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Lloyd
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« on: 07 July 2008, 17:51:17 » |
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Stage Descriptions - from the Race Director’s point of view
The ‘Info Booklet’ found on our website contains detailed, technical information about course descriptions and elevations for each Stage. The following will give you additional information and insight into each Stage from my point of view.
On a personal note, if The ENDURrun existed 30 years ago, this would have been the only event I would have trained for. While I would have certainly participated in other races, my focus throughout the year would have been The ENDURrun. I think The ENDURrun has all the elements required to provide a complete test of running strength, speed, determination, endurance and tactics.
Stage 1 - The Half Marathon
Perhaps one of the most popular running events in the world is the Half Marathon, so this is a great event to kick off The ENDURrun. Of the 7 Stages, there are 3 Stages that are longer and 3 Stages that are shorter than Stage 1. The average distance per Stage in The ENDURrun is 22.9 KM, so the 21.1 KM Half Marathon is the perfect starting point.
This Stage is held at RIM Park in Waterloo, and after running 6 Stages, the 7th and final Stage is also held at RIM Park, so you will have come ‘full circle’ in your quest to complete this tremendous endurance challenge.
This course is not flat or fast. It has the right amount of difficulty to make it challenging. The course consists of a 13 KM loop, followed by an 8 KM loop which overlaps the first 7 KM of the first loop, providing familiarity. The course is scenic.
This Stage is used to set up the running order for the Stage 2 Time Trial. The purpose of this Stage is to reward the faster runners with a later starting position in the Time Trial, to give them a competitive advantage in gaining further ground in the overall standings.
This Stage awards the winner with the Gold Jersey to be worn in Stage 2, and rewards the winner with the last starting position in the Time Trial. Two major prizes. Would the winner of this Stage sacrifice early gain for future pain?
Strategically, would you run conservatively in the first Stage, feeling out the competition and picking your spot in a later Stage to make your move? Or would you give everything you got in each Stage?
RIM Park is also the site of the pre-race meeting.
Stage 2 - The 15 KM Time Trial
Stage 2 is a Time Trial, with runners starting one minute apart, in reverse order of finish from Stage 1. The leader, wearing the Gold Jersey, will start last.
Most people have not run a Time Trial before. Many runners feel comfortable running in groups, so the Time Trial format creates additional pressure, and the unknown pacing of rival competitors adds to the challenge of this Stage.
The “Sprint King” is awarded a Blue Jersey, and is the runner with the fasted combined times of the two Time Trial Stages, Stage 2 and Stage 6.
The course has an interesting design, with many subtle aspects. The first KM is flat and open, allowing runners to see those ahead of them, gauging their speed. Then there is a long difficult hill to climb without the benefit of pacing off of other runners. Go too slow and lose ground or go too fast and burn out. You don’t know what the person behind you is doing. Then after a few rolling KM, the last 8 KM are either downhill or flat. A good opportunity to relax into a fast, comfortable pace. There is a beautiful 4 KM trail section, a flat out and back 2 KM course along the river. As the runners double back, they are given the opportunity to see just how close their competition is.
As Stage 1 is a road race and Stage 3 is a trail race, this Stage has 4 KM of trail, the purpose being to provide a transition from a road Stage to a trail Stage.
Again, to contrast the Stages, this course is flatter, shorter and faster than the previous Stage and the next Stage.
This course also runs over Highway 401 twice, and underneath Highway 401 twice!
There is a post race pool party at Grampa’s house, allowing for a cooling dip, and some more food, relaxation and camaraderie.
Personally, Riverside Park is where I trained in my competitive years, and I will always have a connection with park. I hope everyone enjoys this venue as much as I did, many years ago.
Stage 3 - The 30 KM Trail Run
After two Stages of mostly road terrain, this Stage is the first opportunity for the trail runners to shine. Stage 2 was relatively shorter in distance for a reason, because Stage 3 is mentally and physically draining.
This Stage is the 2nd longest Stage, and being 6 loops, the last few loops really test your mental toughness and concentration.
Adding to the challenges of length and terrain, are the loops and the short but frequent and never-ending hills. There are 8 up hills per loop, meaning you will have to tackle 48 up hills during your run. The first KM does not contain any up hills, so all the up hills are situated in the last 4 KM of the loop.
The first KM contains about a half KM downhill paved road section, providing either a recovery opportunity, or a tactical opportunity to pick up some ground on your competition.
With the early morning start, the dew on the grass can lead to wet shoes and the possibility of blisters. Extra precaution should be taken to avoid or at least minimize this event-ending possibility.
Approximately half of the course is run in the shade of the forest, providing a much-welcomed relief from the sun.
There are sections along the course where runner’s paths cross, providing the opportunity for inspiring high-fives, opportunistic words of encouragement, or to check out your competition.
With the figure 8 course design, you are never very far away from the finish area, and the constant cheering can be heard throughout your run.
The next Stage is in the following evening, allowing your body the opportunity to rest a little longer than having to get up early. Given the difficulty of this Stage, the little extra rest will be welcomed.
The park like setting for the post race festivities provides a relaxing atmosphere to get to know the other participants better. It is at this Stage where we begin to see the participants becoming more familiar with each other, and not just another face at another race.
Stage 4 - The 10 Miler
This Stage has many unique characteristics.
It is the middle Stage. It is the only evening Stage. It is the 1st of the two Mountain Stages.
This middle Stage is ideal for an evening race. It is situated after a difficult Stage and before the only rest day of this event.
Running in the evening allows for extra rest and recovery from the tiring Stage 3. Sleeping in, perhaps a massage. Another bonus is the potential and probable cooler evening weather. Knowing the next day is the only off-day during this event also factors into the strategy for this Stage. However, more anxiety can occur during the day in anticipation of the later start.
