Date: 2/7/15
Where: Elkton, TN
Distance: 25K
Temp: perfect, 33 at the start, 50 at the finish
This race was about an hour drive for me up into to southern central Tennessee, and it was just $45 dollars for the entry fee. The race swag was exceptional by getting a sweat shirt, and a finisher mug. It was held on private property with 3 different land owners as the hosts. For a “small” race, this was about one of the best experiences that I’ve had since running. The volunteers were great, the RD did a fantastic job, the money raised was used for some good charities, we had medical volunteers, we had fire pits, we had beer, we had chili, we had cookies, and we just downright had a good time.
This is by far the most beautiful run I have ever done, yet it was also the hardest. We run through fields, pastures, and woods, creek beds, cut corn fields, trails, mud, and more. I wish that I would have taken my phone with me to take some pictures along the way. It was a 25k, which according to my watch measured 15.61 miles. There’s no need to share mile splits because there is much walking, or hiking involved with all the steep up hills. But for those that are curious, my fastest mile was mile 4 at 9:26, and the slowest was mile 11 at 15:06. There were plenty of times that I was running in the 8:30 range, and more times where I was running in the 10:30 range. On a couple of the descents, I managed to catch a glimpse at 7:15 pace, and plenty of times during the climbs where I was barely doing a 19:00 pace. I heard there was about 2500 feet of elevation climb, but my Garmin only registered 2000 feet.
The race started in some pastures, and by ¾ mile we had the first big hill. Every time we went up, we then had to come back down. I’m not sure what was worse, the brutal climbs, or the super fast descents that were tearing up my quads, and toes. I may lose a couple toenails, I know, I know, toenails are for sissies! At mile 4.5 we started climbing, and climbing, and climbing, damn, is this ever going to end. After looking at the course elevation, I think this was the worse one. The rest of the course was just steady ups and downs till the finish. One thing that was really neat was at about mile 12, after coming up a big hill from the woods, and into a pasture, there was a RC controlled drone hovering around taking your picture. I haven’t seen these yet, and if I do, I’ll add them.
My finishing times was 3:05:27, for an 11:53 overall pace. I’m not sure how to gage this because it’s only my second trail race. I finished 77th of 143, so right in the middle. The winner set a course record, beating the old time by 20 minutes; he finished in 1:43, with the second place finisher at 1:54.
I love trail running! Being in the outdoors is quite refreshing, and offers a lot more than running on the roads, IMO. The camaraderie is above awesome, and the whole atmosphere is more relaxed. I have 2 more major trail races coming up that I’m looking forward to. There’s another 25k on March 28, and the 3 day stage race at the end of April. I also have hopes that the trail running will make me a bit stronger for the road running. I don’t think I will give up either, but will just have to figure a balance.
Here are a few pictures. Thanks for reading.
Mitch
Nice job Mitch! That elevation profile looks like an EKG. lol
Good luck on the rest of the racing season. The mix of trails and roads should do well for your training.
Nice job. That's some serious elevation change. The shirt is awesome, love the running ticks.
uʍop ǝpᴉsdn sǝʇᴉɹʍ ʇI
Holy cow! Some of those hills are straight up! Good job, Hog. I'm sure Bella would have enjoyed that as well.
on my way to badass
Nice job! It looks like a beautiful day. What was the starting gun?
Still waiting for the perfect race picture. 5K PR-33:52 , 10K PR 1:11:16, First HM 2:42:28
You Rang?
Nice job on what looks like a brutal elevation graph!
For a “small” race, this was about one of the best experiences that I’ve had since running. The volunteers were great, the RD did a fantastic job, the money raised was used for some good charities, we had medical volunteers, we had fire pits, we had beer, we had chili, we had cookies, and we just downright had a good time.
Looks like a good time to me!
Rick
PR: 5k 25:01 (10/15) 10k: 57:44 (7/14) HM: 1:57 (5/15) FM: 4:55 (1/15)
Awesome job there. Your smile exemplifies the good time which you experienced. Very neat swag.
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” - T.S. Eliot
That sounds like a blast, Mitch, and it shows in the picture, too. I think the real way to "judge" your time is to come back again next year!
Sounds like a really fun race. Great weather for this time of year. Congratulations.
Sounds like a great race and great picture of you! Looks like you had a lot of fun! Congrats!
Damaris
As part of the 2024 London Marathon, I am fundraising for VICTA, a charity that helps blind and visually impaired children. My mentor while in law school, Jim K (a blind attorney), has been a huge inspiration and an example of courage and perseverance. Please consider donating.
Fundraising Page
Barking Mad To Run
That looks and sounds like a tough course, Mitch! You look strong in your photos though! Congrats on a great race for you on a difficult course! All that 'field-and-stream" atmosphere....glad it did not rain on you and you didn't have mud to contend with!
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt
Great job
I love the chili mug
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Traci
Thanks everyone. I added a YouTube link for a video that the drone filmed. I am at 3:35 in the video, lol, look at the blazing speed and long strides! I think this was about mile 13.5-14.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MphT_s8B-M&feature=youtu.be
SF, it was an older model black powder rifle.
That looks amazing! And I love the drone video. What a neat way to film a race!
I love that picture of you! You look like you're having such a good time! Great job dealing with a course that would probably kill me. Congratulations!