Might as well either settle in and absorb the banality of race thoughts that frequent my mind at accelerated rates as Antelope 100 approaches or pinch my blog off your reading list for the next 20 days.
Race start times:
There are some odd start times out there. Cheat Moonshine Madness 50 miler starts at 9pm. I'm not sure whether this race still exists. Leadville 100 starts at 4am. Bear 100 starts at 6am. Grindstone 100 at 6pm. Hellgate 100k at 12:01am (midnight).
I don't know which start time I prefer. I suppose I'm used to starting races early in the morning. Antelope 100 will start at NOON, Friday March 25th. That will be weird. I usually hit my low energy point in the day around 2pm, so it could work out well for holding back on the early pacing. Nick P. seems to think I'll be sprinting for the first 50 miles and feels I should just pack a headlamp at the 50 mile mark drop bag. He says it'll be light until 8:12pm (he thinks he's hot stuff. I had to show him where the Big Dipper was). Yeah, I looked it up, rocket boy is talking about astronomical twilight. There's normal human sunset, then civil twilight (can see your hand in front of your face), then nautical twilight (you have to be on the ocean so you don't run into something because you can't see shit), then astronomical twilight. I'm figuring astronomical twilight means you can see every star in the sky because it's ink black dark out and you'll trip and smash your teeth out running without a headlamp.
I decided to fly to SLC for the race. It's better than sitting in a car for 8+ hours and getting all stiff. I'll hitch a ride home with SKatona. He keeps the heated seats in his car on full blast, like toaster oven coils because his normal heater only blows cold air.
Need to act like I'm working, so potential splits will have to wait for now.
Yes, be sure also sure to track the obliquity and the right ascension of the sun.
ReplyDeleteCheat Mtn still exists!! (www.wvmtr.org)
ReplyDelete8:12 is actually the end of civil twilight ( http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php ). I still think that is about enough time for 50 miles - if you want to run 17-18 hrs the first 50 will have to be low 8 hr probably.
ReplyDeleteGZ, I don't even know what ascension means... Wish your "Door to Bear and Back" was a different date. I wanted to do that with you.
ReplyDeleteHey Adam, thanks for the info. The site I found only had info for for 80-09. Please let me know when you receive the MD gear. I won't know when they send it out and want to make sure you get it to try out before your big AT run.
Nick, you want me to die on Antelope Island, don't you. You're right about the 50 mile time. It'll have to be at least 8 hours to allow for any sort of fast overall time.
Aside from yesterday, race thoughts have been a constant companion. Right now I'm more excited than nervous for Antelope. At some point I expect those feelings will be reversed!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure the car I rented in SCL doesn't have heated seats so you'll have to wait for that kind of luxury after the race!
Great Darren,
ReplyDeleteYou're in amazing shape and ready. Stay relaxed because you're going to have a great day out there. We'll go over all the logistical planning of your run; that's the fun part!
His seats melted my tights to my skin last time I rode in his car.
No, I don't want you to die...I think I am just being realistic based on what you said you would like to run time-wise.
ReplyDeleteI did at least say to have a small light at 38.5 miles to have just in case it gets dark. The last few miles before mile 50 are on the road anyway so you wouldn't need much light.
I know, and I appreciate the advice.
ReplyDeleteBoy are you in luck. I dropped way too much money fixing way too many broken things on my car a couple weekends ago - one of them being the heat.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we shouldn't use it, though, and just turn the AC on like old times.