Notes
Wow, definitely a lot harder than I thought it would be. Started out with about 15 in front of me, the first 1/2 mile was on grass following cones before you enter the woods and run single track. Luckily I had ran the first mile out and back because I knew I needed to get in front of as many people as I could before we hit woods. Passed 5 on the grass and 100 yards before the woods I passed another 5 almost sprinting to gap the bastards. The leaders were packed tight in the last group of 5 and I was not going to try to catch them.
Rolled into the woods and was only about 100 yards behind the leaders. Hit the first hill, then another, then another. Mostly shorter and steep, about 100 yard hills with 2-4 percent grade. Up and down, I was already out of breath a mile and a half in. Caught 5th place at mile two, he started to go the wrong way and I shouted left, passed and assumed he turned around. The leaders were continuing to widen the gap to about a quarter of a mile as we ran into a meadow but then disappeared out of site once we hit the woods again. Around mile 3 I finally saw 4th place losing pace about 1/4 mile ahead of me. This stretch was the only somewhat easy trail, wide, gravel and mostly flat until close to mile 4. I continued to press as hard as I could but was closing pretty slow. Finally at the brutal hill (mile 4) I passed 4th place on the uphill. He said something about the never ending hill and I just grunted as I passed. By the time I got to the top of the hill I could barely breath.
I got a surprise after going down a little after mile 4, we get to run up a mowed section of the power line. Not single track or any track. Footing was horrible and almost rolled my ankle twice, this was about a 1/2 mile worth of fun. Turn left and run across grass into the parking lot to finish the first loop. People are cheering way to go and I'm thinking shoot me now. 5 more miles of this is going to kill me.
Next loop I try to push harder and run faster but I didn't have much to give. To make things worse, I now had to pass 5 and ten milers on their first loop. Had to shout out left, or just crash through the bushes on the side depending on what felt easier. Sometimes running into the bushes was easier than trying to yell. Most people yielded or even cheered, but there were a few who were completely oblivious because they had headphones on. (This is why they ban headphones for many trail runs). Get to hill at mile 9 and I was barely running up it, and it might have been faster to walk. Passed a bunch of first loopers but I felt like I was going to die. Down again and up the powerline. This time it was worse because not only was the ground uneven, but I pretty much had to step in the most uneven spots to pass people. Probably passed 20 people in that half mile. I also could not see any of the leaders so no chance at 3rd. I had nothing left to give at the finish. I tried to sprint but who knows if I was even running sub 7 mpm. Finished, knowing I was in 4th place.
Overall I was pretty happy with my time. It was a tough course, I ran as hard as I could. What more can I ask.