I decided to run this event again since last year I had so much fun with its challenging course and great runners, plus last year finished 3rd place in my age group. Can I repeat? The InsaneRunning runner that ran it last year is not going to be able to attend this time. Similar to last year, I was coming from finishing the Bull City Half last weekend but this year also running a fast 5k in the middle of the week. For training, most of the miles have been on the road, greenways, and very easy trails. Not many miles on technical trails will see how my legs are going to hold.

For the morning routine, the same as in plenty of other events, hot cereal with almond butter, coffee, water, and a banana about 30-40 minutes before the start of the event. Including a warm-up run about 20 minutes from the start of the event.

Miles 1-3

As I started my way from the start in the mid of the group, down the main road, everyone kept about the same spot. I latched to a group of runners for about the first 2 miles holding a very decent pace and set to beat my time from last year. Found me in front of the group I was in, holding a great pace when out of nowhere, I tripped and came tumbling down very close to mile 3. (I swear that root moved to tackle me) The line of runners behind stopped, helped me get up, checked on me, and after giving them the ok I let them pass. I walk a little bit, trying to figure out if everything is ok. I think I am, but let another group pass by to make sure I was ok.

Miles 4-7

At this time, I am ok warmed up but still shaken from the fall and running at a very conservative pace. I have not been able to find a decent rhythm for a while. Holding a bit with another group of runners after the original two groups, I let pass earlier. It was ok for me, the pace was slower, and I made a better effort but perhaps just a tad faster than last year’s, but not by much. Close to the halfway mark, my brain started to play games, asking me, “why continue?”, “the arm hurts some”, “I was only past halfway what is the point to press the pace?”, “and there are still lots of trails to cover.” I forced myself to shift my thinking from looking a how much I have left to look at how little is there to finish compared to when I started. That started to do the trick.

Lots of pace changes, turns, rocks, roots, short and medium hills, and downhills. Definitely, no time to space out. I do not want to hit the ground again. I tripped a couple of times, with one of them being a very close call, but I was able to recover. This is another friendly reminder to keep the cadence high, light on the feet, and lift the legs.

Miles 8-11

During these miles, it was more of holding the pace, sometimes feeling great, sometimes struggling and tripping some. One thing I noticed was that I started to pass a few runners. I pressed the pace a bit, trying to gain some ground slowly. Checking my overall pace and realizing that I was still well ahead of last year’s performance. That made me happy.

Until, again, close to mile 10, I tripped, and it took a herculean effort to recover and prevent another fall. Holy Tamales, that was close. I slowed down just a tad to recover well and try to again gain the confidence to increase the pace and push the last few miles. There were a few runners that were running out of steam. I passed some of them and pressed a bit the pace during the uphill. On the uphills, I was going strong; on the downhill, I was feeling my legs hurting a bit.

Miles 12-Finish

This last mile or so is mostly rolling hills. At this time, I finally had a solid, constant pace, so I took advantage of it and pressed the pace. One more runner behind me was trying to get close to pass me. Since we had less than 3/4 miles to go, I pressed the last uphill and continued to have a very strong finish.

No cooldown for me. I stayed at the venue this time to take a look at the results and was pleasantly surprised to learn I finished 3rd once again in my age group. Improving my finish event time by 10 minutes. I guess that tumble was worthy.

Highlights:

Course: First 3/4 mile is a wide road turning into a still-wide greenway and quickly turning into a single-track trail. Continuous quick steps and difficult to pass with a solid pace. Lots of turns but in all a fun event.

Venue: At the finish, it was good, simple, but effective. Some music, snacks, bananas, water, and Ham, Humus, or Turkey sliders. Very nice!

Expo: No Expo

Weather: Perfect weather, mostly sunny until the finish. A great 39º with just 78% humidity.

T1D: Sugars were good at the start and held pretty well in range throughout the event.

Fueling:

Pre-Race: 1 serving of Hot Cereal and Latte. A banana about 35 minutes before the start.

Race: E-Fuel/Tailwind and Gatorade at the last four aid stations.

Post: Slider and Protein shake and lots of water.

Learning Points:

• Running an event trail race is very different than training on the trails.
• I need to get back to training more single track if I run this event again next year.

Month/Year	Event	Location	Type	Time
Oct-22	RootRock Trail Half	NC	Half	2:34:24