Paleozoic Trail Runs – Silurian Spring (03.26.2016)
Over the weekend I successfully completed my second 50K & I almost feel like I can start to be considered an ultra runner!
Overall this was an awesome race . . .
- First time experiencing the beautiful Cook County Forest Preserve! *I will be back to this area for training & racing!*
- Flexible & encouraging Race Directors!
- Ran with some incredible ultra runner “Time Lords” that have inspired me to take my running to the next level!
- Amazing, supportive volunteers!
- All of my gear worked fabulously – especially my Orange Mud Hydraquiver Vest Pack 2, my Trail Toes, & my new Louva arm sleeves!
Here area my key “take aways” from this race!
THE GOOD: 32 minute PR!
This might be temporarily renamed “THE AMAZING” . . . the best part is I know that I can do even better next time!
The Huff 50K was my baseline – this 50K was to see how I’m truly doing with all of my training. There are some areas of “low hanging fruit” that I think I can seize immediately (e.g. more hill training, better planning for aid stations / fuel, better strategy for drop bag, better understanding of the course, etc.).
I’m rather excited to see how my times shape up for the rest of the year now.
THE BAD: Some course confusion & under estimating of temperatures.
There is this risk with every race / run regarding knowing the course . . . unfortunately, within 1.5 miles from the start there was a small group of us that came to a complete stop to debate which direction to go & had that uneasy feeling for a bit about whether we had chosen poorly or not.
My feedback for this course would be to next time make more frequent markers, avoid marking leaves that can be moved around, when in doubt – over mark, & if possible – have a volunteer direct runners at intersections.
In regards to the temperatures . . . I was perfectly comfortable in my Orange Mud short sleeved tech shirt, but I should have opted for compression shorts versus capris. It started to get warm within the first hour of running & I think I would have been more comfortable / cooler in the shorts . . . coulda, shoulda, woulda . . . welcome to the learning curve of running. On a positive note, my new Louva arm sleeves (http://www.louvagear.com/) worked perfectly!
AND THE UGLY: Wet feet!
I fear that my poor toes will never be the same. Ever since The North Country Trail Marathon last year – I’ve had one poor little toenail that has never recovered & I’m afraid that some other toes will be joining the rebellion.
Although the RD ran the course on Friday & reported that there were a few wet spots – I think with more thawing & the course being beat down in some areas from the other fabulous runners – the wet spots were water spots up to my ankles. <sigh>
I fully embraced it & muttered numerous times to “Suck it up, Buttercup!” . . . but that didn’t mean that my feet were happy.
On the negative side – I planned poorly – I should have put my Salomon Speed Cross 3 trail running shoes in my drop bag . . . but I forgot. I did however remember to put all of my dry max socks in my drop bag. This bit me not only at the drop bag aid station, but also when I completed my first out & back, because then I could change into my Salomons, but I didn’t have any other pairs of dry max socks to change. <wa wa waaaaa> Oh well, you live & learn, at least I had another spare pair of running socks in my gear boxes & my travel size Trail Toes in my VP2! I changed out of the wet socks & runners, reapplied the Trail Toes, put on dry socks & Salomons, & took off for my final out & back!
SUMMARY:
Overall an awesome day & this has kicked off my next series of adventures. After talking with one of the magical Time Lords – Jose – I have decided to definitely embrace The Illinois Ultra Slam series. My next ultra is on April 9th (in less than 2 weeks) at the Potawatomi 50 Miler. *yep – my heart still skips when I think about what I’ve registered to do.* GO BIG OR STAY HOME!! Time to see how 50 miles will feel in preparation for The North Country 50 Miler & The Hennepin Hundred 100 Miler. *oy!*
Every Mile Becomes a Part of Me 
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