2016 Clinton Lake Ultra 30

2016 Clinton Lake Ultra 30 Mile Trail Run
3/26/16
1st Place Overall  3:33:37 (New Course Record)

What a day. Completed my second 30 miler this morning. Felt great. It was three 10 mile loops, with each loop having roughly 1200 ft of climbing, I think. There were roughly 125 runners. I went into the race with mixed emotions. I wasn't sure my foot would hold up from aggravating it after a trail race in late Feb and that my mileage hasn't been where I wanted it leading up into this race because of my foot. Highest mileage week leading up to the race was a few weeks of 55, with my longest run being 14.

      Good news the foot held up for the race bad news I irritated it again and Im icing it as I type and hobbling around the house. More good news is that I was able to get a new course record. I went into the race with an idea of what the record was (3:35:52) but I was confident I would only be able to go 3:45 on a good day and that if I broke 4 hours Id be happy. I had plans on running with last years winner for the first loop and evaluating the situation from there because he had run the 30 mile course many times before. Right after the start I found myself alone for the first 2 laps, just me and the trail. I caught myself really becoming engaged in the trail and my surroundings and was mentally telling myself enjoy this moment. Theres just something about running on a good trail. Each loop I felt better and better and each lap I was dropping minutes. It was hard to tell what exactly my pace was in the woods b/c my GPS watch isn't too accurate on trails and in tree cover but I knew I was moving pretty well. Its a hard line to run between going out too fast and just enough to keep a good pace but without dying those last few miles. I kept feeling good so I just kept pushing the pace. If I died on the last loop Id deal with it then.

      First loop was 1:14 so I knew I was close to record pace, second loop I dropped 3 more minutes and came across in 1:11 (2:25 and some change) Last loop I was 1:08 which to be honest really surprised me. I was pushing so hard that last lap I knew I was flirting with danger. One thing is I think I ate just right, my intake settled well in my stomach. I had one GU at mile 7 ish and some water at the 5.5 mile aid station the first loop, second loop I had a 12oz coconut water that I carried in my waistband behind me, 100 calorie baby food squeeze thing,(sweet potato and carrot I think), a GU (Vanilla Bean) and an organic fruit roll up type thing, same thing for the 3rd loop. Third loop was awesome, I started seeing runners on their 2nd loop and they were really encouraging which helped lift my spirits.

    Overall I had a blast today and really surprised myself. I also met a lot of new and awesome people, this ultra running community is great. Ill definitely remember what happened on Saturday for a long time it really was a special day. Congrats to all who battled the course and finished. A special thanks to the race directors Don and Ellen for putting on a great event, Ill be back next year. Also it was awesome meeting and talking to Joel Lammers from Wisconsin and sharing an icebath in the nuclear lake soaking in the radiation. Lastly a special thanks to Denise McKinley from Amer Sports (Salomon & Suunto Rep) for the hookup on some shoes, Ill most definitely be putting some miles on them. From here Ill have to take some time healing my foot. Ill be on the bike and in the stairs for a month or so probably and then maybe start running hopefully getting ready for the USA Mountain Running Championships in NH at Loon Mountain in July. Till next time.

Results: 
http://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=34764