Coach Spencer Runs in the Woods

Coach Spencer Runs in the Woods

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Freedom Park 24 Hour New Year's Race

After the problems I've had this fall, I'm not sure how smart it is, but I signed up for the Freedom Park 24 Hour New Year's Race put on by Brown Mountain Running Club in Morganton, NC. This race is on a 1 mile PAVED loop. Paved. I said I'd never run another paved marathon. I thought about running 6 hours of this race last year & asked the race director if I could run in the grass instead of the asphalt. He said OK. Hopefully that stands for this year too. Until this week, I didn't have a decent pair of road shoes & hadn't for over a year. I plan on doing more road running in the month leading up to the race. This really may not be a good idea. We'll see.

7 comments:

Jason said...

One way to find out, right? If you feel good after some road runs I bet you will be fine. Good luck!

Lynne said...

I'll be there too. I had the same concern about running on a paved course for that long. My legs do so much better on trails. Hopefully the running on the grass will be allowed.

Coach Spencer said...

I won't feel bad about bailing at 12 hours and won't feel terrible dropping at 6 if I'm having problems due to the surface. Is that bad to say ahead of time? Last time I ran one of these & said I just wanted to get in 27 miles, I ended up with 90, so... eh, you never know.

Anonymous said...

Love your blog. I've been secretly reading for a year. You have an inspriational perspective on running and take great pictures along the way! The race director will let you run in the grass on the edge of the paved path. It's all in the open so it's different that what your used to. I ran the 6 hour last year.

Jessica said...

24 hours is a long time!

K9 Command, Inc. said...

Considered doing this as well... but I hate asphalt! The cost is another concern.

Coach Spencer said...

The race director confirmed with me that running 1' on either side of the asphalt in the grass is allowed & several people did it last year.