Wahsatch Steeplechase My first trail run. I remember reading Fritz's report last year and thinking I would like to run this race. I was a little intimidated and it really didn't fit in with my training but I wanted to do it. I singed up maybe ten days ago. This week, I was sidelined by a hamstring strain that was causing trouble in my left glute. After taking Wednesday and Thursday off, it really improved. Yesterday I got my first chiropractic adjustment because my SI joint just felt tweaked. It felt much better. Finally, I got a deep tissue massage to work out the muscles in my hamstring. She told me that she was going to "work out" my legs and they would feel fatigued afterward. She asked that I not go too hard in my race. I warmed up by running from my home to memory grove via the steep hill on wall street. Just under a mile to the start line. It was a bit chilly so that was a good sign. I enjoyed people watching with the trail running crowd. They are a different breed than road racers but definitely runners. The race started about ten minutes late as we waited for the restroom goers to finish up. I just tried to run at a comfortable pace and manage the hills the best I could. My legs weren't feeling strong and spry so I think the massage may have had an effect. After the first few miles, though, I never thought about it again and I think I just had to get some rust off. It gets ridiculously steep starting in mile 6 and, of course, mile 7 which you simply should hike as quickly as possible. The crags were by far my favorite part. It is beautiful and engages you at a high level. I almost feel like there is some of the primitive man in the trail navigator. I feel like your body knows exactly what to do and your mind just has to go with it. Mile 9, that of the 1,285 foot descent, really did a number on my knees and calves. I could feel them burning and, when my left foot kicked an exposed root, my left calf locked up and caused me to yell in agony. The calf improved but was tight throughout the remainder of the race. When I finally hit the road, my legs felt very wobbly. They recovered a bit but by the time I hit the trails on the northwest side of City Creek, I slowed down. My legs were destroyed and my calves hurt if I pushed it so I saw no reason to risk injury. I kind of hobbled to the finish, soaked myself in the creek, grabbed my shirt and decal and walked home with some intermittent jogging. Best morning ever. Feel good now. Glute was a little tight but not sore and feels fine. Garmin: Mile Split Up Down HR Max 1 7:08.9 233 0 162 175 2 9:48.5 617 79 165 175 3 9:10.4 399 89 162 168 4 9:39.6 445 92 160 170 5 10:15.5 446 97 164 173 6 11:44.2 534 36 160 167 7 20:19.7 1087 25 160 167 8 18:37.5 301 324 155 167 9 9:13.2 92 1285 155 161 10 8:07.6 20 656 155 161 11 5:55.2 0 375 157 161 12 6:16.3 0 200 159 162 13 7:13.2 21 179 158 162 14 7:20.4 30 233 156 163 15 7:28.9 0 202 162 168 16 6:55.9 0 271 159 162 17 3:03.7 6 78 159 164 2:38:18 4231 4220 159 175
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