Snowy Shakeout

MetroRock - Littleton (Bouldering)

MetroRock - Littleton (Big Wall)

Easy Pre-Race

Still Windy

**UPDATE - 63rd of 279, top quarter**

Survived (mostly) and advance.

Still waiting on official results, then I'll update the title, but decent race. Accomplished my only true goal of not getting caught by the womens leaders. Definitely lost to a fair number of women, but men got a 15 minute head start, and none could overcome that. 

Mountain race 3 of 5 (consecutive) is in the books. Legs, namely the quads, were absolutely trashed after Wachusett last Saturday, and didn't want a repeat of that with Ascutney now only six days away. With the addition of this serving as the US Mountain Running Championship, I knew my chance of a decently high placement were out the window. I still gave a solid effort, but not 100%, maybe more like 80. 

Start of the race had an slight downhill for the first 100-150m before a hard turn and a steep, muddy, grassy climb. Didn't take off too hard, and it may have bit me slightly as I felt boxed in during the first climb, but I think it may have been for the best to keep me under control early. Still came through the first mile in 9:15, which while not really impressive, isn't too bad given the grade and terrain.  At that point, kinda made a goal of not walking the first loop, but threw that plan out when I looked at my watch at 1.54 miles and I was over 15 minutes. Why try running if I can't even crack 12 minute pace. Thus the walking began. Probably walked more than I should have during the rest of the ascent, but I did what I did.

Took the first descent fairly easy. Never seen the downhill on this course before and conditions were far from ideal. Real goal was to just stay upright. Lost a few spots, but that was fine, still a lot of racing to go. Also noticed that my back got kinda tight towards the bottom. I noticed it a bit at Wachusett last week, and I'm thinking I'm doing too much braking. 

Started the second loop, and most definitely did not run the whole first mile of that. Legs were tired, and the conditions deteriorated quite a bit as a result of the women and high schoolers hitting the course after us. Made the turn for the woods about a mile up trail, and that trail was in rough shape. It was really nice of them to put a rope across the stream  as your entering. While I did grab it a little, I didn't need it, but I'm sure it helped a lot of those less versed in water crossings. Trail as a whole was pretty wet, largely underwater, and very slick. Caught Brightman at some point and hung with him for a bit, too long really. Should have made a pretty quick pass and kept pressing, but relaxed. Sue me. 

Kinda thought the race was more or less over as through the singletrack. Sure there was some people around me, but I figured those were the guys I was battling with and there would be about 4 of us finishing in close proximity. Then randomly towards the top, two guys flew by me, one in a full NNormal kit. Not sure if a couple guys made a wrong turn or what, but that was a shock. 

Hit the top of the mountain for the second time and began the descent. Definitely flew a bit more on the initial descent, and it actually felt better opening up my stride there. Again managed to stay upright through the trees, which was much easier said than done. Came out of the woods and saw Todd and started making a hard charge for him. Came around a sweeping right hander through some tall grass into fairly muddy, grassy, sloped section. Tried to go a little higher than I did lap one hoping for better traction, instead hit the ground pretty quick. Hopped up and continued my pursuit, which seemed to work. Caught Todd just before the random excavator in the middle of the road and worked well the remainder of the downhill. Closed the final 600+m at sub-5:20 pace, not to mention the previous half mile or so before that. Wasn't until I finished that I looked down and saw the stream of blood flowing down my leg. 

To be fair, the pictures make my leg look a lot worse than it really is. More unfortunately is that when I asked for a hose, I was told there weren't any. Went to the nearby stream to clean up a bit before getting checked out by medical. Would have cleaned up better, but I swear the water was 30 degrees at best. Feet were going numb standing in it. Then, to add insult to injury, when I got back there was a hose set up. Did a better job cleaning then as that water was much, much warmer. 

Long story short, mediocre race, no cool down. 

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Jacob Wormald

Sunapee Scramble - 63rd Overall

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Snowy Shakeout

MetroRock - Littleton (Bouldering)

MetroRock - Littleton (Big Wall)

Easy Pre-Race

Still Windy

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