BIB REPORT: The Dark Hollow Wallow 11 miler

The Skinny:
1:48:11
18 of 60

Since Ive started this Blog a little behind this season some of my "Bib Reports" will be a little out of order until I can catch up. Im going to start with my latest race, The Dark Hollow Wallow. This is the second race in the Treadin Troddin Trails Series for the Knoxville Track Club. Its an eleven miler(as well as a five mile version) held at Big Ridge State Park in Maynardville, Tn.

I ran this race for the first time last year with a finishing time of 2:01. Overall, my time wasnt that bad, but I felt that this was one of a couple of races last season that I didnt have my best race so I was left feeling a little disappointed. Finally, after 12 months, a chance at redemption today. Last seasons race was decidedly warmer, shorts and a t-shirt worked just fine. Ive gotten a little spoiled on the Trail races for KTC since the weather has seemed to somehow always be perfect, even in the winter months. Todays race wasnt as bad as a February race could have been. It was sunny, but the temps never got out of the 20's. Full length compression bottoms(I really have no pride left) and Nike element upper with Mountain Hardware Tobogan and gloves made the run just right. Also, unlike last year, I ran without a hydration pack. My overall increase in training and comfort with longer runs gave me the confidence to run without it this time.

There are a couple of large hills in this race. By a couple, I mean three or four, and by large I mean, you have really no idea how big they were. See for yourself below. After a cup full of Tailwind at mile 4 though, I was good to go. The hill between mile six and seven is as brutal as it looks. Straight up, no switchbacks. These hills can, and in my case, will humble a good overall pace. The mile six hill ended up being a 14 minute mile for me. Ive really got to work on that one next year.I was able to recover afterwards though and turn in some solid miles to the finish.

In the end, I was able to meet my overall goal for todays race which was to run it in 1:50. That meant taking 11 minutes off of last years time. I didnt have as strong a finish as I would have liked over the last mile, but was still able to come in at 1:48 taking 13 minutes off my overall time from last year. It was especially nice to have my lovely and talented wife Rebecca waiting for me at the finish(she snapped the picture). She braved the elements with me today and ran the 5 mile version of todays race. Great job Babe!

My overall goal in all that I do is to get all I can out of myself and continue to improve each and every time out, especially on courses Ive previously ran. Today was a step in the right direction and I look forward to coming back next year with another improved time!