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Paleface Trail marathon

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Location:

San Antonio,TX,

Member Since:

Dec 13, 2009

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

5K PR - 18:01 - Nov '14

10K PR - 38:37 (workout) - Oct '14

Half-marathon - 1:22:43 - Jan '14

Marathon - 2:58:43 in Boston! - Apr '13

50 mile - 7:49:30 (2nd) - Nov '15

Short-Term Running Goals:

- Balance

- Run more trails, volunteer, more social running, run with a team

- Race a lot more.  learn.

Race results / possible schedule:

Apr 2 - Hells Hills 25k trail - 4th

Apr 9 - Toughest 'n Texas 20-mile Trail - 2nd

May 7 - Paleface - Trail Marathon - 3rd

May 29 - American Hero road 25k - 2nd

Jun 25 - Pedernales Falls 30k nighttime Trail - 5th (sick)

Jul 16 - Muleshoe Bend 30k nighttime Trail - 3rd

Jul 23-24 - Fossil Valley 9-hour nighttime Trail - 2nd

Aug 6 - Colorado Bend 30k nighttime Trail - 4th

Aug 27 - Reveille Peak 30k nighttime Trail (entered)

Sep 10 - Franklin Mountains 50k (entered - not all-out effort...I hope)

Sep 17 - Lighthouse Hill 20-mile trail (entered)

Sep 24 - J&J 50 mile trail

Long-Term Running Goals:

Compete in a few more ultras without going off course (again)

Sub-18 in a 5k

One.  Good.  Marathon.

Personal:

I started running at age 30, in late 2009.  I have 2 daughters (10 and 8 yrs old).

  

 

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Saucony A5 Lifetime Miles: 1054.70
Kinvara 2 - Gray/red Lifetime Miles: 1551.08
Kinvara 3 - Gray/red Lifetime Miles: 1244.23
1160s Lifetime Miles: 888.70
Saucony A5 Red Lifetime Miles: 565.10
Saucony A6 - Yellow Lifetime Miles: 214.00
Saucony A6 - Red/blue Lifetime Miles: 61.50
NB MT101 Trail Lifetime Miles: 302.00
Fastwitch 6 Red #1 Lifetime Miles: 286.50
Fastwitch 6 Red #2 Lifetime Miles: 267.00
Race: Paleface Trail marathon (26.219 Miles) 03:31:41, Place overall: 3, Place in age division: 3
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
4.0023.0027.00

63F -> 76F.  Let me start out by saying I still had fun.  I did.  This was maybe the worst decision-making I've ever had in a race.  Worst bonk of my life!  1:33 / 1:58

So, my going-in strategy was to run in the lead pack, no matter what.  At the start line, my RH buddy Matt pointed out Paul Terranova, adding that he was the fastest trail runner in Texas.  I think he has won a couple national championships so it was good to know but, well, I already had my strategy.

Started out in a pack of 4, with Paul in front, and I was the caboose.  As the middle 2 guys appeared to lose contact, I'd pass them.  So about 3 miles in, I'm in 2nd.  Ran behind Paul for a mile or so when he turned back to me and said, I should probably let you know I'm only doing 1 loop, then dropping."  He had to be somewhere else.  I thanked him for letting me know and he said something to the effect that he didn't think he'd be able to maintain this pace for 2 loops.  Hint dropped.  Hint ignored.  I did let him go a little, but caught glimpses of him until mile 10 or so.  I felt really, really good.  Hit the half in 1:33 which I knew was downright irresponsible.  Hot trail race, and a 1:33?  I knew there were 2-3 really good runners behind me somewhere though.

I continued feeling pretty good.  There is a little out and back for the middle aid station on the loop, maybe mile 20 for the 2nd loop, so I knew I'd get some info about my lead.  Josh was in 2nd, and I had about the same lead on him as I did on the first loop.  But Jason had dropped back and I was pretty sure he was no longer a factor.  However, somewhere around mile 22 my world came crashing down.  The bonk escalated really, really quickly.  I knew by 22.5 that I would get passed, even though I couldn't see anyone yet.  Mile 23 or so I did indeed get passed by Josh.  It was shortly after that I started walking.  Just couldn't run.  I did the gallo walking a little, maybe 50/50 walk/run, and just waited for Jason to pass me.  I could barely keep up with the half marathoners I had lapped.  There were some 13 and 14 minute miles at the end.  Jason finally came by with maybe 1-1.5 miles to go.  "Good job" he said.  Every time I started walking I got really dizzy.  I was really thirsty and really hungry.  I almost felt like I could sleep when I closed my eyes (I stopped closing my eyes when I got more worried about passing out).  The sun beating down felt like a hundred degrees even though I knew it was probably only in the mid-70s.

