Hi Lyman, I had been following that.
Yes, my question is coincidental, but only time-wise. I haven't been around this community long enough to have an opinion on XC-like things, other than "that sounds hard".
I'm trying to front load getting ready for this 50M re-certification, in building my spreadsheet tools and such. In doing the 50k that I mention below, I had not anticipated the time intensive challenges in a two day measurement. This longer course will also be two days, but it will also require two sets of calibrations because there is enough paved road to require it.
If you've run any of the gravel roads up where the Catoctin 50k is held, that is the type of roads we have for the 50 miler. They're very hard packed gravel, but with good edges. I built a calibration course last summer on part of the course, so we don't have to go running all over. I'll be making a paved calibration course this fall or in the spring.
I don't have the original certification number for this course, but the current one is PA13057WB.
Earlier in the year, we were able to certify a half marathon (PA22015NP) that largely overlays this course last year. Aside from problems with my map file, it went through without any questions.
This month we received certification (PA22022NP) for a 50k that uses a large portion of the 50M course as well.
It was almost eight hours just to ride each of the measurement days for the 50k. If there is growing push-back against non-paved courses, I'll be all over making sure I'm not pushing a rope uphill before I put the time into the 50 miler.
Thanks for the thoughts.
Tom