Much easier than last year, especially because I wasn't concerned about doing the distance, even though last year I probably was in better running shape. I felt great pretty much throughout, although I did have to walk a bit on hill number four, which was killer. I fell for the first time after the hills were done, but it was a fun, kind of skillful fall and roll. Not long after, I rolled my right ankle, which hurt for only a few minutes and didn't bother me again. I loved running with Carrie for much of the race. I had my transcendent moment during the last half mile, listening to Richard Thompson's "Calvary Cross" which peaked just as I finished the course. Wow!

Aside from be in better shape, I don't know that I would do anything differently. I want to run all the way up that fourth hill, I know that.

walked around a little bit. should've done more.


Lack of training. I got a little conservative after I rolled my ankle not long after the fall, so wasn't sprinting as much down the home two miles as I did last year, even though I had more left.


I love this race, especially because of who I met there last year, although I didn't know just how significant that meeting was going to become for me. Also both times I've run it I kept thinking to myself that "I am a trail runner." I just love running through the woods, up and down hills, and through mud and water (none of the latter two this time,though). I also love doing that all on a cool fall day.