I started out kind of tentatively as I've never done a mass start trail run like this. I started near the back and passed a few people on the prologue. The first big down hill was nerve racking because I was in the middle of big group of people going down a hill covered with leaves ending at a stream crossing. Some people were tentative and others just galloped down the hill. I stayed with the pack and came out onto the flat in good shape but soon felt my ITB. Not a good sign this early in the race. I seemed to do well on the hills but got passed a lot on the flats. The first lap finished pretty well but it sucked seeing 1/2 the people get to stop. Starting the second lap my ITB was really starting to hurt and I had no speed on the flats. I did well on the hills because everyone slowed down to either keep their footing or because they couldn't run up the hills. So, I would pass a bunch of people on the hills and then get smoked on the flats. This made for a lot passing and getting passed by the same people. Of course the last 1/4 mile was flat and I got passed by 4 or 5 people. It was fun running that type of course but I was happy to get to the end.

This was definitely a C race as I decided to do the race on Thursday but I was disappointed in the results. I guess I should change my expectations, in that, I need to train specifically for a race, taper and not get hurt in order to do well. I do need to add more intensity to my training.

I walked around, ate some food and talked to a couple of people that I saw on the race course.


No experience with trail runs, not a lot of run training since the marathon last month and a hurt ITB. Plus, I'm old and slow.


This event was well run and fun. They do a spring and fall series of races, so they host this same race twice a year. They obviously have a lot of experience and make it a relaxing, fun experience. Very low key and competitive without being annoying. I think I'll try and run all four spring events.