This was my fourth run at Holiday Lake. My previous best time came in 2002; 5:28. This came after six months running. Subsequent times were 5:51 in a very muddy, snowy, and icy course in 2003, and 5:31 in 2005.
This Winter Gina and I have been doing a bit more running. I wanted to lose some weight over the winter rather than gain. I've wanted to start the spring road biking season around 180lbs. I want to haul less of me up the mountains.
OK, back to Holiday Lake. This is a runners course. There are only a few sections that are too steep to run, everything else is on rolling single track and gravel/dirt roads, on this 16.25 mile loop. This year the course changed a bit and we ran the course clockwise first and then turned around and ran the second loop counter clockwise.
Gina decided to come out and be my support. She was allowed to meet me at 5 of the seven aide stations. Being a numbers guy, I gave her a chart of my projected times at each aide station so she'd know when to expect me. The chart started with me running 8 minute miles, gradually slowing down in the middle and then picking it back up towards the end. I was right on these projected times until the 5th aide station. This is when I had to take a trip to the woods to take care of some, #2 business. This little trip to the woods set me back a couple of minutes and I was unable to get them back. In addition, miles 23-25 I found myself feeling like crap and having that usual, what the heck am I doing out here conversation with myself. Fortunately that faded fast and I was back on track.
I'm pretty happy with my time considering my training. This winter I have averaged about 20 miles of running (long run of 21 "Swinging Bridge 35k"), 20 miles of road biking, and some occasional miles on the mountain bike per week.
Holiday lake is one of 3 races directed by Ultra running legend David Horton (www.extremeultrarunning.com). He puts on a great race with aide stations full of food and drink and is truly happy to see you succeed and push through the pain. By finishing the race everyone gets a great Patagonia Long Sleeve shirt and a pat on the back.
No comments:
Post a Comment