The Musselman Run: 300 Feet of Climbing That Hurt Twice

Don't Trust the Elevation Profile

On paper, the 70.3 Musselman run looks harmless: 13.1 miles over two loops, about 90 m of official climbing (371 feet per PJAMM data). The problem is how those feet are distributed. The course starts flat along Seneca Lake and crosses the Hobart and William Smith campus, then two tough spots hit you on every loop:

• The climb up to Routes 5 & 20: roughly a demanding half mile, long enough to spike your heart rate in a serious way.
• Willow Tree Lane: a very steep, short ramp. On fresh legs, it's a kicker. On the second loop, after 56 miles on the bike and in the heat, it's a wall.

Two loops means four climbs. Plan accordingly.

The Real Opponent: Heat and Humidity

The average July high in Geneva is 27°C, but race weekend is known for above-average heat and humidity. The run starts when the sun is already high. Multiple race reports note that thermal conditions matter more than the elevation gain.

What that means in practice:

1. Conservative first loop. The flat start and the crowds tempt you to go out at open half marathon pace. Don't. Keep the brakes on for the first 2-3 km: the climbs and the heat arrive right after. 2. Use every aid station. Water over your head, ice wherever possible, fluids at every pass. With high humidity, sweat doesn't evaporate and core temperature climbs faster. 3. Accept walking Willow Tree Lane. Especially on the second loop. The difference between walking the ramp and running it is a few seconds; the difference in physiological cost is enormous. Running that ramp on loop two can cost you minutes in the kilometers that follow.

Pacing: The Three-Block Plan

• Km 0-3 (flat): 10-15 seconds/km slower than target. Watch your heart rate: coming off the bike, it's easy to overshoot.
• Km 3-10.5 (first loop with climbs): climb at steady effort, not steady pace. Let your pace slow on the climbs and recover on the descents.
• Second loop: this is where the race is decided. If you've managed the bike and the first loop well, you can finish strong along the lakefront. The finish is near transition, with big crowds: the final kilometers pay off.

How to Train for It

Specific prep for this run has three ingredients:

• Steep kickers at the end of long runs: stick 4-6 short, steep ramps into the final kilometers of your long runs to simulate Willow Tree Lane on tired legs. It's the most specific workout you can do.
• Running in the heat: if you can, train a few sessions in the hot hours to get used to the sweating. Nothing extreme: you need adaptation, not heroics.
• Bricks with a controlled start: after bike rides, run the first 2 km deliberately slow. Training start-line discipline is worth as much as training your legs.

Decisions to Make Before the Gun

• Target pace per loop, with a deliberately slower first loop.
• Climb strategy: run or walk Willow Tree Lane? Decide beforehand, with a cool head.
• Heat plan B: if temperatures exceed expectations, cut 15-20 seconds/km from your target from the start and aim to negative split. A well-managed half in the heat always beats a blown-up half.

The lakefront finish, with the crowds and the finish line in sight, rewards those who stayed patient. At Musselman, the run isn't won by whoever's fast at km 3: it's won by whoever reaches the second pass of Willow Tree Lane with something left to spend.