Erika filled you in on the conditions so I'll refer you to her excellent post for those details, other than it was wet and muddy out there on Saturday.

This was my 5th EQ in 10 years here, and will be my last as a local resident. Last year I ran 3:17:20 under less than ideal cold temps and 5-6 miles of snow cover on the higher elevations. So my goal was to beat that because I felt I had at least a 3:15 in me last year and I was in similar shape this time, despite missing 2 weeks of key training in July from tendonitis in my knee.

Scrambled to the start, just in time--dealing with clothing and instructions for support crew. And women's favorite Christy Marvin came right up and asked if she could pace off me because she wanted to go after the women's record (held by my friend and co-XC coach Sue Faulkner). So we became instant friends. She and her husband went to Colorado State, where my wife and I had gone, and they have three boys we have two. We had a lot to talk about, and just chatted away for the first 9 miles. We were about 1 to 1.5 minutes off my pace from last year, but I wasn't too concerned, hoping to make that up over the last miles. Felt good through that stretch, but dreading the Dome thinking it would be rainy and windy (earlier forecasts called for 20 mpw winds on higher elevations). What we had was thick--disorienting fog on the ascent and I was glad to have the company. On the out and back Christy fell back a few steps, but was only a few seconds behind at the turn-around (15 miles), I began to focus on my own race and pace and caught a guy who'd been 30-40 seconds up on us in the early miles, and to move into the top 10 (I was about 12th overall).

I ended up changing my shirt and jacket three times (one good thing of that death march rainy 20 miler the other week was that I realized I'd need to change clothing to survive such conditions for 3+ hours). My support crew came threw wonderfully. By the time I reached the chute I was about 20 seconds ahead of last year's time. I had just caught that other runner, but he put me away on the chute as I took baby steps all the way, so he put on 30 seconds again. The going was rough because I wore light road shoes (Asics DS Racers), figuring the slick parts would only affect traction for 3 or 4 miles (another advantage of my scouting run). I ran on the rough stuff on the margin, not on the cleared part because it was too muddy. Somehow, I continued to pull ahead of last year's time and maintain or gain on the guys ahead.

Hit 20 in 2:32 (still about 20 sec ahead of last year), shirt and jacket and went after it. Made up some ground on the guy ahead and on my splits. Took a good banana peel like tumble onto my side at 22.5 on the power line. And by then I was pounding gus every 20 minutes, and water every 10. I kept rolling down the gradual downhill on Goldhill road and reeled in two more runners, and them a third with just 1 km to go. I knew I had the age group record and was hurting but happy to have it done.

3:15:51. And the 2nd fastest men's age grade ever in this 52 yr old race at 75.2. Men's winner Matias Saari (44) ran 2:55:01 scored a 75.6 , so down to the wire. After congratulating Christy for her win and record and talking to several finishers (most of the men's top 15) I stumbled into the gym and took a 15 minute warm shower. Was cramping all day long and felt slightly sick to the stomach, but gobbled food whenever my stomach gave the green light.

That was a tough day.

Wow!  Excellent job!

Fantastic running.  I like the idea of changing clothes. Probably felt good, at least for a while.

Congrats on a great race!  If it stopped raining I'd understand changing clothes, but not if you're just going to get wet again.  So did I see you're moving to Colorado?  What part?  Not that I could keep up with you...

Yeah, I've had dry clothes (and towels) stashed along some of the more inclement ones but, except for the time changing in a warm car with a thermos of hot chocolate and pbj sandwiches on the first of two loops felt so good it took for 20 minutes, any interest in dry clothes has always been subordinated to the desire to finish and get it over with.  Have fun back in Colorado with some great Alaska memories..

So, up front was bad and so was for the AG winner. You guys are one tough runners.

My utmost admiration to you !

Thanks for the report, and congratulations!  You guys are so tough!

great photo of our Trackrat pacing the women's winner