Escarpment Trail Run - 2016 Race Report

I swore at the end of ETR in 2015 that I would never do it again. It was a tough course and I was mentally and physically exhausted. If you know a trail runner, you know that "never" usually changes to "Sure!" as soon as someone else wants to share in the anguish with you!

We drove up the night before the race to my parents house in tiny Wynantskill, NY which is about an hour north of the race start in the Catskills. We visited and then turned in early since our wake up time was 4:30am. Next year, we will stay closer. I'm not a big fan of a drive in the morning. The forecast wasn't great for race day, but what are you going to do?

The good:
1. Beat last years’ time by 29:12. My pace in 2015 was 17:04 and this year was 15:30. Did well in slippery conditions too, so I KNOW there’s still room for more improvement!
2. Got through aid stations quickly and efficiently. Met some new-ish friends from favorite recent races (Hyner and World’s End) as well as running clubs in Philadelphia!
3. Hiked with purpose! Started race conservatively and hiked the early climbs even though I really wanted to run those more. This paid off in the 2nd half of the race and allowed for a decent kick in the end. I felt strong significantly stronger at the end this year vs last year (and yes, I was happy it was over since the rocks are relentless). I still have room to get better on the climbs! Always room to improve, right?!
4. Passed allot of guys who a – called us girls and b – said we looked strong (which we did). Not sure why this makes me happy, but it does. I told my daughter about 4 times and tonight she said, "Yes, mommy. I know you beat the boys. Good job."

The lessons:
1. Body glide, body glide, body glide. Chaffing is worse in rain. The rubbing, combined with a new pack, resulted in a big chafe on my neck. I packed fast after a busy week and this is what I forgot.
2. I’m WAY too conservative on the downs. I say this, but those downs were steep, full of big rocks/sharp rocks/loose rocks/flat slippery rocks disguised as regular ground, cliffs, and mud. But…… then I would see a group of guys some barreling down and knew in my heart I could physically do that too, but my brain won’t let my body release the fear. Definitely something to work on. I blame my fear on motherhood and having a subliminal instinct to not die so I can protect my young….I know it’s baloney!