Marathon Me

Sunmart is one of my favorite races and this would be the 5th time I would be running here. I had taken on the 50k three times and the 50 miler once. Since I had a previous engagement that night (and because 50 miles is really far to me), I opted to do the “mini”. I was hoping to run under a 4:30 which would get me close to a PR and give me a chance to pick up an age group award (the awards are pretty cool horse statues, which I’ll post a pic of tomorrow).

My previous efforts had been:

2003 50k 4:28
2004 50k 4:54
2006 50m 8:11
2007 50k 4:59 – 1st place age group (it was a really, really hot day and I won by attrition)
2008 50k Hopefully sub 4:30.

Sunmart takes place out in the Huntsville State Park in, wait for it, Huntsville, Texas. The packet pickup is the night before in Houston where you get the best goodie bag of any race anywhere. It’s insane. I will try to remember to post a picture of all the schwag you get at this race. But off the top of my head: duffle bag, long sleeve tech T, jacket, hat, gloves, parka, disposable camera, stuffed animal, fingernail kit, bandana, luggage handle, sunglasses, and a notebook. (I may have missed something but you get the idea). The dinner is never all that great, but it’s free and you have to go to get your packet (unless you are smart enough to have someone else pick it up for you).

After dinner Scott and I drove to Huntsville which took an hour and 45 minutes, even though it should have taken maybe 40 minutes. We were totally stopped on I45, and at one point I pulled out a book and started reading.

We woke up the next morning and headed to the race, I was following Scott’s monster truck and was happy to see he remembered that there is always closer parking and we were able to get pretty close to the start, which would mean that much closer after the race.

It was a cold morning and like the geniuses we are, Scott and I both forgot our water bottles. I went seeking aid in the Hill Country Trail Runners tent and Robert, who I’m sure would not only be willing to give you the shirt off his back, but he did give me his water bottle. I am pretty sure it was his magic water bottle that powered me to a 10 minute PR. Thanks again Robert!

The race started and I felt really good the first 10k loop, and part of the first 12.5 mile loop. Then I just started feeling out of sorts, but I was still running okay, but I didn’t feel right. I had been fighting off cold for the last couple weeks and still hadn’t fully recovered.

I really like running trail races, even though I will finish 2008 only having done two of them I think. I need to work on that next year. I like being in the woods and off the roads and having a slower pace. It just seems more fun.

I finished the second lap and thought I had a good shot at a PR, which would be great both for being a PR and because it would let me get home sooner to help my wife with the evening’s festivities.

The last lap I was fighting off trying to avoid a pit stop, so I kept varying my pace. Slowing down and speeding back up when I felt in control. I successfully avoid having to make a pit stop and cruised in for a 10 minute PR at 4:18. I was 13th overall and only got crushed by two women this year, so I’m improving. Haha. Since two people in my age group took 2nd and 3rd overall I got pulled up into 2nd place for the age group award and was able to pick up my second horse trophy. Yeah. My overall pace was 8:19/M. Next year I am going to try and not get sick before this race and see if I can run a sub 4:05, or at least try to hit sub 8:00/M for the whole thing.

After the race I headed back home and where my wife and her friend were diligently baking and cooking for the party that night. My food and wine were consumed and I felt pretty good. By the end of the night I was super tired and my feet hurt. I thought it was just from wearing dressier shoes than running shoes, but the next morning I felt like my foot was broken. It hurt to walk so I tried staying off of it for most of Sunday.

Monday I walked Christopher to school and it was really tough, so I decided to do the smart thing for once and I went and got XRayed. I was running another marathon on Sunday so I really was hoping my foot wasn’t broken. Luckily the XRays were negative my foot just really hurt. I think I strained some ligiments. The doctor told me to take it easy for the rest of the week and to come back if it still hurt.

This actually happened to me in 2003, so I think maybe my body just can’t handle trail running a 50k in under 4:30. I had zero problems on the same course when I ran close to 5 hours, and even when I ran the 50 miler I had no problems.

Maybe I was breaking down as the year comes to and end. But fast forward to last Saturday, I boarded the plane and headed to Kentucky for another trail marathon. Details to come.

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Tags: Marathons, Race Reports //