That Was Fun

Coming in about mile eight.  Photo Courtesy of Pikes Peak Sports

Today was the Cheyenne Mountain 50K race here in Colorado Springs.  I had been really looking forward to this race as it was my first race of the year and hopefully the weather was going to be mild for a change.  It is a fun race, close to home and the course in my mind runs from deceptively easy to outright challenging depending where you are at the time.  As far as local races go it is one of my favorites.

Going into today I really didn't know what to expect.  I didn't know what I could do or how the run would turn out.  Since it had been so long since I had run a race that alone raised a lot of questions.  Anyway, it was going to be an adventure.

I'll save the mile by mile replay (you're welcome) and just discuss the day in terms of the two 25KM loops ran.  Let's just say that I really got my money's worth today.  I essentially had two runs or races in one.

The first 25K, I ran it in 2:25, a whole fifteen minute improvement over last year.  And in case you are wondering, yes that was too fast.  Too damn fast!  But it was FUN!  I ran it hard and it felt good and it was fun like I said.  I could definitely tell in that loop that I have indeed gotten stronger and that I am indeed a lot faster.  That alone today was a whole new experience for me.

But like I said, I went too fast.  As a second thought this morning I almost decided to take and wear my heart rate monitor just to keep my out of trouble.  I am sure it would have kept me reined in and that I might have had a better overall result if I had done that but I can't say for certain.  By not wearing it though, I got to have a very fun first 25K and I am just going to walk away happy with that.

Now for part two... the second 25K which is basically two 12 K's back to back, in two different sections... Well, this was a different run altogether.  While the first 25K was an all out sprint almost, this second 25K was pure unadulterated ultra training both mentally and physically.    On the first half of the second 25K at mile 16 I rolled my left ankle and that hurt pretty bad and that was with me the rest of the run but more than that I was just spent from the first 25K and going out too fast.  And bonus... it got WARM today.  Not miserable hot but warmer than we are used to this spring and I sort of got a little dehydrated too in this part.  Miles 16 - 26 were just an exercise in pushing to get it done.  Hike the steeps, run the flats and downs.

With about three to four miles to go the trail was descending and it opened up a bit to allow for a smoother pace.  Believe it or not I was able to capitalize on this and pick it up there at the end and hold it till the finish.   So as much as the second part sucked it was a good feeling to be able to rally at the and finish strongly.  But I got to tell you.... When I was done,  I was done!

So a mixed bag for the day.  A solid 50K run that goes into the training volume.  Overall time slower than last year but I can live with it and throw in the education that I need to be little more conservative yet in my starts, regardless of how much fun I am having, and that will go a long way in serving me well the rest of this season.

Lastly though I have to say there were many moments today that I was definitely looking forward to my bike ride on Sunday!

Me (In black) following JT (green shirt and bucket hat) at the start.  Photo courtesy of Patrick Garcia.

Eight weeks till the Leadville Marathon.  Wow.