Gobble…….Gobble
ONCE AGAIN HIT THE COMMENTS ICON TO READ THE WHOLE POST. GEEEEEEZ.
Well, this past weekend was a success. 100 mile win #31. The Pinhoti 100 is certainly a gem of a course. 86% singletrack, all in the woods near Mt. Cheaha in Northeastern Alabama. If you ever get a chance to run here, you won’t be dissapointed. Todd Henderson does a great job with organization, trail marking, logistics. A first class event all the way to the finish in Sylacauga.
My race went well. Pretty much textbook style. My goal was to run all the way to the end without issues. I did just that, breaking my previous CR by 30 minutes, slipping under 17 hours with a 16:42.20.
This marked the third time this season breaking 17 hours at 100 miles. The other two races being Rocky Raccoon in 14:27, and the Antelope Island 100 in 16:06. Along with those two, Massannutten was fast as well, in 18:18. Wasatch was the only “slow” 100 of the season at 20:59.
All in all, not too bad of a season, considering I had a back injury after dropping at Hardrock in July. It seems as though, (at least to me) that I’ve been somewhat off the radar this year with all the hype around UTMB and the US not doing so well there. It would have been nice to be in France this summer, but life goes on. Maybe next year, maybe not.
My goal now is to once again enter Western States. This will be the 4th try and getting in the track meet. If I do get in, it’s all about doing my best there, then continuing on to run the Grand Slam. I’ve never run the GS because of the WS lottery. Hopefully this year will be different. My fingers are crossed a few times.
Next up is the North Face 50 in San Fran. The most competitive 50 on earth (I think). I have no chance at running with the big boys, I”m going over to hang out and have a few brews with some good friends, many of whom will finish well ahead of me. I”m certainly looking forward to it. Hopefully I’ll recover after my recent day at the office in Alabama.
On another two notes: “Speedgoatkarl’s 100 mile blend” of fine coffee beans has been distributed to a few stores around the country. Rogue Valley Runners in Ashland Oregon, Red Rock Running in Vegas, Fleet Feet in Bend, Oregon, The Aid Station in Virginia, Wasatch Running Center in SLC. The list will continue to grow, if you live near any of these, pick up some beans and see what makes me tick for 100 miles. Want to find it online? Go over to Jameson Coffee and find it there. Throw it in a stocking for Christmas, all you ultrarunners will love it….if you love coffee. 🙂
Note #2: The Speedgoat 50k will commence on July 28th, 2011. 11,600′ of vertical, lots of prizes and CASH for the fastest Nannies and Billies. Real cash, you know, the green stuff. Registration will go online on January 1st.
Oh yah, one more thing: Pinhoti means “turkey foot”, hence the post name, “gobble gobble” 🙂
