As some of you all know I was assaulted at the end of last month. My nose was shattered, a couple teeth broken, a concussion and some pretty bad cuts and bruises on my head. I had to have surgery on my nose and took a pretty significant setback to my marathon training. I've been able to run through most of this but it's difficult to breath and so most of the running has just been easy miles.

I run with a very competitive team and we are in the thick of cross country season. We race with the local D1 and D2 colleges so I get a regular ass-whooping. I really needed a break from the super competitive vibe (don't get me wrong, I love it but it's hard when you aren't in a position to compete.) This race was just down the road and I thought it was a perfect time to take a little break and so something silly.

I lined up near the front. Most of the people in the front were not wearing costumes so, it was a little awkward standing there in my khaki shorts and pink button up shirt, Jurassic Park visitor's badge gently flapping around in the wind.

They did a countdown and 3,2,1 GO! We were off! The loop is basically all uphill on the first half and then across the park, then rolling up and down on the other side. We did two loops of this.

I had to capitalize on my strength, running uphill, without sapping all of my energy for the finish. My plan was to be conservative on the first loop and evaluating where I was in the pack, then strategize my moves for the second half.

The first lap left me in fourth place overall, first woman. As we came around to start the second loop I was able to look around and see who was nearby. I didn't see any women and there was one guy right in front of my who had passed me on a downhill segment. I knew that in order to hold him off I would have to pass him on the uphill and get enough separation so he couldn't get me on the down. Downhill running is something I need to continue to work on. I'm getting better but it's not a strength.

As we reached the top of the hill I had put a pretty good gap between us. I could hear his steps but not his breathing.

Coming into the down I really focused on quick turnover and not overstriding. The trail was pretty muddy and slick and I alllllmoooost ate it. My khakis were riding up and my short was sliding off my shoulder. I rolled up my sleeves a little more as I was running.

I was passing a lot of the slower folks who were on their first lap and really having to communicate so I could get around them on the narrow trail. For the most part, people responded well and moved to the right. One little girl did NOT want me to pass. She was unwilling to respond to "on your left," a true competitor deep down. I tried another approach, complimenting her on her speed. While she was distracted by the compliment, I darted around her. Take that 5 year old! Don't mess with Dr. Ellie Sattler, she's a real b****.

On the last section of downhill I didn't hear the guys footsteps at all and I knew I had dropped him. Now I just had to stay on my feet and finish strong. There was one more roller section of hills I navigated before I rounded the corner to the finish chute which was the one asphalt portion of the trail. It was also downhill so I had to be reallllllly careful coming through. So, instead of the usual death sprint to the finish I slowed down a bit and gave high fives to the people cheering.

I ended up #1 woman and third overall, the second place was at least 2' behind.


Nada, this was just for fun

Ran the trails for a few miles then watched the kids races before the awards ceremony


Recovering from a broken face