After Feburary Cowtown I was hopeful to average 9:00 pace for this race. I raced too much since and lost fitness each week. Now Hachie I thought 10:00 pace realistic and expected top-3 hardware as a master.
_familiar race
It’s tempting to cheap out and drive to the event in the morning, which required 3am wake time for the 6am start.
I picked up package Friday afternoon and stayed at Fairview with Marriott points. Bought a pizza next to the video store with movies from last century.
I forgot to pack XPS 13 and was pleasantly surprised hotel Netflix worked. I got out of bed at 4am. Took my time with breakfast. Arrived in time to see the 50-milers’ delayed start. The lead solo guy seemed relaxed yet ran faster than all relay runners behind him. He broke the course record by 45 minutes despite mud and water-crossing.
_start
50k started with 200 meters of mud in the dark. Everyone was cautious. I followed lead guys with headlamp to know where to step.
Gina Pape caught up to me. A guy carrying too much water and food passed us. I was 5th. I wasn’t concerned—only 1 of the leaders seemed old enough to be a master. I stayed behind Gina; she had good headlamp.
_running mates
Gina and I had incompatible climbing pace. She delayed at water station. I held constant moving effort. Tuan caught me using big calves. He looked my age. I considered my chance if it came down to a sprint finish. I bet he couldn’t go sub-3-minute-mile.
Jason Holloway joined. 3 of us ran together; we talked about club politics and ultra runs. My 2 running mates had the foresight to park their cars along the course for easy supply. Tuan was unconcerned about the minutes he lost for these breaks; this made me feel better about my pee stops.
_failed electronics
For 3rd straight year, Garmin 630 lost satellite signal after first lap. At one point it told me I was moving at 43:00 pace. Tuan had no problem with his Fenix 3 and informed me it’s time to upgrade.
_familiar faces
I was happy to see Meghan at the start but decided not to chat in order to focus on wardrobe and light decisions. I ended up leaving multiple items on the ground and was re-united with them at lost-and-found after race.
I saw Stephanie running toward me. I instinctively wanted to turnaround to chat before remembering we were racing.
Some volunteers and racers greeted me like I was Norm in “Cheers.” I wonder if they really remembered me or mistook me for the skinny half-naked Asian who won 2018 marathon. The positive energy helped my fading legs.
3 of the top 4 racers failed to hold the pace. I started 3rd lap in 2nd.
_unfit
The wall came at mile 23. My heart rate dropped. I accepted my fitness and anticipated to lose my spot. Tuan caught me. I followed him but was unable to keep up 9:45 pace before water crossing.
The eventual winner had a 9-minute lead at U-turn #5 but disappeared at 6th and final U-turn. I lost 1+ minute/mile to Tuan after he dropped me. I finished 6 minutes ahead of female winner Stephanie from Baltimore. Jason and Gina faded badly during the final 5 miles.
_#
Garmin 630 w/ lost GPS signals
Distance: 26.65 mi
Time: 5:05:17 (including perceived stops)
4:39:25 (moving time)
Pace: 10:35 min/Mi
HR: 144/162 bpm
Cadence: 176 spm
Official
Distance: 50k; 31.07 mi
Time: 5:05:06.4
Pace: 9:49 min/Mi
Place: 3rd over all.
_afterward
I visited Chautauqua Auditorium per Bob’s recommendation.
Talked to a long time runner Art who made me feel I needed to reduce life stress by setting much lower goals.
The drive home was slowed by 2 accidents on I35. Then the NTTA fuckers closed 2 lanes to turn the Dallas North Tollway into a paid parking lot. The drive soured the weekend experience.
Japan House buffet with Cherns was nice. The owner greeted us at beginning and end but didn’t bother us while eating.
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