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| Run/Jog | 48.00 Miles |
6,644 AEG |
| | Run/Jog | 48.00 Miles | 14 Hrs 24 Mns | | 3.50 mph |
| 6,644 ft AEG | 42 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Was signed up for the 100. But due to an injury that prevented me from doing much on Labor Day weekend, I figured I'm probably in no condition to attempt that, so the primary goal was 50.
Started out early in Downtown Prescott, and basically followed 89 2.5 miles to the trail. Pleasant temps in the morning, nothing remarkable as I made my way up to Groom Creek trail 10 miles in. By then it was light out, and it was nice and cool for the climb up Spruce and down Smith Ravine.
On Homestead, it started warming up, and I realized I had basically no energy. I'll chalk that up to a quick turnaround from flying back across the country on Thursday evening... Didn't want to be struggling just 20 miles in, but you can't have it all. At least the breeze tempered the sun a little.
Ranch trail was where the misery really started. I expected the climb, having been on that trail a couple times, but I absolutely hated Badger Mountain Trail. Long, windy, exposed, with the type of switchbacks that were probably designed to ensure mountain bikers don't have to put in any effort at all. 11 miles to do what's probably a 3-4 mile drive... Hopefully I never have to see Badger Mountain Trail ever again.
Things improved a little on Sundog Trail, which I actually liked better than BM. Then Peavine, which is just...flat. By the time I got to the dells, it was 5pm, and I figured the sun would be down before I got to 50. The north side of Watson Lake was actually a lot of fun, and I liked trying to move through there as fast as possible. Probably the only part of the day that was legitimately enjoyable.
One of my friends was waiting for me at the Watson Boat Ramp with a beer, which was a nice surprise.
By the time I got to Willow, it was getting dark, and I had to use a light most of the way through there. There were also thunderstorms moving in, which was fun (they didn't get to Willow, but I heard it got a little crazy closer to Granite Mountain). I really don't recommend going through the dells in the dark, it definitely upped the difficulty a level or two.
After that section, I decided to make it official and not go for what would've probably been a last place finish. I'm starting to come around to one of my friends' views that 50 miles is a superior distance to 100. |
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