Notes
Wow, just went for my first run since the race on Saturday, I can still feel the roots/rocks/hills in my legs, felt good to get out though.
The SHT race was my first ever 50K since rediscovering running about 15 months ago. I have been pretty focused on the race as it has been my goal for quite a while. I ran Trail Mix this spring (25K) so I was confident I could finish, I was also very familiar with the trail as I have hiked it for the last 30 years or so. I was incredibly impressed with the race directors and the support, this race is awesome.
The conditions started out a bit hairy, rainy and cold at the start, but it ended up being a great day to race, no overheating. I was running with a friend and we went out what seemed to be a little fast but we were both feeling so good. About half way between the aid stations the leaders were on their way back - what a treat to get to see these guys run - I can't figure out how they can keep that pace on that trail. We made it to the half way point and were very pleased with our time and condition. On the way back down Carlton I met the trail in a way I was hoping to avoid, more on that later. We had a good stop at the Carlton aid station on the way back and left there cautiously confident. Somewhere around LeVeax mountain I started to tighten up in my right hip, my little incident at Carlton was starting to rear its ugly head, I tried several times to stretch it out but to no avail. I had some fears going into this race and had alleviated them all through the months leading up to it but I guess the unknown is just that. I ended up so tight on my right side that I was unable to run down the hills. I had a couple really tough miles to get to the Oberg station. I refueled and changed shoes and started back running - it's pretty much uphill for the first mile or so and I felt ok, but the slightest downhill was murder. I told my friend to go ahead, there was no point in sticking with me as I was fine in every regard except lacking the ability to run down the hills, he took off. About 5 minutes later I saw him coming back to check on me, I can’t remember the conversation but I must have convinced him I was fine, he took off again and I didn't see him again until the finish. I was happy to see him come back but happier to see him leave again - our original plan was to run 3/4 of the race together and finish it running our own race, he was feeling great I didn't want him to hold back on my account - this was our plan anyway as Oberg was the 3/4 point. The next couple miles were really mentally tough, I had two finishing times in my head going into this race, well three I guess, 1-to finish, 2- around 6 hours, and 3- something under 6 hours. Well I was on pace to finish at about 5:40 before I cramped up and I was really bummed out and it hurt like crazy going down. After 20 minutes or so I figured I better get it together. It was obvious I was not going to get the cramp to go away; actually it had settled in my knee now, kind of an IT band pain thing. I started to run up the hills and the flat portions and "recover" on the downhill portions. While I would not normally recommend this as a race strategy it worked ok. The climb up Moose and Mystery mt's were tough but nothing like getting down them, I literally walked backwards down the steepest portions of Moose. A few people passed me here and we had some good laughs, amazing that pain and fatigue can result in humor!! I was pretty much on my own all the way in, passed a few 25K stragglers but just kept up my mantra of "relentless forward progress" all the way in. By the time I hit the gravel road (last mile or so) the cramp started to let up and I was able to run in at a pretty good clip, except for the last little downhill 200 yards before the finish.
What an amazing experience, I actually had plenty energy, even at the finish, as I really had to hold back on the down hills. The disappointment was nearly wiped away at the finish. It was just transformed into another root or rock which needed to be avoided but still experienced. After all, one can run 50K on the road if one wanted to.
Thanks to all who encouraged me on the trail. See ya next year