Saturday, November 3, 2018

2018 Icebox 480


6th Icebox 480 11/3/18, River Falls, WI. Whitetail Ridge Mountain Bike Trail
This was my second time running this event (first was in 2015). Drove down with my neighbor and it was a bit chilly out (34°), but clear with dry trails. Picked up our bibs and hat/sticker at 7:15am (still before it was light out), set out our drop bags, and hung out in the car for another 30mins.
Pre-race

After a short announcement, with very little warning, we were all off! I began walking/shuffling for the first few minutes, until we were finally spread out enough to run. After a few more minutes, I was still going just a bit too slowly behind a few runners, so I moved ahead and it was much better – just a comfortable run out in the woods.
1st lap: easy pace. Leaves down, good trail conditions (dry). Look at timing for aid station (~52min). Quick text to Elenia, refill with water and out after 1:12. Still ahead of Finn by 5min?
2nd lap: Still good. Was going by quickly. Toilet, text, refill with Gatorade. Out after 1:16 (2:28 total)
3rd lap: Hamstring start getting sore. Thought about telling Elenia to not bother, that I wasn’t going to run the whole time. Wondered if I would have to just walk the rest. Out after 1:19 (3:48 total)
4th lap: slowed some, but felt no worse. Still moving well. Twisted left ankle early, but not affect run. Kicked a few roots (all day). Still 5-10 mins ahead of Finn. Out after 1:27 (5:16 total)
5th lap: pit stop half way. Finn pass after mid-Aid station. Moving ok, but slower. Thought may do 1-2 laps. Felt rubbing on back of left heel-adjust shoe twice during lap. Try and change shoes after lap, Would not fit…put same ones back on (no blister at all). Out after 1:34 (6:50 total).
See Elenia/CC. Try and change shoes, not fit, so back out for short laps. Decide I want to run until time is up, with no pit stops. Loop times: 12:33,11:34,12:02,12:07,11:58. Wanted 40 miles, and got it, ending at 7:51:06. Missed going out for 41 miles by 3 minutes. Male/Female leaders flying for last lap. Male finished with 56miles, 8 seconds under cutoff, then collapsed.
(No other photos...didn't wear my vest - so no place to carry my phone!)