Here it is Sunday and 6 days away from the Speedgoat 50K. My training has gone very well over the last several weeks. No injuries to speak of and I have put in the mileage and the elevation runs. Last week Josh and I even went up American Fork Canyon and ran down Mary Ellen Gulch. Last year that section physically, and even more so mentally, did me in. This year I will be going in more confident than last year about the entire race, and especially about Mary Ellen Gulch.
This year I know the course, I have trained on what I consider the most difficult section of the course and have trained well. I am shooting for a time of 9:00 hours. If I accomplish that goal I will be 2 hours faster than last year. Looking back I know I can make up 2 hours by starting up further in the pack, hydrating better, wearing gaiters to minimize the cleaning out of my shoes, faster in and outs at the aid stations, and by cutting off at least 30 minutes in Mary Ellen Gulch. In addition I also know the course and what to expect.
It should be a fun race this year as my son Josh will be running the race as well. This will be the first ultra marathon that we have ran together in. I use the term ran together very loosely as I will not see him during the race once we line up for the start. Even though I will only see him at the start and at the finish it will still be a great experience to share the events of the day with him. In addition to Josh the field of runners is truly incredible. It is very rare to have the talent of elite ultra marathoners that this race will have this year. Obviously I won't see them at all except as we mingle around at the starting line waiting for the magic hour of 6:30 am to start, but the buzz and excitement with all of them present will be a memorable experience.
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