Monday, August 09, 2010

Weekend Recap

On Saturday hubs and I spent the afternoon at the "Dirty Girls" ultra trail event cheering on some friends who were running. The course was a 10K loop with 30K, 6-hour, 12-hour and 24-hour options, so we got to see everyone regularly as they passed through the start/finish/support area.

We did our best to support our runners each time they came through, re-filling water bottles, retrieving gear bags, ensuring that they were eating, etc. As the hours ticked by, I simply could not believe that my friends were still running.

The trail was difficult and there were a few wipe-outs, but fortunately nobody was hurt.

The atmosphere was so different from what we are used to at road races. It felt very laid-back and casual. I can see why runners often say they don't have the usual pre-race nerves at ultra/trail events. Nobody seemed to be in a hurry and many stopped for several minutes between loops.

At the end of the day, we had one 30K finisher, one 6-hour finisher who completed 40K (24.8mi), three 12-hour finishers who completed 70K (43.5mi) and one 24-hour finisher who completed 120K (74.5mi)! Congratulations all around. I consider myself lucky to run with such determined and inspiring athletes.

I snapped this pic with Kevin (our current clinic instructor) and Patricia (a good friend) after their 6th loop before hubs and I had to head home.



The weekend continued with my long run on Sunday morning. It started off with muggy and overcast conditions, but the rain started within minutes and would continue through almost the entire run.

We got absolutely drenched as we splashed through puddles, laughing the entire way. Every so often someone would say "I think it's letting up" or "I'm glad I brought my sunglasses!" as the rain continued to come down. The squishing in my shoes was not a great feeling, but other than that I loved every minute. It felt so refreshing and I would take rain any day over thick, muggy air.

We stopped briefly at our support station (aka someone's house) to re-fill water and enjoy some oranges, cookies and candy (I stuck to a few orange wedges, my fave!) and I noticed just how soaked I was when I ducked inside for a pit stop. I might as well have jumped in a lake!

We were running a particularly hilly route (would you expect otherwise??) but we stuck to mostly quiet country roads, which is always more enjoyable. I felt good throughout with just a few kilometres of "Are we there yet??" toward the end.



31.0KM/19.3mi - 3:00:09 - 5:48/KM = 9:20/mi


And that wraps up my first 50-mile (80K) week of this training cycle. What's in store this week? You'll find out soon!

31 comments:

B.o.B. said...

Great running lady. Way to stick it out in the rain. I've got no running on deck this week until Saturday, then I test out the ankle. Hope I can run! Have a great week.

Unknown said...

you are a running machine!

did helping at the trail race make you want to do that next year?

Indi said...

Wow..that pretty much all of my July miles in one week!! Awesome running!!!

I've been doing a few trails runs and absolutely love them. The atmosphere is far different than road races! Its definitely a lot more laid back for sure :)Glad you enjoyed it.

Allie said...

Wow, way to go! I love running in the rain, especially in the summer.

No Longer Using said...

must've been really inspiring to see such endurance running right before a long run on your own agenda!!! and great LR!! squissshhhyyyyyyy :) agreed tho, rain is def refreshing. altho i prefer a light sprinkle to downpours :) and then jumping in a lake of my own volition minus the sneakers :)

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

Great job this week! Did the ultra bug bite you at the race?

Jamie said...

Great job this past week and on the rainy long run!

Runners Fuel said...

great run!!

Anonymous said...

Great run! I am still a little nervous about trail runs...I do like the relaxed nature though.

Raegun said...

Good job battling the rain and muggy conditions!

Anonymous said...

Oh I love running through puddles! Especially when it's hot out I will also look for sprinklers to run through too! Good job on your 19 miler! You rock!

Q said...

Running through rain is so refreshing. (except for the soggy feet part, agreed.)

Mark said...

Awesome week, Marlene! I so enjoy watching you get better and better, plus it motivates me!!! Have a great week!!

TNTcoach Ken said...

I too have a few of those crazy runners on my friends list! I'm sure they appreciated your support.

J said...

Great job on the long run in the rain! You are really rocking the mileage!

Spectating the ultra sounds like SO much fun! Can't believe they ran so much!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

I would love to support an ultra but I am afraid that I would need up running it instead...as soon as hubbs lifts the ban. grrrrr Thanks for supporting your fellow runners.

And....way to go on that squishy long run! Pretty neighborhood.

Bethany + Ryan said...

it must have been SO nice for your friends to see you there! i would love to see a familiar face after 6 hours of running! SO, when are YOU going to do an ultra?? May 29th 2011? How far are you from Maine, USA? reallllly far?? Ryan and i are going to do 2 honeymoons we think...get married friday night and then go up to Maine the following day for a 50k on Sunday with friends (any running friends who want to celebrate with us) and then we are going to go to California. Its a GREAT race! we did it this year!

Unknown said...

I've thought of running one of those trail races - maybe next year.
We didn't get rained on at all here - just lots of humidity and wind. We'll likely get the rain later, just as I'm heading out for my 10 miler.

Heather said...

Nice job with the long run! I was praying for rain during my long run yesterday, so hot and muggy and sunny!

Emz said...

YAY on the miles! Love the end picture. Love rain!!!!

Anonymous said...

"Nobody seemed to be in a hurry and many stopped for several minutes between loops." <- I noticed that when we volunteered that the Ultra, too! So much more laidback, but then again, how else could you approach that distance? ;) Sounds like you had fun!

Nice LR!! Rain is definitely better than pure humidity, at least it cools you off a little bit :)

ajh said...

Great job. I like running in the rain but not to the point where you feel like you jumped in a lake.

Meg said...

120km is INSANE!

And I really like your shorts! Where from?

Meg said...

^^Insane in a good, wicked awesome, bad ass kind of way!

Nicole said...

I love to run in the rain!!! I must not seem like i love it though because any time a car passes they stop to make sure i dont need a ride! BAHAHA

great job on the 19 miler!

Badgergirl said...

Sounds like a great weekend!

Julie D. said...

holy cow, marlene, you are doing some serious mileage!! way to go! Great pace on your long run too. Wish my legs were feeling it lately. Feeling like I'm dragging around weights in my legs. I keep waiting for me to get my legs back...no luck yet.

MCM Mama said...

Sounds like so much fun!! I love volunteering at races.

That's some serious mileage, girl!

Johann said...

Fatastic long run there and great mileage for the week! Those lap races are my favorite.

Denise said...

people who crew at ultras are the people who get the runners through the day. so great of you to be there for the runners!!

Lindsay said...

You say that so non-chalantly... no biggie, 50mi/80k. So simple.