The Loop Race Report - 30k Trail Race
When I ran my first trail race last August (read race report here), I was convinced it was also my last. So why was I at the starting line at 7am on a Sunday for another, longer trail race. Good question. I guess I wanted to give it one more chance. The verdict: read on.
“The Loop” is a 6 mile trail in Emma Long Park here in Austin. The race consisted of a 10k (1 loop) or a 30k (3 loops). Coming fresh of 2 PRs in road races, I was feeling pretty good about myself, and decided 5 days before the race to run the 30k.
The weather was as good as could be expected, about 60 degrees with some humidity. My plan for this race was just to take it easy and enjoy it. I thought I would run the first lap slowly to get a feel for the trail, then run the last 2 laps faster. Like I said, that was the PLAN!
I cruised around the trail with a group of about 5 runners, and was feeling pretty good when I completed the first lap. The trail was very hilly and rocky, and there were portions where it made sense to just walk up the rocks like steps. Not that I did, but it would have made sense to do so! I tried not to pay too much attention to my Garmin pace, but I was a little surprised to complete the first lap in 57:35, which was about a 9:16 pace, which was a little slower than I thought I would run, but no big deal.
During my second lap, I started feeling some fatigue in my legs. At least twice during the second half of this lap I almost fell, and I kept trying to tell myself to take it easy and only try to gain some time on the few (relatively) flat areas on the course. During this lap, I began passing some of the slower 10k racers that started 30 minutes after we did, and I finished the lap in 57:09, about the same as lap 1. One difference - that lap didn’t feel nearly as good!
The third lap was a true adventure! My legs were like jello, and I was starting to run out of gas (bonk!). I wanted to run this lap faster than the previous two, but it wasn’t happening. I finally decided to walk up some of the stair-step like rocks in an effort to conserve what little energy I had left, but I’m not sure it did any good. In addition to the caffeinated Sports Beans I ate before the race, I had consumed 3 GUs through mile 12, but at this point they seemed to be doing no good. So, at the last aid station at the 15 mile mark, I grabbed an Oreo like cookie. (Anybody who knows me knows I do not eat cookies EVER. But at this point, I figured a little sugar would be a good thing.) As I was enjoying my little delicacy, a woman past me and was looking strong. Perfect! I would follow her in and pass her at the end. At least, that was the PLAN. (that is the second time I said that, right?).
One thing became obvious after about a half mile of following her - I would not be able to keep up. Every time I tried to maintain or close the gap, my legs just wouldn’t produce. I almost fell a third time coming down a hill, but managed to stay upright and wound free. I gave it everything I had, but could not knock my pace down at all. I ended up finishing the last lap in 1:00:13, my slowest lap of the three. My total time, 2:54:59.
So, what do I think about these trail races, and will I ever do another. Answer, I don’t know. Well, one thing I know is that they are HARD! I don’t know exactly, but 18 trail miles equals at least 22-23 road miles. The sharp turns and short (or not so short), steep hills really take a toll on one’s body. I have taken 2 days off from running altogether to recover from this race, and will attempt a short easy run later today. There are no cheering crowds (where would they stand) so many of the miles are lonely. I will admit that running on trails is very cool at times, but I don’t believe trail running will ever replace the more traditional “road” style running I have grown to love.
