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XC #1 SD Invitational 6K
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XC #1 SD Invitational 6K - Run
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Comments: I was so excited to do something new!!!! I have seen a few meets and have done a few practices geared towards XC racing but I didn't really know what to expect. I'm using fall XC to build up some strength before I dive into marathon training this winter. I'm just coming off a break so this was my first race. My fitness is not totally up to par yet so, in addition to this whole thing being new to me, I had fairly low expectations. The race was a college race so it was very, very competitive. My goals for this race were pretty simple: enjoy something new and try not to suck. There were 7 of us on the team and the top 6 score, so, I was kind of hoping to score but that wasn't really the top priority this time around. We gathered in the starting box. In cross country each team starts in a box across a really long start line. There were 200+ women in this race, so you can imagine what that might look like. As for what it sounds like? When that gun goes off, it sounds like a stampede. The start and finish in an XC race are like and all out sprint. I actually held back a little in the start because, well, I knew I wouldn't be leading but also because I totally spaced on looking at the course map and didn't want to get lost. Once we got off the grass it was a very sharp turn onto the trails. The really cool thing about cross country is the mental aspect. A lot like normal trail racing, you are spending a good portion of your mental capacity just searching for good footing; Mix that with 210 girls all around you and it's not easy. There are lots of surges and then reigning it in, surge, reign in etc. It's not like a road race where you stick to a pace. I was running the downhills as reckless as possible and then grinding the uphills. There were so many coaches and parents and cheerleaders all along the course, it was just crazy! Additionally, our coaches were out there too. I've never had the opportunity to be coached so much in a race. It was great! After the mad shuffle at the beginning of the race, I came out 5th woman on our team. Now, as I entered the second loop I could see one of my teammates ahead. I caught up to her and ran with her for a bit. I knew she went to Nationals the year before with our "A" team so I almost felt like passing her would be a mistake but the pace just felt a bit slow so I went for it. I felt really good on the uphills. I think that once I am a little closer to "peak" fitness this will be a real strength of mine. We ended the second loop and started the third. This was it! The first portion is down a long dirt downhill. Instead of attacking the downhill I just floated it and used it to recover a bit so that I could put my efforts into working the uphill and the finish. I believe this was a good strategy. By the time we got to the long uphill section, I was passing a ton of women. From what I knew of XC, it's a fine balance giving a race your all, but reserving just enough to really kick it in the chute. Because you are scored as a team, ever place counts and you can lose a lot of positioning in that chute. I began my kick and just went for it. All out. I almost never run like this. I got just to the cusp of puking then reeled back just a bit. I could see a girl coming up behind me in my peripheral so I surged one last time over the finish. I ended up scoring for our team as the 4th women to cross! I was super happy about that! I also landed in the top half of finishers, and considering the level of competition, I am VERY happy with that!!! Can't wait to do this again! What would you do differently?: I may have run the first half a little too conservative but I'm not even sure of that. I just need to keep building up my fitness.  Post race
Warm down: We had a big team BBQ. One of the guys who did the 8K mens race got up early, went down and caught a salmon that filleted and BBQed it after his race. SO badazz!!! What limited your ability to perform faster: Fitness, inexperience Profile Album Last updated: 2013-09-16 12:00 AM
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 2013-09-16 11:51 AM |
 Seattle |  Subject: XC #1 SD Invitational 6K |
| 2013-09-16 12:03 PM in reply to: #4856622 |
Master  6834     Englewood, Florida | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invisational |
| 2013-09-16 12:22 PM in reply to: cdban66 |
Veteran 2842 Austin, Texas | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invisational Score! That's a big deal and a great accomplishment - congrats! (for the record, I've always wanted to score during a race. or after. or anytime. Wait. What?). Seriously, that really is terrific and it sounds as though you ran the race "smart" - being close to puking down the chute is awesome! One of the best feelings in any kind of race, but really important here, huh? Well done! Makes me want to run XC in the fall "off season." And talk about eating what you kill - hardcore post-race eats. Matt |
| 2013-09-16 12:43 PM in reply to: mcmanusclan5 |
| Pennsylvania | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invisational Fascinating! Your RR made me realize I know next to nothing about how XC races are run. Loved how you adapted throughout the run and came up with a good strategy, well, good strategies that helped you kick some azz!! Great job, Salty! |
