So This is Taper...?

Goal: 5 miles easy
Actual: 3.9mi. @ 8:07/mi.

Although my previous understanding of tapering for this distance was that I shoud not run a single mile this final week before the race, I was inspired by the local champion of ultra, Jonathan Savage's taper before going into his 2nd place finish at the North Coast 24 Hour National Championships.  I have had a number of conversations with Jonathan to this point about all things ultra and trusted that I had a fair grasp of the difference between his limits and my own.  Maybe reading Jonathan's Wiki on his 24-hour was just the excuse I needed to justify the run I had been hankering for, but I was glad to get out and get a few miles with the CRC crew at the Wednesday AM Dowd run as this would also be my only run for the week before the race.  I spent a couple typical 7:30 miles with the group -- Chrisman, Custer, Khan, Linz, Mainwaring, and Maye, then decided to be smart and cut back to the Dowd nice and easy at my own pace.

At this point, I've put in the hours and hours and hours and miles and miles and miles and more than enough two-a-days and three-a-days by now.  I cannot stress anymore, all I can do is go out and trust.  Christi and I will be camping out Friday night before the race then waking up in time to prepare myself for one long 24 hour period.  My current plan is to go out and essentially complete 3 separate marathons with solid walking/eating the laps in between.  I do not want to stop moving before sundown except to change shoes/socks.  Even when I am just running, I don't intend to let my average get any faster than 9:00 pace.  The key is to take it nice and easy embracing the slow and steady that my training has taught me.  No matter what I accomplish, it will all be thanks to God's wondrous work in my life.

Brixx 10K Preview

9.38mi. from Dowd Y @ 1:13:36

I showed up to the Dowd thinking I would just roll into whatever run the group had in mind since I thought the crew would likely be previewing the Hit the Brixx course on Thursday.  Apparently, I was the last to know that Paul had posted his intent to preview today.  This was the first time I realized just how slight the difference was in my strength recovery from Blue Ridge.  I hung slightly back with Shue barely pulling 7:40 pace.  I felt bad for Billy going through the recovery phase also since Paul made it seem effortless again.  I was glad I previewed this morning, but certainly don't think the 10K would be the race for me.

One Down, Two to Go

Goal: 7-10 Miles  7:30 - 9:00/mi.
Actual: 9 Miles @ 8:24/mi. w/ some 7:15 pickup

Who Does Hills for Warm Up?

With so few days left until we leave for Blue Ridge Relay, I knew I wanted to take advantage of another "day off" from work in time to "taper" just before the relay.  Since it's Tuesday, why not start with some decent mileage at the Miner's Run.  Before bed last night, I decided I would arrive early to park at Spanish Trace and get my last elongated hill in before BRR.  I started off abruptly but easy up Monroe Rd. for a mile, not feeling any burn.  Turning onto Sardis Rd North I prepared for the mile descent.  Surprisingly, I felt very comfortable cruising at comfortable pace and just let myself flow down the hill.  I felt so good, I decided to change plans and go right back up as soon as I hit Sardis Rd. itself.  The climb back my legs may have burned a little, but really I was just glad to stretch the legs out.

Seriously love these shoes.
Photo courtesy of RunningWarehouse.com

The main purposes of this portion of my morning run was to get in some last minute hill training,  try out my new reflective vest, and get a feel for how well my ASR's could transition back onto asphalt.  I will most likely use these for Leg 2 of the Relay.  If anyone is looking for a good trainer that can function on trail due to it's water resistance, sturdy midsole, and durable upper, I love my Brooks Adrenaline ASR7's.  I can't wait until the ASR-GTX is in my budget too.  My Nathan vest looks really cool, but after a couple miles it was extremely awkward, fitting much like a plus-sized NCAA women's half singlet would fit me.  I am certainly glad I decided to change the routine.

Running down the greenway to meet the group, I was cruising comfortably at 7:45 fearing that the the rest of CRC might soon be dropping sub 7:30 by the time I saw them. As I saw the pack approaching in the dark with headlamps streamlined I pulled to the side  to avoid causing fright only to find myself the frightened party as Kahn shouted, "Identify yourself!"  Geez, I'm no good at yelling to communicate to people, so I just tried to spit out some gibberish in hopes that I could really just concentrate on getting my wheels spinning in time.

A peak at a typical miner's run as Megan leads the pack.

Spritely and and ever so comfortably, we bounded down the greenway to the XC course.  Being in front, gleaning from the wisdom/antics of Kahn, I hardly noticed I was in front until one mile into the XC course. Avoiding any owl attacks, we continued the brisk 7:15 pace and picked up Beigay.  Realizing I was still in front, I admitted to Kahn, "I can't lead up the hill today."  He obliged as Paul quickly clamored, "Can we please not do the hill today!?"  I was more than thankful to hear this from Paul.  Coming up to the Shue Sea I was approaching the end of my mileage and I let the group continue without me.  Headed back to the car came up .6 short and decided to tack on striders.  Felt really really good.  The Miner's passed the Spanish Trace a few minutes later and I let out a cheer.  I'm just so thankful for the Miner's Run in particular.

Every joint and muscle flowed as smoothly as can be expected today. Only the slightest twinge after I finished, but no time to dwell on how great it was. One down, two to go.