Jeffrey's Quest : 100: Free State Trail Marathon

Free State Trail Run

April 19th, 2014

This is a course I am familiar with, just as I am WyCo. I have met it twice before. Once for a DNF 40 miler and once for a complete half marathon. It had been two years since last visiting it, but I was looking forward to it once again. This year I would run the marathon in preparation for my 50k in three weeks.

The morning dawned nice and cool. I liked that. I never worry about getting up early on a Saturday, as both of my dogs get me up at about 5 am. They don't know what a weekend is, unfortunately. So we got up at the usual time, and I farted around until I realized that I was running late, and threw everything together and took off for Clinton Lake State Park in Lawrence. One thing I knew I should have done, but didn't, was pack a tortilla with Nutella in it. I knew I would get hungry and would need it, but didn't feel like taking the time to make it, cause it takes sooo long to make one. Lazy ass! I did grab some frozen bottles of Gatorade, water bottle and a couple of chewy granola bars (the dark chocolate cherry kind...ROCK).

I arrived early, as usual. My start time was 8 am, but I really enjoy watching the earlier racers get started, so I got there around 6:45 to see the 7 am start. I love the atmosphere right before race time. Plus, it gives my plenty of time to visit the restroom a last time before running. No trots for me, thank you very much!

As I was at my car getting ready, my friend Eric walked by. We stood around and chatted for a bit, and he may have volunteered to pace me for my 100 miler in November. Yea! After a bit, we made our way to the starting line, where Ben said something along the lines of follow the pink flags, and then GO!

I had been debating how to approach this run. I knew the first 5 miles or so were relatively flat, and would allow me to run faster than I normally would, but I wasn't sure what pace to go with. I knew it was going to get warm, 70's, and I knew I would not deal well with that heat, so I kind of decided to just go for it. I figured running faster at the beginning would get me out of the heat sooner, saving time in the end. So, when we started, I just let me legs and body decide the pace. I just went.

For the first mile or so we stuck with the half marathoners, but then split off from them into the woods. I didn't have much problem following the pink flags, except at one point where the path was not as well marked as it usually was. See, we had been running on wide mowed paths, and suddenly it turned into the woods. Like BAM! If you weren't paying attention, it would have been very easy to miss, and I am pretty sure several runners did miss it. Normally they would have it marked with arrow signs, or DO NOT ENTER or WRONG WAY signs when there is a sharp turn. Not this time. To be honest, when I did see them, I wasn't really sure if they were for real. I was worried that maybe someone came along and re-routed the route as a joke. But I went that way anyway.

After almost 5 miles, we came back to the start line and really entered the paths through the forest. I do love running in the woods. The buds were coming out. It was just gorgeous. One thing about these trails is the technicality of them. There are no big hills, but there are a lot of rocks and roots! While I didn't ever fall, I

Example of the trails we were running on.

did trip a few times!

I was doing really good, going at a good pace, still just allowing my body to dictate the pace. Around mile 8, my stomach started to rumble very aggressively. It wanted food. This is where the tortilla would have been awesome. I have learned that when I get hungry while running, I need to eat something right away, otherwise I get sick. So, I made do with the a couple bites of my granola bar.

Things went rather well for the first 14 or so miles, but then I started to get tired. My hamstrings were feeling really fatigued for some reason. I sat down for about 5 minutes at the aid station at mile 16.5, and just allowed my legs to rest, and I popped a couple of Vitamin I, and went on my way. I also grabbed a couple bits of tortilla with nutella there. Yea! Food! Leaving the aid station I was still feeling tired, and the heat was getting to me a just a bit and making my stomach upset. I decided I would walk from mile 17 to 18 and sip on the 12 oz can of Dr. Pepper I brought with me. (I love those small cans. They are the best thing in drop bags ever!) After walking that mile, and having the Dr. Pepper and the Vitamin I, and felt like I had a new pair of legs! I flew for the next 3 or so miles. It was great. I slowed down again in the last mile or so, but I didn't care. I was almost done.

I ended my run in 5:41, which I was very happy with, as my goal had been 6 hours. The running faster at the beginning really paid off.

Next on my agenda is this weekends Garmin Marathon, which is a road race. Not happy about that, but I need the miles for my 50k.

Please enjoy the pics from Mile90 Photography. They are awesome!