Run For the Pumpkins Trail Race - October 3, 2020

Oh no, I didn't run this race.  Besides my general lack of enthusiasm for shorter races, I smashed my big left toe on a log a couple weeks ago.  It turned many wonderful colors.  I was afraid it was broken but the X-ray came back negative and the diagnosis was not to run for 4 weeks.  Well it hasn't quite been two weeks yet but the toe does feel much better.  I'm planning a trip to the Whites this weekend which shall test it.

Anywho, I'm enjoying putting content up on YouTube and I was in need of something to film so I thought I've take a stab at recording another trail race.  Wasn't sure if the toe was going to be an issue but I didn't notice it at all.  I was definitely out of practice with regards to filming races.  I forgot about how once the race starts you have to just improvise and do your best.  A bunch of footage I thought I shot near the beginning actually didn't record which was a bummer but otherwise I'm fairly happy with the clips I got.  

For this video I experimented with slow motion and some zooming effects.  Probably over did it at times.  In terms of subjects I mostly focused on recording the usual suspects and then added some frantic music from last week's band practice.  Not too bad - if anyone still reads this blog please give it a view and considering subscribing to my channel.  I would certainly appreciate it!

On Racing

Yes my blog has been pretty quiet this year.  After the stress fracture back in the early months of 2016, I lost my taste for updating it.  Once I began running again, I found it hard to rekindle the interest.  I've managed to eek out a couple race reports at least but that brings me to the crux of this post - my lack of racing this year.

So far I've mustered only four races this year.  Two races of the winter trail series (which led to my stress fracture), Run with the Beavers and the Kismet Cliff Climb.  Trail races one and all.  Even though I'm healthy I haven't had much of an appetite for racing and certainly not on roads.

I pulled the trigger on the Li'l Rhody Runaround with a week to go.  I honestly wasn't really feeling it but felt like I should get back out there.  This race has always been a pain point for me and indeed I would often choose the Mews 5k over it (as much for the beer and the camaraderie of my non-running friends).  But I'm keeping my non-road streak going and hope to put in a good showing.  To that end, let's look at my previous races on this course:

2012 - 1:04:59
A complete shitshow.  I went into the race with a weak ankle and rolled it a mile in.  The rest of the race was slow decay.  One of my better write-ups though.  Perhaps suffering breeds creativity.

2013 - 52:51
Redemption race after the previous year.  I was nearing the height of my trail powers speed-wise and put up a solid time.

2014 - Sidelined with a knee injury due to the NipMuck / Bimbler double team.  I directed traffic in the parking lot instead.

2015 - 56:40
Trying to run this race the week after the Rhode Island 6 Hour Ultra was a silly thing to do.  After a couple miles my legs revolted and I mailed it in the rest of the way.  Looking back I'm surprised I finished only four minutes behind 2013.

So now I enter 2016 healthy and rested.  I'd love to PR but since I've completely neglected workouts I'm not capable of a 6:36 pace for this race.  But I guess you never know.  I ran most of the course last weekend as a refresher and once the race is underway the usual adrenaline will help carry me along.  My basic plan will be to not go out too fast as always (unlikely) and save something for the second half of the race.  We shall see!

Stay tuned for the race report which will perhaps kick this blog back into high gear.