I managed to run the last 200-300m and had to sit down right away.  Another teammate kept bringing me water, coke, and all kinds of food and I would guzzle/eat everything immediately.  Finally able to get up and talk to people after about 10 minutes of that.  Yikes.

One day I'll find a happy medium with my race strategy.  That day was not today.  The winner ran 1:36, 1:41.  I'm almost certain I was fit enough to win, had my execution not been so incredibly bad.  I talked to  everyone for awhile and had a good time, but I definitely threw this one away.  Skipping the final aid station was one of the dumber decisions (I was out of water!).  One day...

NB MT101 Trail Miles: 27.00
Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Tom K on Sat, May 07, 2016 at 18:17:02 from 174.58.54.215

Crazy. What a story! Man, I'm glad you're allright. I respect you for sticking to your guns with the pre-race plan, and hanging on to that plan longer than was perhaps wise. I might be a minority in that opinion, but you were fit enough to race, and had the guts to do it!

From Derunzo on Sat, May 07, 2016 at 19:16:42 from 98.229.177.205

You're a tough mofo Joe. I admire your grit.

From Dan on Sat, May 07, 2016 at 19:18:19 from 71.72.159.140

Totally in shape to race and and despite the Gallow-walking, you took the Bronze!

Paleface, perhaps they named it after guys like you who finished liked that

From SlowJoe on Sat, May 07, 2016 at 21:19:44 from 107.77.64.58

Thanks guys. I learn something every time, even if it's just that I'm too dumb for this sport.

Dan, I was a little pale before the race but 3.5 hours of shirtless running in the sun turned me nice and red.

From Jake K on Sun, May 08, 2016 at 11:35:51 from 67.166.113.191

Great run and recap. You really gave it good shot. This is definitely one of those "had I gone out 1 minute slower I probably would have run 15 minutes faster" races. That stupid guy who dragged you out too fast is to blame!!

From Yasir on Sun, May 08, 2016 at 11:56:01 from 99.20.240.16

Great run Joe despite the ending. You give one heck of a description for your experience I felt like I was there. Sorry about the sun burn I'm sure you will recover and lead the pack a gain

From SlowJoe on Sun, May 08, 2016 at 20:12:23 from 107.77.64.58

Jake - I agree! I actually knew about the other two, thanks to some team intel, so my pre-race plan was just to stick to those 2 for the whole first half - in hindsight, that was an awesome plan that probably would have worked out beautifully. That other guy was not supposed to be there!

Yasir - thanks - almost falling asleep while walking was a first for me.

From Russ on Mon, May 09, 2016 at 10:22:35 from 74.114.3.253

Joe, you are a crazy man getting mad respect from the rest of us. Re-reading my race reports I get dizzy often towards the end of hot races, and I'm sure it's a dehydration/overheating thing. I also think going shirtless probably hurt you as you couldn't cool down by wearing a wet top. Same as others, though, good on you for going all out. Walking during a bonk is always a good reminder of our mortality. :)

From Bob on Tue, May 10, 2016 at 09:35:47 from 163.191.36.14

Great report. Look at it this way, you had a pacer for the race, just the wrong pace so it's not your fault. ;)

From Jason D on Sat, May 14, 2016 at 20:08:53 from 68.80.27.222

Before I read your report, which was the night of the race, I thought 8-minute pace over trails sounded pretty good. Add it to your arsenal of trail knowledge you've been doing well to stack up.

I think the problem with trail races, which is to say probably the beauty, is that racing plans are much more localized given the changing conditions and how much this can make a difference.

I took your advice and hit the trails this week. They are good for the soul. So many rocks where I run though.

From I Just Run on Tue, Jun 14, 2016 at 08:13:25 from 108.178.73.170

Oh wow...that made me hurt just reading it! But I'm sure a great learning experience. Knowing you, you will take this experience and crush your next trail race. Bet you can't wait to run that Paul guy again!

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