Wednesday, October 31, 2007

RACE TIME


Today marks the official start of CARBO LOADING!!! Three days left until race day and yesterday I admit I went into the freak out mode for just a bit.

The Mountain Masochist Trail Race is 50 plus miles with a cutoff time of 12 hours. To some that may seem like a ton of time but factor in elevation changes, terrain, and darkness at the beginning and end and you can eat up minutes before you know it. What sent me into freak out mode was an email from the race director stating a long list of last minutes details and the addition to a “new rule.” SO here it is….
Before AS(Aid Station)10, if you are 1 to 10 minutes over the 12 hour pace, you are warned that you need to pick it up or be cut off. If you are over 10 minutes late at any AS before 10, you must stop at that point. AfterAS 10, if you are over 12 hour pace at any AS, you must stop there.

What we knew during all of these months of training was that when you made it to the marathon point you were safe from being pulled and would be allowed to finish no matter what the time. I think this stinks to spring this on us at the last minute. Basically if you run into any problems along the way you could be in real trouble. So my plan it to focus on what time I need to reach the next station and then move on to the next one from there. Keeping moving no matter what!!

My husband is going to pace me the last 14 to 10 miles which will just top off everything. What a wonderful supporter he is. My father and step-mother will also be there to follow along the course from one aid station to the next. Our two boys will not make the trip but I have no doubt that they will be checking in with Scott throughout the day.

Final race info:
Race Start 6:30am
Temps: Low 33 / High 60 PERFECT!!
Sunrise: 7:44am
Sunset: 6:14pm
Runners:300
Net Altitude Gain: 9,000 feet
Net Altitude Loss: 7,000 feet
Net gain from Start to Finish: 2,000 feet
Numbers of Aid Stations: 17

Thanks for all of the encouraging comments along the way. What a dream to share this with you all. This is what we are all about. Now it is time to get out there and get moving.

I promise a great race report with plenty of pictures. See you at the finish!!

Robin

16 comments:

Wes said...

Yea, screw that! Just give it your best between every aide station, and you will be fine!! I think I may carbo load too :-)

Scott said...

I think you have a great "mental" plan for the race. You will be just fine. I am glad that you will already have 35 miles behind you before you meet up with me - you legs won't be as strong and maybe I can keep up. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO NOT KNOW...my wife runs ALOT FASTER when neighbors are out in their yards....

Marcy said...

GO ROBIN!!!! You will do awesome!!! I just know it!! ;D ;D I always look forward to your race reports. You're one crazy lady, but that's a good thing! ;-)

David said...

Robin, you got this thing. No sweat! I think you will surprise yourself at how well you do, since you have prepared so thoroughly. Look forward to the RR and pics!

jen said...

Good luck Robin!!

That's annoying that they changed the rules at the last minute, but don't let it phase you. Just do your best and you'll be fine! How cool your husband will be pacing, that's great. Good luck and have fun! :)

David said...

Oh, don't forget the rules of running a successful race:
Carbo load with tons of fettucini alfredo right before the race, and find a big fat guy to draft behind!

(and then there's the anti-chafing thing, but I won't go into that...)

zanne said...

you go girl! you'll be great. you've worked hard & you are so ready! i'll be thinking of you!

Phil said...

You're going to have a great race robin. That's a lot of elevation change over 50 miles; but you're up for it. Looking forward to the race report.

Have fun this weekend, you rock

Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...

EARLY & OFTEN on ur fuel Robin Don't fall behind ...you are ready!! Keep those calories coming in each mile...

I have a 12 hour cutoff also at JFK but that is more of a flat course but to be honest it still freaks me out so I hear ya on the cutoff...Just keep focused and get out of those aid stations quick...

Look forward to ur report...

EARLY & OFTEN!!!!

Nancy said...

You can do it. Keep moving. We'll be carb loading with you :D and thinking about you!

Mendy said...

You're gonna do awesome! This is what all this training has come down to and you've trained right! You'll be fine and will make each aid station when you need to. I can't wait to hear about it!!!!

I'll be thinking of you this weekend! You girls have fun (at least as much as you can when running 50+ miles).

My Life said...

Best of luck to you this weekend!

Scott McMurtrey said...

oh man, it's really happening!!

go get 'em!!!

P.O.M. said...

Yeahhhhhhh carbo loading!!!! My favorite part.

You are giong to do great!

J~Mom said...

YAY!!!!!!! GO ROBIN!!!!!!!!! Can't wait for your race report!!! Go out there and do this thing!

runliarun said...

Oh, you'll keep moving, and some, you have everything it takes.