Training Run — Sunday, June 20, 2004
First 3/4's, 36 Km
Hi there fellow and future Knackers! We have had some excellent running conditions for our training runs this year and Sunday was no exception. Along with the nice weather came a large runner turn-out. The parking lot was getting full at 7 a.m. with upwards of 50 runners.... who knew that there were so many keeners ready to tackle Black Mtn on Fathers Day.
To my surprise when I asked how many had never done the first quarter, 15 sets of hands shot up! Being the lone run leader on Sunday, I could feel beads of sweat starting to form on my brows. I quickly gathered my senses and proceeded to give the best advice I could think of....drink lots, follow the snowy and muddy footprints and try to stay in groups!
The mad dash was then on for the dreaded car pool. I find this more stressful than Black Mtn. In 20 minutes people were strapping on fanny packs, sucking back carbs and for the 15 or so newbies....psyching up for the unknown up ahead.
I purposely hung back and ran with some buddies. I guess I wanted to see their reaction to the fabled rock slide. The weather was perfect and the view from up top of Black was spectacular! We all stopped for a brief Kodak moment but then continued on our mission. I'm glad that I had done the first half last week as no matter how much one runs these trails, they can be somewhat confusing. As usual, there was lots of mud, some patches of snow but as long as you followed the foot prints and the BP signs you should be okay.
The one thing I did notice Sunday was that a lot of people were going over on their ankles or just plain wiping out. The proper etiquette in this situation is....if one hand touches the ground that's one beer owed....two hands = two beers and so on, all payable to those hard-working run leaders of course. But the advantage of running on your own is that no one can hear you cursing as you wipe out twice within 15 minutes....yes....that was me!
A group of us arrived at Cleveland Dam after a little over 3 hours. By this time the roadrunners were out front and the rest of the field was spread out. A quick water re-fill and we were back on the road....literally. After Cleveland I think everyone just wanted to get to the canyon. The trails were very quiet once we got past those grinders. I think that we have run enough miles between Grouse and Deep Cove to know what the trail had to offer. With tired and lazy feet at this point, those roots and rocks seemed to grow an extra few inches in height.
As much as the training group stretched out throughout the training run, runners seemed to finish not too far apart at Lynn Canyon. We were an exhausted bunch, needless to say. The combination of hot weather and not drinking enough can really take its effect on you out there. This training run was a good eye-opener for first-timers and veterans. Remember that once you become dehydrated, its pretty hard to get it back and can make for a very long day.
But look at the bright side....we get to do this all over again next Sunday! Of course we are just running to Cleveland Dam. Take advantage of what worked for you out there Sunday and what didn't work for you. Now is the time to finely adjust how much to eat, what to eat and drink, drink, drink!
Great run everyone and we will see you Sunday!
Rod Hatfull
