising the downills. But then starting the third loop I broke the cardinal ultra-running rule - 'never try something in a race that you haven't tried in training' - dope...

I've run long runs using Odwalla smoothies for periodic calorie replacement, but when I stopped at a natural food store in Freeport on Saturday, I saw a flavor I hadn't tried before - Chocolate Protein Monster - sounded real tasty, and the other ones I'd used sat well. This one, not so much - went down good, but about 2km later I blew chunks big time, including what I think was most of the PBJ's I'd been snacking on most of the morning. It was a short jaunt from there to the next aid station (every 2-3 miles) and I had a bit of Coke to calm the stomach. Amazingly, I felt really good after voiding my stomach and the next 4-5km were probably the briskest pace of the day though I wasn't taking splits. Since I was into the 3rd and final loop no reason to hold back and thought perhaps I could gain back some ground on Bruce.

However, after that little burst of energy, the tank was empty and solid food just didn't appeal. Sipped Coke, Mtn Dew and gatorade at the aid stations and proceeded to do quite a bit of walking, with occasional bouts of running. At this point it began to rain and proceeded to rain pretty steadily for the next 90 minutes or so.

Then the sun came out and I crossed over to the final 8-9km, starting to get warm, but luckily I was no longer in the open fields. As I got close to the final mile aid station (not sure if its exactly a mile to the finish, but its close, and its what that aid station was called) I decided to dig deep, pick up the pace and cruise the final bit and finish strong. I rounded the corner at Final Mile, saying my final thanks to the great crew there & hammered the last bit to the finish in less than 5 minutes for a total running time of about 9:27 (forgot to stop my watch, so will wait for official results). Bruce finished in a great time of 8:39.

{Edit: Official time was 9:31:58, 35th place overall, 5th in my age group (76 finishers overall)

Proceeded directly to the barbeque tent for a large plate of pasta salad and a burger - tasted really good and stayed down well. Hung out with Bruce and family for 45 minutes or so, got a shower at the Y and then hopped in the car for the 4+ hour journey home to CT. Achy, stiffening legs and serious power yawns on the drive made that probably the worst part of the day.

Downsides:
1)A good case of dual bloody nipples (and a white shirt to boot!), but didn't bother me until I showered...
2)Trying new food and losing it, then not eating/hydrating properly thereafter, resulting in a slow pace with lots of walking late in the day
3) Pelvis was achy for most of the run, but not overly so, and consistent side to side. I suspect inflammation from Lyme just exacerbated by running stupid long distance.

Upsides:
1) No injuries to note, muscles sore, but that's about it
2) Feet were fine - no hot spots, no blisters, toenails good - and due to early AM running in wet fields, the feet were wet most all day.
3) I can check the 50 mile trail race off my new years resolution list. I'm registered for Iroquois 100 mile in September, but 50 miles was a really long way, don't know if I could have done another 50 on top of that - we'll have to do some serious thinking about that one..

C • How far? 4

Just out of curiosity, I went back through my training logs to see how many times I've actually done the sampler course under 30 minutes. Only 7 out of more than a hundred runs since I began logging in 2000. Sunday's run was my 2nd fastest time for the course, bested only by a 26:27 in April 2004. Three of those 7 sub-30's have been during the official race (past three years).

Calves were a bit stiff yesterday, but feel pretty good today. Taking the rest of the week off (busy at work) but will put in an easy hour or so Saturday AM before heading up to Maine for the Pinelands 50M on Sunday. Weather looks good - partly cloudy, mid 60's - and I'm feeling primed. Virgin territory though, so we'll see how it goes...