The 10k+

I didn't think I was going to stop running up that hill before I encountered it. I thought, "As long as I just keep moving and keep a steady, albeit slow, pace, then I'll be alright." Well, I never stopped, but I didn't keep running either. I fully intended on doing some recon of the hill before running it, but I'm glad I didn't- I might have chickened out. Let me refresh your memory on the trail profile:

That elevation graph has an entirely new meaning to me now. The hill gained 500 feet in elevation in about 3/5 of a mile- crazy for a run, if you ask me. I didn't feel too bad hiking, though, because the swarm of people around me were doing the same thing.

Once I reached the top, I could finally pick up my stride and enjoy the scenery. It was a beautiful trail, and I'm sure I would've enjoyed hiking it any other day. It was a bit treacherous in places, especially since there had been a downpour of rain in the wee hours of the morning. I slipped many times on rocks and roots and got a bit muddy, but I never fell.

Up and down, along a river and around a lake we trotted, watching every step. Running through the woods added a new element of excitement to the race, in my opinion. Finally, what comes up, must come down and we had to run down the steep grade we hiked up. Even though it went relatively quickly, I thought I might lose my knees after pounding on them so consistently and forcefully. We leveled out for the home stretch (always the best part!). I could feel everything was OK and working properly so I gave it all I had. I finished the 7 miles (hence the 10k+ in the title) at 1:12:44, which is hard to relate to anything considering the variance of the trail, but the time doesn't mean much to me anyway. I'm just glad I did it. I had so much fun, all things considered.


Dan took this photo after I came out of the meadow mile loop. That part was quite serene, and at the very beginning, which is why I am smiling.
I ran with my friend Ami (we camped with her and her family), and that might be her right behind but I'm not sure. We lost each other right around here so I didn't get to run with her, but I know she had a great time. She has already asked me, what's next?
I'm not sure, but I might try sleeping in my own bed the night before the next race, for a change.