| 2013-09-16 12:47 PM in reply to: mcmanusclan5 |
| Seattle | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invisational Originally posted by mcmanusclan5 Score! That's a big deal and a great accomplishment - congrats! (for the record, I've always wanted to score during a race. or after. or anytime. Wait. What?). Seriously, that really is terrific and it sounds as though you ran the race "smart" - being close to puking down the chute is awesome! One of the best feelings in any kind of race, but really important here, huh? Well done! Makes me want to run XC in the fall "off season." And talk about eating what you kill - hardcore post-race eats. Matt Oh yes, scoring before a big race is key to the overall strategy |
and after? That's part of the celebration! | 2013-09-16 12:51 PM in reply to: Asalzwed |
Veteran 659 East Texas | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invisational Originally posted by Asalzwed Originally posted by mcmanusclan5 Score! That's a big deal and a great accomplishment - congrats! (for the record, I've always wanted to score during a race. or after. or anytime. Wait. What?). Seriously, that really is terrific and it sounds as though you ran the race "smart" - being close to puking down the chute is awesome! One of the best feelings in any kind of race, but really important here, huh? Well done! Makes me want to run XC in the fall "off season." And talk about eating what you kill - hardcore post-race eats. Matt Oh yes, scoring before a big race is key to the overall strategy Awesome! |
| 2013-09-16 1:31 PM in reply to: #4856622 |
Master 6595 Rio Rancho, NM | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invitational I'm not surprised you totally nailed it 'cause YOU ROCK. Congrats on a great race and enjoying it along the way. Sounds like a real challenge. |
| 2013-09-16 3:54 PM in reply to: rrrunner |
Member 2098 Simsbury, Connecticut | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invitational |
| 2013-09-16 4:02 PM in reply to: #4856622 |
Master 2770 Central Kansas | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invitational Terrific! My son's races start with 60-70 guys in a long line. Seeing a line of 200+ must have been crazy. His coach told them to sprint out at the beginning for 300-400 yards to get in front, and then settle into a pace (with surges throughout and a sprint at the end). His theory is that it's easier to start out near the front than to have to pass people during the race. I didn't argue with him, but I'm not sure that's a fantastic strategy. But, hey, it's a strategy. Congratulations on such an awesome job at a fun race. |
| 2013-09-16 4:14 PM in reply to: KansasMom |
Royal(PITA) 14270 West Chester, Ohio | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invitational You amaze me with how quickly you adapt to different race circumstances and settings Awesomeness! |
| 2013-09-16 4:17 PM in reply to: KansasMom |
| Seattle | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invitational Originally posted by KansasMom Terrific! My son's races start with 60-70 guys in a long line. Seeing a line of 200+ must have been crazy. His coach told them to sprint out at the beginning for 300-400 yards to get in front, and then settle into a pace (with surges throughout and a sprint at the end). His theory is that it's easier to start out near the front than to have to pass people during the race. I didn't argue with him, but I'm not sure that's a fantastic strategy. But, hey, it's a strategy. Congratulations on such an awesome job at a fun race. Actually, that is THE strategy. I just know I'm not in a position to be vying for a win ... YET |
| 2013-09-16 5:09 PM in reply to: Asalzwed |
Master 7712 Orlando | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invitational i thought you were going to stop during the race to celebrate your 2000th mile? XC sounds like a lot of fun, can't wait to see how you do when you're in shape! |
| 2013-09-16 5:26 PM in reply to: 0 |
| Payson, AZ | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invitational you are bad darn it, BT and it's silly editing. You are bad a** Edited by bzgl40 2013-09-16 5:29 PM |
| 2013-09-16 5:41 PM in reply to: bzgl40 |
Veteran 1100 Dayton | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invitational Way to go Salty! Sounds like a lot of fun! |
| 2013-09-17 10:05 AM in reply to: ponderingfox |
Master 9705 Raleigh, NC area | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invitational Woo hoo! Great job! I'm so glad that you had fun :-) |
| 2013-09-17 11:54 AM in reply to: jmkizer |
| Seattle | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invitational Thanks guys! Yeah, hmmmm after reading all of your comments, maybe I had too much fun, maybe I need to run harder lol! |
| 2013-09-17 12:08 PM in reply to: Asalzwed |
Champion 10550 Austin, Texas | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invitational Originally posted by Asalzwed Thanks guys! Yeah, hmmmm after reading all of your comments, maybe I had too much fun, maybe I need to run harder lol! Nah - having fun during the race is way more fun! The reality is that I think you were really smart for the whole race with constantly evaluating how you were feeling vs. what you know your abilities are... and you didn't puke = bonus! |
| 2013-09-17 12:23 PM in reply to: #4856622 |
Elite 5145 Cleveland | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invitational 6K Awesome race!
