I'm a runner again ... did i just say that?

So I've been running a bit more this year - had to get in shape for the 1/2 ironman ... and then decided to do a 1/2 marathon this fall. It's fun, I love running ... and really like the balance of running and biking ... with the odd swim thrown in. I feel less tired, and my muscles have time to regroup after a hard run/ride.

And yes, I think it is time I acknowledge it ... I am a decent runner. Not super fast. But decent.

I signed up to race the XTerra Harvest 1/2 Marathon ... here are the details by the numbers :)
- Miles ran: 13.2  - all single track
- Vertical feet climbed: 2600ish
- Time running: 1:48
- Days till my legs felt 'normal' again: 3

What a race! I love running on the trails, but with all the 'busy-ness' of a new job, regular life, and getting married, I didn't get in much trail time, and definitely did not get in enough hill descending. Yes, I said descending. I can climb just fine ... but descending ... I have to work up to it. My quad take a beating and I usually work up to the long descents. But for this race, I didn't. I simply did not have the time ... but hey, I was doing this race for fun, and to keep myself motivated to run.

It was a mass start and all 100+ runners started down the trail at the same time. There was a lot of passing for me to do in the first 10 min .. I felt good. My legs felt light, springy even. I was drinking well, and even better, I was enjoying the single track. Let me explain that a bit more ... enjoying the single-track means that I feel like a little kid. I generally have a goofy grin on my face and do airplanes down the hills for the switchbacks. I hop and jump over anything on the trail, as if it is a game. So yes, I was enjoying the single-track :)

There were two laps; and in each lap there were two big climbs, and two big descents.  The climbs served me well. I don't consider myself a fast runner ... but on the hills I was passing like crazy ...  and even on the descents ... and the flats.  And I know part of it is that I started towards the back (texting with Jonathan until the start gun - whoops!) .. but still. It felt good to pass. And on every single climb, I passed.  About 1/2 way thru the 2nd lap, I caught another girl. We both got a bit lost at one point but figured it out together. I ended up ahead of her at that point and put on the gas thru the woods (I knew I was better at dancing thru the technical single track) and then thru the field till the end. I beat her by a whooping 60 seconds :) I worked hard for that!

And come to find out, I was 2nd. 2nd overall! What the heck! I was pleasantly surprised ... what a fun race :) Yes, I will do it again!

Enduro racing ... it's all about the downhill

This summer I found out about a new race at one of my favorite riding venues - Tiger Mountain. The race format was intrigueing .. lots of riding (4+ hours in the saddle); but they only time the descents. hmmmmm ... I figured I had to gie it a try since there was one at Tiger. Here are the details ...

By the numbers:
- Hours ridden: 4.5
- Miles ridden: 38.5
- Vertical feet climbed: 3500
- Total of all timed sections: ~32 min
- Finishing place: 3rd

It went pretty well considering it was my first rodeo :) The first section felt like cheating - I ride that course so much as part of my training (well, not a lot this year - but normally) that I can almost ride it in my sleep. It's technical, twisty, rooty, rocky, and oh so FUN! I give it a 8 for technical difficulty. and a 10 when you are trying to go fast. for my Ottawa readers, this is harder than Fortune. Much Much harder! also so much fun to ride down!  The second section was new trail and really tough. deep mud for the first 1/2 mile had me off my bike and running ...and it was over really fast! The third section as also familiar territory and I managed to rock that one out too. good times!

OK OK, enough about the timed sections - lets talk about the race format and why I enjoyed this type of race.  They had designated start times so I got in a 2 hour warm up before we even started. fun. i love riding at tiger.  Each person started 1 min behind te person in front of them to ensure minimal passing.  Goodness! The race organizers and volunteers were awesome - friendly and fun.  Oh, and it was raining. I am not talking about a gentle Seattle drizzle ... I am talking full on rain. As in buckets of rain. As in so hard I can barely see where I am going rain. This is where the 'able to ride the trail in my sleep' skill really helped :)

After each timed section it was pretty chill. There were three of us girls that kind naturally landed together and we rode to each section together. yes, these are the 2 that beat me :)  It was fun to chat and be chill in between sections where we tried to beat eachother. Adds more social dynamic to the race.  Add to that the fact that I wasn't feeling 100% and didn't have any kick ... well, I was glad they were only timing downhill sections :)

All in all, a great race, organized by good people! Thanks to Element Cycles for their support - not just to me - but also to the race - they were a key sponsor.