Speedgoat 50K
Mixed feelings. I wanted to run Speedgoat this year to improve my finishing time from 2012. With a year of good running since then, and cool temperature on Saturday, that was wasy to do. I ran about 55 minutes faster than I did last year, coming in at 7 hours 16 minutes and change.
I never ran fast. I was consistent, but slow.
On the other hand, I know I am capable of much faster, stronger running. I know I can take another hour off that time. From the start, however, I was feeling heavy and slow. I struggled up that first series of climbs that compose the first climb to Hidden Peak. On a training run a few weeks ago I ran everything the first 4 miles of the course. On Saturday I had to step aside and let others go by. Lack of sleep the night before was affecting me. I should have been up to Hidden Peak 20 minutes (or more) faster than last year, but I only took off 5 minutes from 2012.
The good: I was quick at aid stations. I did not stop at Hidden Peak. Mark Robbins filled my water and I was on my way. I felt I made good time to Larry's aid station in Mineral Basin, but I wasn't running fast by any means. I did not stop at Larry's, just blew through with waves and high fives to friends.
I had some good uphill strength. My climbing strength is the reason I came in an hour sooner over last year.
The bad: Slow downhill running. My feet hurt. That has been my biggest frustration for quite a while now. Sore feet. It happened at Speedgoat last year, at Wasatch last year, and various other times. Maybe it is time to try HOKA.
I know I have a deep sub-seven-hour Speedgoat in me. On the other hand, taking 55 minutes off my previous time is worth savoring. | 