My first crack at the Misty Mountain 20K was an amazing experience.
From the start, I could feel my heart in my throat and fatigue in the legs as if they were out of gas.
Soon the first climb started and I found myself following a runner into 3rd position. He then let up a little and before I knew it I took 2nd place for what seemed like 15-20mins.
The first downhill was where I felt most comfortable but as the next bit of climbing started I knew I would not be able to hold my pace and place for too long.
Eventually some footsteps caught me up as I took it a little easier on subsequent downs to protect my knee.
Two more runners came past and I felt myself slipping away on some of the more gradual climbs. Some flatter running and long downhills allowed for a bit of recovery and steadying of pace – ensuring my position didn’t change again – at least not for a while.
Some more gradual hills and I just had to start fast hiking some of the climbs.
Telling myself that “my 5th place would be solid as long as I kept moving” helped to force me to run a few latter climbs.
The long 3km downhill section started and though my knee now felt completely strong I was worried about opening up my pace too much.
Eventually I did come across a runner that passed me earlier wearing a UD Pack and was able to run past him.
The end was getting closer now and the pain of the exertion growing!
I had run out of water with 4 km to go so it was a bit of a struggle to get to the last 1km. I did and with 300m left found my kids and wife waiting for high fives. This lifted my spirits and Felix and Kaya ran with me to the finish for a solid 4th place.
My 2nd 4th place in as many races! Overall I’m happy with the result but would have tweaked my strategy to start slower, carry more water, add tailwind/energy gel and work on being calmer on the start!
Distance:: 20Km
Time:: 1:47:47
Position:: 4/54
