Well folks I had a very nice run Saturday. The Sadleback Mountain Marathon in the Cleveland National forest about 45 minutes east of San Juan Capistrano.
I just had a great day. I started out easy despite the temptation to follow those who were running the early hills. I knew that I would do better to just power hike all the uphills. Anything that even looked like it might go up at all I was calling a hill.
The run has a total of 5000 feet of gain. I am not sure if non runners can appreciate that, but here is a comparison. the feared Boston Marathon with "Heartbreak Hill" has a total of 1054 feet of gain.
The first two miles or so were on pavement and more or less rolling so it was walk run walk run.
then the first real hill. well at this point let me show you the elevation profile.
As you can see there is a little bit of moderate altitude as well. So going up the first hill I caught about 4 people. My point at this is not trying to beat people but to go "as I felt" and it felt good to "push a little". I am sort of beyond the focus on seeing how fast I can run a race,just trying to cut every minute off. I choose my races based on scenery and how fun they are it's also easier on my body.
Then the long downhill. I was carefull not to trip over the many embeded rocks. On the next hill I passed another 6 people or so, like they were standing still.
I still felt great. At this point with 3/4 of the race done I had gone through 6 leters of fluid. My famous I get the same Mileage as a Hummer intake. At the next to last aid station I took another 2 leters.
Here is a photo from last years race off the website. I should have carried my camera!
So anyway despite taking salt capsules and my 8 leters of fluid I stil got some hamstring cramps on the final downhill to the finish line. I finished in 5 hrs and 25 minutes! I think I'll have a banana! Just 4 weeks until I leave for Nepal.
People, It's not too late to contribute to my cause the American Himalayan foundation. You can find a link to their site on the sidebar. Please help them build schools, clinics etc. It's tough here but much tougher there!
Comments (1)
^^Anything that even looked like it might go up at all I was calling a hill.^^ Robert,
This made me laugh! :) Your strategy clearly worked. Looks like it was a beautiful run.
Congrats on a good day and a good run!
Posted by colleen | December 5, 2008 8:27 AM
Posted on December 5, 2008 08:27