Training Log Archive: z-man

Event: The 35th annual Billygoat Run
 

It was an interesting Bylligot race for me. Started very well by jumping away from the pack right at the start by going into the thick woods and then climbing almost to the top of the big hill with a bit of contouring to the 1 bag. Figured that I was in the lead as I woke the unit up, actually had 1:18 secs or so over the next person. Still feeling fresh sprinted towards #2 and veered to the left after climbing out of a huge reentrant toward the bag, almost get there, look at the clue, cliff. What cliff? Look at the map again, see a dot knoll and then move my finger to see #11. oh man that feeling... Well... sprint down towards 2 and see Will climbing up the hill. We get too low and Wyatt an co (5 cadets?) are up on us by 45 secs or so and are out of sight. All of a sudden I feel an unfamiliar burning in my calves and Will disappears ahead. I chase Ian to #4, and then to my surprise I get to #5 ahead of Will. We climb up and down and I push through and along a stream towards #7 where I catch Wyatt and his co. Will passes me and then Wyatt on the long trail run to 8, but he takes the least optimal route and we are together at the control again. Another trail run to #9 where Will does 180 to not be seen again.
Wyatt goes to the right and I go straighter to the left to #10 but we get to control together again. There are others there as well, Ian and a few more cadets i think, who to take off just ahead. At #12 my calves flare up once more, and I am haplessly starting to fall behind just ahead of a huge climb to 14. I get there with 2 other cadets with no one else in sight. Then I pick a cleaner route to the next 2 bags and suddenly catch Wyatt at #16. Then punch #17 just ahead and take off towards #18 at a bit worse angle then he is. I end up running on a lower trail and then climb too high just to have to correct. Wyatt spikes the bag and takes off while I watch his back disappear after trail's turn. I try to push the pace but my legs feel empty. I catch to two other cadets at #19 who have no problem running away from me and I only manage to catch them again #21. To my relieve, I see them going right and realize that they have already skipped. I climb up to #23, while skipping #22, and then crawl through thickest woods to the finish where I see Wyatt and Will with their splits in hands.
Somewhat disappointed, and puzzled by the issues with calves especially after last Sunday's good outing at Ansonia. Good job by Wyatt to edge out Will who takes the prize for the weirdest skip of #10 that may have cost him the win I think. And thanks to Peter and co for yet another excellent day in the woods!

Billygoat - Splits