Joseph Jilek

Race Notes: Due to injury, I really had to cut back my training the last 3 weeks. The course was a long 6k (measured 4.075 miles on my GPS). I went out with the leaders, all young guys, I check my watch and I was running 7:30s so I got smart and backed down to a more prudent pace for me. I was in 5th place when the course switched to the single track. I could hear a runner right behind me and he pushed me the whole way. I ran the long climb well and when I got to the ski trail for the finish I really was able to finish strong and I was able to hold him off. It was great as we talked after the race it turns out he was chasing me the whole was and he was really pushing me the whole way and I ended up running 1:28 faster than last year. It was a very satisfying race for me, and I ended up winning my age group by 8 seconds. The course was great, the start and finish on the x-c ski trails but all the rest was on a very challenging single track with passing lanes at some places. It featured one very long climb about a mile long and some pretty tight corners through the forest. I really enjoy this race and venue.

Race Notes: I decided to do the longer race at the Perky this year, and see if I could run as well as I have at the shorter 3 mile. It was cold about 6 or so and snowing lightly when the race started. There is a huge climb about 200 yards into the race and that usually gets me into the rhythm right away. I check my watch and I was running 8:45s after the first mile of the race. The ski trail had been groomed just minutes before the start of the six mile so it was fast, and I was running very comfortably. I knew the single track was coming and I had gotten a report from the race director that it was very technical and hilly so I back off the pace just a bit to get prepared for the lung searing action that would be that single track section. There where two runners just ahead of me when we got to the vaunted single track and they decided to let me go first. That was cool because I did not have to trade places with anyone on that section. (In order to pass or be passed you would have to step off the track into 20” of powder so). The single track was brutally challenging. Very hilly and of course narrow, so on the down hills you never really got any benefit from them because you had to watch every step. There where a lot of really tight turns. (You can grab the trees and slingshot your way around the turn). I survived that mile long stretch and then back to the ski trail, but my pace when from 9 minute miles down to 9:40s. Despite the fact that it is on a groomed ski trail, it is very hilly, with hill after steep hill. I saw another runner ahead of me in blue and I fixed on him and really dug deep. Later the six milers where sharing the trail with the 3 milers. That meant we had to pass on the left, but I tried to focus on the blue guy. Each hill was getting steeper and steeper but my pace was coming down to 9:38s. I knew this part of the course from doing the three mile and I was getting near the end. One last mongo climb and a huge downhill to the flat finish.

Race Notes: I wanted to get a Tempo Run in this week and despite a big climb the last mile I figured this was a good place to run it. The first three miles are all down hill and then the last few miles you climb back. I did well to maintain a very comfortable pace at 7:30s the last few mile. I have to say the last hill was tough, it seems to have grown since the last time I ran this race in 2006. It must be all the rain we have gotten here in Madison. My GPS said the course was 6.3 miles, (as it had in previous years). A very good workout.