I rolled across the finish line in 3:57, precisely in line with the modest goal of breaking four hours.  The year before, my time was just over four hours, as best I could recall, and I distinctly remembered a deep sense of frustration as I struggled to stay on pace.  It was nice to see some improvement — especially after a string of races in recent months with disappointing times.

Caumsett is a 50k (31-mile) race that takes place along a 3.1-mile loop in Caumsett State Park on Long Island’s northern shore.  It’s a pretty course on a paved path through woods and fields, and the day was sunny, calm, and cool — beautiful conditions for racing.  Except for a blister, I had felt good throughout the run, managing to complete it with no fluids or calories.  Waiting for the final results, I thought I had a shot at #3 in my age group.

So I was a little surprised when a friend asked, what went wrong?

Continue reading “Caumsett 50K Race Report: Seeking Clarity” →