Trail & Ultra Running Thread

Events
8472

I did a down to the river and back on the South Kaibab trail after IMAZ in 2009, it’s the shorter but steeper route, plan had originally to do it with zl but ascend Bright Angel (longer but easier), however she wasn’t feeling up to it, so I went for the quicker option so as not to leave her on her own for too long. Did it as a fast hike.

Good luck it is a great hike.

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8473

Drove down to Richmond ready for race day tomorrow- glad it is tomorrow as it’s been 26 degrees today

Traditional shot at the top of Richmond Hill

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Strolled into Richmond and had a pint at Ted Lasso’s pub

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Not quite optimal prep but it’s not like I am going to win anything

Loud party going on downstairs - asked to be moved as don’t want them keeping me up all night - been upgraded to the only other room in the hotel that was available - the Bridal Suite :smiley: . I have told Mrs T not to get any ideas before race night

And then a cheeky half at the top of the hill

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8474

Dude. You’ve got to make hay whilst the sun shines. Don’t worry about the race!!! :grin:

Good luck though. I’m sure you’ll smash it.

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8475

Enjoy the towpath !

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8476

Errr…

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8477

Tunster trucking along nicely :flexed_biceps:

Through halfway in 10.40. Now the real fun begin!

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8478

Brilliant, keep going @tunster . Rain forecast in the night :man_facepalming:t2:

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8479

Thought of the TP lot today as there was a pretty heavy band of rain came through at about 5:30 today for an hour or so, I was well covered by trees on my run, but imagine the TP to be quite exposed… plus I was only doing 10% of the distance.

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8480

Looks like @tunster has about 4 miles to go, so maybe a sub 26 hr finish.

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8481

And he’s done in 25:48.

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8482

Ok, that’s impressive. Well done @tunster , looking forward to the report

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8483

Well done, tunster :flexed_biceps:

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8484

Top bombing @tunster

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8485

Another great run, tunster!

Well done :clap:

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8486

Good work Mr T.

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8487

:joy: This! :upwards_button:

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8488

Short report:

Started off far too quickly in the conditions - first 30km absolutely rocking it - heat overload. By half way could barely run due to tendon under my left knee and massively stiff left achillies - second half was the longest hardest death march I have ever done. 94/264. Horrible. Horrible. Horrible. Hardest edition of that race I have ever done.

Left me questioning my life choices.

Thanks for all the support :grinning_face:

13 Likes
8489

Longer version:

  • set off thinking I would use the pace strategy from SDW50 - 1hr 10 for 10km - use and surplus time for walking rest and getting some nutrition down. Did the first 10km in an hour so decided to shorten this to 1hr 5. Mistake.
  • Weather really warm and humid - pushing the pace gave me some gastric issues and the bathroom at the 22 mile aid station could not come quickly enough!!
  • An hour of deluge at about 6pm - but otherwise no other rain - dodged a bullet there
  • the pace strategy did give me a lot of time in the bank and by Henley it was probably earlier than I had ever been at that stage in my previous 6 finishes
  • At very nice lady gave me a flake cornetto by Windsor - never has a flake cornetto been smashed as fast as that
  • By Henley (mile 52) though I was having issues with the tendon under my kneecap and my left achillies was super tight - meant I could run any more so it was a grim speed hike to the finish
  • Judging by the time the sun came up I was well ahead of most of my other finishes but as I was walking it felt like I was being passed by an army of people (final finish result 94th/265)
  • My achillies now - still super tight

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  • I will spare you the picture of the blood blister on my right big toe - otherwise got away without any foot issues despite smashing my toes on at least 2 rocks along the way
  • Mrs T and Oska walked out from the finish to walk the last 4km with me - I kept having to ask her to slow down - the wheels had well and truly come off - couldn’t even manage a jog over the finish line
  • My 7th finish at that event - the hardest finish
  • The thought of turning round and retracing my steps to Richmond to do a 200 miler like @doug did recently just doesn’t bear thinking about - much kudos!

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203,000 steps
13,000 calories
1100hrTSS

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8490

Nice work . Well done.

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8491

One of us is more ready than the other :rofl:

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