3 weekends of high mountain hikes, tough to get the marathon juices flowing again.
Saturday’s trail run one of 3 last-minute selections needed to reach magic #100 in Dublin. My third consecutive trail race – Tahoe, Steamboat & the Hawk. Better known for its grueling 100-mile race, 26.2 miles the shortest distance one can enter. 100 miles, 50 miles or Marathon. Seriously, that’s it. First time, I’VE been the late start at an event.
Organized by an upbeat group of local trail runners, the Lawrence Trail Hawks. What’s not to love? Direct flight (Denver to KC), cheap airfare, entire trip/in-n-out < 30 hours. ‘though Kansas in September, probably gonna be warm, really warm.
Hotel check-in, bib pick-up, dinner. Early to bed, early to rise.
Race Morning. Packed up the rental – not expecting to squeeze in a hotel ‘finish’ shower. No worries this day, scoped out a $5 shower at Clinton State Park (campground showers), 10-minute drive from today’s race Start. Like a Boy Scout, always prepared 🙂
Last minute race announcements, BAM – started on time. Similar to Steamboat last month, well organized event.
Whole lotta up & down. Root & rock trail, large leafy trees provided much appreciated shade. Special for Marathoners: an extra 1.2 mile loop thru fresh-cut grass, then UP Sanders Mound. Roughly 25 miles ‘round Clinton Lake.
Middle/back of the pack first 3 miles. Settled into pace by the first Aid Station. Sooooo much FOOD – FAVE difference vs road marathoning. Sweet, salty, crunchy, energy gels, granola bars – and PICKLES. Love me some pickles. Good on the stomach.
Single file track. Ran with an older guy first 12 miles. Military, his first marathon. Quick steady pace. Daughter was running 2nd female, inspired Dad/Chuck to hit the trails. Conversation passed the time (no headphones this race). Second pass by West Park Road Aid Station & we said our goodbyes. Think he went out a bit too fast (first marathon).
Tough race – maybe all trail runs are? More mental for sure. Zone out & risk going down hard (aka 2nd leg Steamboat).
Last Aid Station stop, 7 miles to go. First humans I’d seen in quite a while. One deer, one snake – but no peeps. Wouldn’t see another runner ‘til the Finish. Pushed hard last mile, just missed 6 hours. Should have gutted a little sooner. Ho hum. Wasn’t ‘til Monday morning (checking results online) did I find I finished 11th overall. WOW, I’ll take it. Eases the sting of missing 6 hours, right?
2pm Finish, came in hot. Laid long on the grass, folks brought over ice. 3rd finish in Kansas, ironically 2 on trail.
Campground shower, early evening flight home, church in the morning.
Marathon next (short 2 weeks away): Clarence DeMar in Keene NH. LOVE LOVE Autumn in New England 🍁
The Hawk Hundred
September 09, 2017
Lawrence, US
Race Summary
START TIME 8:00:17 AM
DISTANCE 26.2 Miles
OVERALL
Timothy Hazlett M Bib 1025 Lees Summit, MO 4:40:11
Carsten Giessmann M Bib 1021 Irvine, CA 4:49:33
Suresh Nagarajan M Bib 1048 Grover, MO 4:52:50
Nathan Goertzen M Bib 1079 Hampton, NE 4:54:03
Justin Douglas M Bib 1014 Lawrence, KS 5:01:28
Katherine Martyn F Bib 1040 Lawrence, KS 5:02:10
Jim Cozzi M Bib 1012 Geneva, IL 5:38:17
Randy R M Bib 1022 McMinnville, OR 5:46:52
Daniel Auten M Bib 1001 Colorado Springs, CO 5:48:50
Brian Forbes M Bib 1017 Spring Hill, KS 5:57:50
Keenan Haga M Bib 1023 Louisville, CO 6:00:46
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