HOT out today- race started at 75F!!! 21.3 miles with 5,100 ft elevation gain (and loss)
I have run this course in hot weather and know how brutal the last 6 miles baking in the sun are.
Started off conservative to save some for the last 10k. Hot and suffereing the first few miles then finally relaxed and sucked it up. Did well on my refueling- only drank anout 70 oz (one pack full) of water. Took 2 GUs and had some oranges and boiled potatoes at the first aid station. Forced them down... Killed the uphill Scout Mountain (5 miles uphill). Tweaked my ankle at the top going over a snow patch and was worried about it for the descent, but I focused on staying on my toes to protect it. Also really focused on increasing my turnover for the 4 miles downhill and it think it really helped save my quads.
Was in second place going into the second (and last) aid station at mile 15.2 by about 2 minutes. The girl passed me about a mile in and I could tell she would be suffering for the last 10k and I could make my move there.
I caught her about half a mile out of the aid station. She stayed on my hip for another half mile, then she faded and I really dug in. the last 10k is an uphill winding through a mowed down path through the brush. It is hot (85F) with no protection from the sun and can take people out. I ran where I could and power walked in a few places... flew down the last 2 miles in about MP (7:00). Ended up setting a new course record by about 3 minutes (I set it last year) and I have no idea how I pulled that off....
Now for a few days of recovery...
| 