The Belt- Part 2

OK, so as I was saying, the race had a "rolling start" which meant that we could start anytime between 6:30 and 7:00. Well, when it hit 6:30, all the fast folks started to speed onto the course, one by one.  I looked around for one of the runners that was meeting us at the race, but didn't find her. We were concerned that she got lost on the way, so I headed back to my car to see if she had called. When I returned to the starting line- most of the folks were gone. I waited about 5 minutes more for my friend, and decided to take off- I wanted to minimize the time I would spend in the heat later in the morning.  I had with me some gels, my handheld water bottle, and a few endurolytes in case I really sweat out there.

So, I headed out down the trail (toward Zilker Park) and was directed to the right to the Toy Loop. This was not the toy loop that I did on Tuesday by the way, but I think I crossed some of the same paths here and there.  It was nice and cool, and the sun had just come up.  It was just me, the trees and the rocks, for quite a bit of this loop. Here and there I would pass someone, or someone would pass me, but I did most of this section by myself.  This loop returned me back to the main trail and back to the starting area, and I was now going the opposite way on the trail. I ran quickly (for me) along this part which is very familiar to me- crossing the chain, dodging the rocks, avoiding slipping on the wet moss and off the side of the bank. The course then led me across the creek under the mopac bridge and then up that slippery climb to the mile 3 aid station.  There was a dude taking photos here as we crossed the rocks, and I think he got one of me slipping and looking like a dork.

The next section was the easy part, basically flat until the hill of life. Then- happiness- we only had to go halfway up the hill of life! Great, and I am still feeling strong after the half HOL! I get a water refill and continue on.

The next section brings you to the power-line loop.  We ran down some side trails from one side of the creek, across the dam, to the other side of the creek, and then up, up , up, down down, up, up , up for the next 4 miles to next aid station. OK, now my quads are starting to rebel. The rest of my legs- fine. My quads- heavy and burning. After leaving the aid station we ran down the power-line, back down to the main trail, and then up again.  Running along the power-line is not my pleasure- it is flat but full of rocks, and it feels like it is jumbling up everything inside of you. And it is exposed to the sun, so it was hot. I start to have indigestion or something at this point- a have a bubble in my chest that I can't get out and I am burping up that darn raspberry gel. Here I am all worried that I am going to have stomach issues with the heat, and I get indigestion from my gel? Ugh.  I sing some songs to keep myself moving, my mind of the bubble of pain.

Next, another loop. This is where "the hard part" is supposed to start. I think it was around this point that we were directed through the barbed-wire fence and my hat got stuck on a barb and came off.  Then we start to go up.  Again. The climb up at this point is so steep, I don't even feel like I am moving.  I can not believe how SLOWLY I went up that climb, the entire time I am thinking that I'm going to halve to walk the rest of the way. My legs are done. But then a flat section came, and I would run it, then a downhill, and I would try to run it and much as the footing would allow. On this side of the creek, instead of big large rocks , the ground is soft and mulchy, but the rocks are smaller and slippery.  Going down fast in this part (like I was across the creek) was just not working, I was sliding down these sections, grabbing on to tree branches here and there to keep me on the trail.  It was about 11 miles or so that I started to feel a hot-spot on my right big toe and a blister on the neighbor toe from all the steep  down hill running. 

So then, another loop, this one the climb seems to go up forever, though I'm sure it wasn't as high as I thought it was a the time.  I'm pretty miserable going up this. Once again, I can't believe how slow I am climbing this thing, and think for sure my legs are done. But then I start to descend, back onto the main smooth trail, and I can still run with a few power-walking breaks across the rocky parts. I know this section and I know that I am almost done. I run back across the same rocky area, across the chain, under the 360 graffiti bridge, up the ramp, and across the finish line.  I forget that I have a chip on, because I haven't done a trail run with chips before. I try to stand still for them to cut off the chip, but I am a bit wobbly (see previous post for evidence).  I was SO THIRSTY, I barely made conversation, and only wanted my iced Gatorade endurance drink that I had waiting for me in the car.  But I was very happy- I finally ran the whole course on the greenbelt and was introduced to some new places for killer workouts- if, I can find them again. Not sure if my race-fog will allow me to remember how to get to those loops though. Despite the 4.5 miles of indigestion, I had a great time, and am happy to once again finish a 25K- with hopes of Sunmart in the future.

So that's that. Now, tomorrow, it is time to head over to the running store and grab some new road shoes- I'll be on running on roads for the next week on our vacation back home. And maybe, if I am lucky, I'll take a venture down to my old childhood park and check out the trails that I used to live on as a kid.  And not to mention a very cool 5K that I am running with a fellow running blogger...

Jennifer

Comments

[Jon in Michigan]

Yea, Jennifer! That did sound like a killer race. I've been on trail hills like that where its just up, up, up, and you can't believe you are supposed to run up them. What a nightmare. Ah, but it does make you stronger doesn't it? That road race will feel like a walk in the park after this.

Nice job!

And who's the running blogger?

[Richard]

Nicely done! I guess those nerves paid off in the end, right? Too bad you're missing the Moonlight run, but I'm glad that there's another 5K to do instead.

[Lara]

Wow! What a challenge!! Great job!