Last year, when I raced this, I ran with a heart rate monitor for the first time. I averaged 96 % of my maximum for 90 minutes - supposedly impossible. I went back this year to see if I could repeat.
I always get lost going to this race. The rising sun is in one's eyes as one looks for the right roads. This year there was also fog. And frost - though it was predicted to be a warm day.
The first mile of the course is on asphalt and I tried to hold back, though the first mile was in 6:30 (HR 152). The second has some ruts and roots to trip one up; I passed Jeff Allen here. By four miles, Jeff and I were passing 10K runners. Mile splits about 6:50, HR about 161. At five miles, I had a twinge in me left hip and worried; Rochelle Wirth caught up with us. The first bad hill is at 6 miles; heart rate went to 174 (171 ave.). On the downhill, I sped up to 4:30 mile pace briefly, separating myself from Jeff and Rochelle. Then my back went and my left hamstring went with it. Caught by 7 miles. At 8, I was mentally out of the race and enjoying the scenery; much too slow on the easy bit around 9. Second tough hill is at 10 and I was being passed by dozens. Tried to stay with them; didn't. Sped up again at 11. Last brief steep hill at the Blue Beech Bridge and I was being passed again. On the road at 12; gradual uphill against the wind to the finish.
Some miles were as slow as 8:30, back to 6:45 at end, heart rate averaged 162 (89%max)
The course is beautiful, with trees just past peak (and leaf litter hiding some roots). Mostly basswood, some ironwood, some white oak. The small rocks are plentiful - Keith's Vibram Five-fingers wouldn't be my choice.
The results are in (except the 5K won't load), so I'm compiling the final results of the MNTRS. That means, of course, I'll win my age class...
I've got a bit of a cold, so not feeling well. At least the race season is finally over for me!
Hiraeth
1 day ago
8 comments:
Your slowest mile was about my fastest :)
I like to think that I'm getting my money's worth, so running slow allows me more time to take in the scenery. Sure was a pretty course, wasn't it?
what?! no surfin' the murph??
Nice run - some pretty erratic splits :)
No falls? At least if there were, no breaks... Life is looking up?
Nice job winning your age group in the MNTRS. Doing so many races in both the ultra and non-ultra series is quite an accomplishment.
Keith, I plan to spectate at the Surf the Murph.
Helen, Jeff asked me why I always go out so darned fast - last year, I ran nice even (fast) splits.
Londell, not only no falls (and some did have spills), but having to waer gloves I think kept the swelling down in my hand.
Carl, thanks. I don't think anyone else is going to win their age classes in both UMTR series for a long, long time.
I think you're right about the 405 & 305 thing. Didn't make that connection until you made it.
I was looking for you at Whistlestop. How'd you do? I saw Tim Bowers and Allan Holtz. Did you wind up sleeping in the Chevrolet Hotel too?
Way to go Steve, all those other practice races must've helped... you made it through the last one injury-free. See at Surf the Murph.
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