I decided to take off up Corner Canyon today and just take it easy. I headed up Hog Hollow with Bear (my dog) and we watched the 50k runners from the Corner Canyon 50k head off to Ann's trail. It reminded me of the challenge ahead for the Skyline Trail Marathon next weekend. I kept it short around 8 miles and headed back home. Bear was exhausted so it turned out to be a good time to head back. I couldn't get him out of the steam at the entrance to Hog Hollow. I should really get out with him more.
After watching the runners all I could think about was the Skyline Marathon. I have been through a mix of emotions coming up to this coming week. Mostly I am just terrified that I chose a trail marathon for my first one. I don't doubt that I can finish, but it still doesn't stop my mind from playing those constant tricks of did I train hard enough, what else could I have done, what am I going to need? If anyone knows me they know that I love to analyze things till my mind is exhausted, much how I like to run. Someone else said "If a problem can't be worked out on a long run it's not a problem". I like that saying.
Back to Skyline. It starts at the Weber County North Fork Park and heads up the Ben Lomond Peak Trail (2042) to the ridge of Ben Lomond Peak. From there it heads south on the North Skyline Trail (2001) down to the North Ogden Divide which also happens to be the half way point and starting point for the half marathon. From there we head back up to the South Skyline Trail up and over the "Ogden" mountain and down to the Pineview Marina. From there we run along Pineview to finish at the Eden Park.
My biggest worries is hydration. We have 6 aide stations along the way with the longest stretch being about 8 miles between them. I worry mostly about hydration since I tend to sweat a lot and by the time I hit the 8 mile stretch about 9-10 am the sun will be overhead and staring to get hot. Normally I think I would trust that each aide station would be fully stocked and I would just take my handheld filling up as I go, but that turned out to be a mistake when I did the Utah Half. The aid stations ran dry and it was very hot for the run.
So my question that I am wrestling with is take my pack or just use bottles? I would rather use my handheld then take my pack, although I do like the convenience of the pack with the pockets up front. I wish I had something in-between that sported bottles with the pockets for packing snacks.
I have been wondering what I will be able to complete the course in. Having no baseline for a marathon let alone a trail marathon. My guess is that it will be somewhere between the 5-6 hour mark. Given my time up Timp (4 hours round trip) with roughly the same elevation gain (minus some) and coming in at around 15 miles. I am not looking to set a PR or anything just trying to see what I can do. Besides it will be a good reality check for the Antelope Island 50k in October. Hopefully it won't end up like the Echo Tri.
Here's to a good week of over analyzing!
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