Being my first trail run I had no expectations. Just wanted to finish while putting in a good effort and not fall and break anything. The gun went off and pace was quick to start because within 30-40 yards or so the trail begins and it's pretty narrow meaning single file...ish. A couple young kids were in the front and they took off quickly so I had to pass them on the trail. There was packed snow on the trail and softer snow on either side so I picked a line and went around them.

After about a quarter mile or so the rabbits were ahead of me and the traffic began to lean out. There's a pretty steep hill going out hitting a grade of 33% and with ice and snow you had to be really careful even with good traction. I went a little too fast on a section and I slipped forward but luckily landed on my butt and not on a rock. I immediately got back up as if it were one continuous motion (like I planned to do that heh heh) so I was OK. My buddy Pete who is much faster than I was ahead and I managed to stay right behind him all the way to the turnaround (around mile 1.5). I knew that wouldn't last but at least at the time I felt I was putting in a solid effort....either that I I went out way to hard and would die coming back.

Well, after the turnaround Pete shifted into his normal gear and went about chasing people down. The hills just feel so much steeper coming back when you non-trail running leg fatigue starts setting in because you went out too hard in the first mile and a half. When I hit that 33% hill at around mile 1.8 I knew I was in trouble. I just couldn't keep running so I had to walk a bit. Once the grade got to a manageable level, like only 15% I decided to resume running if that's what you call it. A leash-less dog (they allowed dogs in this race, race bibs and all which I thought was cool) started running along side of me and there were still runners coming the opposite direction and one dude said "supposed to have a leash" so I yelled out "not my dog!". Anyhow a few seconds later bad ass runner girl goes trotting by. She turned out the be women's OA winner. I've seen her name in other race results, she's got game!

Somewhere a few minutes after the turnaround one of my YakTraks got shifted up my shoe so I only had traction in the rear of my left foot. I could hear it flapping as I ran. I looked down and thought about stopping to fix it but I didn't because this is a RACE and I didn't want to STOP. Well, after awesome runner girl passed me I looked behind me and didn't see anyone so I stopped and tried to pull it back up over my shoe. Nope, I think I would have had to completely remove it then put it back on my shoe so I said to myself "screw it" and started running again. Then a few minutes after that yellow shirt guy passes me. Yellow shirt guy turned out to be in my AG dang it! I think he beat me by 9 seconds or so, so that stop cost me one place, no big deal i guess.


Uh, I don't know, practice trail running before doing a race...I'm wondering if using sheet metal screws is better than using YakTrax in this enviroment. There was no damage to the YakTrax, it just came off.

Talked to the guys at the finish line, got some hot cocoa, took a picture or two then want to my car and put a dry shirt and sweatshirt on. Then we shared some good beer and talked about the 10 mile trail run partly on the same course coming up in Frebruary. I'm not sure I'm ready to do 10 miles of this.


Lack to trail running experience and equipment malfunction (YakTrax)


This was a small very very fun race. Very low key, course was marked well which is good because I was worried I might make a wrong turn.

Swag was a couple stickers and a coffee mug, not sure if early sign up had more swag, I didn't see any shirts but race was only $30 the morning of.