ZION'S 50K
Worked late on Friday getting frequent updates from friends completing and competing in the Zion's 100K/100 miles races this past weekend. After finishing up at work around 8 pm, suffering from race envy all day long, I decided to get out of town and head down to Zion's for the 50K starting at 6 am Saturday.
Quickly throwing my gear into the truck I was on the road by 10 pm. Arrived at the finish area in Virgin, Ut, around 2 am, checked in the the RD and some of the 100 finishers, got a quick nap in the and settled in the front seat of my truck for some rest. After a restless couple of hours of sleep, up at 5 am, heading to the start.
Good to see some familiar faces at the starting line and at 6 am we were off. On three separate occasion within the first 3 miles I was leading the race--due to the entire lead group going off course three separate times. I think I was more prepared this time, watching more carefully for course markings, after having my own misfortunes at Monument Valley. Word to the wise...at a Matt Gunn (Ultra-Adventure) race PAY ATTENTION!
Had a lousy first 10-12 miles with two different bathroom stops and just feeling out of sorts. The Guacamole loop was not as much fun to race as it is to hike but nonetheless, I very much enjoyed the way-finding and hide-and-seek nature of this section searching for marking and the course.
On the way back down from the Guacamole aid station I started to hit my stride and things (finally) started clicking. I had a good second half, running the flats at a good pace and hammering up the Gooseberry Mesa passing a few runners. Ran the next downhill section really hard dropping into some low 6mm miles (with a couple of picture stops). Passed Ryan and Zac before the final stretch finishing in 5:20--13th overall.
Not my best day but a good second half and great training run. Loved the scenery and good company.
| 