Forty

Did my planned run almost exactly to plan, except I took an early wrong turn on the CT leading to an out and back on the southwest corner of the loop (which actually worked out perfectly as I hit 40.5 miles at my car). My body did not really feel like going for that kind of run, and I never felt like I ever got "into it"... I didn't feel bad, I had a few energy lulls from not packing enough gels, but I never really felt fully on top of my game. I think that mostly has to do with the fact that I've run WAY more miles in the past 7 days than I ever have (113 ~ previous high for 7 days was 100 ending last Sunday) in a 7 day span, so I was tired.

Mostly from the trails that I saw for the first time I was pleased. The Redskin Creek Trail was really nice rolling single-track, the new CT pieces were to be expected and excellent. The thing I really like about the whole Buffalo Creek area is that if you spend enough time there you really know exactly where to find water (clean water) and you can travel pretty damn light. This is a lot harder in the middle of the summer when it's 100*, but now, it's perfect. I carried 2 bottles and filled twice from creeks. Weather was perfect, chilly start, warming finish. It's crazy to be in T-shirt weather in the middle of November. There was a few short spots of 2-3 inches of snow on north facing trails on Green Mountain Trail, but other than that it was clear. Only saw a few people on the trails, and only one on the outer stretches, saw her twice, and it turns out she's the RD for North Fork. Super nice lady, good to meet her, and that one is definitely on the list one day.

I feel confident about Hellgate, and I'm feeling fit. On another note, I wore calf sleeves from recofit today which I liked. I primarily go them to basically turn my knicker length tights into full tights, and I'm not totally sold on the whole "science" behind them, but if it was a placebo effect, I felt together most of the day. My hammys were pretty sore by the finish, but I never got to the point of hamburger legs which is what I wanted to avoid. I thought that if I had to run a marathon after the end of the run I could. Tomorrow and Sunday are 15's and then it's taper time. The money is close to being in the bank...