Sunday, November 13, 2016

The bees knees

I have no idea what that expression is supposed to mean, but here are two quick takeaways from Tunnel Hill:
  1. My knees are destroyed! Everybody else was complaining about it, too. The surface is your typical rails-to-trails cinder on top of gravel which is reasonably soft. Maybe it's the lack of climb/descent. That is, because you're on flat or close to it the whole way, there isn't enough variation in your stride. That accelerates overuse issues. Still, dang, I don't every recall my knees being this sore after an event.
  2. Honey Stinger gels don't seem to upset my stomach the way just about every other gel does. Curative power of honey?
Full report next weekend. For now, let's just say it went pretty well. Good race. Great weather (although it got mighty cold at night). Finished in under 20 hours (barely). No injuries. No significant mishaps.

1 comment:

  1. Sorry about your knees. But I doubt that trail had any real cinders on it. Ever since Clean Air legislation, coal-burning plants do not produce real cinders (dark round balls of glassy slag that roll slightly under your foot as you run, and reduce stress to feet and knees). So most trails today are covered with crushed limestone or other gravel, which has no 'rolling' ability. Hence more shock. And less protection to lower legs.

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