The race started with the Rock creek vehicle leading up a long hill. I had seated myself towards the mid back because I did not want to get in anyones way but since we ran up a road for the first good bit people were running several wide so it was not worries. We crested the hill and then began a long downhill stretch on a jeep road. After being on the road for .5 a mile or so we turned off on the single track and let the congo line begin. The trail was very wet and muddy from the past few days rain so I really wanted to pay close attention. As we continued down we came to the rock stairway which is a long set of stairs that goes betweek two huge rocks down about 20 steps. This was a neat place going down but I remembered we had to come back up so not lookingofrward to that. Once out of the stairway I found a great pace with about 15 people and we continued on. We had crossed several creeks and then began a sawtooth section of ups and downs. I walked most of the ups and ran all the downs and flats which were few. I hated that it was very misty because you could not see all of how beautiful this place truly was. About a mile before the aid station I took my eyes off for a minute and wham I came crashing down. Luckily nothing hurt so I continued on. Got to the aid station and had a cup of water another of heed and grabbed a handful of mike and ikes and then began the worst part of the course. This was nothing but a muddy reep road that was up and down. My shoes weighed so much through this is was sucking. Finally we hit the singal track again and it wa much better but since we had such a long down hill at the start the uphill was no bueno!!! Chatted with several nice people thhroughout the race so this helped going up up and away. Hit the rock steps again on the way up and you could start hearing the finish line which is tricky because it was still .75 miles away. Anyhow crossed the finish line and popped my trail running cherry!!!

Nothing. I have lost 43 pounds this year so far and have been sticking to some good training so I am proud. If anything I plan on doing more hill repeat work .

Warm down was pretty much watter a half a bagel and a bannana. Stretched out a little and began the drive back to the hostel so I could shower and drive back home.


This was my first of the Rock Creek trail series and they put on a fabulous race!! I highly recemmond them to anyone. I have two more I am doing over the next several months so I cant wait!!!