XTERRA White Tanks Trail Run 20K - Run

Second consecutive year running this race and I was looking forward to seeing the benchmark of fitness that I've established as I am just rolling into the start of my build for Boston. This same time last year I was just finishing up a Pfitz 12/70 plan in preps for a BQ attempt two weeks later, which was a success. So I was at peak fitness last year.

First off, just like last year, I've been sick. Day after Christmas came down with a nasty respiratory flu that's just held on, settling into my sinuses and lungs making breathing difficult and decimating my energy stores. I also hurt my back last week but thankfully that has been healing and while not 100%, it doesn't trouble me when I run and is on the mend. Additionally, I kept hearing coach's words echo through my head all race morning and through the race, "keep the big picture in mind". In other words, this is a B race at best and I needn't jeopardize training for Boston by going all out or by falling, which I did last year.

Great start for me, finally! I've always positioned myself too far back on these trail races and then I'm stuck in a herd of people making passing very difficult. This time I lined up on the second row and had clear sailing. The initial lead out felt good, mile and a half of gentle incline and we had a good group of 6-10 plugging along, second lead pack. Then we hit the switchbacks which signified the start of the real climb for the next 4-5 miles. I'm not a climber, I don't run significant hill work and I don't try and fool myself. I just wanted to put in a decent effort on the climb and go from there. It was here that I was passed by a few people, probably around 5-7. I just let them go hoping I could reel them in later and keeping the bigger picture in mind. It was also during the climb that I could feel the lack of energy and the flu sitting in my lungs, it was hard to breath and I just felt flat. Keep pushing, it will flatten out soon enough and then it's all downhill.

Nearing the summit I was trailing one guy and we had another guy come up on us that decided to stick in for a little while. He was great, sitting back there chatting it up a bit, talking about how beautiful the area is (and it really is) and just saying things like "great pace guys". After five minutes or so he jumped out and was gone! Turns out it's a kid from Flagstaff and this was his first race ever. Got to talk to him after the race and he and his brother came down to participate. Super friendly and cool people and he ended up going top 5. Kudos!

Once we cleared the top I settled into a good working pace, just trying to keep everyone in front of me in sight. The guy I was following was still right there and while he was a better climber than me I seemed to pull him on the flats so I just sat in until I knew all the climbing was over and then pulled around. Coming up near halfway there was to be an aid station which is where I'd planned to pop a gel. Surprise as we round a blind corner and they are right there! Caught with my pants down! Rather than pass it I decided to just stop, grab my gel out of the rear pocket of my tights and get it down without distraction. Gel down, water in, lost three spots, back off we go.

This level to slight decline flat we were running now felt great as I was really able to open the legs up and go. After a mile I reeled in two of the three guys that passed me at the aid station and had sight of the third, although I didn't seem to be making much ground on him. Then we started dropping, big dropping and super technical terrain with sharp rocks everywhere. This is where I went down HARD last year so, keeping in mind "the big picture" I pulled it back a little bit in hopes of keeping it more under control. Soon enough I heard footsteps behind me and was passed by someone else who was just bombing down the hill with abandon. I honestly don't know how he stayed up but that's one of the keys to running trails well, you have to be good with the technical stuff and this guy was. After that there was nobody within shouting distance behind me and passer guy was quickly pulling away. I figured I kept him behind me until that point so I figured I could catch him during that last flattish 1.5-2 miles.
Crossing the 8 mile marker I was feeling completely flat and was getting chilled, something that was a direct result of being sick. By mile 9 I was really dropping and once at 10 and the flat I was done with any good effort, just could not muster it. At my best I could sustain a 7 minute mile pace and that was a LOT of work but I was catching the guy that last passed me and a couple others, so I dug as deep as I could. Managed to get around him with a mile left and that was that.

Not be sick

food, stretch, food, coffee


Still recovering from this flu was by far the biggest limiter to this race. I'm sure it cost me at least a few minutes overall and a stronger kick to the finish.


I was two minutes slower this year than last and I knew that when I crossed the finish line. Initially that left me pretty bummed as I've PRd every race for the last two years. But once I factored in that last year I was peaking in a marathon build for this race and this year I'm just starting out my thoughts turned more to optimism. Effectively my base fitness this year is at my peak run fitness level last year, that's a benchmark I can be proud of.

Additionally, I love trail running, absolutely love it. Unfortunately, I never seem to do enough of it but I think it's time to change that. Hopefully I can incorporate some into this build for Boston but definitely after Boston I plan to make it a regular staple in my running diet.