01/29 Windburn Six in the Stix - 6 Hour (Race Report)

crunningman · Jan 31, 2011

Ran this event on Saturday outside Bartlett, IL on a 2.28 Mile "crushed limestone (actually snow covered this time of year)" loop.
I previously ran the summer version (Sunburn Six in the Stix - 38.48 Miles).
 
Leading up to the event, training had gone fairly well. Averaged right around 50-60Miles/week, concentrating mostly on longer weekend runs on snowy trails(to build strength) and roads(to keep some speed in my legs). My only real issue going in to the event was/is a lingering left ITBand problem. However, taping it seems to keep things stablized. Yes, I know, I need to get my lazy butt into the gym to strengthen my hip flexors(thank you dear). My wife is right, being a PT and all.
 
My friend Bob (who would be running his first ultra type event) and I made the 3 hour trip toward Bartlett. Prior to our final destination, we made a pitstop to pick up a friend in Hammond, IN. Surprisingly, the weather was unseasonably warm. Upper 20s, lower 30s from the get go. Last year at the start it was "0". Yikes!!!!
 
Really, I had no idea how I'd run. I knew the course, but the snowy conditions would certainly throw a wrench in the machine and slow things down quite a bit. And this is what we were up against for 6 Hours

<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/74292/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="ScrewedShoes.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="16110" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/16110/width/640/height/480" style="; width: 640px; height: 480px"></a>
 
And after a few last minute instructions from RD - Brian Gaines, we were off.
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/74294/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="ScrewedShoes.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="16111" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/16111/width/640/height/480" style="; width: 640px; height: 480px"></a>
 
I started right off the front with a few other guys who I knew were fast(er) and led the way:
Myself in Red/Black, Jim O'brien in while cap and another friend Matt Condron just behind him. The other two gents, guy in glasses and other in orange cap in the back I did not know. All I knew was that Jim would soon pass me for good and the guy in orange cap would do the same at some point. Matt dropped at some point because of a heal issue, but still managed to get in close or at the marathon distance.
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/74296/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="ScrewedShoes.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="16112" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/16112/width/667/height/500" style="; width: 667px; height: 500px"></a>
 
For the first time ever, I decided to wear a one bottle hydration pack around my waist. I had only trained with it previously on a few short 6 Mile runs and had no idea how I would hold up to it. Well, it worked out great as I attached two pouches for gels to the front of it. Oh! And a Snickers to

. The waist pack is from Nathan with a slanted bottle(no bounce). Usually I either carry a 20oz handheld or go with a WASP hydration pack. Right from the get go, I could tell the footing was really going to mess my form up more then it already is to this point. The harder you try to push, the more it messes up form. So, right away I just relaxed and did my best to keep my heartrate down.
 
After each 2.28 Mile loop, the RD requested that everyone mark their loops down at the pavillion on this entrant board he made up. But it was also good to know that we could keep going and not have to come in every time. The honor system was in place.
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/74301/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="ScrewedShoes.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="16113" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/16113/width/640/height/480" style="; width: 640px; height: 480px"></a>
 
So, I pushed on mostly solo for the entire 6 Hours, aside from seeing/passing nearly every runner out there more then a handful of times. It was motivating really to see and encourage runners on as I went by them. And they did the same back to me.
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/74305/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="ScrewedShoes.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="16114" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/16114/width/667/height/500" style="; width: 667px; height: 500px"></a>
 
 
Early on my splits for the 2.28 Mile went like this. Pretty consistent for the most part.
Loop #1 - 21:03 / gel
Loop #2 - 21:27 / gel
Loop #3 21:19 / gel
Loop #4 - 20:48 and then I made a pitstop at the pavilion to mark the board.
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/74307/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="ScrewedShoes.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="16115" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/16115/width/640/height/480" style="; width: 640px; height: 480px"></a>
 
Loop #5 - 20:34
Loop #6 - 20:06
Loop #7 - 20:36
Loop #8 - 20:19
Loop #9 - 20:51
Loop#10- 20:52
Loop#11- 20:25
Loop#12- 20:59
Loop#13- 23:48
 
I consistently drank and ate gels nearly every loop. And even through in a bite of Snickers every now and then.
 
Loop #14 - 28:44
Here is where the wall approached. I was feeling it quite a bit on this loop. Started to power walk for the first time. Constantly telling myself that I would come out of this. Keep moving forward. I ran to the pavilion and grabbed another Snickers and took off after marking the board. Ate half the Snickers and almost immediately felt better.
 
Loop #15- 23:30
After this loop as I came into the pavilion, the RD asked me, do you think you can get another loop in? I have almost 35 minutes to do it. And I took off running and eating the rest of my Snickers.
 
Loop #16- 22:47
I sped up enough to get back to the pavilion to run two 1/2 mile shorter loops before ending the day.
 
Comparison (Summer & Winter Results)
Winter - 37.48 Mile / 3rd OverAll / 6-Hours
Temp in the 20s-maybe 30F
Windy / Snowy
Summer 38.48 Miles / 2nd OverAll / 6-Hours
Hot/Humid and no shade from the sweltering sun
Temps ranged from 78F-91F
 
A little hardware from Saturday

phredmur · Jan 31, 2011

Nice. Great mileage under those conditions. Quite a contrast in the environment for the two races--sweltering sun versus freezing snow covered course.

crunningman · Jan 31, 2011

phredmur - Thanks! A huge difference post race as well. After the summer version, I felt like I had the flu(dehydrated) for 3hrs. After the winter version, I am tired, but was able to drive home without any issues.

Flounder · Jan 31, 2011

Nice, Nice, Nice!

cgerber · Feb 1, 2011

Good stuff! Nice job Craig!!

crunningman · Feb 1, 2011

Flounder & Gerb - Thanks alot! The pics certainly tell a tale of the day

jjameson · Feb 2, 2011

YOU'RE BACK!!!!

crunningman · Feb 3, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by jjameson <a href="/forum/thread/72427/01-29-windburn-six-in-the-stix-6-hour-race-report#post_1981222"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> YOU'RE BACK!!!!
</div>
</div>
 Seems like it has been a long winter training Joe! Good to hear from you. Granted winters are much longer in your neck of the woods. Any race plans for the spring? Skiing races?

runNYtrails · Feb 4, 2011

Awesome crunningman !! great photos . the course looks a lot like the upcoming Beast of Burden Winter event in NY. 'cept the beast is 
straight out n back repeats. i think i like loopeys better. Good run, congrats.

crunningman · Feb 4, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by runNYtrails <a href="/forum/thread/72427/01-29-windburn-six-in-the-stix-6-hour-race-report#post_1981681"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> 
Awesome crunningman !! great photos . the course looks a lot like the upcoming Beast of Burden Winter event in NY. 'cept the beast is 
straight out n back repeats. i think i like loopeys better. Good run, congrats.</div>
</div>
 
Thanks runNYtrails! I like out/backs myself. Good luck out there.

01/29 Windburn Six in the Stix - 6 Hour (Race Report)

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