Iron MT 50K, “Shake, Rattle and Roll!”
I decided to take time away from serious training after a very disappointing DNF at the Western States 100 Miler in June. As I mentioned in my post, “As the Stomach Turns”, I got very sick and had to drop at mile 80. This left me without the motivation to jump back into training for another 100 miler. Time away from training has been great, since I decided to get back to the basics and just have fun. My idea of down time is probably a little different than most, as I have spent a good amount of time running up and down mountains with Francesca. There is something refreshing about not being so serious about every workout and not logging every mile. And, hold on tight, I’ve even taken an extra day off here and there!
So, fast forward to 9 weeks P.W.S (Post Western States), I decided at the last minute to jump into the Iron Mountain 50K (probably more like 30 miles). This proved to be a great decision and I had A LOT of fun.
The Shake: the weather here in Charlottesville VA leading up to the race has been brutal! Out of Africa hot. So, on race morning, we awoke to temperatures in the 40’s, and it never reached more that 70 degrees during the race. Standing there on the starting line, I was shaking my bony butt off, but no complaints: wow, this felt good!
The Rattle: the website describes the course as “Technical”, and we all know this to be code for ROCKS! I must admit that very rocky terrain is not my favorite to race over. Let me be more clear, I HATE SUPER ROCKY TRAILS. But, for some reason, I’ve done fairly well in rocky races. About a year ago I finished 4th overall at the North Face Endurance 50K at Bear Mountain, NY. This course looked like a bomb had exploded and left the course with ONLY rocks to run over. Anyway, I knew what I had signed up for, so I couldn’t complain. I caught a toe while running fast on downhills at least half a dozen times, but, here and there, I was able to do a “Spiderman” to keep from incurring major trauma. A “Spiderman” is why we do core work! As you catch your toe and are propelled forward, you are able to land on your hands and toes, much like doing a push-up. It will rattle you to the your core, but saves a lot of skin. Got to love Spiddy…
The Roll: Well, Spiddy took a break and my luck ran out in the last 3 miles along the jeep road from hell. I did a “Pete Rose”, better know as sliding/rolling over rocks and roots. I paid my dues to the trails gods, at least until the next race.
How did it go? All in all, pretty well; aerobically, I felt good, but I just seemed to lack some leg speed. I think the time away from serious training has been good for my mind and body. I didn’t run super fast, finished 9th overall, but I never got very tired and had very little soreness after the race.
So, get out there this fall and “Shake, Rattle and please remember to Roll!
Gill
Wore “Wildcats”, great over the technical terrainron MT 50K, “Shake, Rattle and Roll!”
I decided to take time away from serious training after a very disappointing DNF at the Western States 100 Miler in June. As I mentioned in my post, “As the Stomach Turns”, I got very sick and had to drop at mile 80. This left me without the motivation to jump back into training for another 100 miler. Time away from training has been great, since I decided to get back to the basics and just have fun. My idea of down time is probably a little different than most, as I have spent a good amount of time running up and down mountains with Francesca. There is something refreshing about not being so serious about every workout and not logging every mile. And, hold on tight, I’ve even taken an extra day off here and there!
So, fast forward to 9 weeks P.W.S (Post Western States), I decided at the last minute to jump into the Iron Mountain 50K (probably more like 30 miles). This proved to be a great decision and I had A LOT of fun.
The Shake: the weather here in Charlottesville VA leading up to the race has been brutal! Out of Africa hot. So, on race morning, we awoke to temperatures in the 40’s, and it never reached more that 70 degrees during the race. Standing there on the starting line, I was shaking my bony butt off, but no complaints: wow, this felt good!
The Rattle: the website describes the course as “Technical”, and we all know this to be code for ROCKS! I must admit that very rocky terrain is not my favorite to race over. Let me be more clear, I HATE SUPER ROCKY TRAILS. But, for some reason, I’ve done fairly well in rocky races. About a year ago I finished 4th overall at the North Face Endurance 50K at Bear Mountain, NY. This course looked like a bomb had exploded and left the course with ONLY rocks to run over. Anyway, I knew what I had signed up for, so I couldn’t complain. I caught a toe while running fast on downhills at least half a dozen times, but, here and there, I was able to do a “Spiderman” to keep from incurring major trauma. A “Spiderman” is why we do core work! As you catch your toe and are propelled forward, you are able to land on your hands and toes, much like doing a push-up. It will rattle you to the your core, but saves a lot of skin. Got to love Spiddy…
The Roll: Well, Spiddy took a break and my luck ran out in the last 3 miles along the jeep road from hell. I did a “Pete Rose”, better know as sliding/rolling over rocks and roots. I paid my dues to the trails gods, at least until the next race.
How did it go? All in all, pretty well; aerobically, I felt good, but I just seemed to lack some leg speed. I think the time away from serious training has been good for my mind and body. I didn’t run super fast, finished 9th overall, but I never got very tired and had very little soreness after the race.
So, get out there this fall and “Shake, Rattle and please remember to Roll!
Gill
Wore “Wildcats”, great over the technical terrain
