Flight of the Butterflies
A small squadron of butterflies is circling my gut, all fluttery wings, fuzzy legs and a jumble of skittering colour. Tomorrow I am running the Stormy Trail Race in Squamish. Last year I ran, or more aptly, staggered around the Stormy 67K Ultramarathon Trail Race in a kilt and a pair of combat boots and finished 59 out of 59 in a time of nine hours and forty-two minutes. This was eighteen minutes ahead of the official cut-off time and ahead of the dozen or so people who dropped out in the 87 degree heat. I ended up on the front page of the local paper, which I considered quite a feat for finishing dead last, emphasizing the dead part.
This year I think I have a good shot at a time of around eight hours in runners and shorts and I intend to take it somewhat easy... I aim to keep my heart rate under 75% for the entire race to aide in my recovery. This will be the mother of all long runs! And the race is 3K shorter this year. Should be a piece of cake. Also, I tipped the scales at 210 ponds last year and this morning I am a considerably more svelte 187. Twenty-three pounds should make quite the difference. Last year I lost nine ponds between start and finish and even after rehydrating I was four pounds lighter a week later.
My biggest concern is not getting injured on the course, which brings to mind new definitions of the terms rugged, and "technically difficult". It's a mountain goat trail in places. Plus, there is Nine Mile Hill, which is only six miles of 12-15% grade, but still a loooonnnng way up. Especially for a city boy like me.
I am looking forward to seeing familar faces and swapping war stories and this year I have coerced a posse of running buddies to partake in this madness with me, some as runners, some as part of the 3-man relay (a first this year) some as volunteers on the course and even a few spectators!
Some time on Sunday or Monday I will let you all know how it all went down. A strange way to prepare for Boston I admit, but I felt that the Stormy race brought me luck last year and I do love the course and the participants.
http://homepage.mac.com/designr2/stormy/
http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/stormy/index.html
This year I think I have a good shot at a time of around eight hours in runners and shorts and I intend to take it somewhat easy... I aim to keep my heart rate under 75% for the entire race to aide in my recovery. This will be the mother of all long runs! And the race is 3K shorter this year. Should be a piece of cake. Also, I tipped the scales at 210 ponds last year and this morning I am a considerably more svelte 187. Twenty-three pounds should make quite the difference. Last year I lost nine ponds between start and finish and even after rehydrating I was four pounds lighter a week later.
My biggest concern is not getting injured on the course, which brings to mind new definitions of the terms rugged, and "technically difficult". It's a mountain goat trail in places. Plus, there is Nine Mile Hill, which is only six miles of 12-15% grade, but still a loooonnnng way up. Especially for a city boy like me.
I am looking forward to seeing familar faces and swapping war stories and this year I have coerced a posse of running buddies to partake in this madness with me, some as runners, some as part of the 3-man relay (a first this year) some as volunteers on the course and even a few spectators!
Some time on Sunday or Monday I will let you all know how it all went down. A strange way to prepare for Boston I admit, but I felt that the Stormy race brought me luck last year and I do love the course and the participants.
http://homepage.mac.com/designr2/stormy/
http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/stormy/index.html
posted by Vince Hemingson at 9:46 AM
2 Comments:
Vince,
You wimp! Only 64K! That's barely more than a long run! Actually, I think that overdistance can be helpful in preparation. As long as you don't beat yourself up excessively, it shouldn't hurt you.
Best wishes,
Wayne
Hey Vince,
I met you last year after the Stormy (ate at the same table as you) anyways I lurk you site, find it quite entertaining.
Good luck in the race tommorrow I am sure you you will come close to or break 8 without the boots and kilt.
-scott
http://skinnydog.net/scott/
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