Started out with what I thought was a conservative pace given that I knew the first 3 miles would be net uphill by a couple hundred feet. First time running on a this kind of trail, being very careful to watch my footing. As far as trails go, I wouldn't think that this was not either too narrow, or rocky, but new to me. It was fairly wide (always enough for 2-3 runners minimum), with some small embeded rocks and roots, but not really bad at all. I think around mile 2 I started to feel this wasn't going to be a good running day for me. I had no legs at all for climbing anymore, my glasses were fogging, and I succumbed to walking parts of the hill between miles 2-3. Crested the hill, and enjoyed the nice descent for the next 3 miles, but fogging glasses and worrying about my footing on the trail, restricted my pace. Even on the pavement, I just wasn't hitting the usual running grove. The suspension bridge was crazy fun running over it and it bouncing madly up and down from the other runners. I wanted to go back and do it again! After mile 4, I knew this was going to be a long, slow run, so I began to just enjoy the woods, the lovely morning, some tunes, and the final cruel trick the MCM Events seem to love - a steep finish to the end.

Be a lot lighter. Don't think I would have paced myself any differently. I think it was one of those "1 in 3 bad days" you have running sometimes.

Picked up my golden ticket. Had some water, gatorade, and chicken soup. Had some Green Mich Ultra - ick.


Weight, and leg strength seems to be lacking this year. I think I would have warmed up more next time given that right out of the chute, you have a 3 mile climb. Even more hill work and repeats.


MCM here I come? I've got a lot to do in the next 7 months.
I really liked this course Challenging, and I want to come back and do it again - better!

I was really surprised I wasn't last in my age group, and even placed at near the 75th percential overall and in my age group. Guess a lot of the other mortals found the hills challenging as well. On the paved sections, the roads were very curvey, and very few people sighted the straightest line possible. Look up people!

Saw that Sam from my agency finished first in my age group. Way to go! Wish I would have seen him.