Heck....I used to live in that area and at the time I had cars that couldn't make it to the top.



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I ran last year for the first time and I'm running again this year. Some hill training is nice to help determine what stride (if you can call it a stride) feels comfortable. Depending on where you live, there is really not much that can prepare you for running up a steep grade like that for 7+ miles, though. It's freakish. There may be two or three brief (10-20 yds?) flat sections in the first half and a slightly longer flat stretch at about the 6.5 mile mark. Other than that it is all uphill. As it's been said, your MWRR time is generally similar to your HM time, so training as if for a hilly HM is a good plan.

I think it's important to go out fairly conservatively in this race. You may have a situation like last year where the first half (below tree line) was pretty warm and the second half felt just right or perhaps the first half is ok but the alpine section is miserable due to wind and precipitation. Either way, I think you'd want to have some energy stored up for those later miles.

At times it may feel as if you can walk faster than you can run on this course but success (meaning a decent time) for middle of the packers can best be achieved by walking as little as possible.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by bobscamman:
Hey Dale I'll be joining you for my inaugural running of the Mount Washington RR this year as well.

Have you spoken to anyone about the optimum pace (individually speaking of course)? If so do they recommend a steady pace or one that will drop considerably towards the end?

I already do a fair amount of hill training anyways (hard not to where I live) and just ran a fairly hilly half marathon as a Boston Prep run this past Sunday (Great Bay Half Marathon) in Newmarket NH.

Just curious what the thoughts are out there. Have you guys made transportation arrangements yet?

<HR>

The people that I've spoken with say that it will be a slower second half than the first half...so anticipate it and start slower than expected. The goal is steady pace and 'even' splits...ha.

Glad you're doing it and hopefully we'll meet up. I've got some arrangements made as some runners that I 'know' online on another running board, believe it or not, have invited me to stay with them. As I'm travelling solo, I thought it to be a fun trip/experience. I'll drive up there the day before. I'm told it's important to pick up the packet the day before.

I have no arrangements to get down the mountain and will probably just roll down, for fun...