I felt like shit as soon as I started running. Yesterday I ran up to the top of Vail MTN (Eagles Nest) and then ran really hard on the way back down. My quads were killing me. I started out just behind the leaders but my breathing was erratic and I could tell my leg turnover was slower than usual. As we entered the single track the front group mostly stayed together with infrequent passing. I passed a few and got passed by a few. I was struggling. I developed two side stitches... I fought that off for the first few miles and tried to find a groove. By mile 3 I was making time on the lead group and at each turn I was getting closer. My confidence improved and I really started to hammer. Unfortunately the race was only 5 miles and by the time I got going, I could see the finish.

Not much. I did what I could today. I shouldn't have gotten drunk last night but I have no regrets. It was my first snowshoe race of the season and although it was my lowest placing ever, I was only a few minutes behind the winner so it wasn't like I sucked, there was just a lot of talent out there and the technical nature of the course sort of put racers in their place early and passing on the long uphill finish was not really possible. I'll do better next time.

Hung out in the warming hut and chit chatted with a few guys I met at various winter races last year.


Stupidity. Running hard down Vail MTN yesterday and getting drunk last night. Also, I am battling an upper-respiratory infection and I was sleep deprived. In addition the course was very soft and slow.


OK, after just returning from a $550 Ironman race where the post race food was Domino's Pizza and salty french fries, I was thrilled to race this $25 dollar event which provided a delicious pesto ziti for vegetarians or a Pasta/Marinara with meatballs, garlic bread, gourmet coffee, homemade cookie, afterwords. First class all the way!