Uh... I clocked the first mile at a comfortable 6:08 pace. Then the fun began....
We woke early and enjoyed a couple of espressos in the warm Murrieta morning. The drive down took over an hour, including some wait time due to an auto accident on I15. We luckily grabbed a parking spot close to the start area. Running a bit late I jogged over to the registration tent and picked up my bib. It was 35 minutes to the start, so I quickly laced up my spikes and headed out for a warm-up. This was a single start race, both masters and open in the same race, and everyone was on the trails. It was low 60's with overcast skies, a perfect morning.
I headed back to the start area and found a spot on the left outside of the crowd as the first turn was a hard right about 50 meters out. The starter gave the instructions "if you miss a turn...it's your own fault." Then we were off and running.
 |
| Bonita Stampede 8K Start |
Mile 1 was comfortable although I was breathing dust from the front runners. The course was a mix of sand, and loose dirt. About a quarter mile in was a wash created to control rain runoff. It was a bit shaky as everyone was stuffed through the short and narrow dip in the trail. At mile 2 an almost imperceptible rise began. At 1.9 miles it was "welcome" to the sandy zig-zaggy uphill. I clocked mile 2 at about 6:35. From mile 1.9 to 2.15 was a climb of about 100 feet. At the top of the rise I could see the leaders climbing a second hill and I knew this was going to be fun. The first climb was followed by a drop of 40 or so feet followed by another 90 or so foot climb. Cheering HS age kids were providing support along the way. Mile 3 was a 7:15ish, and I was ok with that! Mile 4 was a rolling down-hillish run that I covered in 6:36 and I gathered myself enough to finish mile 5 in 6:22! I almost forgot...somewhere between mile 4 and 5 was the last of 3 hay bale jumps, I hurdled the 1st with grace, stepped on the 2nd, and cursed on the 3rd. Feeling pretty good overall I held the last mile together. This XC stuff takes some getting used to, and I feel stronger running on sandy trails.
 |
| Finish Line In Sight |
Overall 53 of 154
6th in 50-59 year old age group
4th in 55-59 year old age group
We, SDTC, had enough runners to score in the Dirt Dog CX Series but the standings have not yet been posted. And I think(hope) my position (currently 3rd) in the 50-59AG will not change.
JoAnne and I then took a short drive over to old town San Diego for brunch and refreshments.
 |
| Refreshments at Old Town Mexican Café |
Next stop Crazy 8's 5k at Rancho Bernardo Park on September 24, 2016
No comments:
Post a Comment