Time Trial: Poo Poo Point Ascent - Run

We had a period of warming in the lower mountains here meaning it was unlikely I would run into snow That in addition to not needing a headlamp made navigating the trail much easier than the last two I had done.

This is a monthly time trial meant to keep everyone motivated through the cold, dark months. Coincidentally, this race has fallen the day before the other race series I have been taking part in meaning my races fell back to back. Additionally, I wanted to use these races as training sessions so I didn't taper for them. This forced me to walk a fine line of running hard and running well but not pushing to that point where I couldn't get up the next day and race hard and well again. The nice thing is, the mountain time trial is a very different kind of workout than a flat or even flatish 2 mile "speed" oriented race.

Anyway, I set my watch (these races are self timed from the heart sign to the fence at the top.) and GO!

Moderating an uphill or mountain race can always be tricky. You can't rely solely on your breathing because you are breathing hard the whole time. I learned from Andy Wacker at the Mountain Running National Championship, to use your arms as an indicator. So long as they didn't tense up and feel lactic, you are probably right where you should be.

The bottom part of the trail is the most challenging in terms of footing. It's very rocky and you really have to watch where you step. However, it is much easier when you aren't running by headlamp.

I climbed steadily, passing many hikers on the trail.

It was warmer than it had been and I shed my gloves early, tucking them into my sports bra. The lower portion of the trail was a beautiful lush green color.

I pushed hard on a steep part of the ascent getting to the point where my arms had a touch of that lactic feeling. I backed off and got to the sweet spot of pushing hard but not too hard. Finally I reached a short false flat where I could stride out my legs a bit using it as an opportunity to accelerate rather than rest. The trail becomes steep but there are no rocks. I increased my cadence but took short steps, driving hard up the hill being sure to keep my arms pumping.

I was about 3/4 of the way done and took my first peek at my watch. I was on a really good pace. Encouraged, I charged hard up the next few switchbacks. I encountered some hikers, this time I caught them by surprise and had to stop because their dog was in the way. No worries though, we all have a right to the trail. I stepped off the trail to go around the couple and their dog then accelerated hard to get back on pace. There wasn't much left to go but this spot is notoriously difficult for me. I was sweating buckets as I pushed the pace.

I broke out of the forest and sprinted across the open meadow. Then I dry heaved. Thought I was gonna puke, dry heaved again, kept running, up the last steep sandy part of the hill and to the fence! I nearly collapsed as I looked at my watch. I had shaved almost an entire minute off my time!

For ideal result, taper and not have another race the next day but this is a planned training stimulus.

Spent a little time at the top taking photos then turned around and ran back down the mountain, nice and easy.


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