Once again, another phenomenal day on "The Island". I had to get up early to get a couple hours of work done before we headed out. Luckily everything went smoothly so I was able to leave on time. Met up with Jun near my house, then headed to the Island gate and met up with a group at the gate (Kelli, Scott, JD, Dragonvulture, and Brian Beckstead). We piled in a couple of cars and headed to the trailhead. We saw a bunch of people at the trailhead as they were finishing off the first part of their run, so we chatted for a few minutes and then finally headed out. Felt like a nice easy pace as we made the first climb, and I found out that the way Craig and I had been running the course was a little backwards at the start - you circle the first hill going clockwise rather than counter. Kept up a decent pace as we hit the 1st aid area, went out and hit Elephant head, and continued on with the loop. Saw lots of people from the blog and elsewhere, which was great. Blazing pace down the hill into the valley, and then kept a good pace as we hit the switchbacks - partially due to to the fact that I had Craig pulling about 10 yards in front of me, and Brian and Dan pushing behind me, so I couldn't slow down - which was a good thing. Coming back the group stayed pretty tight as we went down lone tree back into the valley, then a few guys (Craig, Brian, Dan, Josh) pulled a little ahead of me as we ran the hill back out the valley (but I DID run it!). I caught back up as I got some downhill help, and got dropped again a little as the hill started going back up. So cool to see the group of 4 just trucking at a sweet pace just ahead of me, with Scott just a little behind me. Hit the end of the loop a couple minutes back, at right around 2:46 for the 18.9 miles. Once again, chatted it up some more as the earlier group had finished their run before we finally decided to head out for the end of the 50 miler loop. We were all pretty heavy legged from the few minutes hanging out, so it took a few minutes (for me at least) before I felt like I was back in the groove. Ran across open fields until we finally cut across the trail and were able to pick it up a little (and just a little). It was really a fun trail, nice and rocky in spots, which is particularly interesting when you've got 20+ miles on your legs! Craig and Brian pulled up ahead after a bit, so I ran with Kelli and JD for a while until Kelli ran around me "I need to go faster". Ha! Couldn't blame her! :) As I told her after, I NEEDED to go faster too, just couldn't :) She is speedy! Spoke with JD for a few and he picked it up to finish strong. Finished in about 3:40. Weather was great, overcast, but spent most of the day in shorts and a short sleeved shirt. Great time running with a super fun group! Didn't take any pics because I felt like we were just cruising the whole time! Jun has a few on his. Thanks to everyone for coming and letting me run along! 24.62 - 3:40 - 8:56 pace - 2500 ft vert.
| 