WOW!!! What an experience. It was a small event with just under 400 total runners in three events...10K, 25K and 50K.

Left the house at 4:30am drove about an hour north to Huntsville State Park with my wife Jen (who was going to complete her first ever 10K) and Rachel K (who was doing the 25K). Packet pick-up and late registration was that morning so we wanted to make sure we had time to take care of all that. It was actually very easy to find. The people (volunteers) were all very friendly and helpful. Good start to the morning.

The 50K started at 7, the 25K at 8 and the 10K at 8:30...so it was a staggard start for our trio of runners. There was a good mix of runners for the event... ages, sizes, equipped, less equipped, experienced, less experienced, etc. I was not intimidated at all.

The race kicked off and I just hung in the mid to back of the pack (about 115-120 runners, not all of which finished). The plan was just to cruise the first couple miles and then slowly click off a few seconds per mile toward the finish. (10:00-10:30 pace was where I was starting.

The first 500 yards of the trail was a jeep trail...what I expected. Then we crossed the park road and off into the woods onto the 'real' trails. This is where I thought, ok...just becareful...don't worry about pace, just don't eat shit and get hurt. I lean more towards the clumsy side, so tripping on a root, bouncing off a tree, or just randomly throwing myself on the ground is a very good possibility.

I did trip a few times, but overall I managed to stay safe, upright and came through without and scratches, bumps, bruises or dirt in my teeth. Success for sure!

I was doing very well the first lap. Pace had settled in nicely..had found a good zone to run in, and I was picking off runners that by appearance alone...I shouldn't have been passing. That was a confidence builder! I thought my pace was in the 8:30's simply by feel...but I look down at the ol' 910 and I am at a 10:37 pace....alright, this is the difference TRAILS and HILLS make. HA!

Hydration and nutrition for the first 22 miles was spot on... Felt great, was sweating a LOT. It wasn't hot, with the shade and breeze, but it was damn HUMID! My BIGGEST mistake of the day...one that I KNOW that I shouldn't have done, but I was over thinking the race and it being a trail run. At mile 17 I ate a Stinger Waffle. Sounded good, taste good, and ON THE BIKE they are the bomb (1 every hour). On the run, I always take GU shots every 45 minutes...5 marathons that strategy has never failed me, so WTF would I change that today! I paid the price...at mile 22 my stomach started getting pissed off that I put more 'solid' calories in there then normal. Nausea sat in for the next 6-7 miles. I would run (legs felt good - feet were beginning to feel the course) but then my stomach would make me believe I was gonna puke at any moment!

I ran with the top female finisher for about a mile then she dropped off having to walk, said she was bonking. Well about 3-4 miles down the road, she got back on track and caught back up to me. She was super fit, super cute, and all kinds of experienced. Had a good chat and then I had to stop and walk or risk puking on this trail running hottie...so off she went.

I continued to struggle until mile 29, then I threw in the towel and walked... VERY, VERY FRUSTRATING!!! Because I had the legs to run...and up until that point the only person that had passed me (back) was the top female. But over the next two miles...here comes a train of about 10 men and a few women passing my Ironman tattoo having, sickly, walking ass!!! Not a happy camper ~ but oh well... it is what it is.

When I finished, my very thought was...F' this trail running BS, that race just cured me of wanting to do a 50 miler, etc... Lubbock all over again! I said that about Buffalo Springs Lake 70.3 twice now and I am headed back there for a 3rd go of it. Now that a few days have passed, I feel much better, I am totally ready to reconsider anouther 50K trail run.

First and foremost... get TRAIL running shoes, and the 'gator' shoe cover things to keep the dirst and debris out of your shoes.
I would actually train on trails and maybe even this course...flat land, pavement pounding does not prepare you for this type of event...I don't care how many miles you log.
Stick with the known plan...nutrition! Don't try and be 'smart', keep it simple stupid and stick with what works. GU's every 45 minutes with water!

NONE... walked back to the truck. head kinda hanging low and went got some food. I feel much better about it now!


shoes - not right for the type of terrain.
lack of training on the type of terrain and on hills.
mistake in nutrition