Race Report: Blizzard Blast 10k 2013

This was the first road race that I ran last year in Laramie so I decided to do it again.  I hadn't run at all since Silent Trails so I wasn't expecting much out of myself here.  When I went into registration, I saw Jesse Gray signing up for the 5k.  I decided to take the easy route and run the 10k so I wouldn't have to race anybody fast.  I go out to the car and dink around trying to waste time until the start.  I wasn't going to warm up much because 10k is a long way when you haven't run in awhile.  I head back into the building and none other than Chris Schabron, last weekend's Silent Trails champion, is registering for the 10k.  In attempting to avoid competition, I accidently ran into better competition! 

The race started out at a pretty quick pace with Chris intent on putting me out of my misery early as Nik did last year.  Somehow I hung on through the race and due to Chris not knowing the course/poor markings/no guidance, I caught up around 4 miles.  Chris quickly put the gap back up to where it had been and it looked to be over.  However, in the last stretch, I thought that I might have a chance.  The presence of 5k-ers gave me enough cover to slowly but surely eat the gap on Chris.  I caught him at a 90 degree turn about 15 meters out from the finish.  I came in too hot and lost my momentum around the corner and he recovered from his shock enough to out-lean me.  It was probably the best photo finish I have ever had for 1st place.  We were both just under Nik's course record from last year's inaugural race.  I was very happy with my performance and it was a great start to training for my 2014 slate of races.

What to do in your down time?

I'm currently taking some down time.  Due to my lack of training this year, I am mentally ready to go!  However, next year is a long year with racing from January through October so it will be good to get some rest and relaxation in before starting training again.  I am also still trying to ditch the last remnants of pneumonia that I have had so this will be good for that as well.

What do I do in my down time?

This year I have taken the time to do some reading and get my diet a little better.  I have the knowledge and now I just have to master the self-control.  My weight has been my main problem throughout my racing career.  Due to some medical conditions, I don't have quite the metabolism of many runners so I need to be extra careful about what and how much I eat and drink.

I have also been riding my bike everywhere.  Not that it is any different from usual but it is nice to still get some exercise.

Down time is often overlooked by many who think days off are for the week but they are a neccesity for anyone that trains hard.  Bernard Lagat and David Rudisha both took over a month off last year.  Lagat even gained 6-8 pounds!  You must take one running step back in order to take a few steps forward next season so rest up!

Race Report: Jelm Mountain Run 2013

This is another well run race by the High Plains Harriers.  Patrick Eastman is the race director and he does a wonderful job.  The atmosphere at Laramie area races is wonderful.  Everybody knows everybody or at least recognizes a face and is willing to stop and chat.  Patrick provides a race, a hooded sweatshirt, a beer glass, and much more for a great price.  Many road and trail race prices have gone through the roof without giving you anything more or a better experience.  I haven't found that in most Wyoming races and in particular the High Plains Harrier races.

The race started out a two person battle between the eventual 1-2 finishers Nik Deininger and Sam Malmburg.  I kind of tagged along for about 1.5 miles until the hills got steep then I ran alone for a long while.  The views from the race course are unparalleled and I would recommend this race just for those alone.  The race is entirely run on a service road on the west/south side of Jelm Mountain from the bottom to the top, from 7600' to over 9600'.  The average grade is over 6.5 percent but don't let that fool you.  There are plenty of flats and some downhills in the ascent so the real climbing is much more severe.  You go up for 5.2 miles and come down.  I reached half-way tired but still doing well with about 2 minutes on Chris in 4th.  It would soon go downhill as I found I couldn't run downhill without horrible pain in my back/sides.  I ended up shuffling down the hill with the 16th fastest descent.  Luckily I had run fast enough up the hill that I was able to hold onto 6th place overall.

Despite the pain I felt on the downhill, I am excited about Jelm 2014.  I am sure Patrick and the Harriers will put on another great race and it really can't be as bad as this year.  I am also excited to try more of Jeff's homebrew!