Running uphill for 10km was a fair struggle. I anticipated it would take me 80 minutes which is slow but the best I could manage. At the turn around my Garmin showed a time of 1:18:54 so I was quite pleased to be under 80 minutes.
On the return run as soon as I turned around I immediately felt better. My pace picked up (it is downhill) and I felt like I was getting a second wind.

There weren't many people behind me. Maybe 8 to 10 but I encouraged each of them to press on. At least two were hurting. I did see them finish later on.

At 12km I was approaching the tunnel and I rolled my right ankle quite badly and it took a couple moments to decide I was okay and hadn't sprained my ankle. I was able to continue running and maintain my pace.

I stopped at the tunnel aid station (wine and chocolate only) and emptied my runners of gravel. I was planning to keep running but I just decided I had too much gravel to keep running with it in my shoes.

Shortly after the tunnel I passed a fresh pile of bear scat (poop!) in the middle of the trail. Oh, yay! I wasn't too concerned about it but I did pay a bit more attention to the brush on either side of the trail.

I did the best I could. I knew I'd be near to last but I just wanted to do it for myself. My 65th birthday and I ran 20k. I am pleased. Next year I will be stronger and faster.

Warm down was just me walking around to cool off. I was very hungry because the trail logistics prevented aid stations except at the tunnel and the turnaround point. So I was very disappointed to learn that the promised chili and warm apple cider were all gone. I'm pretty easy going but this time I was very disappointed. Fortunately I had brought my own gatorade, Clif bars and Recoverite.


My own lack of run fitness.


I'd looked forward to this run for quite awhile and it was a good run for me to test myself. It isn't a big run but the people were friendly and supportive. I suspect they weren't prepared for so many people to show up so the post race suffered but I was able to get what I wanted out of the race. I might run it again next year but I will provide for myself for post race nutrition.