It's been a couple of weeks and I'm still not quite sure what happened. I had a great run and felt strong despite the harsh winds, like 30+ mph, and chilly temperatures. Mark Licatino commented this weekend that I've been training and training hard, maybe it's just almost two years of ultras, and being pushed lately that helped me realise my greater running potential.
So, on to the weekend. I was excited to have my in-laws join us in Amarillo and do the 20k, I really think it's the best way to experience the beauty of the Canyon. We talked Josh into also doing the 20k. I was glad he was finally going to get a taste of the ultra atmosphere and the volunteers from a runner's perspective. You can't fully appreciate what they do until you're out on the course.
Wow, was it chilly when I got out of the car Saturday morning. Janet and I thought the wind wouldn't be as bad in the canyon; that sure proved wrong. It was windy, chilly, and dark and the cold front hadn't even come through yet! I set up my drop bag and waited as long a possible to shed my pants. I actually over dressed for the first loop, wearing a jacket and long sleeves. Once the sun came up in the first loop, it was warmer and comfortable and I had a great first 6 mile loop. By the time I came back around, I was feeling warmer up and running well. I didn't want to waste too much time at my drop bags so I got some turkey and coke, shed a few layers, and was off in short sleeves and gloves. Without my iPod and sunglasses, oops, I'd just have to wait 12 more miles for some music. It wasn't what I was looking forward to, but not a huge deal as I don't run with music much anyway but was a little worried about dirt in the contacts as the wind started to kick up.
I found Josh and my in-laws at the four mile aid station and taped my foot there as my plantar fascitis was beginning to act up. We had a short chat and I was off. They looked like they were enjoying themselves and it was great seeing them out on the trail. The second half of the loop the cold front started moving in, the wind picked up, and it got cloudy and cooler. Also the tape began rubbing my foot; I stopped to adjust it and found a cut on the top of my foot. I used a small piece of tape over the cut so my sock wouldn't irritate it and took the rest off.
The last four or so miles of this loop were mentally and physically very challenging. I was cold and the wind literally blew me off balance and nearly off the trail. I had my head down just fighting in the wind, trying to stay warm and moving again the strongest headwind I've ever experienced. I really appreciated the warm greeting of the Dos Locos Senoritas at their aid station. Their encouragement and the fact that I was now closer to the canyon wall so the wind wasn't quite as strong, got me back to the start/finish area. While being blown around the earlier in the loop trail, I was really ready to call it a day.
My drop bag, iPod, and sunglasses were a welcome sight and my time was really pretty good. I refueled with some more turkey and coke and remembered my music this time. Somehow in my wind blown head, I was thinking I finished the second loop in two hours and that I could take a huge chunk, like 1.5 hours off last year's time. Between that motivation and my music, I was running well for that stage of the day. I love being out on the trail alone, music blasting, being able to repeat your favorite song and not really have a care in the world.
At the aid station about half way into the last loop, I realised the second loop took me three hours, not two which is more like it. This was a huge let down but I thought I could still take some time off last year so I got moving. The wind was still awful but with 6 miles left, it didn't seem to matter as much. I was just racing against last year's time and it might not have been 1.5 hours but I was still on pace for a good overall time. I just zoned out with my music, kept my head down to fight the wind and ran. I've never felt this strong toward the end of a race and was grateful for the extra loop I'd put in at Bastrop a couple of weeks before. I finished in 7:29, 31 minutes faster than last year and a new 50k PR. I couldn't quite believe it because the weather was less than ideal but maybe I was more prepared than I thought. It was great to see everyone else had a great day too and enjoy dinner together once we washed our sandblasted faces.