I was not ready for the starting gun. In fact, I had the sneaking feeling I was starting with the half marathon group. If so then that would be my punishment for being late to the race start. When the gun went off, everyone took off. I walked over to the starter and asked if the 5k trail race was also in this main group. He said yes, everyone starts together and then the half marathon group went break off. Ok, thanks I said. Then I realized I was standing at the starting line while everyone was running away from me. Yikes! Time to get moving. I took off. Spent a bit of energy catching up and finally got into a groove. You really have to watch your footing and there is not much room to pass on this course. I came to the first hill and decided to make a move while some were crawling up the hill. At the top, there was a guy playing the bagpipes...very, very cool. I slowly made my way towards the top half of the group and settled in. I have not run much over the past 8 months due to some serious health issues so it felt good to race again and feel the pain of running! Really happy to be out there. Concentrated on the trail as it was pretty tricky...rocks, roots, dips - you name it. I did not want to trip. Kept pushing the pace had a good amount of kick left.....fought hard to catch a guy way in front of me towards the end....he was slowing and I probably could have passed before the finish line but I decided if I was supposed to pass him, then I should have figured out a way to do it sooner on the course, not sprint by him at the finish. No biggie. I ran pretty hard. Crossed the line at 29:01. Far cry from my PR of 21:54 on a road 5K but I was ok with the effort. Finished 17th overall and 3rd in my age group. First year in a new age group..yahoo ABOUT THAT! Truly one benefit to getting older. =)

Be at the race in time to warm up and get loose. Keep at it with the run training.

Cooled down and ate some fruit........had a Willy's burrito after a while and cheered the other runners. Band was great. Met a gentleman who won the 70-74 year old age group...he ran a 37:00..he was in great shape. I went up and shook his hand and we had a nice conversation. He likes trail races, so I am sure I will see him agsain.


Lack of training...recent health issues.


One of my favorite trail races! Great course, good food, nice shirt a and free beer! Highly recommend.

Just 8 months ago I had rotator cuff surgery and from that procedure I got 6 blood clots - 2 in my calf and 4 in my lungs. Spent 4 days in a Pulmonary ICU. I just got off my blood thinners about a month ago and tried to get 4-5 runs in since then. I am blessed to be able to train and race again. Glad to be back out running again!!