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Greenland 25K Trail Run - Run


View Member's Race Log
Larkspur, CO
United States
Total Time = 2h 53m 39s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

I fully intended to NOT do a race report as I was treating this race as a training day, but it was so fun/weird/interesting, that I had to!

The race was to start at 7 am, and I live 55 miles away from this race...so it was an EARLY morning. Had breakfast, got my stuff together, and left! No traffic at 5 am, so it was all good. Shortly after passing Castle Rock, there was a huge layer of fog. It was cool to see it from the road....I was driving down a hill and you could see the top of the fog. Got to the race, parked, got my race packet, hit the little girls' room (aka - port-a-john). Hung out in the car b/c it was so damn cold. Talked with the people in the car next to me about Fuel Belts and such. Met their dog. Found Brett (Alpine87) and got myself ready for the race. The race was a loop....and there were 4 options ---> 12.5K, 25K, 37.5K, and 50K. The 50K people started at 7 and the 25K started at 7:20. You could tell who was doing the 50K...they were wearing hats, trail running shoes, ankle gaiters, and NOT compression shorts.

It was DAMN cold at first. 35 degrees, and we were covered in fog. Wore long sleeve shirt, gloves, tri shorts (I love to run in them!), regular running shoes (not trail shoes.....FOREBODING sign), pigtails and a bandanna.
Event warmup:

Jogged to the start with Brett for about 3 minutes.
Run
  • 2h 53m 39s
  • 25 kms
  • 06m 57s  min/km
Comments:

So the fog remained for the first 6 miles and then there was brilliant sunshine. Good thing I was carrying my sunglasses. Couldn't wear them with the fog, the glasses would fog up and it was too dark then.

I have to say I was rather unprepared for the great fun (note sarcasm) I would have with this terrain. This was one HILLY course! I swear it was uphill for the first 5 miles and then downhill for 2. THEN there was the MUD. Oh yes, lots of MUD. The kind your shoes sink into and feel like they're going to stick. The kind that splatters all over your ass and legs. I hit one puddle and had mud from my right knee to ankle. Ran like that for about 9 miles! My shoes are now brown - it was time for new shoes anyway :) THEN there was the SNOW! Huge sections of running in snow. There were tire tracks from ATVs that everyone was running in...About 6 inches wide with 6-8 inches of snow on either side. (recall that we got a blizzard on Sunday and this particular area got 2-3 feet of snow). To run on the tire tracks, you had to lift your knees really high to get your other foot right in front so you could stay on the track. And no, not possible to run along the side of the tracks....you'd fall! So there I am, trudging through snow, mud and other crap. The snow got really interesting on the second loop when it started to melt with the sun. VERY slippery. And of course there was extra mud to go with it.

Went through 3 gels, and all my Acclerade. Wore Fuel Belt with 3 waters and 3 Accelerade. The aid stations were about 4-5 miles apart.
What would you do differently?:

Ask the race director to change the race to May? ;)

Really, even with the difficult conditions, it was a fun race.
Post race
Warm down:

Brett met me at the finish line and even took a picture for me. Then to pee, then to get a massage. Nice guy that Brett is, he put my name on the list for the massage, so it was time for it as soon as I was done! Really no warm down other than a walk to the car....didn't I run enough?

Also dropped my car key in the port-a-john...not in the "hole" but b/t the side and the big piece of plastic that holds the "hole" that was great fun trying to retrieve it.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Hmmm...mud, snow, ice, slush, lack of trail running shoes (with extra traction) and HILLS!

Event comments:

I have never been so dirty after a race....kind of enjoyed it though! Even though it was a very challenging course, it was fun. :) When I showered at home, the water was soooo brown...very gross, but it sure made for a fun day.

If you are trying to do conversions in your head....25K is about 15.6 miles and my time was just over 11 minutes a mile (sucks! but ok for the conditions).




Last updated: 2005-04-16 12:00 AM
Running
02:53:39 | 25 kms | 06m 57s  min/km
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Average
HR was all over the place with the hills and trying to prance in the snow.
Course: 2 loops of 12.5K each. Doubletrack trail...dirt, mud, snow, ice, slush, puddles and even a few dry dirt areas. LOTS OF HILLS - Brett said 1240 feet of elevation gain.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Too hard
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? No
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2005-04-16 4:52 PM

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Pro
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Broomfield, Colorado
Subject: Greenland 25K Trail Run


2005-04-16 5:48 PM
in reply to: #143499

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Expert
833
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Adrian, MI
Subject: RE: Greenland 25K Trail Run

Great report, Cathy!    From what you wrote it sounds to me like you had fun! 

"If you are trying to do conversions in your head....25K is about 15.6 miles and my time was just over 11 minutes a mile (sucks! but ok for the conditions)."

How about you look at it from another perspective.  I don't think you would have been able to survive this race/course 3 months ago!  But you are such a better runner now - both physically AND mentally - that not only did you finish, BUT YOU ENJOYED THE  RUN AND THE CHALLENGE.  GOOD STUFF, Cathy! 