The “Mountain King” is awarded a Grey Jersey, and is the runner with the fasted combined times of the two hilly Stages, Stage 4 and Stage 5. The two hilly Stages are consecutive Stages in the middle of the competition, with a much-needed off-day in between.
The course is run on a popular training road, utilized for its’ never ending series of hills. The mostly gravel road adds to the variety of the terrain in The ENDURrun.
The out and back format also allows for the opportunity to check out your competition.
The evening post race BBQ offers a differing cuisine and atmosphere than the early morning Stages.
Participants are reminded to use the following off-day to rest up for most gruelling of the Stages at Chicopee.
Stage 5 - The 25.6 KM Cross Country Run
One Stage has to be the most difficult, to stand out from all the others, and this is it. A Stage to be remembered, and feared. Participants have stated that this Stage causes the most concern, and once this Stage is over, they can relax a bit. Few have run the entire distance without walking. It is that tough.
Running one loop is challenging enough, with 3 extended uphill climbs plus one technical trail section. Mentally committing to repeat the loop 4 more times requires tremendous determination and concentration.
Confidence through preparation, both mentally and physically, is the best advice for this Stage.
This Stage is positioned after the rest day, and is the 2nd of the two Mountain Stages. The “Mountain King” is awarded a Grey Jersey, and is the runner with the fasted combined times of the two hilly Stages, Stage 4 and Stage 5.
Due to the difficulty of this Stage, this is the Stage that a participant can make up, or lose, the greatest amount of time. Adding to the degree of difficulty is that this Stage is very strategic in some competitors approach to The ENDURrun, trying to exploit the tiredness or weakness of their competition by pushing the pace. Once visual contact with your competition is gone, the course becomes tougher.
The first KM of this course is flat, and the last half KM of this course is flat or downhill, providing an extended relief from the demanding up hills. This period can be used as a recovery time, or as an opportunity to pick up the pace and see who follows.
Over the years, I have frequently heard the followed yelled in my direction, ‘Hey #%&^$*, you mean I have to run that #%&^$* course 4 more times, you #%&^$*’. But the post race festivities are usually quite civil, and the relief on the face of the participants is very evident once this Stage is over.
The ice water soaking for the legs and the post race massage are almost mandatory at this point of this event.
Proper foot preparation cannot be underestimated for this Stage. Proper shoes and blister prevention can mean the difference between finishing The ENDURrun and not.
Stage 6 - The 10 KM Time Trial
This Stage highlights the biggest transition from Stage to Stage in terms of terrain and difficulty.
Compared to Stage 5, this course is flat, fast, short, on the road, and usually with a tail wind. Designed to be a PB course if up for the challenge. Surprisingly, many PB’s are run at this Stage.
The “Sprint King” is awarded a Blue Jersey, and is the runner with the fasted combined times of the two Time Trial Stages, Stage 2 and Stage 6.
Maybe still feeling the mountain climbs in your legs from yesterday, or looking ahead to tomorrows Marathon, it will take a lot to overcome the desire to take it easy during this Stage. But since this Stage is a Time Trial, this is not a Stage to take lightly. Minutes can be lost to your competition on this short Stage if you take it easy and your competition does not.
Being a Time Trial, with participants starting one minute apart in reverse order of the overall standings at this point, there could be a 60 minute difference in starting times between the first runner and the last runner, when the Relay, Sport and Guest runners are added to the order.
The last KM is straight with a gentle downhill slope, allowing you to see the finish line from 1 KM away.
The finish line is at the Schmidt house, which is also the site of that evenings BBQ, a gathering of participants, volunteers, families and friends of The ENDURrun to reminisce about the previous week and share in the excitement of the final Stage. This is a highlight of the week, where long-term bonds and friendships are solidified.
Stage 7 - The Marathon
This Stage highlights the biggest transition from Stage to Stage in terms of distance.
Back at RIM Park, the same venue as Stage 1, the runners will feel a sense of familiarity and comfort, a feeling The ENDURrun has tried to prevent up to this stage. Runners will now have come ‘full circle’ in their incredible running journey.
The courses for Stage 1 and Stage 7 are not the same however, but they do share a common first 4.5 KM. This course is two equal loops and is not flat, with a challenging last 6 KM per loop.
A Boston qualifier, not only have many participants qualified for Boston at this Stage, but many PB’s are also run at this Stage, despite racing 6 Stages prior to this Marathon. So much for tapering. Maybe it is finally being able to give it all you got, finally holding nothing back for tomorrow.
This Stage is a fitting end to The ENDURrun - the historic Marathon, an endurance test on it’s own.
Final good-byes and well wishes are exchanged, with a “see you next year” declaration by many of the participants.
Other ENDURrun Information
The ENDURrun took over a year to create and fine tune, and utilized many focus groups consisting of experienced race directors, runners, endurance athletes, and coaches.
Similar type events created over the years have been the Decathlon, the Triathlon, the Duathlon and the Tour de France. New events have to start some time.
The ENDURrun has Olympic possibilities, as a test to see who the most complete runner in the world is, and which country has the best runners as a Relay.
The ENDURrun is focused on pure running. No need to carry a tent or your own water or a map. Just run for the love of running.
In an attempt to expose more athletes to The ENDURrun, we added a Relay event, a 3-day Sport event, and an opportunity for Guest runners to participate in individual Stages.
For possible consideration if any of the Stages are changed, would be a track race, or double day races.
At this point, due to the complicated nature of this Stage event, a Cap has been set on the number of participants per year.
The ENDURrun would be a great training camp for someone training for a fall marathon or ultra run.
The ENDURrun volunteers are tremendous, and the post-race banquets are fabulous.
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