Land Between The Lakes 60k

Two weeks after completing my first ultra, I just doubled my total.

West Kentucky Runners Club Land Between the Lakes is probably one of my all-time favorite races. As I look back, 60k (37.2 miles) is a long way, but it didn't seem all that long while running. As you can see from the picture above, the scenery and weather made this race even better. The course started in Grand Rivers, KY and headed roughly 1.7 miles out to an 11 mile single-track looping trail. There were four different events taking place at the same time on the trail: 23k (one loop), Marathon (two loops), 60k (three loops), and 50 miler (four loops). I finished the 60k in 6:40:46 a 10:45 pace.

First Loop Complete 

13 miles down; 24 to go!

The entire first loop was spent with other runners; most of the time in a single file line due to the narrow width of the trail. In a race this long no one was in too big of a hurry anyway. I stayed with the group pictured here for roughly 5-6 miles on the back section of the loop. Following the gear check and aide station to start the second loop we all split up and I was pretty much on my own after that.  

Reaching half-way point. 

Here I am coming down the flatter front side of the loop. The next 3-5 miles were the hilliest (is that a word?) part of the race. After fueling up at the aid station I was back on my way (below). Shortly after this picture was taken I was passed by the eventual winner of the 50 miler, David Riddle. David set the course record and was just voted fourth in the ultra-marathoner of the year award. You can read his blog here. To give you an idea of how fast David is, he ran 13 more miles than me in 50 less minutes. His pace for the 50 miler was 7:04!

Yes please. 

Back at it. Only 19 more.

Not sure if I would run across the yard in sandals. 50 miles? 

 

That about sums it up. 

Along the way I saw two different runners in sandals, a couple wipe-outs, and multiple abandoned mobile meth labs. I also ran across Joshua Holmes, the founder of Run It Fast.com. You can follow him on Twitter @bayou or @runitfast. Between taking pictures, caring for Marlie, and studying, Aimee found some time to run on her own. I look forward to the day we can run together again and compete in a race like this as a couple; but until then, she continues to be my number one supporter!

Best support crew ever! (Marlie was in the car) 

Coming up this week, we are running in the St. Louis St. Pat's Day 5 Miler. I'll be taking about a month off from racing after that before running in the St. Louis Go! Marathon April 15th. Looking forward to seeing some of our Springfield friends who will be running the half that day too.

Aimee's find on the shoreline.