Living History Farms Cross Country Race - RunOther

Started out very well. Last year by mile 1 there was a lot of stopping, especially to get through the first tunnel. This was not an issue this year. Kept cruising fast and hear someone say we were "at 8:40s" when we hit the 2 mile mark. This is VERY fast for me. The first few miles are winding through the farm on gravel roads, some hills, and then into the fields. Pretty easy terrain, although hilly, with mild muddy patches.

*The creek crossing are pretty much the same deal: slow way down while people find the best place to drop in, slide (on your butt) or jump down, get across creek (some have rocks, but you are submerged for at least 3 crossings), then climb out. Some are easier ledges, others are shoulder high and you have to push yourself up, others are long muddy banks with tree branches and ropes. I needed help at least twice, bless the kind souls who did that.

Okay, we get to the first crossing and I make it across with minimal trouble. This might be the only crossing where you can walk across without getting wet. I scamper up the hill and starting running up the trail and jump over a fallen tree trunk and then CRUNCH CRUNCH goes my ankle. Holy $hit! That hurt. I am stunned for a moment and think "Wow, my race is over and I am stuck far away with no hope for help...". I tried to walk it off and asked the official what to do. He said it would be a long wait for a ride and I would freeze (it's about 30, and I am sweaty). There's someone with a radio at the next crossing. I can try to reach that, with the idea of "walking it off", and then call for help if I need it. At this point I decide to HTFU and go for it. I find I can trot a little on even surfaces, only side to side hurts. If you saw this course you would laugh - it's 80% uneven, at least. I can run about 3 minutes, inevitably tweak something, hop in pain, walk a bit, then run again.

I get to the next crossing and have another realization: will I be able to support my weight enough to get out of the next creek? I decide that if I can get up the next hill, I will finish the race. In retrospect I realize I put myself in a bad position, but since it wasn't constant pain I figured it wasn't broken and I could deal with climbing out if need be. Fortunately the icey water numbed my legs from the knee down and it was not a problem.

I continued this way for the next many miles. Careful run, hop hop hop, walk, repeat. When I first slowed down, about 1500 people passed me and I was back in the same spot as last year. It was so crowded that we had to walk a lot going into each tough spot. This was a welcome respite for me and I tried to make the best of it. I tried to joke with those around me, but no one was having it. Next time I will insist on running with a friend :)

Finally we make it through the woods, a little bit of traipsing through a giant mown cornfield, more farm roads, and a final creek crossing. The last one was a doozy. Up to the knees in water again and the bank was muddy quick sand. I almost lost a shoe, but got my turn to step out and made it over the last ridge. It was a muddy slip and slide up a huge hill that eventually transitioned to long flattened grass. The last part of the race is a very boring "mile" (honestly, feels like at least 1.5) to the finish. I was very disappointed, intellectually, by my time. But considering what I just did it's obviously okay. Next year I might be able to actually run this thing!

I was surprised to see my ranking at the end of the day. Despite my slow pace, I was better than half the women and more than half of my AG. Guess it's just that kind of race!

More cautious footing! But it's a risk of doing an event like this. I have tweaked my ankle in most trail races, I should invest in a brace that I can run in.

I grabbed a donut and cider and immediately walked back to the hotel. Holy smokes, that was a cold walk. The hotel next door had a warm water hose to rinse off with, but I skipped it. I was pretty mad at the hotel for the bed debacle and decided they could clean up my dirt. I did take my shoes off inside the door and carefully walked down the hallway to my room. My roommates were there, already showered, and wondering what the heck happened to me. I eventually threw away my running shoes, not really worth the cleaning.


Only downside is no aid stations. They said it's for environmental reasons, but it's a pretty long day. If you aren't the fastest, I may recommend a fuel belt. I will try that next time.

Other than that, this race is EPIC! A MUST DO!