Running (RACE!) 4:03:00 [3] 31.75 mi (7:39 / mi) +4311ft 6:47 / mi
shoes: Hoka Rapa Nui Trail - 3 (B&Y)
a good race at noble.
I was feeling good on the start line and took it out quick. I wanted to see who would come with me. Neil did (last years winner) like I knew he would but he was the only one. i was running low 6 min pace for the first mile on the road. he was right on my shoulder for the first half mile and was breathing hard so I revved it up a notch and he fell back. first mile in 6:06! I was all alone when i hit the noble canyon trail.
my stomach was jacked from the go. i was able to get down gels but it didn't feel like it was getting through my gut. i need to hit the bushes but wanted to hold it until i got to the end of the climb and through the aid station. I saw maggie at mile 12.5, got a new bottle, and rolled through the aid station. I finally stopped and emptied my gut about the 13 mile mark and felt much better.
I got to the next aid station at 17.5 and maggie told me i had an 8+ minute lead at 12 miles and after the mile out and back I didn't even see the next running. I continued to roll but the EFS liquid shot was having a tough time going down... just so sweet and didn't feel like my gut was processing it... but i kept on it. I saw robert hunt at 21 miles and he told me I had at least a 15 minute lead.
with my stomach being jacked the news i was so far ahead kinda crushed my will to keep hammering as hard as i was. Hit the aid station and ~22 miles and slammed some coke and kept rolling. about a mile later, mid stride i threw up everything in my gut. it was pretty awesome. then again about a mile later.
i let my stomach settle a but but EFS was not going down anymore. I took the one powergel i had on my and just got it down at mile 25. I hit the last aid about mile 28 and couldn't even really get down coke. I suffered a lot the last 5 miles but got it done and got the win... by almost 30 minutes.
my body felt great all day but my stomach was off which caused me to suffer a lot in the last 5-8 miles. i finished and was completely worked. thought i was going to throw up and bit and on the verge of cramping everywhere... and i NEVER cramp... ever. After some time laying down in the grass, drinking 40oz of water w/ nuun, and coke I started to feel a bit better.
stoked on the race for sure and definitely a confidence builder for my approach to training right now.