Started pretty well. I'm guessing 25-30 did the 30-miler and another 15-20 did the 10, so there were almost 50 of us. The sun finally peeked up over the horizon about 6:50 with the race set to start at 7, so the first few miles were still kinda dark. Opted for shorts and a t-shirt even though it was about 38F. I expected it to warm up into the low 50's. Started with Natalie (she ran the 10, her first trail run). First couple miles were really good with lots of people around. Stopped for a bio break at the latrine just past the totem pole pavillion and that's where I lost Natalie. I got off trail a little and had to backtrack and that cost me about 5 minutes on that loop (and I picked up lots of seeds on my shirt/shorts). I tried to catch back up to Natalie and I'm pretty sure that cost me later in the race. Never did catch up to her (sounds like she got off-trail at Heaven's Gate) and finished the first loop in 1:55 (very respectible given the little detour). Caught up to my friend Carey near the end of the first loop. He stopped for some food while I kept going, so the second loop was mostly solo. I think 2 or 3 people passed me and I may have passed a couple. I felt good up to the bridge (15 miles) and then my hips started hurting when I walked uphill. Managed to keep the pace mostly up for the last 5 miles, but I could definitely tell I was running past my fitness. Lost my water bottle somewhere between the aid station and coming out of Heaven's Gate (bummer...) Seriously debated even starting the third loop, but hung out and got some food and decided "sure..." Third loop was just U-G-L-Y. Walked a lot more (uphill and downhill) and found it hard to start running again, but always managed to do so. Got some food and drink just past the half-way point of the loop and actually started to feel better. Kept an eye out for my AWOL bottle and found it during the Heaven's Gate loop (YEA!) Carey was just starting Heaven's Gate as I came out, so I figured he was about 12-15 minutes behind me. No drama in the last 3 miles, but one guy did pass me. (He was the only one who passed me after the first loop)

More training, incuding more 3-5 hour trail runs.
Navigation. The detour and backtrack cost me a lot more than 5 minutes today (I guess I could chalk this up to race-day decision/execution too).

Changed into some dry clothes. Nearly fell out of the porta-john 3/4 nekkid trying to get out of the shorts. Put on some dry socks and shoes, hobbled back over to the finish line for some snacks and a bowl of chili.


Lack of long trail runs.


Trail running is an incredible experience. I'll probably do more in the future, but I know I need to train more than I did.