Felt like running something hard this morning and went for the Four Corners run. There are a few variations on the concept of running every section of the Wissahickon on the outer parameter. I decided to run the upper/outer main trails and avoid the few outer boundary road sections. I felt this course would be more accessible and easier to follow.
I'm sure others have run this course faster prior to me and I hope to inspire others to run it faster in the future.
Started at 6:56 AM, which was 26 minutes later than I wanted, but it worked out.
Ran the course counter-clockwise starting/ending at the entrance to Valley Green Inn. Choose counter-clockwise because I wanted to get through the more popular meadow areas before everyone realized it was a beautiful day out. And for the most part the trails were light. Lots of mountain bikers out and I made them work to pass me. No pulling over to let them pass.
This is a self-supported effort as I stashed 2 water bottles in the leaves off the trail above the INN. Runners could also use their car as an aid station but you'd have to run down a hill and back up the same hill, which I wanted to avoid. Other than the water I carried all my own food.
Legs started feeling heavy around mile 18 and then mile 20.5 I wanted to call it a day. Tried to introduce some fartlek work in the last 5 miles to keep it interesting. Ran most of the hills except the one off Bells and a few in the last 3 miles when I was struggling. Had a nice push down the last hill to the finish at the Inn.
Hydration: Started with 30oz water and 16oz Skratch Labs. 10 Miles in grabbed a stashed 16oz water bottle. Guzzled half and put the rest into the bladder.
Nutrition: 200cal GU Chews, 150cal Waffle, 140cal Skratch lab chews and 100cal GU.