February 04, 2012
LUSBY, MD - A last-second decision to supplant a workout with a race left Gabriel Rodriguez and his family to venture ninety minutes down to the Chesapeake Bay area for the Calvert Cliffs Trail 4 Mile race hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Running Club.
Arriving in the nick of time, Gabriel scouted the out-and-back dirt road and quickly noted the course's challenging nature: it would be a nice workout. With the course record being standing at 24:06 from 2009 and Karsten Brown (16:04/1:13 runner), Gabriel figured he was capable of a mid-22 minute effort, much like his Kowomu Trail CR in Westminster.
Lining up with the 30-odd participants in 37-degrees, Gabriel tucked in behind the early leader for the first few climbs, but soon passed the leader and assumed the lead, pressing on an uphill. The chase was then on for the CR. Finally hitting the sandy turnaround (basically walking 100 meters), Gabriel split 10:34 and set off on attempting an even split, but the gauntlet was thrown by the course, this would not be easy, there were several 200-400 meter hills at greater than 7-12% on the return and although running strongly, Rodriguez would fade over the last three minutes of the course, but would be surprised at a nice 21:25 CR (10:34/10:51).
A great start to a solid trail season in Maryland... next on tap is the Holiday Lake 50K++..
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