Notes
http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=563620
73.4F, 100% humidity
Pouring rain when I headed out the door at 6:40, remembered to bring cap and towel but completely forgot to wear my watch.
Rain was heavy until the start, and it let up a bit and turned to light rain throughout the race. The area actually had a flash flood warning at the same time, we were safe as the course did not have any low water crossings.
It was a little cold waiting in the rain. Should have gone topless, probably would have been warmer without the damp shirt stuck to the skin.
Mile 1. Mulch trail, muddy trail, some rocky section, sometimes wide, sometimes single track. #1 and #2 way up front and out of sight, I'm with the 2nd loose pack of 4 runners. Chris is older and I thought he's a slower runner than I am, but he's at the front of the pack. Shaun is a fast guy, so I had no desire to chase him down early on. I was running with a young guy in orange, I later found out he's only 17. It didn't matter how wide or narrow the trail was, the only place with reasonable traction is the grass right next to the muddy track. That area is probably only half a foot wide, if it was available, farther out to the side are tall grass or trees or branches, no runnable. The mud in the middle is clay, foot just sink into it and slide, and I almost fell quite a few times. The first mile was hard, I did not feel like I ran fast, but it took a lot of effort and my stomach/diaphragm was starting to tighten up, maybe it was caused by not having warmed up before the race. It was uncomfortable.
Mile 2: A jeep trail opened up, very runnable compared to the rest of the course. The pack of 4 tightened together. Less mud flinging from the shoes in front.
Mile 3: Back into the trees. Single track with twists and turns, muddy and rocky. The pack slowed down, and I welcomed that because I needed a breather, I followed and decided not to make a move to pass. The visor helped with the rain, but blocked the view whenever I had to duck under branches.
Mile 4: Back to more open space along the jeep trail. Passed Chris, and passed the kid, whom I didn't think would be a threat as he's already running with his back hunched over. I decided to stay with Shaun, see when will he make a move.
Mile 5: Back into the trees and single track
Mile 6: Trail opened up and merging with the 5k group. Center lane was a complete muddy mess due to prior foot traffic. I decided to push pass Shaun, expecting him to give chase but he didn't. I had to zigzag between small grasd patches on either side. The race was not overly exhausting like a road race, but it was tough to run.
3rd overall
2nd male
1st master over 40