The gear upgrades continue with the Bimbler Bluff 50K (32.5-miler, really) looming just a few days away. I know that we're probably in a recession at this point, but if there's a way to make this long trek through the woods even a little bit easier then I'm all over it. Plus I'm keeping everything to two-figure purchases.
I've decided to invest in some low-cut "trail gaiters". I'm sure there's a story behind that name. Anyway, they are durable cuffs that you put over your ankles to keep pebbles and other debris out of your running shoes. They're also helpful to protect your ankles from low-lying brush. In my most recent trail races (Pisgah 50K and Nipmuck) I do remember wishing I didn't have so many little things shifting around inside my shoes, but I didn't want to take the time to stop, sit down, yank my shoes off, empty them out, put them back on and go through that whole rigamarole every half hour. I also figure that they will also be useful for Disney and Boston training when the snow on the roads is ankle-deep.
After 4 days of training this week I'm already pushing 50 miles. That's probably a lot for a week leading up to a 50K trail race, but I didn't even break 30 last week due to a bad stomach virus, so two weeks of low mileage didn't seem like a great option.
The weather is now looking dry for Sunday, which is a huge relief (at least until it switches back to heavy rain). But there's rain in the forecast for Saturday, and heck...what would a 50K trail race be without lots and lots of mud?!
[clap, clap, clap]
Mike, I applaud you for using "rigamarole" in a post. That's what I like to see.
Posted by: Bart Allen | October 23, 2008 at 09:40 AM