Monkey Race Report

That was painful - But pain was expected.  What was not expected - The 1st time ever, I ran into some kind of wall in the last 5 miles.  It acted like glycogen depletion, but I do not believe I was depleted.  I ate the right things the week before, I ate well the night before, I had 800 calories the morning of the race and I had 7 gels in the race.  How the heck do I hit the glycogen wall?

Maybe it wasn't the wall.  I have hit the wall in training runs and twice in half marathons that I went in depleted.  But it acted like the wall.  Any attempt to keep the pace reasonable caused me to be out of breath, light headed and almost pass out.

It was a beautiful day to run in hills outside of Nashville.  Cold early, but by the time beer was served it was great weather to hang out and drink beer.

Thank you to Trent and all the volunteers that make Monkey special!

Good running to all!

PS - 3:13:17

11/16/2012 Anticipating The Monkey

Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon is in less than 2 days.  I have taken a break from seriouse training after the Badgerland Striders 24 Sept 1-2 through the end of October. I am not in particularly good shape.  But "The Monkey" deserves my best effort I currently have available.  Boasting 3600 feet of ups and downs on pavement in Percy Warner Park (PWP), the Monkey will punish me regardless of my fitness.

"The Monkey" is an old school race, not about PRs, but running hard and reckless.  Pace is pretty useless as running 5:45 or 7:15 may be an excellently paced mile in the PWP.  "The Monkey" is about old and new friends joining together singularly in purpose - To survive the Flying Monkey Attacks.

Post race Yazzo beer is excellent and "The People's Buffet" (potluck) allows us to share a little piece of the part of the country that we are from.  I tend to bring something cheese related (WI).

I am not a country music fan, but I look forward to this annual journey to Nashville.

Good running to all -