Training Log Archive: Timato

Event: Cayuga Trails 50 - Ultra Marathons
 

This was my second attempt at the 50 mile distance and my main goal for the race was to do a lot better than I did the first time I attempted this. Leading up to the race I felt that I was still fighting of lingering issues from Tierra Viva and I probably hadn't trained as well I as I should have. I figured that if any of the "problem" spots became a real issue I'd stop to avoid further damage to the body and turn this into a good training run.

The night before was the pre-race dinner and briefing. Looking back at the race this is the only thing I would have done differently. The dinner I had was really just pizza from a fast food restaurant (included in my entry fee). Next time I'd ask for that portion back which was an option and go out for dinner at one of the nicer restaurants in town.

Race morning came too early (4:15 am) and it was pretty exciting to see so many people on the start line for a race. It was also pretty neat to see all the elite athletes warming up before they go hammer their 50 miles.

The first 20 km probably felt the hardest for me. My legs just felt tired and heavy and all those little aches and pains where their during the whole run. I was really careful to watch my pace to make sure I avoided going out to hard. I had the chance to run with a few different people and there was some banter back and forth, but given that I don't talk I'm sure they did most of the talking.

At the turn around I found myself in a group of 4 runners and we start the hike out of the gorge along this trail cut into the side of the rock with a series of waterfalls on our left. I found as we continued to climb that I was starting to pull away from these guys. Then this older runner I'd been with before caught up to me and we continued on. We then hit a section of trail that was just post holes of mud and again I pulled away a bit. This turned out to the be the point where it started to click for me (about 30 km into the race). From this point on I don't think anyone else passed me, but I started to work my way up the field. I was still careful to make sure that I controlled my pace, but now when I caught up to someone I wanted to make sure that they didn't stick around behind me for very long. This continued for me for the next 40 or so km until I found myself with 10 km to go.

At this point I'd been alone for a while so I figure I'd just be running into the finish by myself. However as I came into the 2nd last aid station to my surprise I found 4 more runners either standing there or heading out. I grabbed some pretzels and just continued off passing 2 people right away. As I continued up the climb I caught one more person and could see one more up ahead. Grabbed him after a bit of back and forth and then one more before the last aid station. From here I was all by myself as I descended the last section of stairs. Saw one last guy up ahead as I came across the field into the finish, but he had too much left in his legs and not enough course for me to catch up.

Really happy with how I ran the race and paced it to the finish. My first lap was 5:01 and my second was 5:10. Next race I'll start to try to pick up the pace overall and/or run more of the hills now that I feel like I understand how to pace these things to the end.

Had a chance to speak with the guy who came in second after the race. He does all of his hill training on a treadmill since he lives in Chicago. Got some ideas from him to try to use as I prepare for CCC.

C • Great job! 9

Light run around the park to feel limber.

C • Cayuga 5