Umstead Trail Marathon - RunMarathon

They failed to mention wet in describing the course. Very wet. Like, the bottom fell out at precisely 8:58 a.m. and the first two miles were in pouring rain. The single track, beginning about mile 2.5, was sloshy, muddy, water running across the trail the entire time. Just a mess. And a hoot! At 6 miles I was 21 seconds over my pace plan, and it started getting worse from there. I used up the legs on the single track, and began cramping at mile 13 or so pretty bad in my calves. From mile 19 on, I was mixing in some walking due to the cramping. I had three goals: Finish; finish in under 4:00, and finish in under 3:30. After 10 miles I determined that goal 3 was not going to happen today, so I resigned myself to fall back to goal 2.

200 registered entrants. 153 took the start. 150 made the cutoff. I was 31st at 11 miles, but slid back to 40th overall. I'm okay with that.

I did not drink enough. I went too hard on the first 6 miles to try to make up time lost due to the wet conditions. I should have just relaxed and let the course come to me. Cramps killed me in my calves.

Crossed the line. Got my finisher's pint glass. Got some water, some gatorae, an orange slice and bagel chunk, and an oreo. Started stretching, then went over to the large roaring fire inside Camp Lapihio lodge and that helped a ton with my calves. Went back out to the finish line and helped cheer in my training partners (who finished a little later than I did.)


Hydration, and having the flu last week didn't help either.


The single most challeging race I've done. Heck, it was my first marathon ever, so it was a PR for one thing, on a very very tough course. I am well pleased with the result, but wish I would have had something to offer for the last 8 miles or so.