This steep downhill is so fun DURING the race, but not so fun AFTER the race. Your knees and quads take a serious beating. For about a week after the race, it hurts to walk. Actually, for about a week after the race, just thinking about walking hurts. Imagine having Chuck Norris drop filing cabinets full of cement on your legs. Then setting the filing cabinets on fire. This is how your legs feel for at least a week. I wish I was exaggerating.
I am running the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon again in a few days. Even though I'm itching to try for a PR, I've decided I'm just going to take it easy and have fun because I'm running the Deseret News Marathon a week later. Going hard at Bryce would make Deseret News impossible.
So I'm going to take it easy, take my camera, take lots of pictures, and do my best to avoid a Chuck Norris attack.
What are your thoughts on downhill races?
Sounds like a good plan! Man, a half one weekend and then 26.2 the next--Chuck Norris got nuthin' on you!!
ReplyDeletelove them!! wish i was running with you. have fun for me
ReplyDeleteNew follower! I've never done a race with a lot of downhill...I'm guessing that could hurt a whole lot! I like the idea of pr'ing though. I may have to try it once or twice....
ReplyDeleteThe only downhill race I have done is Boston, and it has some uphill too...:)
ReplyDeleteYou are 100% correct about the quad damage in downhill. I think you are SMART to take it easy with a full one week later.
Way to think that through... I think you're wise to take it easy. Good luck.
ReplyDeletehaha! My thoughts on downhill races used to be 'yippee!' until I ran Boston and wow the quads were cussing in those last miles, despite the fact that I TRAINED for downhill.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and have fun at DNM!
ahhh you described it SO perfectly. I ran the provo halloween half last fall and it was AWESOME during the race (2000 ft elevation loss) but crazy painful for the next week. So I guess its definitely a love/hate relationship. haha! Good luck at your upcoming races!!
ReplyDeleteI've never done a downhill "race" but I have a killer hike I do that I always think is killing me on the way up...but it's when I get going back down that I realize I've reached the torture point. I generally can't walk for many days after this hike!
ReplyDeleteNever have done a downhill race...Like Julie, I've done a lot of steep hikes where the return downhill is what did me in.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your description it is right on target. After my first half (2000ft elevation drop) I could not walk. Not even exaggerating. Good luck and definitely take it easy if you are running a marathon the next week. I love that you race so much. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI love finding other "local" bloggers!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Gotta love Utah's downhill races. I can't wait to hear all about it!
You guys in Utah seem to have a ton of net downhill races - Provo Halloween Half, St. George, Top of Utah, Bryce Canyon, etc. And some of them seem to be gradual downhills so your legs don't get too destroyed. Good luck on the race!
ReplyDeleteIn CA the only marathon that I know that has a net downhill elevation is CIM Marathon in Sacramento in December (elevation loss of 300 feet I think) - I'm supposed to do this race in December, but most likely I won't be ready due to injury.
Believe it or not I haven't run a downhill race before. Since I live in KY they're all hilly! Legs are burning constantly!
ReplyDeleteI think you should have fun and you'll know a little ways in if a PR is on the menu although I bet it will be :)
Great plan Cory! Can't wait for the pics- I love your race pics! I ran a 10 mile race once that was all downhill and it was one of my worst (for pain, not time). It's so crazy how hard of a beating you take!
ReplyDelete-Maia (reasons2run)
Haven't run many down hill races but I've heard it is painful on the legs. Good luck in the 2 races. You're awesome!
ReplyDeleteThose downhill races are Sirens, aren't they?! Good luck taking it easy. That's something I still have to work on. Good luck!
ReplyDeletePS- you ran under an 8:30! How awesome are you?!
Thanks a lot for the link to that Runners World article that you sent me. That was a great article to read. I definitely relate to the author's feelings of isolation due to injury, because I haven't hung out with my friends as much because I've been injured. They offer for me to go to things anyways even if I'm injured, but mentally it is too tough for me to watch basketball or soccer or bowling without being able to play. I also feel like a distraction to others since some people might ask or feel bad that I can't participate. I guess I just feel like I get in the way.
ReplyDeleteI think there is something to be said about stress or non physical things causing injuries, stress definitely can't help things by any means. At this point of my injury I'll take any and all suggestions of help!
My first BQ was in at the St. George Marathon. Enough said!
ReplyDeleteBe careful of that Chuck Norris, you never know when he will strike!
ReplyDeleteDownhill sounds like it should be easy, but it's soooooo hard on the body.
ReplyDelete