Li'l Rhody Runaround 2015

Official time: 56:40.  26th overall.  6th in Age Group.  Results here.

The Li’l Rhody Runaround has always been a signature trail race in Rhode Island for a lot of people, though it’s often been less than successful for me.  I rolled my ankle badly one year and last year I bowed out with knee problems.  This year I pulled the trigger on the RI 6 Hour Ultra that was scheduled for the week prior.  That race went great but I knew that I was essentially giving up a chance of success at Li’l Rhody in doing so.

It had been a slow recovery from the 6 Hour.  For the first few days I was visibly sore but by Sunday I was feeling alright.  Amanda decided at the last minute to join the race and that was good to see.  We got there with plenty of time to chat up the usual suspects.  After a short warm-up a sea of orange shirts lined up and we were off. 

And we're off! - Photo by Scott Mason

I tried to reign it in but the race goes out fast.  I did my best to keep my pace in check.  Matt Walker didn’t go by me for a ½ mile which had me concerned.  Turns out he had a strategy in place – a sound one which would net him third place. By the time we reached the playground the pace felt hard and I wondered how long I would hold on. 

Past the camp I led a couple guys who remarked that I looked strong.  Ha!  Saw Nate V cheering us on near Buckeye Brook Rd which was appreciated.  But at mile 3 there’s a small climb and my legs immediately felt tired.  My pace slowed and a series of runners began to pass me.  That was pretty much it.  With sore legs and my pace slowing I had little desire to hang on and gut it out.  From that point I took it easy and didn’t push myself on the run.  I finished about four minutes slower than two years ago.

Props to Matthew Walker for an impressive 3^rd place finish.  He’s a demon now.  And shame on the bandit who pushed the pace with front runners Greg Hammett and Bronson Venable.  So a lackluster performance for me but I expected it a week removed from the 6 Hour so I'm not bummed.  Next weekend brings the race trilogy to a close with the Mews Tavern 6.9k.  We'll see how that goes!

Weekly Log: 11.9.15 - 11.15.15

This will be an easy week following the forty miles I ran at the RI 6 Hour Ultra (I'm slow getting the report done but look for it later this week).  Unfortunately by running the 6 Hour I accept that I probably sabotaged my chances of putting up a PR at Lil Rhody Runaround this weekend.  I still intend to run but I'm not sure what shape I'll be in.

Monday - 0 miles

Good lord, I don't think I've ever been this sore before.  I can barely walk.  I probably should have a cane.  Going up stairs is slow, going down is treacherous.  I hold onto the rail for dear life.  It takes two hands to lower myself onto the toilet.  I've heard gym guys talking about leg day - this feels like the affects of leg day times ten.

Tuesday - 0 miles

Slightly better than yesterday but I'm still a shambling mess.  Thankfully everything just feels really sore and not injured.  Just the result of 40 miles of pavement.  The next long one will definitely be a return to trails.

Wednesday - Charlestown, RI - 2 miles

The worst of the soreness finally appears to be over.  I was working from home due to Veterans Day and I took the dog out at lunchtime.  Two miles was enough for me and even with the 9 minute pace my quads began to get angry after two miles.

Thursday - West Greenich, RI - 5 miles

My legs were feeling much better today so I took to Big River for some easy trails miles.  I kept the pace slow and stuck to the widest trails - Sawmill and the New London Turnpike - but by the last mile my legs were feeling it.  Still it was good to get out there.  I'm hopeful that Sunday's race won't be a total shitshow now.

Friday - 0 miles

I didn't have much motivation to run at lunch.  Okay, I had no motivation.  This has been a slothful, gluttonous week.  Consider it a victory lap after last Sunday.  At any rate, this can't continue but for now I'm content to bask in the lazy.  On the plus side, the legs feel normal now.

Saturday - 0 miles

I took Em up to Boston to look at a couple colleges (I can't believe she goes to college next year).  Since I bailed on yesterday that means no running the last two days.  Chumpy but I'm alright with it considering I'm running an eight mile race tomorrow.  We'll see how it goes.

Sunday - Charlestown, RI - 10 Miles

Li'l Rhody Runaround.  56:40.  26th overall.  Quads became unruly around mile 3 and I took it easy the rest of the race.  Report forthcoming (maybe).

Weekly Mileage: 17 miles
Year to Date: 1,754 miles

The recovery from the 6 Hour would not be denied.  While my soreness was gone by the weekend, my legs were still in no shape to race.  It'll probably be another easy week as I have yet another unwise race next weekend (Mews Tavern 6.9k).