Training Log Archive: ultra_amy

Easy morning hike with Brian around Llandudno, up to the Orme's Head and back. While I think we would have preferred to sleep, we both got up early, and then decided it was best to walk around and flush the lactic acid a bit rather than sitting around...we'll do enough of that on the plane tonight. Legs feel ok - tired, but no particular tightness or aches. Phew!

Event: IAU World Trail Championships
 

Ok - so we don't know the official distance of the course, but think it was pretty close to a 50 miler (+/- less than 1km of distance?). The course was pretty non-technical (for me), having about 60% dirt road and 40% single track - but nothing technical on the single track. It did have plenty of climbing, with about 9,000 feet of total climb. Anyway, I was so excited for the race, but on race-day, didn't have that 'racing edge' where the legs felt great and the running felt effort-less. Nope, I felt every mile of this, and worked for every place I got.

The race went out hard, and after only about 1k (up the first to get to the 'loops'), I was way back - likely the back of the field. I worked my way up through the climbing in the first 4k of the loop, and yet I would pass ladies on the technical or climbing, and they would fly by me on the road sections. First lap felt a bit harder than I typically like to go out at. Second lap, I settled into my stride and was beginning to realize that my early quick pace was maybe not the greatest idea...but I was still moving well.

Third lap, as I passed the lead USA female (she was injured, but determined to finish so we would score as a team!), I felt a surge of pride for the USA jersey I was wearing and ran strong. My fourth lap was a bit of a struggle, but mentally I felt like I stayed engaged even if I knew I was slowing down just a bit. I kept drawing inspiration from my training buddies and the New England runners who donated for me to be there - and again, felt the weight of being the lead USA runner. I felt amazing on my 5th lap and was pleased to keep running strong and be passing folks as they struggled. While my pace slowed each lap, I was able to really open up the stride on all the road sections and downhill/flat sections, and that kept my pace up even if I hiked a bit slower (or a bit more) each lap.

All in all, it wasn't a course that suited my strengths, but I ran with pure heart out there. I can't even say that I ever felt like this came easily today, I felt like I kept my focus the whole race, worked hard for everything I had, and am pleased with doing as well as I possibly could at the finish. While I know I'm capable of a bit more - it was nice to have no regrets on the day, I ran as well as I possibly could have. I am actually extremely proud of myself for staying so engaged in the race and mentally focusing to finish without regrets.

I was 15th female, lead USA female, finishing in 7:24:25. Not so bad for a non-speedster!

Well earned day-off. We had opening ceremonies (with plenty of walking and standing around...) and Brian and I visited a nature walk in the afternoon. But, it was a day to rest up and prepare for tomorrow.

Easy run along the first portion of the course with Tracy. The first climb of each lap will be a total burner...it goes on for about 4k! But, glad to run with her - I think we're fairly evenly matched in terms of our fitness/ability, so I'm excited to see how we'll do when we're competing together.

It was weird to celebrate the 4th of July in another country, but I did look at my USA jersey and the American flag outside the race headquarters and think of how I was going to celebrate on the 6th this year instead.

Easy run with Brian at the Gwyndr Forest (or however you spell it!). We couldn't follow the crappy course map that we were provided, so don't know if we did any portion of the course for this weekend. But, we got a feeling for the location and the trails. There were plenty of fun single track trails to play on, so we had some fun! Legs feel a bit tired today, but I'll take it easy for the next two days so I can run strong.

Ran up Snowden Mountain - the highest peak in the UK. The trail was pretty mellow for the first several miles, so we jogged our way up. Once the trail turned up and started with the stairs we started hiking (and I started having Cayuga flashbacks). The wind on top was the highest wind I've ever dealt with in my life - we were nearly blown on the mountain several times, and were power hiking into the wind for about one very slow mile. The return trip, once the wind was at my back, was likely the fastest mile I've ever run in my life (and likely Ryan Hall's average marathon pace). We made the return trip in very quick time, and enjoyed the rewards for the hike/run up.

Brian and I bagged Scarfell Pike, the highest point in England. We hiked up, ran down...and had a great time. We did get a bit lost going off the top (it was super foggy, so we accidently went down the wrong side of the mountain and almost ended up in the wrong town at the bottom!) - but otherwise it was a great run. Had some fun baaaa-ing with the free range sheep that were everywhere on the mountain.