Last year I planned to run my first 50 miler at the 2007 North Face Endurance Challenge Hartford, CT race. I was excited because the race course was to be on the local "rails to trails" path on which I often train. However, a few weeks before the event, the race was cancelled due to lack of registrants. The North Face sent a t-shirt and hat as a consolation. But in accordance with Bad Ben’s T-shirt etiquette I have not worn the shirt, since I did not complete the event. So in order to justify wearing the shirt some day, myself and Mark (who's in the same situation) decided we should run the 50 mile course on our own some day. Yesterday was the day.
Keith, a guy we met at Stone Cat last year, and who's going to pace me at VT, came down from Boston to particpate in the training run as well. A last minute change in plans had us stay at Mark's house Friday night and head out from there for the 4 AM start. This would be a good thing, as it added some hills and variation from the soon to be somewhat methodical trot down the long, straight, flat rail trail.
Headlamps lighting the way, we rolled through Tolland on our way to meet up with Mike, who was going to run the opposite direction from Vernon and join us for about half the run. However, we never saw him. He ran past where we thought we'd meet him and kept running on a road which wasn't our route. We'll coordinate better next time!
So the three of us pressed on and soon hopped on the rail trail. We enjoyed the cool morning and the sun coming up, shining through the trees. We saw plenty of deer and even a moose! We had plenty of fluids and calories, as we had some water stashed at a few road crossings and there were a couple of convenience stores along the way.
When we got half way, we ended up missing the point we were supposed to turn around and ran a little further down the trail. As a result the run ended up being 52.6 miles. Not a bad thing to get in a few extra miles. We finished the run in a solid 9:50:05. It was an excellent training run and I was stoked to see that my pacer is in top form and ready to go next month! And now I can where the North Face stuff.
Keith, a guy we met at Stone Cat last year, and who's going to pace me at VT, came down from Boston to particpate in the training run as well. A last minute change in plans had us stay at Mark's house Friday night and head out from there for the 4 AM start. This would be a good thing, as it added some hills and variation from the soon to be somewhat methodical trot down the long, straight, flat rail trail.
Headlamps lighting the way, we rolled through Tolland on our way to meet up with Mike, who was going to run the opposite direction from Vernon and join us for about half the run. However, we never saw him. He ran past where we thought we'd meet him and kept running on a road which wasn't our route. We'll coordinate better next time!
So the three of us pressed on and soon hopped on the rail trail. We enjoyed the cool morning and the sun coming up, shining through the trees. We saw plenty of deer and even a moose! We had plenty of fluids and calories, as we had some water stashed at a few road crossings and there were a couple of convenience stores along the way.
When we got half way, we ended up missing the point we were supposed to turn around and ran a little further down the trail. As a result the run ended up being 52.6 miles. Not a bad thing to get in a few extra miles. We finished the run in a solid 9:50:05. It was an excellent training run and I was stoked to see that my pacer is in top form and ready to go next month! And now I can where the North Face stuff.
Getting ready the night before
We saw a moose!
10 comments:
Holy shit. You're f'n crazy. I love that about you. Seriously, get your JotP license and marry us. You'd be the coolest priest ever.
I'm bummed that I missed out on this, but I wouldn't have been able to keep up with you guys anyway. I was stuck in thunderstorms and only got 31 miles in. How about you do it again next weekend and I'll join in ! :)
Dude that's pretty sweet! And that second pics makes your house look like a drug lab :P LOL JK!
awesome job scott! you are definitely ready for vermont!
awesome job to get in 50 on the course that never came to pass!! You guys look way, way too fast....
I was curious how the 50 went and figured I'd get info from your blog. Solid effort and run...The picture of all your "fuel" is something. Wish it would have worked to join for part. Look forward to meeting Keith in VT. Had another struggle in the swimming part of the tri, but hammered the bike and run on Saturday.
See Ya
WOW that is a nice friggin trek & solid 9:50...way to go!! Congrats to u guys!! Ur ready to for VT..keep that focus!!
No junk Miles, keep it cool ur almost there to taper time and then soon to TOE da Line :-) ahhhh ur going to love it!!
Hi Scott
I am so not worthy. In the meantime I will stick to my wimpy little 26.2s....
Now that's committment.
Go ahead and sign up for the Western States 100. That never cancels.
Great run Scott! Looks like you are ready.
The Western States comment was a bit premature as it was cancelled today. First time in 35 years!
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