Edited by fromer 2005-04-16 5:49 PM
2005-04-16 6:23 PM
in reply to: #143499

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molto veloce mama
9311
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Subject: RE: Greenland 25K Trail Run
great job! i LOVE trail running. conditions for this sound a lot like my first half-marathon last year. cold, muddy, rocky. i also didn't have trail shoes, but my runners seemed to hold up okay. great work. will you do it again?
2005-04-16 6:32 PM
in reply to: #143499

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Not a Coach
11473
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Media, PA
Subject: RE: Greenland 25K Trail Run
Great run Cathy!  I'm glad you had fun!  Sounded like you needed a day like this after your recent week.
2005-04-16 7:41 PM
in reply to: #143499

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Master
1494
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Kingston Ontario
Subject: RE: Greenland 25K Trail Run

WOW!!

That was one hard run....fantastic job, chica!!  Congratulations for retrieving your keys from the portapotty too The skills we need to have as triathletes...

Rest up tomorrow and put some of that snow on your legs!



Edited by keepitup 2005-04-16 7:43 PM
2005-04-16 8:02 PM
in reply to: #143499

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Extreme Veteran
458
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Denver, CO
Subject: RE: Greenland 25K Trail Run
Great run, Cathy! Talk about crazy conditions - and you kept such a good attitude. I probably would have sat down in the snow and cried!!! You are such a stud. I wanna be just like you!


2005-04-16 8:25 PM
in reply to: #143499

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Master
1480
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Plant City, FL
Subject: RE: Greenland 25K Trail Run
Amazing job Cathy!  You are one tough chick!!  
2005-04-16 9:56 PM
in reply to: #143499

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Master
1927
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Chicago
Subject: RE: Greenland 25K Trail Run

Cathy,

What a great race! Sounds like it was a hard course. But you pulled it out. Very proud of you. Boy Brett what a sweet guy signing you up for a massage. Gotta' love it. Take care. And congrats.

2005-04-16 10:23 PM
in reply to: #143499

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Official BT Coach
2210
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Englewood, CO
Subject: RE: Greenland 25K Trail Run
Sweet run! I should have gone with you but I had to coach soccer today.  I am  so glad you had fun. Sounds like a great experience!
2005-04-16 10:23 PM
in reply to: #143499

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Extreme Veteran
386
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Fort Worth, TX
Subject: RE: Greenland 25K Trail Run
Kick Ass Cathy!

So how ya gonna follow that sh*t up? 
2005-04-17 7:47 AM
in reply to: #143499

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Master
1791
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Raleigh, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Greenland 25K Trail Run

Oh my!  What a race report Cathy!  You put a funny spin on it though.  Sounds like it was interesting and after the first couple of mud baths, you just accepted your fate and cranked it out.   I can't wait to check out the pictures. 

Congrats on your finish.  25k on trails is not an easy race...add the conditions and you've really got a heck of a run under your belt.  Congrats!



2005-04-17 11:09 AM
in reply to: #143499

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Extreme Veteran
381
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Peoria, Arizona
Subject: RE: Greenland 25K Trail Run

Great RR - Sounds like you had, well, a blast, even with the adverse conditions.

2005-04-18 7:00 AM
in reply to: #143499

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Master
2233
200010010025
Mechanicsburg, PA
Subject: RE: Greenland 25K Trail Run
Awesome job Cathy! Sounds like a fun race with the mud and snow That's a great time for a race like that, don't kid yourself - way to go!

-Frank
2005-04-18 7:09 AM
in reply to: #143499

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Master
2447
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Marietta, Ga
Subject: RE: Greenland 25K Trail Run
Nice!  That must have been a blast.  I know cross country running is so much harder than running on pavement.  Phenomenal race, Kathy.  Girls who like to get dirty every once in a while are simply a lot more fun.

Edited by Motivated 2005-04-18 7:12 AM
2005-04-18 11:25 AM
in reply to: #143499

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Expert
852
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Evergreen, Colorado
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Greenland 25K Trail Run

Nice race Cathy!!! 11 minute miles is a GREAT pace for a trail run in those conditions!!

You look like you are having fun in the picture Brett took

2005-04-19 2:09 PM
in reply to: #143499

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Extreme Veteran
591
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Miami, FL
Subject: RE: Greenland 25K Trail Run
Cathy - sounds like this was a fun race!!!  I think you did an awesome job, what with the conditions, and your pace... DANG girl!  And I loved your attitude too.  Wish we had trails here in Florida like that.  Anyway... congrats!


2005-04-22 8:48 PM
in reply to: #143499

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Elite
2468
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Racine, WI
Subject: RE: Greenland 25K Trail Run
sounds like a fun race...and as always, you rose to the occasion like the pro that you are. GREAT JOB
2005-04-23 11:10 PM
in reply to: #143499

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Master
2381
2000100100100252525
Frisco, Texas
Subject: RE: Greenland 25K Trail Run

Cathy,

I think your pace is pretty damn good given the conditions!  Great job staying positive in adverse conditions.

TJ

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