It’s hard to believe The North Face 50 is right around the corner. I have a lot thoughts about the race and the crazy, unplanned way it all came about. I have post in the works about that. I’ll probably save that one for next week. I am busy on all fronts this week and it’s all good. I ma just rolling along, having fun running, having even more fun outside of running, and looking forward to what 50 miles of racing will take out of me both physically and mentally.
This past weekend I raced the Griffith Park Trail Half Marathon. I wanted to use this race as a tune up and being 2 weeks out from TNF50 I think it was the right call… but it was tough for sure. I felt really good heading into the race with a pretty challenging week of running in my legs. I knew it was going to be a tough day due the course but also when I saw my friend John Clark checking in and also a group or fast road runner guys.
John is a trail ninja, but the trails weren’t technical at all, just pretty steep, so the roadies would be tough to be beat. so of course, in typical fashion, I attacked straight away trying to crack the pack (not exactly smart, but I’ve never claimed to be!). The race started with a steep ~2 mile climb and I lead it out. Mission accomplished! Only one of the “team” was able to stay with me along with John. We ran the first 4 miles pretty damn hard and then I sat in and let them lead. They kept surging on each other and I didn’t want any part of it. I continued to run steady. I was hoping they would crack each other. That didn’t really end up being the case.
The roadie continued to pull away and then I was in third solo for the rest of the race. I think there was a very small chance I could have gotten to John. I was feeling strong on the final climbs and making up time, but I would have to go balls out for the final 2 mile super steep sketchy descent to try to reel him in. John is maybe the downhill runner I have ever raced with so I played it safe. I remember Lucho telling me that in the “prep races” to just run steady tempo unless I was in position to win… and then ALWAYS go for the win! The North Face 50 is the goal and I was already pretty stoked with how I was feeling. I really didn’t feel like I settled in until the 8 mile mark, which I’ll take as a good sign, and at the finish I was still feeling really good.
With that run in the bank and with as good as I’m feeling I am not going to race the Xterra 15k this Thursday. I mean racing is always fun but my family is coming to town so I am want to spend as much time with them over their short trip. It’s not like I NEED another race at this point.
I am still rolling with the volume and seem to feel better with each passing week. As stoked as I am for TNF50 I am more excited about the way I feel and just seeing where all of this takes me. I already have some good stuff in the work sponsorship and race wise for 2013.
Happy Thanksgiving from Paradise!
3 Comments
Katie
21 Nov 2012 09:11 pm
Have a blast! It’s an awesome race and you are tuned! Just remember your mind is stronger than your muscles – fight through the hurt and you’ll kill it!
Ross
23 Nov 2012 11:11 pm
Hi James,
How do you make those photo montages?
Good luck at TFN50.
Ross.
The North Face 50: Pre Race | JAMES WALSH | JamesWalshRacing.com
[...] Griffith Park Trail Half Marahon – 3rd OA Those are just some of the races and “big” runs. There was also a lot of other good running, riding, and yoga mixed in. My body is feeling really good right now and I think I’ll be toeing the line pretty fresh. This is all very new to me but to stay I’m excited about what the future with bring, both in and out of running, would be an understatement. I am finding being hopeful is a pretty powerful thing and there’s not much I think I can’t do right now. Yasi posted a quote the other day that pretty much sums it up: ”One of the happiest moments ever is when you feel the courage to let go of what you can’t change.” So after all the big running and some good results I think I’m ready…. but Saturday will tell. A couple of weeks ago I did get transferred to the elite wave, which may be a bit bold (read: STUPID). My goal for the race? I’m going for it. I requested a move to the elite wave after I saw that the elite wave goes off 3 minutes before the rest of the pack. I want to put my hand in the fire. I have NOTHING to lose and I’m not scared… at all. I am going to jump in the lead/chase pack and hang on for dear life and for as long as I can. I am pretty sure there will come a time when I totally explode but if/when that happens I’ll laugh and be totally content with having given it a go. Worst case scenario I think is I have to walk a mile or two, regroup, and then finish my first 50 miler. There will still be cold beer at the finish line! I just want to see how long I can hang and what I need to do to get to that next level. I know this may not be the smartest approach to running my first 50 miler but I want to see and feel what it takes to race with the best in the sport. I am well aware this could lead to a blow up of epic proportions that i have never experienced before, but I am ready and willing to pay that price. I may be way out my of league (and mind) but I want to see if I can do it. I like the ultra thing because along with being a good runner you have to have a considerable amount physical and mental toughness. I may not be as good a runner as any of these guys but I will put my toughness up there with any of theirs, especially after what I have been through this year. My tolerance for suffering is at an all time high! So the TNF50 will be a total learning experience for me and I’m kinda tripping out that I will be running 50 miles on Saturday… I have received a lot of very encouraging emails, texts, and messages this week and I just wanted to say thanks! It feels good to know that I have so many good people in my corner supporting me and willing to help. A couple of weeks ago Stages & Stereos released a new EP and the title track, “Anchorless”, has been running constantly through my mind. The lyrics speak clearly to where my mind is right now… ”i won’t be a ghost of a man who’s ashamed of his death, push the pace, watch the clock tick away, we progress, shake it off, carry on!” [...]