This was a unique experience. As the race app said, 'it lives down to it's name'. It wasn't muddy, but it sure was ugly. Lots of: butt sliding, hanging onto trees, falling, sliding, being bowled over by other runners, and jogging at a fast walk pace while holding both arms out for balance.

I felt great during the race, probably because I was going so slow. It was frightening but fun doing the downhills. It was frustrating but fun doing the uphills.

Overall, it mostly fun and was over before I knew it.

After the fall, I started out in dead last place, but was able to pass some folks over the first half. I passed a lot of people at the water/beer stop. People who know me will find that hard to believe, but it's true. Of course since beer laden college kids are still faster than me, a lot of them passed me back later.

I think I fell about five or six times, and one time a tree bit me. But it was a pretty day in the icy woods, and it beat hanging out at home. What a great time. I'm so glad it's over.

One word: CLEATS. I ran this in my Brooks adrenaline gts sneaks, with very little tread left on them. What was I thinking? Not much. My other shoes are worse for trail running (under heel cutouts).

My mark for overall decision making reflects my race entry and persistance after having seen the conditions.

pancake eating, Spaaten drinking. Grateful prayers, sacrifices, dancing.


The ice. Frozen blood. General slowpokitude.


I reccomend this race to anyone who can laugh at suffering. Did you enjoy Into Thin Air because of the frostbite descriptions? Run this. Think The Worst Journey In the World was inspirational? Here's a race for you.