This run was more challenging that anticpiated with steep hills there were 5 one mile sections with 500 foot ish elevation gains. Many more with less elevation gain. This was really challenging for my current fitness level with sustained 3 mile inclines. Some of the spots were pretty technical with 1.5 to 2 foot rocks to climb up/down with sand/dirt on them. Trail marking was extremely poor with many runners missing at least one turn, I being one of them (ran an extra 1 mile in the first 4 miles of the course 8(. ) Also the course had minimal vollunteers (total of 8) with only 2 aid stations in 18.6 miles. After my missed turn I ended up behind some folks who were slower than me and then I had to try to pass them on the single track. During one of these passes around mile 4 I caught my left foot on sagebrush and went down. I was able to go on and finish, but the combination of running an extra mile off course, being behind everyone I had already passed and then having to pass them again and then wiping out made it mentally tough to continue. I did, because that is what you do. I ended up walking up some of the hills on the 2nd half of the course, er ok it was run walk up most of them, but was able to dig deep and run the last 4 miles continuously, much of it was downhill 8). It basically took a whole lot physically and mentally to keep going at a pace that was well below what I was hoping for, but was what I had for the race, day and cercumstances. I could have said just screw it, but just kept plugging on.

Familiarity with the course is key as the trail is poorly marked and I missed a turn or two.

Sat down, drank 36 oz of fluids, had some chicken soup, walked a bit, stretched a bit, drove home took a cool bath and a warm shower.


Missing the poorly marked turn offs of the trail. Falling on the course, lack of sustained hill climbing. To do this well I would need to significantly increase the number of 1000 foot climbs I do in my workouts.


The course was beautiful, a bit more challenging than I was prepared for and I had to walk some of it, more than I would have liked on he inclines. The course was extremely poorly marked with many runners missing at least one turn (I added 1 mile at a wrong turn). They should probably double the number of aid stations. The course was narrow single track making passing very hard... resulting in a fall on my part. No first aid of any kind at the end of the race, no bandaids or anything, etc. It is probably worth it just for the scenery, but a frustrating day and minmal support. If you do this race, bring everything you will need on your person and expect it to get hotter than you think it will be.