Marathon of a Training Day - Falcon Trail - NEO Endurance Sports & Fitness

I’ve run 26 miles three times before – the Denver Marathon in 2009, Ironman Arizona in 2011, and the LA Marathon in 2012. This past Sunday Rudy and I tackled our longest planned run before the Crested Butte 55k and did 26 miles on the Falcon Trail.

Testing in Training

I planned this run for 3 weeks out from the race to make sure we have plenty of time for recovery. It was also a great opportunity to practice our race plans. I always recommend athletes have race plans and practice the execution on their long training days. I’m a believer of the old adage “nothing new on race day.” While there will of course be glitches, the more I understand my plan, the better I will be able to adapt when those glitches arrive.

Our pre-race dinner was what we always have, salmon, brown rice, and broccoli. My race day breakfast (and most days) was oatmeal with peanut butter. I set the alarm for 5am so we could be running somewhere close to 7am.

The Trail

Once we had everything packed up, including our extra snacks for our “aid station,” we drove to the Air Force Academy to run the Falcon Trail. We haven’t been there in a while as the Academy was closed to the public during COVID. The Falcon Trail is a 13-mile loop with about 1500 feet of elevation gain. We planned two loops with an “aid station” in between.

One thing I like about the Falcon Trail is that it is pretty flowy, a mix of trail types – in the pines, in the scrub oak, down by the creek, and up on sandy and rocky sun-exposed ridges. The breaks in terrain really turn it into segments you can “check off” as you complete. We typically do the trail clockwise from Lot 5 (just north of the stadium).

A field shortly after sunrise with a solo evergreen tree on the right of the image. The background is a cloud-filled sky with the sun starting to lighten the sky behind the tree. A single sunbeam breaks through the left side of the tree. — The view from the parking lot at the start of lap 1.

View of a dirt field with nearly a dozen cars/trucks parked. There is a evergreen tree on the right side of the image. The sky is blue with a few clouds. — The view at the start of the 2nd lap.

The Laps

We had a good first lap but probably took it just a little too fast in about 2:45, which is about on par with some slower single efforts. My best historical effort (solo run in 2011) is a 2:32. We completed the second lap in 3:05 with a bit more walking on the hills. The sun-exposed sections got quite warm on the second lap. Rudy even stopped at the creek to soak his shirt. An afternoon storm rolled in, bringing clouds and a little rain, and welcome relief. This cooled down the last 5 miles of our run considerably. We saw some deer, a couple people were riding horses, and there were several mountain bikers with whom we crossed paths.

Sandy and wide trail through the center of the image, top to bottom. Towards the background there is a stream that crosses the trail. Grasses, scrub, and evergreen trees are on either side of the trail. — The creek provided Rudy some heat relief.

Sandy and wide trail through the image from bottom left to middle right. In the middle of the trail (and image) there is a buff-colored horse with a rider wearing dark clothes. Evergreen trees, grasses, and scrub line the trail. — We weren’t the only ones enjoying the trail.

Lessons Learned

My fueling and hydration plans worked well. I will admit it was nice to take a short break at the truck between laps and put on a fresh pair of socks! In retrospect, we should have taken a few more walk breaks on the first lap. This run was a good reminder that I will feel good at times and not so good at times. My legs will hurt, as will my feet towards the end. However, my body has the ability to keep going, so the race will be a mental challenge in addition to a physical one. This run was a reminder that I have the mental strength to get through some physical discomfort.

Now it’s time to recover and taper down for the real deal on October 2nd!