Me, Super Ultra Running legend Bill Dooper, and Ryan Burch (photo by Burch)Hi everyone. After some much need time off from the unknown blog world I have returned. I’m fit and ready for a great season. I’ve raced twice this year. Last month I ran the Moab Red Hot 55K. http://www.grassrootsevents.net/node/2 Without too many details I ran hard but hydrated poorly and bonked with 2 miles to go. I hobbled in the last two miles being overtaken by Dakota Jones who won in 4:02, while I came in second at 4:06.
This last weekend I ran the Salida Run Through Time Marathon http://salidarec.com/ccrc/
The race had some difficulty getting the proper permits for their traditional run therefore, they had to change the course. New this year was a fantastic 5 mile single track addition.
Lynnette and I drove over in the morning with Cody and the race was soon underway. It went out relaxed compared to previous years. By mile 1 there was the front pack consisting of Nick Clark http://www.irunmountains.blogspot.com/ , Ryan Burch http://ryanwburch.blogspot.com/ , Dan Vega, and I.
Nick and I were leading the procession. We hit the incline, which is really a 7 mile long hill with 2000 feet gained. From here I started an up-tempo pace. I was able to gain about 20 seconds on Nick but no more. At the 2nd water station somewhere near 7 miles I hit an almost identical time compared to years past. I was at 51 minutes. I grabbed a quick drink and left only to see Nick was right on my heels. I pressed on a little harder trying to put a gap between Nick and I. I got to the modified and early turn around (because of the modified course) at 1:14:20. I then timed the run back to Nick. It was 40 to 45 seconds which meant I was 1:20 to 1:30 ahead. This was a small lead but I’d take. Dan and Ryan were in close pursuit. I started hammering back to the aid station (the one I went by in 51 minutes). I felt great. Then ½ a mile before the aid station I got a side cramp that slowed me down considerably. I felt like dropping out of the race.
I slowed up and regrouped mentally. I got to the aid station took more water and left. I could see Nick now again. He had caught up and was only 20-30 seconds back again. I decided not to worry and just take it easy. Over the next 3 miles the side cramp would come in go with less intensity. Finally it left. At bends in the trail and roads I’d see Nick. I was slowly gaining on him.
I hit the 20.1 aid station at 2:19. This was where the trail deviated from past years onto the new single track. I was in my element on it and figured I had a 90 second lead over Nick. It was hard to maintain a quick pace as the track meandered constantly. The single track ran down the front of “S” Mountain in Salida and the race finished. I won for the 3d year in a row with a time of 3:05:50 about 3 minutes ahead of Nick, who was closely followed by Dan and Ryan.
This last weekend I ran the Salida Run Through Time Marathon http://salidarec.com/ccrc/
The race had some difficulty getting the proper permits for their traditional run therefore, they had to change the course. New this year was a fantastic 5 mile single track addition.
Lynnette and I drove over in the morning with Cody and the race was soon underway. It went out relaxed compared to previous years. By mile 1 there was the front pack consisting of Nick Clark http://www.irunmountains.blogspot.com/ , Ryan Burch http://ryanwburch.blogspot.com/ , Dan Vega, and I.
Nick and I were leading the procession. We hit the incline, which is really a 7 mile long hill with 2000 feet gained. From here I started an up-tempo pace. I was able to gain about 20 seconds on Nick but no more. At the 2nd water station somewhere near 7 miles I hit an almost identical time compared to years past. I was at 51 minutes. I grabbed a quick drink and left only to see Nick was right on my heels. I pressed on a little harder trying to put a gap between Nick and I. I got to the modified and early turn around (because of the modified course) at 1:14:20. I then timed the run back to Nick. It was 40 to 45 seconds which meant I was 1:20 to 1:30 ahead. This was a small lead but I’d take. Dan and Ryan were in close pursuit. I started hammering back to the aid station (the one I went by in 51 minutes). I felt great. Then ½ a mile before the aid station I got a side cramp that slowed me down considerably. I felt like dropping out of the race.
I slowed up and regrouped mentally. I got to the aid station took more water and left. I could see Nick now again. He had caught up and was only 20-30 seconds back again. I decided not to worry and just take it easy. Over the next 3 miles the side cramp would come in go with less intensity. Finally it left. At bends in the trail and roads I’d see Nick. I was slowly gaining on him.
I hit the 20.1 aid station at 2:19. This was where the trail deviated from past years onto the new single track. I was in my element on it and figured I had a 90 second lead over Nick. It was hard to maintain a quick pace as the track meandered constantly. The single track ran down the front of “S” Mountain in Salida and the race finished. I won for the 3d year in a row with a time of 3:05:50 about 3 minutes ahead of Nick, who was closely followed by Dan and Ryan.
At the Finish (photo from Ryan Burch)
My time for the last 3 years is as follows:
2009: 3:03:42 Course Record, fast day
2010: 3:13:17 Slow muddy slick day
2011: 3:05:50 Fast day slower course though, great time
I got to break 3 hours there one of these years…
