The race started on a grass field and the first 1/2 mile or so was on an open power line. At the start I worked hard to get as close to the front as possible before we turned int the woodline. Once we turned ito the woods passing was difficult. I continued to steadily pass people for the first 3 miles or so. Around mile 4 I realized I was moving entirely too fast. My HR was around 165. At this rate I would bonk. So I slowed down considerable. Around mile 7 it seemed most of the race seeding was set, and the grind began. The course was muddy and slick however my PI trail shoes woorked wonderfully. I only slipped a few times, even on the worse sections. The shoes also drained well as much of the course was in ankle deep water. One of the things that grated on my nerves were several runners during the race comming up behind me and shouting "on your left" expecting me to move right and let them pass. Did they not realize this was a race? Did they think that I was actually going to risk twisting an ankle by jumping out of the was so they could pass? If you came up behind a guy that refused to give way and you actually had to work to pass....good chance it was me. Around mile 10 a guy in font of me failed to duck low enough for a low hanging branch and it caught him right on the forehead. Gave him a nasty gash over his eye. I stopped with him for a bit to make sure he was ok, and then we were on our way. I t was a pretty tough course with more hills than I had anticipated. The rain wasn't too much of an issue. It was a good race.

I felt like I was well prepared for this race. I've been training hard and good percentage of my training up to this point has consisted of trail runs. Since I had never ran this course before I had established an estimated finish goal of 1:50:00. Although I fell short of that goal I can't help but be happy with my finish time. Especially when I saw the race results and the names of the other racers in my AG. Very talented field of racers, many of which I finished well ahead of.

Waited at the finish line for my fellow ranger buddies to finish. We had a pretty good showing!


I think everybody was a little slower due to the conditions. So nothing.


Great race and well organized. I may do the Dirty Spokes Xterra 10K next Saturday!