I wanted to maintain 10 minute pace for the whole race. The start was a cluster of mixed up people who seemed to not know that this was a trail race. People were saying things like "I can't believe how many rocks and roots there are?" Lots of people falling. I was slow the first mile 10:45 I had on my watch. So the second mile I picked it up and ran 9:10 to get clase to back on pace. I help that til mile 7 and then the stomach started grumbling. I looked everywhere for a bathroom, but I had just passed blind lake and that was the only one I could think about. I stayed on pace till mile 10. I opened my last gel to take it and as soon as it hit my mouth I gaged and spit it out. I was in puke or shit mode and both sounded like bad ideas. I was still on pace at this point. I suffered until mile 11 and then gave in. I walked every 1/2 mile to let my stomach settle and then ran to stay close to my goal of 2:10. My last two miles sucked and I was fustrated because my stomach went AWOL way before my legs ever did. I should have known better, but this was my first trail half and only my second 1/2 ever. I guess you live and learn. I'm still happy with 2:16 all things considered.

I would not have gone out to eat with my wife. No offense to her, but that was a bad idea and I knew it when I was doing it I just figured it was a rare oppertunity to eat out with her and I wanted to. Next time It's dinner at home and a movie.

Walked and got in the lake. also some stretching and foam roller when I got home


Stomach issues. I think I could have easily hit my 2:10 goal had I not had to take a dump.


I had a great time passing folks in the woods. At one pint I actually ran up on a burm and jumped down about 4 feet to get around a group going slow on the down hills. They cought me on the up hill , but it was still fun. I did notice a large number of people that don't understand the concept of passing on a trail. They just rush past you without even a courteous on your left to warn me. I would have made it easy and gotten over. I had a fun time even with the stomach issues. Good race I'll try to do it again next year.