Race Preview: Vermont 50

So here we are on the doorstep of the 17th annual Vermont 50 Mile Endurance Run. This will be my fifth straight time running the Vermont 50 and it could very well be my last give my uncertainty of where I'll be living this time next year. As always, I'm beyond excited for this race. It is very well organized and the Vermont country-side is like no other place this time of year. Once again, 600 mountain bikers will get the early start followed by about 100+ 50 mile runners and a few hours later by the 50K entrants. They'll all weave and wind their way through the Vermont woods just south of Woodstock, VT on some of the most pristine single-track trails New England has to offer.

I've had a tough go at running since Leadville. After week 1's recovery I was sick with Strep throat during week 2 and had 5 days of hiccups during week 3. Thankfully, I've managed to piece together some running and hiking over the last 2 weeks and while out last night, I finally felt the turnover in my legs that I haven't felt since June. June when I tore up and down the Pittsfield Peaks Course. With that in mind. I'm not sure how I feel about this weekends race. Part of me wants to hang back and enjoy my last go round on this amazing course.. the other want's redemption for failure at Leadville and missing Wasatch. It's all going to come down to how I feel on race day and what cards I'm dealt. With that said here are my goals:

Race Goals:

1.) Finish

2.) Sub 10 Hours

3.) PR (8:58)

Weather looks to be near perfect on race day with temps struggling to reach 60 degrees after night time lows in the lower 40's after scattered Saturday Rain showers. I'm expecting the course to be damp during the morning and slowly drying up as the day progresses.

Quite a few friends will be out on the course this year trying to PR themselves. If I'm not feeling so hot early in the race it's going to be fun and an honor to fall back and help them reach their own human potential and running goals. We'll see how it all plays out. But for now.. I'm going to get me some single-track and Long Trail Ale!

SJ