Afton Trail Run 25K - Run

Overall this went about as expected. I figured I would finish between 3:15 (overly hopeful scenario) and 3:45. 4 if the weather was really brutally hot. The weather was on the good side. Very humid, but overcast for most of the race. That is really great for me - sun is my nemesis more than anything. The main areas where I lost time are hills, especially at the end, and one brief potty stop. My watch time was 3:23:56 because it stops when I do.

Miles 1-6 loop around a prairie, but have several ups and down in the process including some single track. On a hot day this section is really tough, but in the overcast morning it was fine. There's an AS at 2.5/4 miles, which helps the time go by and the crowd is still pretty thick. By the way, there were 525 total finishers - a big race!

Mile 6.4-10.3 are two big loops - all either up or down. The first hill is LOOOONG. Although this is all shaded and the views from the top are stunning. One of many points I regretted not having the camera out for pictures. I need to come back and just hike so I can enjoy it. At AS 3/4 I saw my friend Elena, so when I came by the 2nd time (at mile 10.3) I found her so she could reach in my pack for my next batch of gels. I was having one every 30 mins and needed a refill :)

From there to mile 11.7 it's a long flat stretch. I ran by a LOT of people here. So many walkers. Most normal humans run on flats or downhills and save the walking for hills, so I think this stretch is more mentally draining. I felt great though!

Then starts the "Meat Grinder" I don't think it's objectively a lot harder than any of the other climbs and may be shorter, but at mile 12 it's rough. Here is where I saw many folks blow by me, since I'm so bad at climbing. I have developed pretty good downhill skills and am trained enough that the flats are used for some speed. Unfortunately I suck at going up hills. Short legs and too much weight are working against me. I could easily run faster than the majority of people I was with, but they always eventually pulled away on the hills. It's not a matter of pacing, even fresh I am slow. I would need to step up my game big time to do this much faster - including increasing my fitness so that I could jog up more hills. I do think jogging is a better strategy for short-legged folks, although when it's rooted and rocky.. I don't know.

The last 3 miles includes two shorter climbs (still steep) and a mix of prairie and single track in the woods. This is the one section I didn't know. It was mentally challenging not knowing what to expect because it was really windy and you never seemed to be making progress. I regret not having run this before race day. So pretty, too! I definitely want to hike this section.

Finally got to the last mile or so and we see civilization. The last 1/2 mile is pretty much downhill and I saw some friends, so I ran it in. I was very happy to see that I had beat my "realistic goal" of 3:30. No WAY could I have done 50k on this course (or any course this difficult). I would like to try another 25k on a less hilly course. I like the scenery and the distance fine, just so very greuling. I'm happy I did a good job and have no real regrets.

It's a hard course and you should know that going in. I can't say it's "too hard" because it's what I expected, but it's no walk in the park. I like this time of year because now I can enjoy the summer without the trail run priority.

Rocksteady Running does a fantastic job. Great post-race food, tons of volunteers, many many AS. Would always recommend them.