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Unfortunately, the race day forecast was for all day rain and I was not looking forward to running at all. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at things, a considerable number of my outings this winter had been in the rain. So I had as they say "trained as I would fight." and knew that even if I did not want to run, I had to run, and I would finish. However knowing that didn't change that I felt indifferent; I didn't want to run in the rain, I didn't feel well prepared, I had not developed a goal around the run and I just felt kinda..... blah!!
I arrived in the damp darkness at 0500 and was welcomed cheerfully at the grand front gate of the Biltmore Estate. Maybe the gate keepers cheerfulness was unique to being a Biltmore employee or from North Carolina but it was certainly a great way to start the day. After parking I finished my coffee and watched the lot slowly fill and the start come alive as dawn approached.
The start was filled with positive energy. The events MC really set a positive tone as she calmly provided last minuet pointers and ushered racers towards the archway at the start. Despite the rain and cold 1300 runners assembled at the starting line. With little fan fair we were off as the sky brightened what would be an all day gray.
The beautiful course laced through the estates extensive property; along the paved and dirt roads, through hardwood forests, meadows, extraordinary formal gardens, along fields, the French Broad river and right up to the exquisite Biltmore House, shining even in the rain. The first seven hilly miles were on paved roads that seemed to go on forever. The second half was down hill and flat over gravel road and dirt carriage paths.
My pace slowed a bit as the rain picked up, the hills had gotten to me. Unfortunately, last mile was an out and back section. I cant stand out and back sections on looped courses. Out and back sections call up the negativity in me. I often imagine myself a cast away, lost in the doldrums in the south pacific. I slow down, fight to stay positive and just want to finish.
So I ran in the rain, on a beautiful course with a great vibe, made it through the doldrums and finished. Not a PR (2:20:20) effort but not my worst effort either. In the end a wonderful day and thoughts of returning next year.
I arrived in the damp darkness at 0500 and was welcomed cheerfully at the grand front gate of the Biltmore Estate. Maybe the gate keepers cheerfulness was unique to being a Biltmore employee or from North Carolina but it was certainly a great way to start the day. After parking I finished my coffee and watched the lot slowly fill and the start come alive as dawn approached.
The start was filled with positive energy. The events MC really set a positive tone as she calmly provided last minuet pointers and ushered racers towards the archway at the start. Despite the rain and cold 1300 runners assembled at the starting line. With little fan fair we were off as the sky brightened what would be an all day gray.
The beautiful course laced through the estates extensive property; along the paved and dirt roads, through hardwood forests, meadows, extraordinary formal gardens, along fields, the French Broad river and right up to the exquisite Biltmore House, shining even in the rain. The first seven hilly miles were on paved roads that seemed to go on forever. The second half was down hill and flat over gravel road and dirt carriage paths.
My pace slowed a bit as the rain picked up, the hills had gotten to me. Unfortunately, last mile was an out and back section. I cant stand out and back sections on looped courses. Out and back sections call up the negativity in me. I often imagine myself a cast away, lost in the doldrums in the south pacific. I slow down, fight to stay positive and just want to finish.
So I ran in the rain, on a beautiful course with a great vibe, made it through the doldrums and finished. Not a PR (2:20:20) effort but not my worst effort either. In the end a wonderful day and thoughts of returning next year.
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| The Big House between mile 6 and 7* |
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| The Gardens* |
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| Across the pond* |
