As the race started the heavy mist let up so I felt good with my decision to leave my rain jacket behind. Starting from the floor of the valley the trail gently sloped up as we made our way to the first climb. The slope gradually increased for the initial 1.5 miles to a meadow plateau and the first of many great views of cloud shrouded oak topped hills and emerald green valleys.

A short steep climb at the end of mile 2 led to another meadow followed by the highest climb of the run. From there a rolling decent into a valley made for some good mixed terrain and runable conditions.

In trail running I have a saying, "what goes down must come up" and this was especially true with a ridge line between the floor of the middle valley and the finish area. This climb out of this valley was moderately steep and went on for almost a mile with a couple false peaks. The other saying is "what goes up must come down" and the descent started steep but then opened into a gentle meadow for a fun stretch of running to the finish line.

Good run, happy with my performance.

Stretched my legs and re hydrated.


Very scenic and challenging course.