The Tangle 10k race report 2019.
Two events in one weekend! Both.. around Johnson City. That's a lot of driving and getting up early. But this was my last chance to get in a supported trail run before SwimRun Georgia, so I wanted to take advantage.
Matt was going to join me, but after hauling 100 lbs of bike+gear into the wind, uphill, all Saturday, his body was feeling a little rough. Plus he isn't actually training for anything with a run in it. So I headed out dark and early again Sunday morning by myself.
Dark and early and COLD. The front that blew through during our ride was still in full effect, and it was in the mid 40s and windy (north wind), which meant standing around before the run was very chilly. Fortunately they had a fire built up!
Lifesaver.
I didn't remember much about the Tangle course, but they told us it was a little short (6 miles), and it was mostly downhill for 2 miles, down to the water, then mostly uphill all the way back. Yaaaay.
It actually ended up being a really fun run. After the first bit where there was walking as people sorted out where they needed to be, and navigated the ups and downs in a tight pack, I fell in behind two girls who were a good pace for me. It's been a while since I pushed a bit while running. Too scared with my hamstring. But this felt good, so I went with it.
I mean, I wasn't breaking any speed records, because it was a trail, but I was bombing the rocky downhills as if I'd actually been running trails (I haven't), and attacking a bit on the uphills. Just having fun. Being a kid.
The weather was great. I was actually too warm in my long sleeved shirt, once we got into the trees and out of the wind, but I pushed the sleeves up a bit, and it was fine.
Eventually I fell back from my rabbits a bit, and spent the rest of the run reeling one of them in and then losing her again. It gave me something to focus on and helped keep me motivated.
The course was beautiful and challenging, and I have no idea how I did 3 loops of it last year, undertrained, in much hotter weather.
I had figured it warmed up while I was out there, but when I stopped running, it immediately got cold and windy again, and the car said it was still in the mid 40s. What strange weather for the last day of March!
Finisher's water bottle instead of shirt.
Now I have to decide if I want to do the third race, which is after SwimRun Georgia, when I really have no need to be trail running anymore. But completing the series sounds kinda fun, and I've never run out wherever the 3rd one is.
Matt was going to join me, but after hauling 100 lbs of bike+gear into the wind, uphill, all Saturday, his body was feeling a little rough. Plus he isn't actually training for anything with a run in it. So I headed out dark and early again Sunday morning by myself.
Dark and early and COLD. The front that blew through during our ride was still in full effect, and it was in the mid 40s and windy (north wind), which meant standing around before the run was very chilly. Fortunately they had a fire built up!
Lifesaver.
I didn't remember much about the Tangle course, but they told us it was a little short (6 miles), and it was mostly downhill for 2 miles, down to the water, then mostly uphill all the way back. Yaaaay.
It actually ended up being a really fun run. After the first bit where there was walking as people sorted out where they needed to be, and navigated the ups and downs in a tight pack, I fell in behind two girls who were a good pace for me. It's been a while since I pushed a bit while running. Too scared with my hamstring. But this felt good, so I went with it.
I mean, I wasn't breaking any speed records, because it was a trail, but I was bombing the rocky downhills as if I'd actually been running trails (I haven't), and attacking a bit on the uphills. Just having fun. Being a kid.
The weather was great. I was actually too warm in my long sleeved shirt, once we got into the trees and out of the wind, but I pushed the sleeves up a bit, and it was fine.
Eventually I fell back from my rabbits a bit, and spent the rest of the run reeling one of them in and then losing her again. It gave me something to focus on and helped keep me motivated.
The course was beautiful and challenging, and I have no idea how I did 3 loops of it last year, undertrained, in much hotter weather.
I had figured it warmed up while I was out there, but when I stopped running, it immediately got cold and windy again, and the car said it was still in the mid 40s. What strange weather for the last day of March!
Finisher's water bottle instead of shirt.
Now I have to decide if I want to do the third race, which is after SwimRun Georgia, when I really have no need to be trail running anymore. But completing the series sounds kinda fun, and I've never run out wherever the 3rd one is.