First off – great race. Well organized, aid stations and volunteers were stellar. Highly recommend running this event if you have the chance.
Key take-aways:
- This HURT.
- I’m in better shape than I thought I was, but not as good as I want to be.
- Find a new pack that doesn’t rub the back raw.
- Pacers make all the difference.
Pacing strategies:
- 5 minutes on, 1 minute off worked great. Ran with another racer (Mike Arena) for the first 22 miles and had to let him slip away.
- this pacing strategy lasted until mile 36, then it was pure survival. Run when I could, walk when I had to.
- (For 2011, I will be using a Gymboss Timer)
Gear options:
- The CWX Compression tights probably helped minimize a substantial amount of fatigue, but then by mile 26, the chaffing reached the saturation point. I switched to Zoot tri-shorts and had zero issues.
- The Inov-8 shoes are great. I used the Lite-220′s and my only complaint was that my feet haven’t been conditioned enough to get that much ‘textural’ information from the ground. My feet , while they only swelled minimally, did get pretty sore.
- Socks – Smartwool all the way!
Training
- If I had more time I would add a few more 10-mile time trials
- More hills or parking lot tire dragging
- More double-unders and ankle strength work
- Everything else the same (strength and speed WODs), low volume run mileage.
Interesting notes:
- Cramping:
- Calves seized at mile 36, slowly taking over forward progress
- Upper right leg completely seized from knee to groin, pulling me ram-rod straight on an incline (Ryan handed over his Gatorade (undiluted) and I drank half of it. From that point (around 36 miles) I started doubling the salt intake (two salt sticks every 30 minutes).
- No blisters!
- I’d do this race again. Totally.
- [Update: as of Jan 10th, 2011, I am signed up and ready to do this again!]
I’ll definitely be using a GymBoss as I won’t have Mike Arena around for pacing 
