With one race left on the calendar this year, I decided to do a little course reconnaissance seeing that I had not run this particular race before. I have been on the trails in this area, but it was a long time ago, and I felt it might be a good idea to see what I had gotten myself into.
The race is the Paleozoic Trail Runs – Silurian Fall II 25K held in Palos Park, Illinois in the Cook County Forest Preserve District commonly called Swallow Cliff. If you have followed my blog you will note that I have done the spring version of this race before, three times actually, but that course is in a different location.
Last week I went out to find the start/finish area and ran from the start to about 4 miles out before turning around. The trip paid off because I took a couple of wrong turns and had to double back to get back on course. But the trail was nowhere near as technical as the spring course is. There was about 540 feet of climbing for the portion I ran and the two hills were definitely steep enough to warrant walking them. The trail was in pretty good shape, with good footing. I ended up running eight miles in about 1:15, so I was pleased with my speed and effort.
Last Saturday, Kari and I went back to the trail to walk the second part of the trail, which I hadn’t gotten a chance to run last time. It was also in good condition with very few technical aspects to it. There were 530 feet of climbing in this section, so overall, that will be the challenge that awaits me. Tackle the hills with the appropriate effort, and push pace on the flats and downhills.
Today I ran one final 8-mile run near home at a comfortably hard pace and held an 8:32 average pace, finishing in 1:08. I was pretty gassed after that, so I may have to dial back my expectations just a little on race day. Plus the hills will slow me down somewhat. The race website asks you to submit a predicted finish time, and based on my three previous attempts at the spring version of this 25K, I estimated 2:40, but I think I have a good chance to be under 2:30 and maybe closer to 2:20. At least now I know what to expect from the course and the pace I have been running lately. I’m looking forward to race day.
If you are interested in running or would like more info about this race, here’s the website: Paleozoic Trail Run – Silurian Fall II
an amazing run 