Congrats!!
I actually held back a little in the start because, well, I knew I wouldn't be leading but also because I totally spaced on looking at the course map and didn't want to get lost. In high school, we'd jog the entire course at an easy pace as part of our warm-up... gave us the warm-up, and also let us see an unfamiliar course to see where we needed to go.
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| 2013-09-18 11:42 AM in reply to: cgregg |
| Seattle | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invitational 6K Originally posted by cgregg Awesome race!
Congrats!!
I actually held back a little in the start because, well, I knew I wouldn't be leading but also because I totally spaced on looking at the course map and didn't want to get lost. In high school, we'd jog the entire course at an easy pace as part of our warm-up... gave us the warm-up, and also let us see an unfamiliar course to see where we needed to go.
Chris, you really should do it! The races we enter are all collegiate and they allow unattached runners. You should do that! Or find a club. The rest of my team did jog the course (while my coach ride a bike and gave strategy suggestions) but alas, I was late |
| 2013-09-18 10:27 PM in reply to: Asalzwed |
Regular 5477 LHOTP | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invitational 6K As usual, great RR. I've never even watched a XC race. The start sounds intense. Is the trail wide enough that you can pass easily or is that kinda tricky? Any girls go down? Funny story: (only cuz I know you like these, and remind me the next time we're together to show you my banana party trick) My husband found a cell phone at the park and he was trying to figure out how to get in touch with the owner to let him know he'd found his phone. He ended up in this guy's voicemail and heard the following message: "Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude. Are you ready to eat the CHIT outta some Hardee's? It is gonna be SICK as FACH!" Your damn right that's a family joke. Now, you say you're not at peak fitness yet and you're layin down a 6:32mpm in your first XC race? Daaaayum So, Salty, are you ready to race the CHIT outta some xc chics? You are gonna be SICK as FACH! Right on, girl. |
| 2013-09-20 10:15 AM in reply to: switch |
Veteran 945 South Windsor, CT | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invitational 6K nice race that talent is shining through again... I did a XC race when my son was doing Junior Olympic XC-he was like 10 at the time. I jumped in and did my first and only XC race, wearing jeans. What a blast! Glad you braved it. Now try some track racing. Ever use blocks? Now that's an experience. Learning how to lean... Great job overall! |
| 2013-09-20 12:15 PM in reply to: switch |
| Seattle | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invitational 6K Originally posted by switch As usual, great RR. I've never even watched a XC race. The start sounds intense. Is the trail wide enough that you can pass easily or is that kinda tricky? Any girls go down? Funny story: (only cuz I know you like these, and remind me the next time we're together to show you my banana party trick) My husband found a cell phone at the park and he was trying to figure out how to get in touch with the owner to let him know he'd found his phone. He ended up in this guy's voicemail and heard the following message: "Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude. Are you ready to eat the CHIT outta some Hardee's? It is gonna be SICK as FACH!" Your damn right that's a family joke. Now, you say you're not at peak fitness yet and you're layin down a 6:32mpm in your first XC race? Daaaayum So, Salty, are you ready to race the CHIT outta some xc chics? You are gonna be SICK as FACH! Right on, girl. Can't wait to see that banana trick! As for your question about the trail. It gets narrow, yes, but all the runners thin out and it's totally possible to pass. You have to be strategic and some teams work together to make it a little more difficult, but in general it's not too hard. And thank you for the words |
| 2013-09-20 12:16 PM in reply to: dtoce |
| Seattle | Subject: RE: XC #1 Sun Dodger Invitational 6K Originally posted by dtoce nice race that talent is shining through again... I did a XC race when my son was doing Junior Olympic XC-he was like 10 at the time. I jumped in and did my first and only XC race, wearing jeans. What a blast! Glad you braved it. Now try some track racing. Ever use blocks? Now that's an experience. Learning how to lean... Great job overall! I started to do some track stuff this summer but it was very difficult to do while OLY training. Next year I am going at it full force. Going to try some different distances (maybe an 800?
Holy shyte, XC in jeans! I love it! |
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There is very limited parking so I just parked way off site and jogged in. I met my coach and team at the park and grabbed my number and timing chips. They do two chips, one on each shoe.
I had gone back and forth on what shoes to wear since I don't own XC spikes yet. Because the majority of the race was "groomed" dirt trail with some loose gravel, I just went with my racing flats.
Ran a few miles with my teammates then headed to the start and did some strides.