My goal was to run under 2:30. I ran 2:31:00, close but no cigar, oh well. Somehow I was the first finisher. GI issues plagued me from early on, had to use the port-a-potty once and puked a bit. Wasn't able to take in much water or calories (250?) but it was cool and I haven't been taking in many calories in training so I didn't fade too hard.
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| Coming down the mountain |
Around 5 miles into the race Angel Echevarria, Ryan Lucker and I bunched up and ran together for 9 miles until Ryan pulled over to puke his guts out (and eventually dropped). I think I passed Angel around mile 20 and kept the lead, he finished 2nd and Robert Leonardo 3rd (full results). I'm not used to being able to run 3 people wide down a paved winding canyon road for miles, chatting a bit in the cool morning air. It was fun for a change. Sure beats being stuck behind some loudmouth beatnik from Bishop on buttery mountain single track.
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| I like that grass |
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| Ahhh, shade |
The significant net elevation drop for the course puts a big asterisk on my marathon PR, but I enjoy running downhill and maybe running for 26 miles at a faster pace will help me speed up in general? I'm going to call it a nice tempo 4 weeks out from North Face 50M in the Marin Headlands. Time to head back to the mountains...
Sponsor shout outs:
Shoes: Hoka One One Clifton 2's. When these shoes first came out I thought... what's wrong with the original Clifton's? After this race I realize that this updated model is more comfy and it feels like they'll be able to log more miles than their predecessor. GREAT shoe for running hard downhill on asphalt for 20+ miles. Feet felt fine afterwards, and they're so light!
Sunglasses: Julbo Blast's with light photochromic lenses were perfect. Lenses got darker as the day got brighter. I knew it was going to be a bit breezy and the glasses kept the wind out of my eyes.
Socks: Drymax Thin Running Socks. No blisters, no hotspots. Stoked to see Drymax is the official sock of the US Skyrunner Series next year.
FLUID: After every hard run I pound a bottle of Chocolate Wave Recovery, and it hit the spot after 26 miles on pavement.
