Dirt Dawg 8 Miler - RunOther

This was my 1st trail run in a race format and I think that may have hindered my race plan. I thought I could keep an easy pace around 9:45 and finish strong. The amount of hills involved prevented that from happening. I have also realized that when on a trail the GPS watch may not be as accurate as I would want. My watch had the race at 7.97 but actual distance was 8.26.
I started the run solid, passed several people and held what I thought was aroud 9:30 pace. I kept this up for maybe the 1st 2 miles. I kept an eye on my watch and kept waiting for my HR to drop. During most races my HR would jump at the beginning and then settle in. Of course this was never during a trail run! I tried to slow down to get the HR down but to no avail, so in my brilliant planning I said the heck with it and ignored HR and ran.
The 1st 2 miles started with several hills and switchbacks that made me feel like I had ran 5 miles already. It is odd to do all the tight turns, make a left go straight down a hill, make a right and go right back up the next hill. Coming out around 1.5 miles was a long meadow stretch that was on grass. I think this is was the hardest part of the race. The grass was more mud than anything and what grass was there just served to make everything slick. Took a lot of effort to get through this section. I had hoped I could lower the HR during this stretch but everything held steady.
After the meadow the trail turned into a single track that at times became crowded, this was also the section with the largest hills. A lot of roots and rough stepping. This area was the 1st to remind me I have weak ankles. At a minimum I rolled my ankle 3 times between miles 2 and 4. Probably a good thing my ligaments are stretched to the point they don't do much anymore (old basketball injuries). It took a lot of effort to maintain balance and keep myself safe, I constantly had to be on the look out for the next hazard.

At Mile 3.5 I came to the 1st creek crossing. This crossing wasn't too bad, maybe 3 inches deep but still enough to soak my feet. I thought having wet feet would be an issue but after 1/4 mile I didn't even notice that my feet were wet.
At mile 4.5 I came to the 2nd creek crossing, this one was a little more rough. When I came up to it, there wa a runner stopped actually debating if he wanted to cross. I however didn't miss a beat. Figured I was going to get wet so why think about. This crossing was much deeper, came up above my ankles and on one step half way up my calf. Came out the other side and I swear the water started to freeze on the back of my leg instantly, odd feeling to have Ice forming on the back of your leg.

After this crossing the trail met back up with the original trail and it was a return trip on the same trail. I already knew what was on the trail so it was just keeping up the effort and pushing for the finish. Around 6.5 I started to push the pace more and felt i held it strong, regardles of what the watch told me.

Overall for my 1st trail run I feel I did fairly well, definitely a fun experience that I will repeat

Go out a little slower and give more respect to the hills. Also I think I could of used some additional fuel out on the course. Around mile 4.5-5 I started to feel somewhat drained and thought I could of used some fuel. Maybe a gel or something to give me the boost to finish.

The biggest thing I would of done differently.... Pulled the old ankle braces out of storage and supported my ankles. The large bag of ice currently on my ankle doesn't look good!

Not much warm down, walked around for a short time and then ate some chili, that hit the spot after the long run.


The 1st hill followed by the 2nd hill that led into the 3rd hill that became the 10th hill. I think the hills slowed me down!


ORRRC put on a good race, for the 1st time I participated in one of their races I thought it was well done. For the 9$ entry you couldn't do any better.