Taper Time

I ran the 25K at the Run for the Toad on Saturday. It was a really horrible day at the start. Left the house around 6:00 am and it was anywhere from 5 to 6 celcius. It was raining and dark and the wind was blowing like crazy. It was the wind that was the worst.

Got to the event site at around 8:00 and it was already pretty crowded. Picked up the race kit which is a really nice Saucony duffel bag with Run for the Toad, 10th Anniversary embroidered on it.

The race started at 9:30 with the 50K runners going first. The event was actually the 50K National Championships so there were some great runners in that field. Saw one guy pass at some point and just flew up a hill...literally, he flew, his feet barely touched the ground. A man beside me told me he thought the guy was an alien! Amazing.

The 25K started about 10 minutes later. Everyone was standing around freezing and shivering it was so cold. I wore a long sleeve top and a light jacket at the start. During the first lap, we actually ran past my car so I was able to get rid of the jacket that by that time, was tied around my waist.

It's a great course, and in spite of the rain the few days before, the trail was mostly dry. Gravel in some spots, paved on the roads, and the runs through the woods were not muddy. Dirt was packed.

There are a couple of killer hills, but for the most part, I didn't find the hills too bad. I walked up quite a few of them (which is actually harder on the legs I find), but that was just because I was trying not to overdo it too much before the marathon. Didn't work too well, the legs are pretty sore today! Shins, quads, butt....hopefully it passes quickly..

Overall result was 2:45:55 (first lap 1:25:31; second lap 1:22:51). Overall placement 416/804; category placement 85/208; gender placement 181/480.

The medal is really nice, and the after race meal is fantastic. Had the opportunity to meet a fellow Daily Miler Becky, which was awesome. Would definitely run this one again. A very well organized and great event.

That was my last longer run of this training cycle so taper time begins. My legs are pretty sore today so may do a slight run tonight, maybe with Amelia if it's not raining (to prepare her for her 3K this weekend), but if not, may rest another day.