Andrea
04-19-2009, 04:40 AM
I used to do a lot of trail running, but then cut way back when I started bike racing. Recently, I decided I wanted to go for both, so about a month ago, I started running again.
Soon after, I got the crazy idea to run in the Ouachita Trail 50k. I figured if I could get up to at least a 15 mile training run during a month of training, that my extensive cycling base (and innate tenacity) would get me through the rest of it.
So yesterday was the race. My strategy was to walk uphill, run downhill, and jog the flat spots. It's tough to make yourself walk up the first hill when your legs are fresh, and everyone is passing you, but I did it anyway. I also wanted to make sure I got enough calories. "Real" food is usually desirable, but I didn't have enough time in training to get totally comfortable with solid food/running, so I got all of my calories from an assortment of gel/some heed in my hydration pack. Electrolytes came from powerbar gels, a couple of elete electrolyte tabs, and a cup of pickle juice somewhere along the way.
I honestly had no intentions of "competing" at this race. I had a bit of burnout from bike racing, and this 50k was more "therapy" for me than anything else. However, I ended up finishing in 6 hours and 15 minutes, getting 2nd place for the women and 8th overall out of 80 finishers.
Of course, today I can hardly walk, but I'm pretty stoked that I actually did it- and did it well :D
Soon after, I got the crazy idea to run in the Ouachita Trail 50k. I figured if I could get up to at least a 15 mile training run during a month of training, that my extensive cycling base (and innate tenacity) would get me through the rest of it.
So yesterday was the race. My strategy was to walk uphill, run downhill, and jog the flat spots. It's tough to make yourself walk up the first hill when your legs are fresh, and everyone is passing you, but I did it anyway. I also wanted to make sure I got enough calories. "Real" food is usually desirable, but I didn't have enough time in training to get totally comfortable with solid food/running, so I got all of my calories from an assortment of gel/some heed in my hydration pack. Electrolytes came from powerbar gels, a couple of elete electrolyte tabs, and a cup of pickle juice somewhere along the way.
I honestly had no intentions of "competing" at this race. I had a bit of burnout from bike racing, and this 50k was more "therapy" for me than anything else. However, I ended up finishing in 6 hours and 15 minutes, getting 2nd place for the women and 8th overall out of 80 finishers.
Of course, today I can hardly walk, but I'm pretty stoked that I actually did it- and did it well :D