Athens Big Fork Trail Marathon (Pre-Race Report)

I consider myself a trail runner, first and foremost. The end of 2018 and first half of 2019 really seemed to support that narrative, with Run Your Can Off, Back 40 Trail Run, Bandera 100K (at Camp Eagle), Ozark Highlands Endurance Run 50K, 3 Days of Syllamo, and Mt. Magazine Trail Run. It was fun times. Maybe the best of times, aside from injuries sustained in falls.

Since then, though I run trails regularly, I haven't really raced or competed on any. There were the 51 miles of The Eliminator last August, run on flat rails-to-trails that I can't really count as a trail competition. Then in September there was Crest Fest, during which I put in 100K of paved loops up, down, and around Mt. Sequoyah. After that was Arkansas Traveller 100M in October, some of which was on legit single track, but most of which was on jeep roads and such. Off road and in the woods, but not the trail I love.

Yesterday I threw down in my last key workout befor eAthens Big Fork Trail Marathon (ABF). I put in 20 miles of Kessler Mountain Road hill repeats that netted me 5610 ft of vert at just under 3:04 (an 9:10/mi total average). That was slightly below my goal of 9:00/mi, but I'll take it. I'll taper somewhat next week, and more so the week after. Between now and January 4th, I'd like to get in one more long-ish run in addition to some technical downhill practice on Mt. Kessler or Mt. Sequoyah. For those of you unfamiliar with ABF, it's a marathon, but it may as well be an ultra. It's technical and the profile looks like this:
ABF compared to Boston Marathon (Considered a "Hilly" Course)


I practically salivate just looking at that profile!

I'm feeling quite strong. Over the past few weeks I've been comfortably maintaining 60-70 miles per week as well as my strength work at the gym. I've been getting in a lot of vert training both outside and on treadmills, some with a weight vest. Alongside the climbing, I've been learning to run downhills more comfortably and more effectively. Perhaps the most positive part is that my legs feel fine. A day after that key workout, my legs feel no worse for wear.

KMR Downs: Maintaining a much better pace since November


I'm really looking forward to ABF. It will be my first true trail race in about eight months, and given my next two competitions are Prairie Spirit 100M and Arkansas Backyard Ultra Championship, this will be my last single trail trail race for the foreseeable future. It is going to be a fun time. There is a large contingent from Northwest Arkansas headed down, and with runners like Daniel Arnold, Shane Poland, and Chris Berry (among others) signed up, the competition is going to be hot. SO! MUCH! FUN! Party at ABF!

Two weeks until the fun begins!

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