Leg 20 (9.2 mi.) Anybody Run it Before?

I'm a first timer.  Has anyone run Leg 20 before?  It is 9.2 miles and seems to be almost all uphill for the first 5.5 miles.  Interested in hearing what it's actually like -- trouble spots and maybe even some encouragement!

How are the shoulders? Did you run it at night?  Etc.

bad mouth the captain?  hit on his significant other???

This was a new leg last year(year before?) - we used to take the left just after coming out of the Voc tech, now we go down to the High School.

I did it last year and headed out just after 4AM.  You have a nice little downhill coming out of the school but you start to climb, and climb, and climb.  I almost think the 'old' leg One up the ski trail at Bretton Woods was easier - certainly over much more quickly.  And although the elevation map looks like a good DH after you crest - it really isn't.  Seemed more flat than down & I remember getting into a comfortable pace but just couldn't seem to push after doing that hill.

Doing it in the dark is no issue, the shoulders were wide & looked pretty new so the footing was excellent.

It's a tough run but not impossible, just plan on going slower.  I did leg 8 out of the state park to Conway at 7:25 pace and did leg 20 @ 8:16 then back into the lower 7's for the 3rd.  Adjust to the conditions

Good Luck

Run Strong..............

RBS

I was kind of hoping for the exact opposite answer.  You know, "The elevation map makes the first 6 miles look tough but it's really an optical illusion, mostly flat with a few uphill spikes."  Yikes!

Really, though, your answer is exactly the information I was seeking.  Wasn't sure if anyone that visits this forum would have run that particular leg. 

I need to check my memory to see what heinous act I committed to wind up with this fate.

So, is leg 8 a pretty comfortable one on which to start? 

Thanks for the info about the shoulder.  Very encouraging.  I could just see myself out there with the miner helmet lamp trying to avoid the dreaded sprained anlkle.

I'm sure you'll pass me at some point along the way! 

Leg 8;

I think Leg 8 is an excellent start, some very easy rollers as it passes though farm/fields & is a reasonable length.  Treat it like a tempo run - you can settle in to a solid pace w/o going too fast so as to save something for the next 2.  I hit it at 7:30P last year, footing was OK and you move to sidewalk as you come into Conway.

Back to leg 20, it's a big hill and you just need to take the mindset that you're going to be slower but you'll do the best that you can.  Really, you're going to be climbing some 40 - 50 minutes, maybe more.  Ask you van mates to stop a little more frequently to break up the climb; mile 2, mile 4 and at the top ~ 5.5 that way you can just focus on seeing them and not the whole thing at once and maybe one more around mile 7 or 7.5.  If the weather's clear, there's one point where you're looking up the road and see the tail lights way the hell up there and it kinda hits you that this is a serious hill.  One step at a time and break it up into as many little sections as you need to and you'll do fine.

Leg 32; you'll just do what you can.  The biggest issue will be fatigue.  There arre some hills so just try to settle into a comfortable pace and enjoy the ride.

You'll do fine

Run Strong.....

Bob

Thanks Bob.  That is some very useful information and advice.  I didn't even realize that the van would be anywhere along the route other than at the next transition area.

Breaking it into little compenents seems like a good idea.

The great news is that they revised leg 32 down to 2.2 miles.  I think it was 6.8 last year.  So now it's 6.6/9.2/2.2.  Seems like leg 32 is just through the center of Exeter.  I can't imagine that it is too hilly.  Course elevation shows it rising about 100 feet over the course of the middle mile.

Also glad to hear about Leg 8.  Sounds like a pleasant way to start out.

WHOAAA ..........   Please send me an e-mail at runbikeski@excite.com.  With the comment of "I didn't realize that the van would be anywhere along the route" you really need to see the Unoffical Runners Guide.  I'll send you a copy

Is your team all first timers??

Thx

Bob.......

Run Strong...........

I ran legs 8/20/32 last year and agree with everything rbs said!  Leg 20 is pretty much a hill that goes for most of the leg.  Leg 32 should be a walk in the park this year since it's so short!  It was 6.8 up & down miles last year on Saturday afternoon especially since the sun was out & it warmed up to the 80s.   

Thanks man.  I need to find a 6 mile hill around here upon which to practice.  I'm in NC.

All the climbs I know like that are in Western NC.  The good thing about running big hills at night is that you can't see just how much further you really have to go up.  Take it steady and you'll be fine.

Holy Smokes!  That was brutal.  RBS, you were dead on with regard to the elevation map mind trick.  I was so happy to get to the end of the 6th mile because it meant the uphill climb was generally over.  Instead, I enjoyed a great downhill for about .5 mile and then the rest was either uphill or flat, at best!   Cool part, though, was the snow flurry action.