Milford 30k

The Labor Day 30k has been a growing race over the years. I haven't run it, but I train on the roads that the course covers. The course is rolling throughout, but I know that most people do use it for marathon preparation. Some Hansons runners have done it in the past, as well as a few other good local runners, so there is competition as well.

Labor Day wrote:

Anybody here run it before? The race website describes the course as hilly and challenging - any thoughts on the course? Is it too tough to be an accurate pace assessment for a flat fall marathon?

you shouldn't be using any trail race for *pace assessment*. I don't know about this particular race, but in general trail races are good preparation because the hills really get you working and you recover quicker, but it hardly ever works to use them for pace assessment.

There is a stretch on gravel roads but other than that its on pavement. Pretty hilly compared to most races in the area, but it probably works out good as a pace assessment race for Detroit.

I ran it last year. As the above poster pointed out, it's not a trail race. It's definitely hilly, though. Some very competitive runners turn out on both the men's and women's sides.

I'm not sure what you mean by "pace assessment." Do you mean racing it all out and seeing what that would translate to for a marathon? Or running it at marathon goal pace? Depending on how far you are from your fall marathon, those might not be such good ideas. (I mean, how hard do you usually run your long runs?)

I was also training for a fall (November) marathon when I ran it. What made sense to me was to start out easy and then gradually work down to marathon pace.

(That was the plan. Of course, I screwed it up by getting into a friendly competition with another runner around mile 13, going way too fast, and then shuffling in to the finish around what seemed at the time like the world's biggest parking lot.)

Anyhow, it's a great race (except for that parking lot finish), and I hope you run it. Have fun!

Labor Day wrote:

Anybody here run it before? The race website describes the course as hilly and challenging - any thoughts on the course? Is it too tough to be an accurate pace assessment for a flat fall marathon?

As Humbled and styrrell said it is hilly and all on roads, some dirt roads but good roads.

I used it last year for a 15 mile MP run in prep for Detroit.

It worked out fine for me.

That being said I see that the course is somewhat different this year. I really can't remember the course well enough to see what has changed, but I imagine they have straightend out last year's silly finish looping around the parking lot.

I ran this today. Actually liked the challenging course. The "silly" finishing loop was still there. Sorta cruel!

But I'd run it again.

Yea, I ran again today as well and I like the course.

Lots of shade and a perfect day today.

Believe it or not, but the finish loop around the parking lot was shorter this year :P

Did you have a burger and beer after?

mmmmmm beeeerr, Homer would be proud!

Kevin52 wrote:

Yea, I ran again today as well and I like the course.

Lots of shade and a perfect day today.

Believe it or not, but the finish loop around the parking lot was shorter this year :P

Did you have a burger and beer after?

mmmmmm beeeerr, Homer would be proud!

No burger but 3 beers, free beer is good, you can't beat free! How about that hill right after 15?

GaryB wrote:

No burger but 3 beers, free beer is good, you can't beat free! How about that hill right after 15?

That hill at 15 hurt today, I think HB hill at Boston felt easier. Of course I could've just been numb at that point in Boston.

Today I had the luxury of using the excuse that I was doing a MP run so I backed off a bit up that hill. I am still wounded a bit from the Crim and my Achilles Tendon was talkin' to me.

Looks like you had a good run today Gary. Congrats!

I'd be happy to run a 5k at your 30k pace :-)