Training Log Archive: cmorse

Event: TARC Spring Thaw 6-hour
 

So I put this on my training calendar because a long run/race fit nicely 4 weeks out from Georgia and because RD Emily Trespas is just an uber cool trail pixie. Driving up I realized I didn't really have a goal in mind - no ultras on the horizon so no need to race for 6 hours plus if I overdid it I'd put a big dent in the GA training at the wrong time.

So decided I'd race it hard for at least a half marathon, then cruise to at least the 3 hour mark and decide from there. Mostly ran with Justin Contois (who would go on for the win with 35 miles) and we shared the lead for 3.5 laps having pleasant conversation. At which point I let him go and continued to cruise comfortably. At the aid station he didn't stop in the early laps and I'd stock up and then chase him down again. Backed off the pace on the last couple laps and even took a 5 minute off course detour to go scratch some goats (I miss my goats). Deb caught me shortly thereafter and I ran it in with her and called it a day as the temp headed for the upper 70's.


No GI issues, no chafing, no crashes, feel awesome and very happy with my performance. No residuals expected though I'll probably wait until Tuesday to resume running with Happy Hills II.

Many thanks to Emily, all my fellow Trail Animals and the awesome crew. This race is a keeper. Maybe next year we'll actually have a Spring Thaw to go with it...

3.5 mile splits:
2934
2941
2745
3200 (I backed the pace off at 3 miles into this loop)
4000
4730 (this split includes shoe change, aid station loitering and 5 minutes goat scratching.

C • thaw 4

Latter part of race in 'cruise mode'. Includes 5 minutes off course scratching goats and a couple minutes changing shoes.

rather than stretching, I just did some footwork drills to keep the legs loose before the drive home. These were spread over 90 minutes or so.

I'll be in GA, but the new Traprock 50k posters are just too cool not to post.

Setting streamers, nice running, some soggy spongy spots

map hike with Ventures. Mostly off trail navigation

Feel like running, but doing some O tomorrow and a 6 Hour trail race on Sunday so going to play it safe and lay low today...

Working with venture crew on some navigating requirements, using GPS to find their way at night. I set waypoints but carried O map as backup as we trekked xc on some points.

AM run w/ Ken. A loop around campus, then 3 loops of horsebarn hill - first one in the dark, 2nd in pre-dawn light, 3rd with pretty decent light. In 18.5 years here at UConn, I've never actually run in the field up to the top of the hill, I've always just run the road around behind the hill and up the backside. Combining that with the field run up to the summit is a really good workout on nice surface. Slope is shallow enough to be very runnable (as opposed to a slogging hill) yet long enough to really make you earn it...

Had to wait a bit to head out as I didn't bring lights to work this AM - light rain, mid 40's - ran in shorts and just a single light LS tech shirt - just right. Should have put in contacts though as the glasses were pretty much useless. Worked in a number of faster paced bits in the middle section (in Dunhamtown proper) - felt good to run fast.

Super nice day out - cleaned out the road trip gear from the car and went to change to get out for a run and noticed water under the washer - down into the basement to notice water coming down everywhere... damn.. Seems some pocket change and a small nail got down into the drain pump and blew a gaping hole in the side of the pump. Spent the remainder of the afternoon pulling the pump & cleaning up the mess. Will try and get out tomorrow.. Too tired right now, time for a full nights sleep.