The start was at the bottom of a hill...about 30 feet high and a good 60 degree angle...very steep, wet grass. First mile on a dirt road, then across grass, on a trail and across a paved road...then on to some really rough terrain...lots of roots and rocks. Had to watch my feet BIGTIME here. Very winding trail in this area, constantly changing direction and jumping over stuff. Managed not to trip. Then out on to some grassland...about a mile of that. Then about .75 miles from the finish there's this 20 foot hill...OF SAND!! The trail snaked up it but was about the width of two of a person's feet. So you basically had to climb with your hands and feet at the same time...then run about 20 feet, and go down the other side....AHEM...SLIDE down the other side. Then after that it was a clean run to the finish with the last quarter mile on sand and dirt. FUN TRAIL!!
Race was delayed by 5 minutes.



Maybe stretched out my pecs a bit so my lungs weren't so restricted. Didn't realize I was so tight until the race began though.

Had some Gatorade and water at the finish line. Then took a walk to go see the other runners come in and watch the fast 15Kers.


My lungs.


I am definitely liking this whole trail run thing. It's so much easier on the feet (pounding-wise) than road racing. The risk is in tripping and falling, or twisting your ankle. I didn't see anyone do this today. I had a good run, albeit a little slower than I would have liked...but I was told to add about two minutes to an average 5K road race for a trail run. So all in all I'm happy with the time. My legs felt great the whole time, it was the tightness in my chest that slowed me down that first mile. Definitely satisfied and will be doing more of these. Adventure racing sounds like fun. Gotta learn to kayak (hint hint Jessica).

Awards were given out for only the overall finishers...so top three in the race for male and female. I came in 17th, out of 140+ people. I say not bad.